Agree, there's a real freedom in living somewhere that's not stiflingly middle class. Creative freedom to dress and ultimately spend your days, as you choose. I too went to a uni for posh folks, and always knew I was beyond 'on the outskirts' of many of them. "So what do yooooo do?" was the dreaded question at parties in the late 90s. Seems being a teacher in a state comp does not equal a worthy conversation partner. It's taken a couple of decades bit I'm no longer intimidated. Challenge now is to pass on this worthy wisdom to the offspring!
I had the same feeling living in a very posh area of a very market town when I first had a baby (in a property not owned by me). I felt like it was me that was all wrong but then I moved house and it turned out it wasn’t.
What a beautiful read, thank you Esther! I'm still processing my Chelsea years, having moved to London from NYC 19 years ago and being directed to SW3 by the company-sponsored real estate agent who assisted with my flat search. I made no English friends there - literally none over an 8 year period. I eventually found my way to NW London and expect I shall live out my days here amongst my people. There is something to be said for experiences that help you find the edges of your self.
I worked in Chelsea for 5 years. A very strange and soulless place. The relief of getting back to my grubby old patch of SE London every day was immense.
Oh just absolutely loved this Esther, made me so nostalgic. Spent immediate post-uni years living in Battersea and Fulham Rd (before inevitable move to Clapham). As previous posters have said, I was one of a few local day girls at a boarding school that was otherwise full of girls from all over the world and London, followed by 3 years at a very-private-school university, so I often felt the nose against the glass. Too many bad Chelsea/Fulham boy dates to recount, but long before any of that one of my fondest memories is of my mum taking us up to stay in her friend's flat on the Kings Road and buying something in Kookai - shows how old I am! Now firmly ensconced back in Dorset with a non-Chelsea man and a toddler and breathing a huge sigh of relief - glad to have experienced it all though! X
This made me laugh SO much. When - two years after graduating - a group of friends and I lucked into renting Very Cheaply an entire town house in Elizabeth Street (the border of Belgravia and Chelsea) we didn't venture into Chelsea itself. 40 years ago, Chelsea made us feel too poor, too unfashionable and too insecure. Lots of time spent in the Ebury Street Wine Bar instead. Which verges on Pimlico... and have spent YEARS in Camden (Rochester Square). So I know exactly what you mean... Lxx
I’ve never had this with a place but there are a couple of people from my dark and distant past (platonic friendships, not romantic fuckery) that made me feel exactly like this. Still do tbh, so I try not to think about them!!
Oh yes, those days. I used to ‘date’ a guy whose family lived on Eaton Square - many a walk of shame down to Sloane Square for me. Or ending up at Vingt Quatre after Cole The Revolution. Another life.
I was always a die hard West Londoner - though Westbourne Grove is now like Brompton Cross frankly; I went back the other day to the V & A and then moseyed down Draycott Ave etc to Sloane Square. Found it a bit … lacking in atmosphere? Oriel’s was fabulous but now The Colbert is just full of Influencers rather than real francophiles… the girls in Joseph looked bored silly…
Totally over it. And my old Chelsea boyf of sorts hasn’t aged as well as my husband so yay me.
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Agree, there's a real freedom in living somewhere that's not stiflingly middle class. Creative freedom to dress and ultimately spend your days, as you choose. I too went to a uni for posh folks, and always knew I was beyond 'on the outskirts' of many of them. "So what do yooooo do?" was the dreaded question at parties in the late 90s. Seems being a teacher in a state comp does not equal a worthy conversation partner. It's taken a couple of decades bit I'm no longer intimidated. Challenge now is to pass on this worthy wisdom to the offspring!
What a brilliant piece of writing xx
Brilliant …..just brilliant 🤩
I had the same feeling living in a very posh area of a very market town when I first had a baby (in a property not owned by me). I felt like it was me that was all wrong but then I moved house and it turned out it wasn’t.
This is beautiful Esther.
Loved this.
What a beautiful read, thank you Esther! I'm still processing my Chelsea years, having moved to London from NYC 19 years ago and being directed to SW3 by the company-sponsored real estate agent who assisted with my flat search. I made no English friends there - literally none over an 8 year period. I eventually found my way to NW London and expect I shall live out my days here amongst my people. There is something to be said for experiences that help you find the edges of your self.
I see your Chelsea, and raise you Knightsbridge. Just a huge traffic jam flanked by ageless folk with too much money, too much filler, too much power.
This really hit the ache right in the center, of what it means to fit in and be good enough and content in your life. Thanks, Esther. x
I worked in Chelsea for 5 years. A very strange and soulless place. The relief of getting back to my grubby old patch of SE London every day was immense.
Oh just absolutely loved this Esther, made me so nostalgic. Spent immediate post-uni years living in Battersea and Fulham Rd (before inevitable move to Clapham). As previous posters have said, I was one of a few local day girls at a boarding school that was otherwise full of girls from all over the world and London, followed by 3 years at a very-private-school university, so I often felt the nose against the glass. Too many bad Chelsea/Fulham boy dates to recount, but long before any of that one of my fondest memories is of my mum taking us up to stay in her friend's flat on the Kings Road and buying something in Kookai - shows how old I am! Now firmly ensconced back in Dorset with a non-Chelsea man and a toddler and breathing a huge sigh of relief - glad to have experienced it all though! X
This made me laugh SO much. When - two years after graduating - a group of friends and I lucked into renting Very Cheaply an entire town house in Elizabeth Street (the border of Belgravia and Chelsea) we didn't venture into Chelsea itself. 40 years ago, Chelsea made us feel too poor, too unfashionable and too insecure. Lots of time spent in the Ebury Street Wine Bar instead. Which verges on Pimlico... and have spent YEARS in Camden (Rochester Square). So I know exactly what you mean... Lxx
This really resonated with me, and was a beautiful read. Could there be a novel in it perhaps?
I’ve never had this with a place but there are a couple of people from my dark and distant past (platonic friendships, not romantic fuckery) that made me feel exactly like this. Still do tbh, so I try not to think about them!!
Oh yes, those days. I used to ‘date’ a guy whose family lived on Eaton Square - many a walk of shame down to Sloane Square for me. Or ending up at Vingt Quatre after Cole The Revolution. Another life.
I was always a die hard West Londoner - though Westbourne Grove is now like Brompton Cross frankly; I went back the other day to the V & A and then moseyed down Draycott Ave etc to Sloane Square. Found it a bit … lacking in atmosphere? Oriel’s was fabulous but now The Colbert is just full of Influencers rather than real francophiles… the girls in Joseph looked bored silly…
Totally over it. And my old Chelsea boyf of sorts hasn’t aged as well as my husband so yay me.