https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47529562
Over the past decade, about 550,000 more Britons left London than moved to it.
This trend is not unique to London; it is seen in many big US cities, including New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.
... People arrive in their 20s looking for jobs, then retreat in their 30s. Although it seems more likely they they only retreat to "commuter" distance -- in London that's about 40-60 minutes from a main rail terminal, which of course leads to increased pollution.
... The vibrancy and job opportunities offered by our biggest cities appeal to students and young professionals. This shapes these cities in terms of the shops, bars and other facilities they offer.
But among older residents, the desire for things like more space and a less urban environment grows, and many move out.
I have a few younger nephews who graduated, were all about the music scene and after a year of looking for a decent apartment in the city, just gave up and bought a house in the second ring suburbs. They still work downtown and take the train in and get on near a park and ride, but the over gentrification has soured them to living in the city. It was funny to hear them tell me the city had no character anymore. It was all geared towards rich, trust fund kids or millionaire retirees.
People arrive in their 20s looking for jobs,
then retreat in their 30s.
Terraced house in Hertfordshire: £380,897 [2]
The only surprising thing here is people are having to save until their 30s before buying a house.
[1] https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices-in-London.html [2] https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices-in-Hertfordshire.ht...
But fundamentally you can't have a high density city and houses - the land value is just too high - and people don't want to bring kids up in tower blocks.