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London - I don't get it
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*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. |
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By *emini ManMan
over a year ago
There and to the left a bit |
Like any major city there are things to love about London (the diversity, the museums, the markets and a whole lot more besides) and then there are the things to hate (the cost, the head down got to get to where I'm going view of some, the traffic and more).
On balance I love it - have worked/socialised there pretty much all my life and it never ceases to amaze me the things it has to offer, or how simply turning left not right by accident can lead you to discover a part of it you didn't know existed. |
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Best city in the world in my view....but I was born there. Not sure if you have been out in London or just travelled through from Ilford to Heathrow. Hope you find the time to explore a bit more. X |
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"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. "
It is a big city, you need to keep the travel tight. I would consider Ilford to Heathrow a safari!!  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. "
Did black cab make you hate London? The best city is the world  |
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By *amissCouple
over a year ago
chelmsford |
I go into London every 3 weeks with my sister in law, to hospital. I find it a busy and interesting place, the only thing is the nightmare train journey and being jostled on hot tube trains  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Well not good to travel so much on the day of a train strike
Today? "
Everyday is a tube strike! Them tube wankers get paid more than nurses! Have some respect tube drivers! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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If you want to see London at its best, look at some pictures from 30-40 years ago. These days, London is pretty much the same as every other European capital, it's just that the McDonald's that are in different places. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I like it. I have a tube map and a bus map. I braved the buses this year and now I'm hooked. None of this 'once a day horse and cart' public transport shite like up here.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have to say that London is the one Ciry i’ve cisited that i disliked.
I struggled with how busy it was, and the hemmed in feeling. I also felt unsafe. And this is many, many years ago.
It felt unfriendly.
I have visited New York and although that was busy it felt more spread out and the folk were much more friendly. And it felt less touristy.
The only other place i’ve not enjoyed visiting was Dublin.
But i suspect with London (for me) it’s probably a place i need to visit with someone who knows it, who can show me the non touristy bits and the hidden gems of the City. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've been to London loads and the trek yesterday was a one off, won't do that again!
I'm fed up of dragging my case around with me.
It's not helping that it's raining today "
Sex toys cases? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've been to London loads and the trek yesterday was a one off, won't do that again!
I'm fed up of dragging my case around with me.
It's not helping that it's raining today "
Look up Left Luggage. I always leave my bag at a train station and pick it up when I'm leaving. Or some hotels let you leave it there for the day even when you've checked out. |
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"I've been to London loads and the trek yesterday was a one off, won't do that again!
I'm fed up of dragging my case around with me.
It's not helping that it's raining today
Sex toys cases? "
It does gave a cock cage, a furry butt plug and a bit gag in. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Every time I have been to London i have enjoyed my time there...
I've never got lost either, even when i had to exit hyde park at night after a concert and find my way back to my hotel in the dark...
As with everything i see it as an adventure |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
Next time let me take you on a tour.
London is just a series of villages that have grown out from the City. Ilford wasn't even part of London until 1965. Heathrow straddles a border of London/not London.
I was a bit surprised you were staying so far away from the social. At least that one gives you the location in the name. 
My lift would have shown you different parts of London, not just a tunnel. Albeit I wasn't going all the way.
I love the view of London from Blackfriars Bridge at night best of all. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I love London, never fails to amaze me. It’s a city of culture, history beauty & diversity, nowhere else like it!
Yes, it can be dirty, noisy & expensive but don’t write it off on one bad experience.
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
London's my home and I do love the place but I do understand that some people struggle with it cos it's a sprawling city and quite different to any other place in the UK.
The biggest problem is that it's very expensive and as such everywhere is out to make as much $$$ as they can.
Best advice is to try to avoid the tourist traps and explore the back streets and other areas rather than the touristy places. |
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One of our offspring moved there with her then BF a few years back and despite having a combined income of £49k they are buying a place and absolutely love it there. They are experiencing more there than they ever did here. We love going up to visit as we always do something either touristy or get taken somewhere which isn't mainstream and yet interesting.
