Bit of a random off-topic question but I want to gather some objective, outside thoughts on this. I know there are plenty of young people in the UK who read this site who might be able to offer an opinion. I grew up in the countryside, by the sea, went to university and then moved to London in 2007 to work. Basically the kind of jobs I was looking for were London-based, plus I thought it would give me the best chance of progressing a career. It's been a bit stop-start but now I can definitely say I've forged a career in communications (basically varying forms of PR) and have got to a good level. My job is relatively well-paid and although it has its ups and downs (v. male dominated, macho, corporate culture etc) I'm doing fairly well, I think, considering I'm the right side of 30.

Despite this I've never really liked living in London. It's expensive, grimy, polluted, over-crowded and noisy. All the best friends I made at school and university all live outside the city - some closer than others. My family is scattered in other parts of the country and I rarely see them. The "friends" I have made in London have very much come and gone and my love life is even worse - I've dated a few pretty awful men very briefly, and the last one was nearly 2 years ago. People in London never seem to stick around for very long: they're not interested in making long term friends and a lot of the people I used to socialise with were nothing more than pretentious posers who would rather be "seen" than offer any kind of down-to-earth, loyal friendship. Of course there are good people in the mix, but very few it seems.

Added to this is that despite earning a good wage, I still can't even afford to live in a flat on my own. I pay nearly £1000 a month just to rent a room and pay bills in Zone 2. No one can buy in London unless they have parental support, which I don't. I really need my own space now, especially because my flatmate is hard to live with - she's a good friend but doesn't like my having people stay over so I never see anyone unless I travel out of the city. She is of the belief that no London-based young professional who is SINGLE should move away from London, or else they won't find a husband. She says there's nothing to do in the countryside (or even other towns across the UK), that I'd remain single, and that it's pointless living there unless you're married with kids etc. I don't believe this and I'm strongly considering finding an out-of-London job when our lease expires in early 2014. I may earn a slightly smaller wage but I know I'd get more for it! Plus surely London isn't the only place to meet young, professional, single men?!

I probably have a case of the Bridget Jones's but I just need someone to tell me that London is definitely not all it's cracked up to be and I can lead an equally successful professional life elsewhere, yet have a better quality of life (which I do not have here) and can meet a decent man. I can drive and miss owning a car so it's not like I'd be stuck in a field in the middle of nowhere, although it sounds appealling right now!

Anyone else had similar experiences, or known anyone who has been in this position?