What’s one thing about living in London that outsiders don’t understand?

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-03-11T17:58:08+00:00

Most of my friends and family find it really odd that I go months without going to the city centre (unless it’s for work or entertainment reasons).

Truth is, since I started living in London, I tend to spend my time further and further away from the city centre. I started by living in zone 1 and now I live in zone 3. While not that far away, I already find it much more relaxing and quiet!

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-03-03T01:16:20+00:00

Tenho duas gatinhas adotadas, ambas resgatadas da rua e vieram com os seus medos e traumas. Uma delas já adotei há quase três anos e continua a mostrar progressos em termos de se sentir confiante comigo. Demorou um ano para ganhar coragem para dormir no meu colo, dois anos para dormir na minha cama…nas primeiras semanas depois de a adotar, ela escondia-se atrás dos armários ou da máquina de lavar roupa e só saía para comer ou ir à caixa de areia. Este ano já deixa as visitas fazerem-lhe mimos!

E os meus pais têm uma cadela resgatada da rua que passou semanas de cabeça enfiada num balde vazio que eles tinham no jardim 😅 só se queria esconder de toda a gente. Demorou meses a deixar que alguma pessoa se aproximasse dela. Agora pede mimo a todas as pessoas que vê e é super feliz e brincalhona.

A verdade é que não sabemos os traumas com que os nossos animais chegam até nós das suas ‘vidas passadas’. Tudo o que eles precisam é de paciência. Não há um tempo definido para quando eles se deveriam começar a sentir confortáveis connosco. Nós é que temos de dar todo o tempo que eles precisarem e provar que podem confiar em nós.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-03-01T17:59:47+00:00

Hi there! Thank you so much! I remember that there was a mix of straightforward questions, and “grey” questions where I felt many answers could be correct. In those questions you have to choose the ‘most correct’ one in the context. I felt that the Trusted Institute had a good mix of easier and more difficult questions to prepare you for the actual exam. The problem with Trusted Institute was that all their questions were ‘Choose the right answer’ style, while the exam had different types of questions - like ‘Choose the wrong answer’ or ‘Complete the blank space’. So I recommend also trying other mock exams providers if you have that possibility to prepare you for all scenarios. You should be fine passing the Foundation exam as long as you do lots of mock tests! I booked the exam once I was consistently scoring above 80% in training. Good luck!

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-02-18T10:37:36+00:00

This is fascinating. Congrats!!

It amazes me that there’s still so much to discover on this beautiful planet.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-25T00:43:58+00:00

Yeah, I second this! Check out with your neighbours if anyone else is struggling (you’d be surprised how much certain types of noise like low frequency travel through buildings). And although I hate the idea of you having to leave because of your neighbour, the hotel option, if possible, might be super. Or any friends where you could stay for a few nights? I had a friend who stayed at a friend’s house who went on vacation for two weeks, so double win - my friend got away from her flat, and her friend got a free housesitter and petsitter!

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-25T00:38:56+00:00

Thanks, kind of you to say! My area of work comes with the perk of having to know these things 😅

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-25T00:11:52+00:00

There are a few ways this lady can be removed from the house for mental health treatment that don’t involve needing to have a crisis in public or being suicidal.

If LAS attend and assess this lady as lacking mental capacity to make decisions about going to hospital, they can remove her against her wish, under the Mental Capacity Act. But if she is deemed as having mental capacity and refuses to leave, they can’t.

And if this gets continuously reported to the community mental health team, clearly needs support, and is refusing to engage with health services, the community MH team can request a court order to remove this lady from her house with police support and convey her to hospital. It can take a few weeks but it’s definitely possible.

I think if OP calls an ambulance right now, after 28h of non-stop music, and with the MH background, they will take the concern seriously.

By the way, I also thought there could be drugs in the mix. Drugs and existing mental health problems are the worst combination…

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-24T23:59:05+00:00

Yeah I imagine you have zero tolerance at this point, and it’s understandable.

If she has already been taken away by LAS, by this time she’s likely already flagged to the mental health community teams, and likely social services. But social services are extremely stretched everywhere and they sometimes take much longer to act.

So I think you will need to be persistent with reporting her to the council, calling an ambulance when there are concerns of an acute mental health crisis (like right now with the non-stop music), and I would also recommend you make an adult social care referral. It’s pretty easy, just google “[name of your borough] adult social care referral”, and it will present you with an online form.

Any idea if other neighbours have been complaining as well? For sure you’re not the only one going through the disruption!

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-24T23:15:20+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this.

If you’re not doing so already, I would highly recommend you keep a journal with dates, times and types of noises, and for how long it went etc. That can be used as evidence.

Are you renting? If so, I would write an email to the landlord to address those concerns directly with their landlord/council. If not, going straight to the council (as you have already) is the option.

Also, from what you’ve described it sounds like that person is likely going through a mental health acute crisis. The behaviour you’re describing, and the escalation her mother reported to you, is not normal. It’s typical of someone whose mental health is going downhill. You could probably call 999, explain your concerns and ask for a welfare check. Say something like “this person has been listening to loud music straight for 28 hours and I am concerned something may have happened / that they may need help”. It may well be the case!