Would love to live there, but there are some family commitments that keep us here. |
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By *andonmessMan
over a year ago
A world all of his own |
I live far enough away from town that I'm not affected by it but within 30 minutes I'm there.
Personally I love going into tow, it helps if you're with someone who knows London who can point things out but even I find things I never knew about. Last time I stumbled across the knights Templars church which was really cool |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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London is on my list to visit this year with my two children. I want to show them our country’s heritage and all the touristy bits.
It’s a memory from my child hood I’ll always remember x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I enjoy London and have visited the place regularly over the years for work and socialising plus I had family and have friends down there. I really enjoy walking around the place and enjoying the theatres and arts etc..
That said - I wouldn't want to live there and always love coming back to Yorkshire. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
OP, this isn't directed at you - your post just made me think about it.
Over the years on here I have noted the number of threads about, or comments on threads on other subjects, that talk about how awful London is and not understanding why anyone lives there, how expensive it is, how busy, and how they couldn't be paid to live there. And, of course, that we get everything.
No other place in the country gets this. On here, at least.
London is a net contributor to the rest of the country. So we're supporting you to live your idyllic life away from here.
More gets spent here because more people live here AND come here, from around the the country and from abroad. Home to nearly 9 million people but another 1.5/2 million commuters and visitors daily. That's all of Birmingham and surrounding areas descending on us every day.
Land is expensive so that makes everything else expensive. The cost of a drink in a pub has to cover the property, the salaries and the materials.
We have more green space (brown, at the moment) than is appreciated. We have every type of food you could want to try, lots of free things to sitting alongside the expensive. It's a city of contrasts. It has beauty and art next door to poverty and dirt. It has history and archeology next to modern and innovation. It has the village green experience next to busy urban, high rise living.
No other city is like it.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'm a Londoner so I love the buzz, the culture, the variety of things to do and people to meet. Even more so now I no longer live there and I've seen how limited life can be in the provinces. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"OP, this isn't directed at you - your post just made me think about it.
Over the years on here I have noted the number of threads about, or comments on threads on other subjects, that talk about how awful London is and not understanding why anyone lives there, how expensive it is, how busy, and how they couldn't be paid to live there. And, of course, that we get everything.
No other place in the country gets this. On here, at least.
London is a net contributor to the rest of the country. So we're supporting you to live your idyllic life away from here.
More gets spent here because more people live here AND come here, from around the the country and from abroad. Home to nearly 9 million people but another 1.5/2 million commuters and visitors daily. That's all of Birmingham and surrounding areas descending on us every day.
Land is expensive so that makes everything else expensive. The cost of a drink in a pub has to cover the property, the salaries and the materials.
We have more green space (brown, at the moment) than is appreciated. We have every type of food you could want to try, lots of free things to sitting alongside the expensive. It's a city of contrasts. It has beauty and art next door to poverty and dirt. It has history and archeology next to modern and innovation. It has the village green experience next to busy urban, high rise living.
No other city is like it.
"
OP.in all fairness,I'm sure that the residents of Ilford or Heathrow would claim that their areas are the best that London has to offer.
There are affordable hotels even in more central parts so the tube travel doesn't have to be so arduous. London has many fine parks,museums,architecture and entertainments available,river cruises can be fun too (especially if the boat has a bar and a witty commemtary).
Maybe choose where to stay a little more wisely next time and hopefully you will enjoy London a whole lot more.
I would hate to live there (or even within 30 miles of it),though.The traffic!!!! Aaaagh!!! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"OP, this isn't directed at you - your post just made me think about it.
Over the years on here I have noted the number of threads about, or comments on threads on other subjects, that talk about how awful London is and not understanding why anyone lives there, how expensive it is, how busy, and how they couldn't be paid to live there. And, of course, that we get everything.
No other place in the country gets this. On here, at least.
London is a net contributor to the rest of the country. So we're supporting you to live your idyllic life away from here.
