As someone who also abandoned London a few years ago, I think that any 'place' (town/city/village.. well city) over 2m population is unlivable. Unless someone lives in a super-green (mini forests, parks, etc.) area, has everything within 10-15mins driving (work, home, shopping mall, swimming pool, gym, etc.)

Anything from 50k to 2m will have all that you need (galleries, cinemas, etc.)

On the Q at hand, reading, fasting, writing.