London Surprised How Nice
We have spent the last three days in London, we went to meet some friends who are over from Florida. I have to admit I have been to New York more times in the past twenty years than Central London, the only reason being is that for many years in the eighties and early nineties I worked all over central London on a weekday, only coming back home at weekends.
First impressions on this trip was how much cleaner London was, the air quality was good and the streets looked tidy. We stayed in the very comfortable and surprisingly reasonable Park Plaza Westminster Bridge which is right opposite Big Ben, and looks spotless after its recent clean. Our trips on the underground were equally surprisingly good, with people instantly giving up their seat for my wife who is walking with a stick at the moment. The fares are very reasonable and tap and go payment system is superb.
We really enjoyed the afternoon at Borough Market and then an early evening meal at the many restaurants in the area. We returned to the area around Waterloo tube station and found a great Fullers Pub where after a few pints of ESB I was one satisfied customer.
One place I have never been too was the Imperial War Museum, so we decided to visit as it was only a short walk behind our hotel, good decision it was a great experience.
All in an all we had a great time and left London feeling happy, even the train journey from Euston back to the West Midlands was brilliant. Well done London keep it up.
London Surprised How Nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by
xxnick1975
I'm still shocked by the price of stuff from time to time - pint and a packet of crisps was £9.80 yesterday, in a standard pub.
A few overpriced pints here and there make little difference in the grand scheme of things.
Public transport is relatively cheap and amazing in its breadth and frequency.
Where London completely falls down is in rent and housing costs. Just off the scale compared to anywhere else in the U.K., and by a country mile.
My 22 yo is looking to move out as he has a professional job now. A bedroom in a house share is £1k/month, absolute minimum. Then share of council tax, bills etc. etc. He could just about afford it, but all in he’d be sacrificing more than half his take home pay for a room, bills, food and transport.
I love London, and had the good fortune to move around these parts over 30 years ago, but sadly the place is a no go for new blood unless two extremely high salary earners, or massive BOMAD.
London Surprised How Nice
Great city:) did 20 years working in Soho. The only reason we moved was for decent schools and a better child friendly lifestyle. Whatever you’d want from a city you can find a patch in London to accommodate it.
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London Surprised How Nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Passenger
Anywhere beyond plausibly the first couple of zones, say 1 to 2, some parts of 3, isn't really urban London proper once out beyond that it's residential, suburban, London adjacent. Get out to zone 5, 6 say, you might as well be living in the country, somewhat tongue in cheek, but only somewhat.:distracted:
By the end of a long week, fighting into and out of central London, public transport, come the weekend we'd often be too shagged to bestir ourselves and head in for the culture and touristy stuff. We'd do something local, a stroll to the common, pub lunch, meet friends for beers, Clapham picture House etc...maybe even a barbie in the tiny garden...weather permitting.
Go anywhere as a tourist, well it really should always be fun otherwise you'd choose, go somewhere else. Plus you've generally accepted it's going to cost you whatever, holiday/ short break mindset takes over...''you change your chip'' as a good Spanish friend of mine puts it so well
Zone 5 countryside? What year was that, before Croydon was built I suspect which is in zone 5:) ?
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London Surprised How Nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stilgoe1972
but not what I’d describe as countryside.
That’s why I prefixed my response with, Not Countryside, but
London Surprised How Nice
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Chris_in_the_UK
You need to get out and about a bit more Ryan!.
London has some lovely parks, but the whole of the south east has a level of blandness that is difficult to surpass. And that is from someone who lives there.
The tens of thousands who flock to Newlands Corner, Box Hill or Leith Hill every weekend does not make you feel like you are in the great outdoors.