More gets spent here because more people live here AND come here, from around the the country and from abroad. Home to nearly 9 million people but another 1.5/2 million commuters and visitors daily. That's all of Birmingham and surrounding areas descending on us every day.
Land is expensive so that makes everything else expensive. The cost of a drink in a pub has to cover the property, the salaries and the materials.
We have more green space (brown, at the moment) than is appreciated. We have every type of food you could want to try, lots of free things to sitting alongside the expensive. It's a city of contrasts. It has beauty and art next door to poverty and dirt. It has history and archeology next to modern and innovation. It has the village green experience next to busy urban, high rise living.
No other city is like it.
OP.in all fairness,I'm sure that the residents of Ilford or Heathrow would claim that their areas are the best that London has to offer.
There are affordable hotels even in more central parts so the tube travel doesn't have to be so arduous. London has many fine parks,museums,architecture and entertainments available,river cruises can be fun too (especially if the boat has a bar and a witty commemtary).
Maybe choose where to stay a little more wisely next time and hopefully you will enjoy London a whole lot more.
I would hate to live there (or even within 30 miles of it),though.The traffic!!!! Aaaagh!!!"
^^^^^^^^^
I.meant to put 'residents of Ilford or Heathrow would NOT claim to have London's finest areas'. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Next time let me take you on a tour.
London is just a series of villages that have grown out from the City. Ilford wasn't even part of London until 1965. Heathrow straddles a border of London/not London.
I was a bit surprised you were staying so far away from the social. At least that one gives you the location in the name.
My lift would have shown you different parts of London, not just a tunnel. Albeit I wasn't going all the way.
I love the view of London from Blackfriars Bridge at night best of all."
Love the view from Blackfriars, also Hampstead has some wonderful views if you find the right spot.
OP that is a pretty crazy trek to take on, next time on cabs try Uber will be at least a 1/4 of that you were quoted. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Next time let me take you on a tour.
London is just a series of villages that have grown out from the City. Ilford wasn't even part of London until 1965. Heathrow straddles a border of London/not London.
I was a bit surprised you were staying so far away from the social. At least that one gives you the location in the name.
My lift would have shown you different parts of London, not just a tunnel. Albeit I wasn't going all the way.
I love the view of London from Blackfriars Bridge at night best of all.
Love the view from Blackfriars, also Hampstead has some wonderful views if you find the right spot.
OP that is a pretty crazy trek to take on, next time on cabs try Uber will be at least a 1/4 of that you were quoted. "
We'll have to take her to Blackfriars and show her. Or, my other way of showing people the joys of London from the River: Cable car over the River to Greenwich. Clipper up the River to Charing Cross and then a wander through Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and then something to eat before a show.
|
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Next time let me take you on a tour.
London is just a series of villages that have grown out from the City. Ilford wasn't even part of London until 1965. Heathrow straddles a border of London/not London.
I was a bit surprised you were staying so far away from the social. At least that one gives you the location in the name.
My lift would have shown you different parts of London, not just a tunnel. Albeit I wasn't going all the way.
I love the view of London from Blackfriars Bridge at night best of all.
Love the view from Blackfriars, also Hampstead has some wonderful views if you find the right spot.
OP that is a pretty crazy trek to take on, next time on cabs try Uber will be at least a 1/4 of that you were quoted.
We'll have to take her to Blackfriars and show her. Or, my other way of showing people the joys of London from the River: Cable car over the River to Greenwich. Clipper up the River to Charing Cross and then a wander through Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and then something to eat before a show.
