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Those are some good points. London is a real city where you don't need to own a car. Los Angeles is a collection of adjacent suburbs where you absolutely need a car. Also London is a lot more cosmopolitan than Los Angeles. From what I have heard it is impossible to find high quality authentic Mexican food in London. If this is no longer true please let me know.
Are there any other major differences are there between Los Angeles and London?
Yeh Mexican food is not a big thing here, but there are a few Mexican restaurants around. There is a great one in Windsor.
Yeh Mexican food is not a big thing here, but there are a few Mexican restaurants around. There is a great one in Windsor.
There are some dreadful cheap chain ones around too. We've got a couple here - one good one, one bad one (oh actually no, that closed.) We've got one good one! Mmm enchiladas....
Give me LA anytime.
I would choose LA not only over London, but over ANY European city.
In which European metropolis is it possible to start the day working in a CBD and then finish it taking a dip in the ocean ? None! (Barcelona is the nearest thing, but it's a "small" city).
Yes but in London/Europe you can hop on a plane Friday evening and fly to an infinite variety of places and cultures in less than 2-3 hours. You can have unlimited options - art, culture, history, mountains, beaches, countryside - it is all right there. LA/US is fairly limited in comparison for diversity of feasible weekend getaways.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in London/UK versus Los Angeles/Southern California?
I live in Southern California on the coast south of Los Angeles. I am considering some job opportunities in London. I have been to London twice but only for a couple days.
Below are some of the pros and cons as I understand them. Please add to this list the pros and cons of these two areas as you see them.
I am single, no kids, work in investment management, and love traveling. Thanks.
London/UK
Pros
* Financial capital of the world
* Incredible job opportunities (at least for financial services)
* Excellent proximity to the rest of Europe
* History, culture, character
* Cool British people
* Good public transportation
Cons
* Weather
* Cost of living
* Overpriced, low quality restaurants
* Flat, lacks natural beauty (at least right in London as I recall)
What other pros and cons would you add to these lists?
Can't add to the LA part, because I have only visited there and never lived there.
London is great - I actually think it's a beautiful city and England as a whole has GORGEOUS areas all over the place, so you won't have to go far for natural beauty.
If you want gorgeous countryside try the Cotwolds, The Wye Vally/ Forst of Dean/ the Lake District/ Scotland/ Devon/ Cornwall - all these areas have scenery to die for and I've probably left off lots!
Even some of the coutryside around London is lovely - go to Windsor and get out into some of the small villages for a pub lunch. Good, inexpensive food in a delightful setting.
I also disagree on the 'bad restaurants'. London has amazing restaurants - some of the best in the world, but expensive, sure - comparable to NYC.
You've already got good tips from other people on Indian from Brick Lane, and Chinese from China Town, etc.
I think you may struggle with the weather though. Especially if you're a beach bunny, you will have to fly out on weekends to Spain, etc to get the beach.
That's one of the best parts of being in London - easy, inexpensive and very short trips to Europe. You can go almost anywhere for a long weekend which is just wonderful!! That's what we miss the most now that we've moved to the US - everywhere except Mexcio and Canada is so far away!
If you can handle the weather, then I think you will love it!
Los Angeles is crime ridden and completely dilapidated and underdeveloped as a city. Do they even have any funds? Anyone who's ever been to hollywood will tell you what a [edited for language] it is. For god's sake if you ride subway you'll see shantytowns outside your window as you continue on your trip. It's really only good for it's entertainment industry.
Last edited by WoodwardGirl; 05-13-2008 at 02:55 PM..
Reason: Keeping it PG
Los Angeles is crime ridden and completely dilapidated and underdeveloped as a city. Do they even have any funds? Anyone who's ever been to hollywood will tell you what a [edited for language] it is. For god's sake if you ride subway you'll see shantytowns outside your window as you continue on your trip. It's really only good for it's entertainment industry.
The crime rate in L.A. is actually less than some other large cities.
Last edited by WoodwardGirl; 05-13-2008 at 02:56 PM..
Reason: Keeping it PG
Of course as a Londoner I am biased, but really, to say that London lacks beauty compared to LA is pushing it a bit!
LA is really a group of sprawling suburbs - how can you possibly say that is beautiful compared to London along the Thames, say? Wordsworth got it right - ''Earth hath not anything to show more fair.'
Oh, and there are around 600 murders in LA per year - there are about 85 in London, and most of those are lowlifes in areas you won't be going near.
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Mmm enchiladas....
