Am I alone in saying I dont like London and don't see the attraction ?

[Bertybamboozle]

I am SE based and can be in London in around 20 mins on the train. I cannot stand the place. There is no reason to visit, unless you are a tourist. I really cannot see the appeal and apart from the tourist things, there is nothing else especially special/different to do. I can do pubs/cinema/shows/shopping anywhere.

I feel like I am the only one who thinks this.

It's not for me either. But fortunately I don't have to go there very often. But when i do, I can't wait to get in the shower and have a good scrub when I get home. Maybe it's because I live in a rural area with clean air and mud.

Oh great, another goady post about what a shithole London is. Because we've never had any of those before. How original.

Tell us where you live and we'll comment on what we think of that OP.

Or perhaps, we just all think "each to their own" and stop the bitchiness?

I live in London Zone 3.
Obviously London has places that are special and unique to London - museums, galleries etc. Very nice parks. Good transport (yes really 😂).
If you want to visit the Tower of London then you have to go to London because that's where it is. The same as if you wanted to visit Edinburgh Castle you have to go to Edinburgh because that's where it is.
But when it comes to everyday normal stuff there's not much I can get in London that I can't get in my medium size home town in the Midlands.
Unless you need/want to come to London for a specific thing - then yes - it's not that special!

Absolutely. If you really think you can't (don't want to) do anything in London that you can't do in any small town... then you clearly don't like museums, or fashion, or art, or street life, or theatre, or architecture, or history, or haute cuisine, or a wide range of ethnic food. Which is fine. We don't all have to like the same things. But you're being a bit disingenous. To say the least.

When people say they don't like London I always wonder what they mean. London is huge...

I lived in Wimbledon for years and it's lovely there is a huge common, nice shops...I prefer that to some towns outside London eg Guildford, Newbury, Birmingham,

There are many parts of London with the feel of a lovely small town eg Richmond, Hampstead, Blackheath, Barnes

Are people saying they hate all these?

I don't enjoy any big cities outside of seeing particular special attractions. I would much rather stay somewhere beautiful and full of nature.

Spending a day at the fabulous museums is my idea of bliss

The last time I was in a London museum it was dangerously overcrowded. Honestly elbow to elbow with dozens of people in each room, being swept away to the next room by the crowd. Never again.

I grew up in one of the world's big cities. But doing the stuff that I love in London actually puts me off the stuff that I love if that makes sense? The negatives outweigh the positives.

Lots of people like London and lots don't - so you're not alone.

Me, I love it, which is just as well as I live here!

I lived in London for ten years, and have lived all over the world, and I adore London, and love going back when I can, now that I no longer live in the UK. But the fact that I love it clearly doesn't need to make any difference to whether or not you like London, or any other city.

I think you are unreasonable for thinking there's nothing other than 'tourist things' to do. I don't think I ever did tourist things, if by that you mean Madame Tussaud's, the Tower of London, the London Eye etc. What I loved most about London was the amount of art, music, theatre and cinema you could access cheaply and easily. And the liveliness. I loved just walking around. I loved how in the summers the park across from our flat was just where people lived their lives outdoors, how when I had DS you easily hear ten languages in the sandpit, the fact that I could buy ten kinds of baklava or fresh naan at 3 am in the shop down the street.

But you do you, obviously.

No you’re not alone in saying that. A London bashing thread regularly pops up on here.

I have lived in semi-rural areas, suburban neighbourhoods, market towns but always hate those and have been in London for 15+ years. I live near Liverpool st station and have zero interest in moving. I love it.

Love visiting, hoping to make a trip before Christmas. So many diverse bits to London, amazing energy and attractions. Would not want to bring DC up there, as younger ones can't be free range (we live in a rural area) and for older ones crime is a concern.

Was it one of the special exhibitions at the BM? They can get crazily crowded, yes. You have to pick your time ( not school hols, etc). I went to one in the week before it closed and it was as you describe.

I lived in London for many years and loved it. Contrary to what you say there’s a huge amount to do. As well as the centre, it’s like a collection of distinct villages.
We moved after my daughter was born to St Albans which is 20 mins away by train. It has everything and I love it but still like to visit the city.
You don’t have to like London and I outgrew it but it has huge variety.

Of course you're not alone.
What makes you think that!

Me - I love London.
In fact, I think I posted an opposite thread to yours a while back... let me see...

No OP, you are not the only one, there are numerous threads and posts on MN on a daily basis protesting that London is a ‘shithole’, dangerous (very very dangerous) , dirty (mythical black snot…) (though it is true the air quality is bad) , crowded , full of up-themselves Londoners

I live in London, I compromise by living in an unfashionable Zone 3 ‘affordable’ area because if the many things I love and benefit from in London

But thankfully living in London isn’t compulsory so you don’t need to worry about whether you like it. Even visiting isn’t compulsory.

And I am allowed not to like, live in or visit your area.

For any oldies with the means to do so I recommend you sell-up and move to London - there really is so much that you can do every day, much of it free or reduced.

Today it's grey wet and windy but I'll soon be off to a subsidized dance class, then lunch with a friend at the V&A, followed by a mooch around the Saatchi Gallery and Peter Jones - you can do similar in another place but you can't do THAT! Plus you get your free travel pass at 60

I didn’t enjoy living in London (dirty/noisy/expensive/stressful) but enjoy visiting now for weekends (easy to get around/lots of museums/galleries/theatres).

This is a troll post, right? No matter how much someone doesn’t like London, they can’t seriously believe one can do exactly the same, or even similar, in towns outside London! Theatre, music, restaurants, art galleries etc etc.

I've only been as a visitor, but have been many times over 40 years or so. Just love it. So much to do, museums, restaurants, pubs, architecture. Such diversity and life. I wouldn't like to live there because I like to be closer to the sea, but it's a wonderful city. I'm not English by the way.

@Westfacing you think no other cities in the UK have subsided dance classes, museums galleries and department stores?
They aren't exclusive to London.

@MoodEnhancer err yes you can.
You really think London is the only city with those things?

We went to Stratford in April for ds to compete at LAC.

Stratford - meh!
Westfield - yay!

Olympic park etc - great for a wander and see it all.

We also visited Westminster etc in the summer. I found it overwhelmingly busy (obviously as a tourist spot in august 😂) but also it's a really nice area with lots to do and see.

Went to White city (BBC studios) a few weeks ago.

Stratford and White city tbh you could have been anywhere.

But I think the tourist bits are good for a visit - but I wouldn't want to just go frequently for the sake of it!

I agree with you op.

It is a horrible place : dirty, cramped, expensive, smelly and dangerous.

I hate it.

I was born and bred in London, as were generations of family before me.

We left 15 years ago. Best move we ever did. I am so thankful my children aren’t being raised there . Horrible place.

What it used to be when I was a child in comparison to now is really sad. It’s changed beyond belief.

YANBU

I seem to be done with cities generally, but once I'm retired I do plan little overnight trips to go to galleries and museums.

White City is a dump!