"
That's a great idea! anyone else who doesn't like London should joins us on a fab loves London day out. We'll make believers out of you yet. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. "
Hey I'm a londoner and I love the city so much to see and do boat rides up the Thames, historic buildings, museums, art galleries, restaurants, theatres, pubs,clubs, unusual shopping outlets, great transport to get you around a very busy bustling city |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have started working more regularly in London and love how easy it is to get from A to B on the tube. Where I live is relatively rural and I am always in the car so I actually enjoy it all. Each to their own I guess! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It's the smell that hits me when i visit .I couldn't get used to the air quality.I guess it's like the bin men .Who can no longer smell the refuse.After years of working with it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. "
I used to hate London when I was just visiting but now I live there it’s a completely different place. I live it. When you visit you tend to go to places that are well known, they are places I would avoid like the plague now. I find taxis cheap but I use uber. A night out is not expensive if you stay out of central London. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I used to hate London when I was just visiting but now I live there it’s a completely different place. I live it. When you visit you tend to go to places that are well known, they are places I would avoid like the plague now. I find taxis cheap but I use uber. A night out is not expensive if you stay out of central London. "
* I love it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. "
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I can only handle London in really small doses. It's far too busy and people don't smile.
I'm a country girl through and through."
I’m from Devon but now live in the suburbs of London. People here are so friendly and we all know each other. I think it just depends on what part of London you are in. It’s very green where I am so very different to central London. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though! "
I lived in Birmingham and also Stourbridge, so not far from you and I don’t find the friendliness much different. I did find living in central Birmingham to be less friendly out of all of the places. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I loved London the years I lived there but I was drinking myself to death and realised I had to get out. Now I love living 25 minutes on a train from London and i still spend plenty of time there.
Rarely catch the tube though, London is better on foot or a bus. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I loved London the years I lived there but I was drinking myself to death and realised I had to get out. Now I love living 25 minutes on a train from London and i still spend plenty of time there.
Rarely catch the tube though, London is better on foot or a bus. "
I love getting the bus everywhere now. It’s like going on a tour |
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"Next time let me take you on a tour.
London is just a series of villages that have grown out from the City. Ilford wasn't even part of London until 1965. Heathrow straddles a border of London/not London.
I was a bit surprised you were staying so far away from the social. At least that one gives you the location in the name.
My lift would have shown you different parts of London, not just a tunnel. Albeit I wasn't going all the way.
I love the view of London from Blackfriars Bridge at night best of all.
Love the view from Blackfriars, also Hampstead has some wonderful views if you find the right spot.
OP that is a pretty crazy trek to take on, next time on cabs try Uber will be at least a 1/4 of that you were quoted.
We'll have to take her to Blackfriars and show her. Or, my other way of showing people the joys of London from the River: Cable car over the River to Greenwich. Clipper up the River to Charing Cross and then a wander through Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and then something to eat before a show.
That's a great idea! anyone else who doesn't like London should joins us on a fab loves London day out. We'll make believers out of you yet. "
I would be up for that |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though!
I lived in Birmingham and also Stourbridge, so not far from you and I don’t find the friendliness much different. I did find living in central Birmingham to be less friendly out of all of the places. "
I have never found London unfriendly. So much to do, so many people to meet, and everyone so open to newcomers/diversity |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I went from Newbury Park (Ilford's neighbour) to Battersea park last night. On the tube you don't see anything but the inside of tunnels, the occasional over ground platform and people.
Once you get to your destination you find yourself in more interesting surroundings.
But, not if you're in Ilford or Heathrow.
They are suburbs of London and nothing like The City or inner London.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I get smiles from people on the London Underground, and on a rare occasion, a chat.
Most people in the City probably weren't born in London, or the UK. It's an attraction for foreign visitors. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though!
I lived in Birmingham and also Stourbridge, so not far from you and I don’t find the friendliness much different. I did find living in central Birmingham to be less friendly out of all of the places. "
I've lived in Birmingham, the black country, London and now Hertfordshire. Never noticed the whole London is unfriendly thing, of course it is on a packed tube or in rush hour but I think most people that judge it as unfriendly are ironically tourists in tourist areas judging other tourists. The black country was incredibly friendly on some levels but also ridiculously insular, I knew people there who'd never been to Birmingham just a few miles away. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I loved London the years I lived there but I was drinking myself to death and realised I had to get out. Now I love living 25 minutes on a train from London and i still spend plenty of time there.
Rarely catch the tube though, London is better on foot or a bus.
