London

[User452734838]

I was in London earlier this week and it was manic. Everyone rushing around, tubes packed, people rushing down escalators when the tubes are 2 mins apart. Road noise, Sirens everywhere, People getting trains home at 7.30pm to commute an hour, people stood up on this train. As someone who only visits now and again on business it left me shattered and I was only there a day!

Is this just something you get used to in London? Is late working the norm? Travelling for what seems like hours either way to do a job?

It did feel alive though! Is this part of the attraction or is it a case of being born there and knowing nothing else?

I was glad to get back up North where the pace of life is so much less frenetic. We do have to put up with the awful weather though! It was definitely warmer in London 😂

I live in London in zone 2 and work in Central London. I absolutely love It, everything is on my doorstep, we're surrounded by green spaces and there is so much cultural stuff to go and see. I could not imagine living anywhere else.

These London threads always make me laugh. No-one is right or wrong about it as we all want different things out of our surroundings. It’s about what feeds your soul. Some people feel lost without a view of green hills or the sea every day and a good nose full of fresh air. Some would feel lost without cultural opportunities. We all have different things that “do it” for us.

It’s clear from this thread that you can grow up with one type of environment then change what you prefer As you get older. Or there are people that know what they like and that never changes. Or there are people who go back to their roots after a period in the other type of environment because it suited them for a good while but doesn’t now.

you can’t look down your nose at someone who prefers country living and outdoors stuff just because you like a city buzz and man-made entertainment. One is not better than the other.

When I moved to London some 10 years ago, I jumped right into the madness. I used to leave home really early to get into the office before the commuting madness, and get home really late because I'd go to the gym after work. And I worked like a dog.

I did this for quite a few years until it got to me. I just burned out, and decided to give up a lot of money and go part time. I now commute only twice a week, later in the morning and leave to go home earlier than the rush. I stick to my lovely zone 2 village (one of those ones mentioned upthread) which has wonderful cafes, restaurants, grocery shops, bookshops and a cinema, and walk the dogs in the lovely park nearby.

I am now, after so many years of living the frantic life, really enjoying London.

I commute in to London 3 days a week (used to do it every day before baby). I hate it. But it’s a lot better than living there. Most people are not just rude but will physically shove you even if you are visibly 9 months pregnant. I got shoved a lot when I was pregnant. I can’t even begin to think what it would be like being disabled and having to travel near central. My 8 month pregnant friend got pushed over on the stairs in a busy tube station last month and barely anyone stopped to check if she was okay. People behave as if their actions have no consequences.
I’ve lived in various cities and even in Beijing and I’d rather have to travel on their underground tbh! Lived in the centre of a northern city for years and it was 10000 times more fun. No one ever pushed me over and a taxi home after a night out wasn’t £150. It’s not like I don’t like cities (in fact I have never not lived in a city) I just don’t like London.

curlyhairedassassin agreed but the OP was about what they don’t like about London

Exactly, spankhurst. Even the more switched-on tourists don't go to the tourist traps.

I'm sorry you experienced that kitten. Your experience doesn't tally with mine - people are always stopping to help me with the buggy and I am rarely pushed on the tube - tourists seem to be the worst culprits at this ime as they sometimes think it's what's done on the tube. It isn't.