The man in the image is Anders Fernstedt, a Swedish native. About three months ago, he found himself struggling after losing his job and was forced to live on the streets of London.
Anders Fernstedt’s Life on the Streets
Unlike most homeless individuals, Fernstedt’s life took a strange turn after he started living on the streets. He found himself eating expensive meals, wearing luxury clothing, and even receiving money from wealthy locals. This is because Fernstedt’s “home” happened to be located outside one of London’s most luxurious areas—Kensington, known as a billionaire’s enclave. Specifically, he set up camp in front of Rutland Gate, a mansion valued at £200 million (approximately 18.5 billion CNY). This property is one of the most expensive homes in the UK and was once owned by the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, and later by Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It has changed owners multiple times and was listed for sale again in 2022, but seems to still be without a buyer. With the mansion unoccupied and unmanaged, Fernstedt took advantage of the situation and made it his temporary dwelling.
The Surprising Benefits of Living Near the Wealthy
While the living conditions themselves may not be ideal, the perks of Fernstedt’s location are undeniable. The nearby residents, all of whom are affluent, have shown sympathy toward him, often giving him lavish gifts. Just steps away from high-end department stores like Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, generous passersby have given him luxury items, including Armani clothing and a £5,000 food basket from Fortnum & Mason. He even received a towel from Wimbledon. Recently, when the weather turned cold, another resident gifted him an Armani jacket and pants worth £500 (about 4,614 CNY). Fernstedt has also received cash, which left him astonished: “People are so generous, it’s unbelievable.” Now, with money and time on his hands, he strolls through London’s streets, visiting landmarks and enjoying the city’s sights. 
A New Life Among Fellow Homeless
Fernstedt enjoys the calm and relaxed life here. He has even made friends with other homeless people in the area, saying, “Everyone respects me. I don’t cause trouble, I just want to live peacefully. People are kind.” He emphasizes that he didn’t choose this spot because of the wealth of the locals, but simply because he enjoys the peaceful atmosphere. “Homeless people might get a bad reputation, but I’m not trouble. I’ve received amazing gifts and items.”
Local Support, but Public Criticism
Locals have been supportive of Fernstedt, with one resident, Rick Fernandes, describing him as a good guy who never caused trouble, hoping that he would eventually find his way. Another resident expressed, “He’s a good person. I hope he can find a new direction in life.” However, this interaction has sparked criticism from netizens. Many believe that such charity doesn’t help Fernstedt’s situation. “If the generous locals truly want to help, they should offer him a room or help him find accommodation and support. A bouquet of flowers looks nice but does nothing practical. He has become dependent on others’ charity, but what he really needs is to regain independence.”
One commenter said, “Sending him flowers, plants, and toys is just strange. The money spent on these gifts could have kept him in a warm shelter for some time.” Another wrote, “The only thing this story does is encourage more people (homeless or not) to try their luck in this wealthy area.”
Lost Hope and Uncertain Future
Despite the support, Fernstedt doesn’t seem to have the intention of improving his situation. He has admitted, “I don’t know what I want to do with my life or where I’m going.” It seems he has lost both hope and direction. While he may have experienced significant setbacks, it is still hoped that he doesn’t get too comfortable in the ease of his current lifestyle and finds the strength to take control of his life and restore it to a more stable path.