I love getting the bus everywhere now. It’s like going on a tour "
It also makes you realise how close things are. Now I now London well I cringe thinking of some of the tube journeys I used to make before I lived there, probably took longer than walking! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though!
I lived in Birmingham and also Stourbridge, so not far from you and I don’t find the friendliness much different. I did find living in central Birmingham to be less friendly out of all of the places.
I've lived in Birmingham, the black country, London and now Hertfordshire. Never noticed the whole London is unfriendly thing, of course it is on a packed tube or in rush hour but I think most people that judge it as unfriendly are ironically tourists in tourist areas judging other tourists. The black country was incredibly friendly on some levels but also ridiculously insular, I knew people there who'd never been to Birmingham just a few miles away. "
I totally agree with you on that. Where I live in south east London, I know all my neighbours, we have a private park/woods at the back of our houses, only access is from back of your house. We have tea parties, camping weekends, drinks on Friday nights etc. I’ve never had such a community spirit anywhere else I’ve lived. I guess I’m lucky because of the area but it’s only 20 mins into London if I feel the need. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
born and bred in london
have to say theres not much quality of life these days
bit of a rat race and rush rush rush.
i know some undergrounds stay open but half the time your always clock watching to get the last train home so forced to get an expensive taxi (wouldnt be 40 quid though op for 4 miles )
stanstead express , its an international airport and the last train to london is midnight , so all those landed after 12 midnight struggle to get to london .
londons ok if you plan your evening / day / weekend
very hussle and bustle though.. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I went from Newbury Park (Ilford's neighbour) to Battersea park last night. On the tube you don't see anything but the inside of tunnels, the occasional over ground platform and people.
Once you get to your destination you find yourself in more interesting surroundings.
But, not if you're in Ilford or Heathrow.
They are suburbs of London and nothing like The City or inner London.
"
I live in the suburbs but pretty, scenic suburbs |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though!
I lived in Birmingham and also Stourbridge, so not far from you and I don’t find the friendliness much different. I did find living in central Birmingham to be less friendly out of all of the places. "
Birmingham isn’t much better than London for friendliness, which isn’t surprising since it’s the second biggest city.
However where I live it’s totally different. Maybe because it’s a smaller city, and we are slower paced here. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I loved London the years I lived there but I was drinking myself to death and realised I had to get out. Now I love living 25 minutes on a train from London and i still spend plenty of time there.
Rarely catch the tube though, London is better on foot or a bus.
ive never been on a london bus , to slow with all the stopping and starting would drive me nuts
my mum uses them , had a guy cutting his toe nails the other week
there not always great
I love getting the bus everywhere now. It’s like going on a tour "
 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though!
I lived in Birmingham and also Stourbridge, so not far from you and I don’t find the friendliness much different. I did find living in central Birmingham to be less friendly out of all of the places.
I've lived in Birmingham, the black country, London and now Hertfordshire. Never noticed the whole London is unfriendly thing, of course it is on a packed tube or in rush hour but I think most people that judge it as unfriendly are ironically tourists in tourist areas judging other tourists. The black country was incredibly friendly on some levels but also ridiculously insular, I knew people there who'd never been to Birmingham just a few miles away. "
I don’t go to tourist areas.
I visit family mostly and I still feel the same that it feels less friendly than my home town.
As I said, it could be down to the city being fast paced and people simply not having the time. But I definitely notice. It doesn’t affect my visits there at all, I just learn to adapt to it and not pull a face when I don’t recieve a smile back from someone! |
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I spent 4 months living and working there, and for a small town country boy like me it was a lot different to anything I had experienced before.
In some respects it was an adventure, but there is lots to dislike, and also lots to like.
All I know is, I couldn't live there permanently. The hardest thing for me was how impersonal it is, it took me a few days to "dial in".... little things like striking up a conversation on a bus or train.... people would look at me like I was some sort of axe-murderer trying to line them up as my next victim! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. Hey I'm a londoner and I love the city so much to see and do boat rides up the Thames, historic buildings, museums, art galleries, restaurants, theatres, pubs,clubs, unusual shopping outlets, great transport to get you around a very busy bustling city "
This  |
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I quite enjoy visiting London. I like the vibrancy of the place and the frequent public transport. However, I also find it generally less friendly and welcoming than other cities, not to mention overpriced, so wouldn't want to live there.