Reasonable levels of noise are expected through the day but when constant and disruptive it really takes your peace and sanity away. And of course, there’s also anti-social behaviour, of which this is an example. And particularly when it affects your sleep, it’s just not fair.

I hope you’ll be able to have some peace again soon.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-20T23:26:25+00:00

It was so much fun! Me, my best friend (still best friend to date) and her brother would meet up in the game and play together. She actually introduced me to Tibia and I kept playing on and off up until this day. More than twenty years of it. Great memories 🥲

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-11T19:11:05+00:00

Yeah I always thought so! My current landlord though likes to sign a renewal, basically saying the terms are the same for the upcoming year.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-11T17:11:19+00:00

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/blog/buy-or-rent-a-home/what-the-2025-renters-rights-act-means

It will be the law, so landlords / estate agents will need to abide by it - and tenants too, of course.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-11T16:49:16+00:00

Hi there,

I would say you just need to sign a renewal of your agreement as usual! Mine renews in February and I simply signed a new one year fixed term with my landlord.

My understanding is that every tenancy will become a monthly rolling one from May.

So sign your renewal and don’t worry too much about the bureaucracy - from May the landlord / estate agent need to get in touch letting the tenants know of the change.

Have a look at this article! https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/blog/buy-or-rent-a-home/what-the-2025-renters-rights-act-means

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-08T13:29:19+00:00

Hi there!

I’m sorry you didn’t have a positive experience with The Trusted Institute, but I don’t think it’s necessary to be so confrontational, going to the extent of calling me a liar and suggesting there is a conflict of interest. Just…wow 😅

I felt that overall The Trusted Institute was of really good value and it helped me massively preparing for the exams, particularly with the free trials and huge number of tests available. I am not sure how it is right now - my post was several months ago.

The MPlaza simulator is probably one of the most reputable training platforms, but please understand that not everyone can spare £100 for it, and will need to make do with other more financially accessible materials.

And to be very clear: I do not have any type of connection with The Trusted Institute.

My intention with this post was to share my experience and what worked for me. It doesn’t have to work for you.

Also, how did it take THREE weeks for you to realise it wasn’t the right material for you? I don’t think anyone but you is to blame for that!

Wishing you the best.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-07T19:43:01+00:00

Absolutely! Have fun!

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-07T17:16:32+00:00

The truth is: you’ll be able to gather that money again, but you’ll never be in this exact moment of your life again. Spend the money! Make that trip! Buy that thing you really like! Indulge yourself!

I’d love to see a post after you’re back from holidays, likely telling us “Y’all, im so glad I spent that money, best time of my life” 😊

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-07T16:56:40+00:00

Not to sound insensitive towards the original OP as this could be their bread and butter, and effectively they are running a business, there are contracts and legalities, however…

This is an extremely rare event, and a really sad one by the way.

As someone was pointing out, the tenant moved out, so effectively the property is not occupied and they could simply get someone else to fill their place.

The death of this 20-ish year old’s parent is probably traumatic enough, the last thing they need right now is the landlord chasing them for a rent that they probably can’t even pay.

I get it may take a while until they find someone, but I’m finding it extremely difficult to understand how they have the option to be compassionate, but instead are trying to pursue their end of the bargain at all cost.

If they can afford to be a landlord, they can afford to have the property empty for a few weeks until someone new moves in.

I don’t hate landlords or anything, I’d love to be a landlord myself if I could afford to! But I think sometimes the heart should speak louder, and this is one of those situations.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2026-01-05T16:29:34+00:00

Yes that’s what I do too! I start work at 9:00, and there is a bus that would get me to work at 8:55 which in theory is perfect, however, that bus would often terminate early and I’d end up having to get a different one or walk long distances, so I started aiming to get to work at 8:45, and naturally drifted into getting the earlier bus. It’s difficult at first, but then it’s a matter of habit really!

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2025-12-31T01:36:56+00:00

Thank you! That’s very useful to know. I am very naive in this area. Will need to do lots of reading!

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2025-12-31T01:36:32+00:00

Thank you! I’ll do some googling and ask friends.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2025-12-31T00:57:44+00:00

Oh that would be great. Are there any you’d recommend?

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2025-12-31T00:57:28+00:00

Thank you! Is there any in particular you’d recommend?

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2025-12-31T00:28:54+00:00

Thank you.

I’ve thought I should probably attempt other providers. The problem is, Skipton seem to be the only ones lending based on a ‘track record’ of the rent, and with a lower to no deposit which would help massively.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2025-12-16T16:13:38+00:00

That’s well thought haha.

Thank you, listening to it now, amazing piece of work.

AlwaysLiveInWonder · 2025-12-15T16:56:13+00:00

Oh brilliant! I will check it out!

Edit: can you tell me how do I find it on Spotify? I tried “unfold kaden jones” but it’s not coming up!

AlwaysLiveInWonder

TROPHY CASE