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I just heard a lot of bad things about London - I mean racism, crime, strange people, crazy traffic, absolutely terribly expensive....
I'm preparing for studying there (probably) and I'm a bit afraid of that... Thanks for answers.
London is like any major city - there's some great area's, plenty to do 24/7 and plenty of different cultures. But also there's area's best avoided and obviously taking care when traveling alone at night (but this is like anywhere else in a world city).
Be sensible and you'll be safe.
"Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." — Samuel Johnson
London is so huge it's difficult to generalise. There are things in common across the city - like traffic & public transport issues, but London is really made up of dozens of little areas joined together under the big umbrella of London. It changes drastically from one side to another.
I was born and brought up there so I love it - I love the tiny alleys, the wide streets and the architecture, the parks, the views of the river, the beautiful (free) galleries and museums and the REAL London characters.
The main, old centre itself however is not so massive. I go back every so often and spend a whole day walking around and across the city, and it never fails to inspire awe and affection.
However - now I only go on Sundays or bank holidays as the crowds and traffic can be just too much - and you can't see the place properly when it is so busy.
It certainly has its problems and troubles, but that is the condition of any huge international metropolis.
I lived in Greenwich for many years, and would love to live there again one day.
Yes absolutely!! I really miss it actually. Do you know where you will be living? I think that makes a big difference of course. We now live in the States, but have friends in Hampstead, Greenwich, Islington and Docklands Canary Wharf area and stay with them when we are in the UK.
I would love to live in Hampstead which is like a village in the city, but extremely expensive. Lots of celebrities, but very laid back. No pretention. LOVE it!
Oxford Circus for shopping is just a bit hectic. Avoid like the plague on weekends or holidays! During weekdays it is better.
The West side of London is generally 'better' than the East side, I think a lot of that is because the East End got very badly bombed during the second World War and was rebuilt when the UK wasn't at its richest. So the more beautiful old buildings tend to be from the Tower Hill area and West.
You will love it I am sure - enjoy your time there and don't worry!
The city of London is great at weekends as it is nearly deserted. When i say city i mean "the square mile" which is the original London within the Original London wall. The "west end" of London is where all the nightlife and big shops are. Regent street, Oxford street, Marble arch etc. London is very "dog eat dog" It is the place of the quick or the dead. That is probably why so many people hate London. It is fast paced and varied in culture.
You must always be on your guard in London and keep valuables out of sight and bags close to you, even when walking. It is a great place to visit but not really a great place to live anymore. I was born and bred in London and it is so sad to see what it has become.
Or maybe it's those Oxford student days' spliff sessions - bit of the cannabis-related paranoia setting in!!!!
Damn, I can't rep you! Funny
I spent a year and a half living in London during the week and whilst it was tiring because of the travel and long hours culture, I really missed it when I stopped and started working here again - I found the pace back home stagnant and uninspiring.
The variety of shops in London and sheer quantity of things you can go and see are unbeatable anywhere else in the country. I loved just being able to jump on a tube and have a wander round a different area.
Yes there are areas to avoid, but it's not difficult to figure out. If you get out of a tube station and it doesn't feel right, get back on another train
I have enjoyed living here when I was a child, because back then, I personally fought crime was not as bad as it is now, but my opinion has changed, greatly.
So to conclude, I liked it back then, but I don't like it now.
i love london, no matter how many times i go there is always something else to see.
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