In fact, I wouldn't particularly want to live in any large city.
Nita |
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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago
harrow |
I live in suburbs of London.
For tourists there is loads to see. Loads of nice places to eat and drink.
However I will always now get an Uber. I got one from not far from work to home for 25quid over 13 Miles. No way should a cab cost 40 quid for 3 Miles. I would have told them to do one
Also have a look on trip advisor. I know a few decent curry, Chinese and Thai reateraunts off the beaten track that are value for money.
I would say bars and pubs are expensive in London and I much prefer european cities or Manchester for drinking. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I went from Newbury Park (Ilford's neighbour) to Battersea park last night. On the tube you don't see anything but the inside of tunnels, the occasional over ground platform and people.
Once you get to your destination you find yourself in more interesting surroundings.
But, not if you're in Ilford or Heathrow.
They are suburbs of London and nothing like The City or inner London.
I live in the suburbs but pretty, scenic suburbs "
You're in the posh 'burbs |
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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago
harrow |
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get "
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I went from Newbury Park (Ilford's neighbour) to Battersea park last night. On the tube you don't see anything but the inside of tunnels, the occasional over ground platform and people.
Once you get to your destination you find yourself in more interesting surroundings.
But, not if you're in Ilford or Heathrow.
They are suburbs of London and nothing like The City or inner London.
I live in the suburbs but pretty, scenic suburbs
You're in the posh 'burbs "
Yeah, it’s lovely though. Even better if I was in Dulwich which is not far. Feels like the countryside in parts. Central London is not for me but nor is any big city centre. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London. "
Iv fealt the same way when i went tried the underground thing i must have got on and off the same train 3 time luckily like a minute or so later another came |
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By *amissCouple
over a year ago
chelmsford |
I go to South Kensington to Royal Marsden hospital every 3weeks and we often see 'famous' people on the tube, so famous, can't even remember their names, still don't give their seats up for us old women though! |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I went from Newbury Park (Ilford's neighbour) to Battersea park last night. On the tube you don't see anything but the inside of tunnels, the occasional over ground platform and people.
Once you get to your destination you find yourself in more interesting surroundings.
But, not if you're in Ilford or Heathrow.
They are suburbs of London and nothing like The City or inner London.
I live in the suburbs but pretty, scenic suburbs
You're in the posh 'burbs
Yeah, it’s lovely though. Even better if I was in Dulwich which is not far. Feels like the countryside in parts. Central London is not for me but nor is any big city centre. "
I'm not in a posh bit, and I'm closer to the centre than you are, but I have areas, in easy walking distance, that look and feel like the countryside. As long as you don't look towards the City. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"*ranty/moany post alert*
I don't get why people love this place so much! I feel like all I've done this weekend is walk and sit in trains but not really seen anything.
Granted I did decide to travel from Ilford to Heathrow and back ladt night to go to the social and there were issues in the picadilly line so didn't get in till 3am.
Also it's bloody expensive. A taxi was going to cost us £40 for a 3.4 mile journey!
Im tired and knackered and wet and hungry. I hate (maybe dislike a bit) London.
I don’t get it either.
I do enjoy going to London to visit family however I find a lot of people are either miserable or just in a rush and come across quite rude.
For example, something as small as opening the door for someone won’t get a thank you in London in my experience, a lot of people don’t want to even smile or say “excuse me”, I just put it down to the city being really fast paced.
I live in Wolverhampton & I smile at strangers even say good morning with a little small talk, it’s the norm here but you don’t find that in London at all! I’m such a sociable person so I do notice. Still love going there though!
I lived in Birmingham and also Stourbridge, so not far from you and I don’t find the friendliness much different. I did find living in central Birmingham to be less friendly out of all of the places.
