'IS BUYING LONDON SELLING THE DREAM, OR AN OUT OF TOUCH NIGHTMARE?'

I'm the first person to say that I love reality TV. There's nothing quite like settling down on the sofa for the evening, and passing judgement on the actions of complete strangers on screen. From Love Island to The Traitors, I've watched it all. This is why Buying London was immediately added to my must-watch list.

The latest reality series from Netflix follows property mogul Daniel Daggers and his team of luxury real estate agents as they take on London's market, selling high-end homes across the city to their exclusive clientele. Selling Sunset and Buying Beverley Hills? Eat your heart out.

But, as I watched the agents advertise homes costing upwards of £1 million to anonymous, wealthy clients from the small bedroom that I pay way too much rent for, I couldn't help but wonder if the show is less escapism, and more frustrating. With a cost of living and housing crisis affecting the capital, is Buying London selling a dream, or an out of touch nightmare?

The series begins with an introduction to luxury estate agent Daniel Daggers and his ambitious team, as they navigate London's super prime property market. Think mansions in Mayfair, balconies overlooking Regent's Park and, wait for it, bathrooms that are bigger than my whole flat (practically).

It's nothing short of a far away dream for your average person living in London, who spends up to 46 per cent of their income on rent in a city where a bedroom can cost £1,244 a month. Currently, your average Londoner is struggling financially (to say the least), which is why the release of the trailer for Buying London has already caused controversy online.

"With all the people living in poverty in the UK, this is very 'let them eat cake' of you," said one viewer on X (formerly known as Twitter) in response. "Because more luxury apartments is what London really need right now. Affordable homes? Who's that, am I right?" another shared. "Just a reminder that there are currently 81,000 homeless children living in London," wrote another.

A recent study from Loughborough University found that four in 10 Londoners are unable to afford to "live with dignity", while more than three and a half million Londoners – including one million children – have an income below what is needed for a basic standard of living. So, it's understandable that some viewers felt that Buying London is out of touch.

Despite it being comparable to the likes of Selling Sunset and Selling The OC, which are also based on luxury real estate agents selling expensive homes, Buying London being set so close to home makes it less escapist, and more elitist. Yes it's meant to be luxurious, affluent and unrealistic, but it also left a bad taste in my mouth.

OK, so it isn't meant to be hard-hitting documentary on the capital's housing crisis, and just like other reality TV shows, it's meant purely for entrtainment purposes. And yes, we do learn of the struggles some of the DDRE team have been through, with Juliana, the team's resident interior designer, opening up about battling with poverty and homelessness when she was younger.

But, that unfortunately doesn't take away the general feeling of unease the show gives me. With its flashy cars, luxury properties, expensive restaurants and more, it feels far away from the experience of your average person living and working in the city. Buying a property London is a dream, and Buying London forgets that.

Buying London is streaming on Netflix now.

2024-05-22T15:42:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd