New York City or London??!! (school, college, pros and cons)

[amandako]

I am a recent college graduate and am torn between which city to move. I was accepted into a Master's program and can choose between the univesity's New York City campus or their London campus. I have lived all over the USA (mostly Midwest and Southwest) but never in a big city. I love London but have never been to NYC. I am an art major involved in art business, love culture, good food, shows and everything cities can offer. I just don't know which city to pick!!! Can anyone offer me some pros and cons or opinions as to which city might be good for me?

[Cat05]

Where in NYC is the campus?

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by amandako

I am a recent college graduate and am torn between which city to move. I was accepted into a Master's program and can choose between the univesity's New York City campus or their London campus. I have lived all over the USA (mostly Midwest and Southwest) but never in a big city. I love London but have never been to NYC. I am an art major involved in art business, love culture, good food, shows and everything cities can offer. I just don't know which city to pick!!! Can anyone offer me some pros and cons or opinions as to which city might be good for me?

I cant give you pros and cos of either city but i am 36 and if i was your age and had the oportunity that you do, go to London, how often do you get these experiences, you can always come back and live in NYC but London!! you will be closer to all the great places over there, italy, paris! i say go for it and enjoy, I envy you!!!!

[thisguy]

Originally Posted by amandako

I am a recent college graduate and am torn between which city to move. I was accepted into a Master's program and can choose between the univesity's New York City campus or their London campus. I have lived all over the USA (mostly Midwest and Southwest) but never in a big city. I love London but have never been to NYC. I am an art major involved in art business, love culture, good food, shows and everything cities can offer. I just don't know which city to pick!!! Can anyone offer me some pros and cons or opinions as to which city might be good for me?

London is amazing, and once in a lifetime. I was there for 1 week only and wished I had a few months more there.

Whatever your situation is ask yourself in the future what would be the chances of you going to be in London vs New York (I think for most people a much lower chance of getting a chance to be in London), so go for what is more rare of an opportunity. Also will open you up more to other cultures, other people, and a view of the US other than what is portrated on our 24 hour news channels - it can be eye opening. No brainer to me, but both cities I am sure can offer a lot.

[GypsySoul22]

London, London, London...!
NYC is okay, but I'd rather live in London.

[amandako]

The NYC campus is in the Upper East Side while London's campus is in Bloomsbury near Covent Garden.

PS Thank you all for your posts!!! Very much appreciated

[dullnboring]

Definitely London!

As others have said, New York is terrific, but the opportunities to live and work abroad don't come along very often and it's best to take advantage, to get out and see the world while you're young with few things tying you down. As an American citizen, you can always come back and work and live in New York after school is out (and London will be good preparation), whereas the same can't be said for London.

One con of London is the cost of living. London routinely ranks among the world's most expensive cities, dwarfing New York even which in spite of it's reputation within this country, on an international scale pales in comparison to places like Tokyo, London, Moscow and Hong Kong, and you can still find your odd deals here and there in New York. Another aspect of London which can be a pro or con depending on your outlook (or neither) is the fact that while both cities are of equal massive size, London seems much less frenetic and more manageable. A lot of this has to do with the lack of skyscrapers I think, but just as a whole, London is much less intimidating than New York.

I'm actually debating myself going back to school to earn my PhD and doing so in a foreign country, England (London) being the most likely.

[Cat05]

I'd go for NYC in a heartbeat.

But that's me. You already know you like London. Why not visit the City for a campus tour, stay a few extra days, and see what it'd be like? Then you'll be better able to compare.

I've never been to London, but I can give you some pros and cons of NYC.

Pros: cheap mass transit, you can find and do almost anything, shows, museums, film, food, fashion, whatever floats your boat, lots a very different people, lots of very different communities, tolerance of those on the 'fringe", excitement, the campus is in a great area.

Cons: overcrowded, very expensive, dirty, dangerous, dreadful summer weather.

There are other factors to consider too. Are the two campuses equally good? Would being so far from your family be a problem? How long would you be away? Assuming your professional contacts will be in the same area that you attend school--would you want to *live* in London or NYC?

[CityGirl52]

I would go to London, England in a heartbeat, with no questions asked, I'd be on that plane NOW checking it all out! What a fantastic, wonderful opportunity for you right now; especially where you're so young.

There's no question with me about it, London is where you must go for graduate school! You have to think about down the road, do you realize how that will look on your resume? Having a degree from an international country will be AWESOME on that resume of yours, so don't even think twice about it. London will be such a rewarding, rich experience and one that you'll never forget for as long as you live. You GO Girl....pack your bags right now for London!!! There's some good deals on flights right now going on too....

[amandako]

The questions raised by Cat05 are the very questions I have been asking myself. The London campus is more established (and offers more job options in my area of specialty since I am near Europe...European, mostly French and British, 19th Century Painting), while NYC campus is younger, energetic, and more innovative. Having never been to NYC I don't know if that is where I would like to end up. But it seems exciting. I would be away for 1.5 years and yes it would be difficult to be away from my family (based in Albuquerque). I think the main issues holding me back from saying London are expenses and distance but I love the city so much and the reputation of this European-based institution is priceless... sigh, so much to think about! You've all been wonderful with your insight, thanks again!