I've lived in Birmingham, the black country, London and now Hertfordshire. Never noticed the whole London is unfriendly thing, of course it is on a packed tube or in rush hour but I think most people that judge it as unfriendly are ironically tourists in tourist areas judging other tourists. The black country was incredibly friendly on some levels but also ridiculously insular, I knew people there who'd never been to Birmingham just a few miles away.
I don’t go to tourist areas.
I visit family mostly and I still feel the same that it feels less friendly than my home town.
As I said, it could be down to the city being fast paced and people simply not having the time. But I definitely notice. It doesn’t affect my visits there at all, I just learn to adapt to it and not pull a face when I don’t recieve a smile back from someone! "
It just depends which part of London you visit your family. It’s such a huge city and so different all over. It’s really friendly where I live but I go 10 mins to a not so nice area and it’s a different atmosphere altogether. I’ve lived in north west London and it was very multi cultural there, it could be very hit and miss with people getting on, quite scary at times. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna "
That's a North to South Line. I use the District Line which goes through Westminster, but I get off at Victoria now; when I used to go through Sloane square and South Ken. The jubilee line goes to the best areas- Canary wharf and Canada Water- I'm in heaven on the Jubilee line |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna
That's a North to South Line. I use the District Line which goes through Westminster, but I get off at Victoria now; when I used to go through Sloane square and South Ken. The jubilee line goes to the best areas- Canary wharf and Canada Water- I'm in heaven on the Jubilee line "
I love the overground, it’s when I have to transfer to the underground at Canada Water it all changes. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I went from Newbury Park (Ilford's neighbour) to Battersea park last night. On the tube you don't see anything but the inside of tunnels, the occasional over ground platform and people.
Once you get to your destination you find yourself in more interesting surroundings.
But, not if you're in Ilford or Heathrow.
They are suburbs of London and nothing like The City or inner London.
I live in the suburbs but pretty, scenic suburbs
You're in the posh 'burbs
Yeah, it’s lovely though. Even better if I was in Dulwich which is not far. Feels like the countryside in parts. Central London is not for me but nor is any big city centre. "
My part of my suburb is not too built up, but has nothing of any note to attract visitors. We're just a cheaper option for people who want to work in London who can't afford to live there. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna
That's a North to South Line. I use the District Line which goes through Westminster, but I get off at Victoria now; when I used to go through Sloane square and South Ken. The jubilee line goes to the best areas- Canary wharf and Canada Water- I'm in heaven on the Jubilee line
I love the overground, it’s when I have to transfer to the underground at Canada Water it all changes. "
I only get one stop on the Overground now and 20 stops underground. I took my grandson on the DLR for a trip over the water; it's like a toy town train |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna
That's a North to South Line. I use the District Line which goes through Westminster, but I get off at Victoria now; when I used to go through Sloane square and South Ken. The jubilee line goes to the best areas- Canary wharf and Canada Water- I'm in heaven on the Jubilee line
I love the overground, it’s when I have to transfer to the underground at Canada Water it all changes.
I only get one stop on the Overground now and 20 stops underground. I took my grandson on the DLR for a trip over the water; it's like a toy town train "
I get the overground all the way to shoreditch for drinks, only 19 mins. Love being above ground. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna
That's a North to South Line. I use the District Line which goes through Westminster, but I get off at Victoria now; when I used to go through Sloane square and South Ken. The jubilee line goes to the best areas- Canary wharf and Canada Water- I'm in heaven on the Jubilee line
I love the overground, it’s when I have to transfer to the underground at Canada Water it all changes.
I only get one stop on the Overground now and 20 stops underground. I took my grandson on the DLR for a trip over the water; it's like a toy town train
I get the overground all the way to shoreditch for drinks, only 19 mins. Love being above ground. "
Do you look into people's windows too? I've seen some lovely, romantic scenarios in my travels. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna
That's a North to South Line. I use the District Line which goes through Westminster, but I get off at Victoria now; when I used to go through Sloane square and South Ken. The jubilee line goes to the best areas- Canary wharf and Canada Water- I'm in heaven on the Jubilee line
I love the overground, it’s when I have to transfer to the underground at Canada Water it all changes.
