London vs. Paris (apartment, population, areas, international)

[GioLM]

London is and feels more global, it has an energy that makes you feel at the centre of the world. Paris is most definitely a global and energetic city, but it doesn't offer the variety that London does. London feels less British than Paris feels French, which makes more cosmopolitan. This is why I would choose London, but that isn't to say that I don't also really like Paris, and on any given day would rather be in Paris than London. Both, however are two of the worlds best.

[Fitzrovian]

Originally Posted by holmescjg

I would hardly call London 'working class'. It's the most aristocratic city in the world!!!! Most European ex-Royal families and displaced aristocrats live there, and it is the one city on the planet where the super-rich and big stars and models want to live in beautiful houses. London was terribly damaged in WW2, and it took 50 years to recover. Most of central london is now sparkling, and the luxury stores, hotels and restaurants make Paris look cheap. To me (an American), Paris looks exactly the same everywhere you go. It's dull - and very, very dirty! One correspndant said London has no centre (!). That's silly - London is one huge centre, from Kensington to Shoreditch. London dazzles - to me, it's the chicest city on earth, and it gets more wonderful every day.

I must say I agree with this, though I wouldn't put it in such stark terms. And I certainly wouldn't call Paris dull. But I do agree that London looks cleaner (and that includes the tube), wealthier, more cosmopolitan, and offers more architectural variety.

Both are amazing cities but I prefer London.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by GioLM

London is and feels more global, it has an energy that makes you feel at the centre of the world. Paris is most definitely a global and energetic city, but it doesn't offer the variety that London does. London feels less British than Paris feels French, which makes more cosmopolitan. This is why I would choose London, but that isn't to say that I don't also really like Paris, and on any given day would rather be in Paris than London. Both, however are two of the worlds best.

Of the big four: London, New York, Paris and Tokyo - the latter two remain thoroughly French and Japanese cities respectively. Instead of being the most international and 'least British/American' cities in their country, they embody what is basically the essence of their national identity.

For some, there is nothing more Japanese than the frenetic pace of life on the packed streets of Shinjinku or Ginza, other than perhaps quaint Shinto temples among cherry blossom groves in Kyoto. While Paris is just one facet of 'Frenchness' France displays to the world, of course Parisian culture is seen as the height of Frenchness. I suppose London with it's RP accents is seen the same way by some, but no longer is cockney rhyming slang heard that much in Mile End or the Tower Hamlets, instead you're likely to hear Bengali. It is chicken tikka masala which is more common than eel pie.

[GioLM]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I suppose London with it's RP accents is seen the same way by some, but no longer is cockney rhyming slang heard that much in Mile End or the Tower Hamlets, instead you're likely to hear Bengali. It is chicken tikka masala which is more common than eel pie.

Hahaha..when I go to London I stay in Mile-End...and it is far easier to find a samosa than any kind of pie...and I haven't heard a single authentic cockney accent of all my many days spent there...and when you head out to get some pub-grub you are more likely to find menus with some kind of tapas fusion and be served by Polish student than get soggy fish and chips from a sour faced old east-ender. i love london

[holmescjg]

It's bizarre that anyone can say that Paris has better architecture. I am a German/American living in London. The Nazis did their best to destroy London (mostly the Eastern side of the city) - Paris didn't suffer in this way. Paris has boulevards (so does London though), and London has hundreds of exquisite, elegant squares. London shopping is a million times better - and all the shops in Paris have branches in London as well! Many tourists are attracted to Oxford Street - but this is just chain stores, like the Boulevard Haussmann. They should go to Bond Street, Sloane Street, Mayfair and Belgravia. makes Paris look tacky! Also, in London you have the feeling that you are in the centre of the whole world! Paris feels provincial and old-fashioned. One message on here said that Paris has freeways(!) while London's roads are stuck in the 18th century. That's because London IS 18th century. Paris is modern. How stupid can you get? That's like saying that Venice's streets are always flooded!!!!!! Typical uneducated Yank.

[the troubadour]

I have lived in both cities and both have endearing qualities but would go for London.

London has its faults and am not a fan of all changes but the city does look better than twenty five years ago. It has a much improved skyline,cleaner,quality improved,food far better......

A little too much reliance on the Financial Market is a negative in my view as is some of the cleansing out of the poor that has taken place on small scales.
London is a living city in the sense that the poor and working class still life in central locations. It is more edgy. Rich and poor rubbing shoulders so to speak.

In the case of Paris they have largely located their poor outside of Paris in the Suburbs....not the Burbs Americans think off but gross concrete,often crime infestered towers........

London gets my vote.......

[In God We Trust]

Paris because of its architecture, language and beauty. It has also better weather than London.
Although London is a great city too.

[chielgirl]

I was in Paris last month and I'll be in London this month.
I like whichever one I'm currently in the best.

[NaughtyDozens]

paris by a landslide, boatloads of beautiful women

london on the other hand, well, its london

[paull805]

Very informative post there.