Londoners

Lucy

Having a "start a topic" day because I'm supposed to be preparing a script for tomorrow and I'm too scared to start! So, here's my question: As a random sampling of people who live in north London (I know Pete), can I ask how many of us are actually Londoners? By that I mean who was born (and partly raised here) and who has come from distant parts (such as Australia, Scotland or Swindon). Just curious because in my immediate circle I seem to be the only one.

Liz

Well, not me, as you know, but I've lived in London for longer than I've ever lived anywhere else (in terms of areas) and also in my current flat for longer than anywhere else (in terms of individual houses, etc) - almost 6 years. Perhaps that explains why I'm quite reluctant to move...

David

Well, born Romford so Greater London, not central London. Not sure that counts. But lived in Camden for c.10 years before a little detour of living near main stations (Liverpool st, Kings Cross) before landing here.

petra

I have been in London now just over 10 years, but I am not born in London (nor Britain for that matter).

SimonB

I was born in Newport Pagnell, grew up in Cambridge ... but have lived in London now for 15 years ... do I qualify?

Four Eyes

Durham 3 years, London 4 years, Newcastle 8 years, Edinburgh 7 years, Lyon (France) 2 years, Germany 1 year, London 8 years. What does that make me?

Confused, 33, Stroud Green.

David

Most people I know who grew up in London sodded off to Bristol & Brighton years ago, but theres still a few about. They're like foxes, rare/hard to spot but around.

Pete

Despite me and Andy being born halfway along the M4, we do come from at least 5 generations of Londoners. We believe 4 of those generations ended up in Margate.

andy

Despite 10 years or so in London, whichever way you cut it I'm a proud son of Wessex.

David

There does seem to be a common trend that growing up in the city compulses them to head to the sea in later life.

Lucy

I have been tempted by Brighton and parts of Dorset before now, I have to confess. Hastings had a strong allure for a while. Four eyes - you've moved around even more than I have. I have to confess to London 10 years, Aberdeen 6 years, Yorkshire 3 years, Oxford 3 years, London 10(ish) years, Perigueux 18 months. Simon B. seems to have lived here for the longest consecutive period with his 15 years. Supplementary question, who considers themselves a Londoner?

Liz

The Wirral 5 years, Edinburgh, 1 year, Haddington 6 years, Bishops Stortford 3 years, King's Lynn 4 years, Oxford 3 years (Cambridge in the holidays), London 10 years. Looking at it from another angle, I've lived in 22 houses (definition = places where I've had my own bedroom - includes houses my dad lived in after splitting up with my mum when I was about 9). That's an average of 1.4 years per house... So, on that basis, 10 years in London + 6 years in this flat definitely means I consider myself a Londoner.

David

Hmm, I think if you embrace the city you can call yourself a Londoner straight away. Its a state of mind, y'all. I've lived in London 14 years, but I don't consider myself any more London than after my first year here. But I'll always be an Essex Boy from _Nam_.

Liz

Great use of Nam, David. And, as an ex-Tottenham resident myself, extremely appropriate.

David

We also had a particularly horrid small shopping district called Heathway in Dagenham which we called Hamburger Hill.