I've never lived there and don't think I ever would because I don't think I could cope with that pace of life all the time but to visit it every now and then is exciting.
The character and buzz of the place.
I don't think I've ever gone anywhere in London where it's been empty or quiet, always something going on.
I've never understood the 'London is too big' argument. No-one lives in the whole of London, we generally live in our own local areas, and just go to other parts of town as and when we need to. Personally speaking I spend over 90% of my time within 2 miles of my home (work, shopping, socialising etc), and only venture further afield to other parts of London when I need/want to.
To me it's the best of both worlds - I have my local area where I know a lot of my neighbours, have a bit of a chat with people I see all the time working in local shops etc, but I can be at any number of interesting places within 30 minutes to an hour (bit longer if having to go south of the river). We also have two lovely Sunday markets, set up by local people, within half a mile, a thriving local community website with several hundred active members, and loads of independent shops that are do much cheaper than the stereotypical high Street shops.
Oh and the last time I was in the really touristy areas (Piccadilly Circus etc) was last year when my in-laws came to visit, before then it had been years.
I've never understood the 'London is too big' argument. No-one lives in the whole of London, we generally live in our own local areas, and just go to other parts of town as and when we need to. Personally speaking I spend over 90% of my time within 2 miles of my home (work, shopping, socialising etc), and only venture further afield to other parts of London when I need/want to.
To me it's the best of both worlds - I have my local area where I know a lot of my neighbours, have a bit of a chat with people I see all the time working in local shops etc, but I can be at any number of interesting places within 30 minutes to an hour (bit longer if having to go south of the river).
Oh and the last time I was in the really touristy areas (Piccadilly Curcus etc) was last year when my in-laws came to visit, before then it had been years.
Completely agree
"London is too big" is a preposterous argument, IMO.
As for me, living in East London generally means my area gets stigmatised a lot, unjustifiably might I add!
I've never understood the 'London is too big' argument. No-one lives in the whole of London, we generally live in our own local areas, and just go to other parts of town as and when we need to. Personally speaking I spend over 90% of my time within 2 miles of my home (work, shopping, socialising etc), and only venture further afield to other parts of London when I need/want to.
To me it's the best of both worlds - I have my local area where I know a lot of my neighbours, have a bit of a chat with people I see all the time working in local shops etc, but I can be at any number of interesting places within 30 minutes to an hour (bit longer if having to go south of the river). We also have two lovely Sunday markets, set up by local people, within half a mile, a thriving local community website with several hundred active members, and loads of independent shops that are do much cheaper than the stereotypical high Street shops.
Oh and the last time I was in the really touristy areas (Piccadilly Circus etc) was last year when my in-laws came to visit, before then it had been years.
In other words your little part of London is no different to any other city area. Just more expensive.
I've lived here since I was 18 and overall it's undoubtedly a fantastic place - each area is so different to each other both from West to East and North to South. I live in North West which is pretty quiet by London standards. The culture, cuisine and opportunities are not to be found elsewhere and I certainly found I've "found" myself here.
That said it does have its downsides which I cannot ignore - the immigration has happened to fast recently which means it has changed it's feel drastically (not too mention making property unaffordable to UK people). I'm also uneasy as to the City's prominence - it seems the beating heart of the place is Banker's greed. Although both points could be raised about the rest of the UK.
There is a bit of arrogance about some Londoners which is a bit unattractive too with people thinking they're "it" and the rest of the country is terrible. And the pressure can be a bit too hectic at times.
I remember being on the Airport bus from Aberdeen Airport to the city centre and there was these 3 attractive blonds on the bus (20 something's) and they had come in from London and were quite posh. Well a friend who was at university in Aberdeen met them at the airport and you should of seen there puzzled looks when they found out there was no subway system they could not understand. I wish I had there life they must of been to NYC and the like on holiday.
I remember being on the Airport bus from Aberdeen Airport to the city centre and there was these 3 attractive blonds on the bus (20 something's) and they had come in from London and were quite posh. Well a friend who was at university in Aberdeen met them at the airport and you should of seen there puzzled looks when they found out there was no subway system they could not understand. I wish I had there life they must of been to NYC and the like on holiday.
Awwwwh
You shouldn't feel that way. I promise you the New York subway isn't as large or as awesome as the London underground.
Canary Wharf is the best place in London IMO. Just take the N550 from Trafalgar Square to there and you'll see how beautiful it is with all the neon lights and towers etc.
Love London, am only a 40 minute commuter train journey from it and also love the tube. Glorious place and as you get past Cricklewood towards St Pancras real life starts!
In other words your little part of London is no different to any other city area. Just more expensive.
I wasn't bragging about my area, just saying that I don't understand the 'London is too big' argument, it makes no sense.
