I lived in London for many years. I'm now back in my native Yorkshire. Yes IMO there is a North / South divide. Every thing is more expensive in the south, food, cost of housing etc. But I think it's the people that make the difference to the divide. As soon as you open your mouth and your accent is not southern you are classed as Northern. E by gum and breeding whippets. Yet they come up here to the Dales, Lake district etc, have a good time and say how beautiful it is, and then go back to the south and continue to slate the north.