Living in London is best done by moving progressively further out and treat going in to the centre as tourist trips. I spent my first couple of years at Marble Arch, and then moved to zone 3, and now I live in zone 5. I couldn't imagine living further in. Too little for the money, and too busy.

I only go in to the centre to go to fancy bars and restaurants for date nights etc., or for other touristy stuff.