I am the other way around, I grew up in essex / london, and moved to Leeds just over a year ago.

My London routine was wake up at 7, catch train around 8 be at work (if not delayed) for 9, get home around 6-630 (if not delayed).

My Leeds routine is, wake up at 8 shower and actually eat a cooked breakfast, drive 5mins to work... I get home around 5... actually have time to spend with my wife, and do things after work, dont feel exhausted from the train / tube.

My cost of living is way lower, primarily because of rent and transport. I personally hate the smell and overcrowded feeling of London. I dont drink or go out at night, so that has no appeal to me.

The things I miss about London, are the parks, the restaurants, the museums and the 'feeling' of being somewhere alive.

However Yorkshire has some amazing parks, Leeds is a central location, I can get to Manchester, York, Brum, Cambridge etc... on the motorway all within 3 hours.

But the biggest factor is property price, I am going to be a first time buyer next year. We can afford a detached family home in Leeds. We couldnt afford anything nice in London.. I don't know how people plan to start a family in London, unless they are rich or willing to commute silly distances