Lucy Green, a 26-year-old medical student, was among thousands who left London in 2020. Last year, the number of Londoners who left the capital during the pandemic was estimated at 700,000, according to a study conducted by the Center of Excellence for Economic Statistics. Another report, from PriceWaterhouseCoopers, showed Londoners were leaving so quickly that the city’s population would shrink for the first time this century.

However, a few months after moving to a quieter town on the outskirts of London, Lucy found herself missing the bustle of the capital.

Within a year, the 26-year-old had returned to London with her partner and bought a flat in the city.

Lucy first moved to St. Albans in 2020 because she wanted “more space and a garden”.

But, she says, “she realized very quickly that living in London and having an easy commute to work was more important to us.”

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Lucy stressed that the “cultural opportunities” available in London were also important to her.

She explained that Woolwich Works, ‘a new creative district delivered in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich at the Royal Arsenal Riverside’, opened in September last year.

It’s right on her and her partner’s doorstep.

The medical student added, “The venue is home to immersive theater company Punchdrunk as well as Chineke! orchestra and is a great example of the diversity of cultural opportunities outside of London’s West End.”

Although Lucy first moved from London “because of a lack of greenery”, she said Woolwich was not lacking in that department.

She continued: “It’s a great location, right by the river and next to beautiful Maribor Park with landscaped gardens.

“There’s no shortage of green spaces, so we don’t have to compromise on that now that we’re back in town either.

“My partner and I are both very athletic so we are less than a minute from the Thames path for running and cycling.”

The couple also have access to a gym and swimming pool called the Waterside Club, a stone’s throw from their apartment.

Lucy added that the location is “very well connected and getting into central London will be even easier when Crossrail opens”.

“I work in Whitechapel and my partner is based in Farringdon, both of which are less than 20 minutes away using the new Elizabeth line,” she said.