'I MOVED FROM LONDON TO SEVENOAKS - HERE'S WHAT I MISS MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE CITY'
When people picture London life, they often think of the energy, diversity, and massive motion. I lived in West Norwood, South London, for nine years before moving to Sevenoaks in Kent- one of the city’s major commuter towns.
Many years later, I’ve learned a lot about the contrasts between the two worlds. While there is so much I love about Sevenoaks, there are definitely things I find myself reminiscing on about London.
The atmosphere
One of the main differences between the two is the atmosphere. In London, my daily surroundings were filled with the familiar chaos of buses honking, people rushing, and shops lined up one after another.
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Pigeons were everywhere, and the nearest Morley’s or KFC was a short walk away. London life was busy, noisy and, at times, overwhelming, but I loved it.
Sevenoaks is a complete contrast. Suddenly, my view changed from crowded streets to open fields. The village was quiet, the shops were few, and you couldn’t get far without a car. The closest thing to Morley’s was a roundabout named after it.
You could say the number of shops in Sevenoaks was the same as the number of green hills in London - not many.
Safety
Safety was another noticeable change. London’s size means you encounter all kinds of people, including pickpockets. I often heard stories of phones being stolen and saw the occasional traffic accident nearby.
In Sevenoaks, that’s a rarity.
I feel safer when I’m walking around with my phone in hand here than I ever did in London. Of course, nowhere is completely risk-free, but in Kent I feel more calm strolling around.
Travel
I have to admit, one thing I do miss are the classic red buses. In London, you don’t really need to drive, you have the Tube, DLR, buses, trains and even the Uber Boat can get you anywhere you need to go.
In Sevenoaks, it’s a different story. There’s the train and a small yellow bus, and that’s about it.
Without a car, getting around can be tricky. You’ll often need a lift to the station, or you’ll be waiting a while for the next train. Especially if you’re on a night out in London, you have to make sure you get back in time for the last train otherwise it is game over.
That said, driving here is peaceful, traffic is light, and road rage is almost non-existent.
Diversity
Growing up in a Peruvian household, I was surrounded by Latino culture but outside was also filled with it too. I liked being able to find international supermarkets and ingredients from all over the world just minutes from my home.
That’s something I miss in Sevenoaks. If I want to find authentic spices or Peruvian ingredients now, it usually means a trip back to London.
Still, Kent has its perks, eating out tends to be more affordable, and life moves at a slower, more manageable pace.
Finding the Balance
Neither London nor Sevenoaks is perfect, but I’ve come to appreciate what each has to offer. I enjoy London’s buzz, its endless shops and opportunities, but I also value the peace of coming home to quiet walks and countryside air.
For me, living in Kent with easy access to London feels like the best of both worlds, a balance between crazy city life and the calm of the countryside.
2025-11-09T08:30:26Z