I only get one stop on the Overground now and 20 stops underground. I took my grandson on the DLR for a trip over the water; it's like a toy town train
I get the overground all the way to shoreditch for drinks, only 19 mins. Love being above ground.
Do you look into people's windows too? I've seen some lovely, romantic scenarios in my travels."
I’m usually too busy on my phone, ha. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I have to say, the closer you get on the tube to the City centre, the better looking and smelling the men get
Lol well this is kinda true unless you are on the bakerloo like which is like a bloody sauna
That's a North to South Line. I use the District Line which goes through Westminster, but I get off at Victoria now; when I used to go through Sloane square and South Ken. The jubilee line goes to the best areas- Canary wharf and Canada Water- I'm in heaven on the Jubilee line
I love the overground, it’s when I have to transfer to the underground at Canada Water it all changes.
I only get one stop on the Overground now and 20 stops underground. I took my grandson on the DLR for a trip over the water; it's like a toy town train "
Did you get the prime seats so that they could 'drive' the train? I always try and sit there.  |
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London is a fantastic city - and I can rightly see why people say it is the best in the world. It can be hard work yes, but at the same time is inspirational and awe-inspiring. There is always something new to do or a new place to go. I didn't grow up there, but now feel really at home there. It has some brilliant communities and is really an amalgamation of villages. Shop around, be thrifty, enjoy one of the fabulous bus journeys, or if you are there for any length of time cycle for a fabulous experience, but it can be polluted in central London at peak times (Tottenham Court Road) etc. but what marvellous green spaces and the river - what's not to like. Avoid the tourist spots and head out into Zone 2-3 for some gems of places...and sorts of people under the sun. This is the world we live in folks ! |
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By *bandAbCouple
over a year ago
lanarkshire. |
hope london is as good as we hope we travel down in sept for a weekend. got theatre and a thames cruise and london eye booked. and if we have time we may look for some fab fun but really hope london isnt as bad as people say.  |
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I love it and hate it in equal measures. People spend a large chunk of their day commuting, it takes forever to get anywhere, expensive, loud, dirty, rude, hostile, over crowded, becoming more and more gentrified and losing what made it unique in the first place.
I was going to leave recently but y'know what, it's still the most exciting city in the world. Excellent diversity, art, history, culture, parks, clubs and I can pop to my local corner shop 24 hours a day |
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"OP, this isn't directed at you - your post just made me think about it.
Over the years on here I have noted the number of threads about, or comments on threads on other subjects, that talk about how awful London is and not understanding why anyone lives there, how expensive it is, how busy, and how they couldn't be paid to live there. And, of course, that we get everything.
No other place in the country gets this. On here, at least.
London is a net contributor to the rest of the country. So we're supporting you to live your idyllic life away from here.
More gets spent here because more people live here AND come here, from around the the country and from abroad. Home to nearly 9 million people but another 1.5/2 million commuters and visitors daily. That's all of Birmingham and surrounding areas descending on us every day.
Land is expensive so that makes everything else expensive. The cost of a drink in a pub has to cover the property, the salaries and the materials.
We have more green space (brown, at the moment) than is appreciated. We have every type of food you could want to try, lots of free things to sitting alongside the expensive. It's a city of contrasts. It has beauty and art next door to poverty and dirt. It has history and archeology next to modern and innovation. It has the village green experience next to busy urban, high rise living.
No other city is like it.
"
Spare us the net contributor bollocks. It's nothing more than an accounting trick based on the number of companies that officially have their headquarters in London. The decline of industrial London to be replaced by bean counters and the like is part of why London is not longer a likeable place. |
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By *_Yeah19Couple
over a year ago
Lincoln |
I was there at the weekend with the teenage son, don’t mind doing some of the touristy things now and again but it’s definitely not somewhere I could bear to be longer term.
Too big and busy for me, but can see why some people do like that kind of atmosphere.
TB |
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