Yes, where I live is more expensive in terms of housing, but for other things it is definitely cheaper than some ter parts of the UK. Public transport for a start. Oh and for food shopping - where my brother lives, in Derbyshire, the only available shops for food shopping are major supermarkets, Tesco etc, all a drive away(very little public transport). There are a few convenience stores, but they are usually more expensive than supermarkets. I can buy fruit, veg and meat for an awful lot less at independent shops and daily markets, with tons more choice.
That's not my point in any case, which is that saying London is too big makes no sense. No one makes you walk around the whole city every day!
It has its bad points, but all in all I love visiting London, and would live there if property prices were more reasonable.
I first started visiting around 20 years ago and it's changed somewhat since then - it's definitely more crowded and a lot of the traditional Londoners have moved to Essex and the Home Counties.
Public transport is very reasonably priced and reliable (I don't see the point in owning a car if you live there), beer is a little more pricey, supermarkets are much the same and there's far more in terms of dining out and nightlife than in any other British city. I've met plenty of FRIENDLY people there too.
The downsides? There's quite a lot of crime, it's increasingly overcrowded, and it has some VERY rough areas. I also don't like the way a fair number of young Londoners speak like Ali G.
I've lived on the border of it all my life and there is so much to see and do it's impossible to do it all. The best places in my opinion are hidden, just out of the main areas or down the side roads.
Comments
I've never lived there and don't think I ever would because I don't think I could cope with that pace of life all the time but to visit it every now and then is exciting.
The character and buzz of the place.
I don't think I've ever gone anywhere in London where it's been empty or quiet, always something going on.
I've never understood the 'London is too big' argument. No-one lives in the whole of London, we generally live in our own local areas, and just go to other parts of town as and when we need to. Personally speaking I spend over 90% of my time within 2 miles of my home (work, shopping, socialising etc), and only venture further afield to other parts of London when I need/want to.
To me it's the best of both worlds - I have my local area where I know a lot of my neighbours, have a bit of a chat with people I see all the time working in local shops etc, but I can be at any number of interesting places within 30 minutes to an hour (bit longer if having to go south of the river). We also have two lovely Sunday markets, set up by local people, within half a mile, a thriving local community website with several hundred active members, and loads of independent shops that are do much cheaper than the stereotypical high Street shops.
Oh and the last time I was in the really touristy areas (Piccadilly Circus etc) was last year when my in-laws came to visit, before then it had been years.
Completely agree
"London is too big" is a preposterous argument, IMO.
As for me, living in East London generally means my area gets stigmatised a lot, unjustifiably might I add!
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner but I think there is a certain charm about the city that some people just don't seem to get.
Careful, Zack, if you criticise anywhere that's not London expect retaliation
It's great to walk around on a Sunday and look up instead of ahead. You see some amazing stuff and you're less likely to bump into people.
In other words your little part of London is no different to any other city area. Just more expensive.
That said it does have its downsides which I cannot ignore - the immigration has happened to fast recently which means it has changed it's feel drastically (not too mention making property unaffordable to UK people). I'm also uneasy as to the City's prominence - it seems the beating heart of the place is Banker's greed. Although both points could be raised about the rest of the UK.
There is a bit of arrogance about some Londoners which is a bit unattractive too with people thinking they're "it" and the rest of the country is terrible. And the pressure can be a bit too hectic at times.
Well they can try.
And better.
Awwwwh
You shouldn't feel that way. I promise you the New York subway isn't as large or as awesome as the London underground.
I know that, I love London Underground I am kinda an euthiast but I live really far away. Would not mind visiting NYC though.
I wasn't bragging about my area, just saying that I don't understand the 'London is too big' argument, it makes no sense.
Yes, where I live is more expensive in terms of housing, but for other things it is definitely cheaper than some ter parts of the UK. Public transport for a start. Oh and for food shopping - where my brother lives, in Derbyshire, the only available shops for food shopping are major supermarkets, Tesco etc, all a drive away(very little public transport). There are a few convenience stores, but they are usually more expensive than supermarkets. I can buy fruit, veg and meat for an awful lot less at independent shops and daily markets, with tons more choice.
That's not my point in any case, which is that saying London is too big makes no sense. No one makes you walk around the whole city every day!
I first started visiting around 20 years ago and it's changed somewhat since then - it's definitely more crowded and a lot of the traditional Londoners have moved to Essex and the Home Counties.
Public transport is very reasonably priced and reliable (I don't see the point in owning a car if you live there), beer is a little more pricey, supermarkets are much the same and there's far more in terms of dining out and nightlife than in any other British city. I've met plenty of FRIENDLY people there too.
The downsides? There's quite a lot of crime, it's increasingly overcrowded, and it has some VERY rough areas. I also don't like the way a fair number of young Londoners speak like Ali G.