I'd have to run the car more due to lack of public transport if I moved away from London

Not always, Liz. I find food, particulary eating out, very reasonable in the big smoke. Housing - Yea - what can you say. Transport - I live in Manchester at weekends and Newcastle through the week. Manchester does not have a good integrated transport system while Newcastle does. Generaly speaking I don't think our cost of living varies that much across the country if you exclude house prices.

Dave