It’s the same in the South West. Because we’re in “the south” everyone thinks we’re rolling in wonga. But we aren’t. We’re ignored by govt except to penalise us; fuel, energy costs, housing and rents are out of all proportion and prices go sky high when the grockles descend. Wages are piss poor

I learned a new word today!

Yeah, I'm in the SW (just) too, have been for most of this millennium (gulp) which is getting to be a long time, so my memory of London isn't very current. TBF where I live genuinely is doing OK but most of Cornwall really isn't, and absolutely none of it is culturally like the Home Counties.