American Considering London, UK (real estate, rent, to buy)

[Daniel_T]

HI, I have always wanted to live in london and become a newcaster for SKYNews or BBC. Do you think an American could do that? Also, what is life like in London? Anyone that has lived in the U.S. and can compare? Is london really as expensive as everyone claims? I would really appreciate your answers.

Daniel

[richt1971]

Hi Daniel,
Most people in the UK find London dear so having travelled to the US many times I can say that compared to the places I've seen in the US then yes London is expensive (My brother and a few mates live in London for many years)! The cost of real estate to buy or rent in most suburbs of London is dear. Cost of living you'll probably find dear although I can only compare food shopping and eating out and not general utilities etc. I guess though wages would be more than maybe you might get most other places to try to compensate.

[richt1971]

Sorry meant to add that sky are based in Twickenham which is west London and about 10 miles out of the centre of London.
The BBC is nearer the centre of London in shepherds bush west london. However the BBC are moving 90% of their operations to Salford which is north west of the UK - many miles away from London!

[Daniel_T]

what is life like in London Generally? Is it fairly safe? How are the people? Stuck up, or is it a mix? It seems that the wording and phrases the British use can be hard to learn at first. Are they really that hard?

[richt1971]

Originally Posted by Daniel_T

what is life like in London Generally? Is it fairly safe? How are the people? Stuck up, or is it a mix? It seems that the wording and phrases the British use can be hard to learn at first. Are they really that hard?

What is London like - well I'd say like most large cities of the world. There's lots to do but at a cost usually! Is it safe yes and no. Again like most large cities there's nice parts which are generally safe and area's where I'd say certainly aren't safe at night. I'd say on the whole London people tend not to mix with neighbours as everyone is so busy with life. There are exceptions but this is the view of 5 or 6 people I know that have lived in London for many years. The north of the UK is friendlier as we talk to most people. I recently called the police to a driver that hit a new neighbours car and tried to drive off. She was surprised I did that as she used to live in London and to quote her' if it isn't their car they'd not be calling the police!'
In terms of wording or phrases I'm not sure what you mean - sorry? Do you mean the local slang/accent?

[Daniel_T]

By slang, I mean things like :

going to the chemist: which means the pharmacist

or

bloody hell. Things like that. Phrases that only British people tend to use.


Thanks.

Daniel

[richt1971]

Originally Posted by Daniel_T

By slang, I mean things like :

going to the chemist: which means the pharmacist

or

bloody hell. Things like that. Phrases that only British people tend to use.


Thanks.

Daniel

Oh I see what you mean. Well there's quite a few differences between the way Brits use English and you guys. Same as Canadians and Australians. I guess you'll get used to it. Hey it'd being boring if we were all the same! Not sure what else I can say to be honest. Hope that helps?

[Anarchy]

what is life like in London Generally? Is it fairly safe? How are the people? Stuck up, or is it a mix? It seems that the wording and phrases the British use can be hard to learn at first. Are they really that hard?

There are many phrases us Brits uses which vary all over the country i mean when i go to london (im from up north) sometimes i dont have a clue what they are talking about. Best thing to do is google london slang/phrases

[Daniel_T]

Great. Thanks for the heads up. My friend's grandmother lives in London and he has been there many times. He told me that the Tube is very convenient and is clean. I assume the Tube is a good way to get around London? Better than a car? What is the weather like in London? Is it always cloudy,rainy, or sunny? Thanks.


Daniel True

[Anarchy]

The tube is clean yes and convenient many people rely on it, every time ive been to london ive never drove instead ive always used the tube its reliable. Driving well unless you love traffic and congestion charges I wouldnt drive in london at all its pretty bad and parking is worse London isnt a friendly city for drivers at all. The weather in london is generally crap just like the rest of england but better than the north. Lots of grey clouds and lots of rainy days with the odd sunny day although in summer the sun does appear more often than not but rain is always lurking hope this helps