You've increased your earnings, but if you run the numbers it's very unlikely you're actually better off unless you have a property appreciating at London speed.
Over my career (I did contract in London around y2k) I have more in my pocket each month - after expenses - by staying outside the SE. Rent or mortgage, commuting costs, the price of everything else - food, beer, tickets. Sure, I could earn £x extra and have to spend all of it and more on rent and getting to work.
The capital accumulation on the house would have turned it into making economic sense, and only that. Which only becomes real once you move out of the area.
Over my career (I did contract in London around y2k) I have more in my pocket each month - after expenses - by staying outside the SE. Rent or mortgage, commuting costs, the price of everything else - food, beer, tickets. Sure, I could earn £x extra and have to spend all of it and more on rent and getting to work.
The capital accumulation on the house would have turned it into making economic sense, and only that. Which only becomes real once you move out of the area.