I am in a city but not London or any of the big ones. Rent in the suburbs doesn't seem much more or less expensive, especially because smaller units just don't exist in the countryside, similar to how there's not actually much rent difference between comparable places in Croydon and Westminster.

I Def don't have kids or a family, I wouldn't say I live minimalist, but Def not to a very high standard.

I'd say the number 1 thing is the fact you have housing covered from what I understand. Considering a fairly small 1-bed flat for rent at around £1100pcm, that's £13200 per year.

A salary of £46,500 is about £37k take home, minus the £13k for rent you end up with only £23,800, so it's no wonder you feel comfortable on £26k, that's decently more than what I get at close to double the actual salary, especially if you also don't pay bills.

I live on the south coast. There is more to the south than London.