To think London has become a parody of itself?

[NattyBrickMember]

Everything is overpriced, gentrification is out of control, and the chaos somehow feels unbearable and iconic at the same time. AIBU to think London has become a caricature of what it used to be - like a city pretending to be itself for tourists and TikTok?

Yes, absolutely, one of the areas I lived in was portrayed well in the comedy, People Just Do Nothing, no Gails in that part of West London. Aggressive regeneration is not a good thing, it totally changes the idea of London proper in my mind. Regeneration should include the local residents.

I like the blueberry brioche pastries, and the fact that they have a choice of two dark hot chocolates.

It's hilarious that people always slag off Gail's on these threads. I prefer Blackbird bakery myself (SE London) but each to their own.

I love London. Live outside because of housing but work there. I think it's really special.

I love their sausage rolls. They’re a meal within themselves for me. I miss when they did pancakes and french toast. They were absolutely lovely and close to what I grew up with. I was gutted when they were removed off the menu.

DS worked for Gail's and was treated appallingly, then not paid money he was owed when he left. He thought it was a local management issue, so tried to get it addressed via HO, who wouldn't even engage. So...I'll never set foot in a Gail's 🤣

Gauls savoury stuff is nice but the cakes are overpriced

Gail's!

People Just Do Nothing,

that show is amazing!

Yes, so funny and so apt for that time!

It's ok if you are visiting. If you live there and want to travel by any method other than tube or bicycle it's hell. Low Traffic Neighbourhood nonsense means all traffic is forced onto a few main roads so getting a cab or driving anywhere takes tripple the time and there is bad air quality from so much traffic idling engines.

It used to be great when you could easily get around easily but now its terrible. this has in turned let to a loss of trade in the centre other than tourist trade so good places - bars,restaurants, shops are closing left right and centre.

Add to this oligarch/arab house buying and you have whole ghetto areas where no one lives anymore - Knightsbridge and Belgravia being cases in point. A handful of homes are occupied - most vacated until the summer when it becomes like Dubai/Moscow on sea.

you have whole ghetto areas where no one lives anymore - Knightsbridge and Belgravia being cases in point.

Ah yes, those well-known ghettos 8 Mile and Skid Row Belgravia and Knightsbridge.

It’s become a lawless jungle dangerous for working people …
read past the kids jumping on police cars to the robberies in parks. Working folk are here for thugs, and Labour to rob.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14429343/Fury-weak-officers-Gen-Z-yobs-jump-police-car-chaotic-TikTok-streetwear-brand-marketing-stunt.html

I don't click on DM links, but it's funny, living here, I know lots of other people who live here, and none of us seem as worried about that kind of thing as the people who... don't live here.

Although I still hold firm that Gail's is pretty crap. *I do have to admit to a past flirtation with the chocolate cherry scones, however.

What exactly does that last sentence mean? People quite obviously live outside London because that's where the more affordable housing is but London itself is where the better paying jobs/careers are. No one's 'fooling themselves', it's just how it is!

Exactly. There are many words to describe those areas, however, 'ghetto' most certainly isn't one of them...

I think the main difference, as others have noted, is that as a poor ish person/ student/ worker you could live in nice areas. Now, Clapton or Leyton or wherever is currently arty may be heaving with edgy trendy young clubbers but in my opinion they are still grimy shitholes.
As a youngster I did frequent warehouse parties in ( then newly trendy) Hoxton or Hackney, but I could live within walking distance of Hampstead Heath or Potobello Market. I like the London parks and greener areas, but those are only for very long term residents or very rich people.
It does feel hollowed out as a city, much like Paris.

I agree, the strongest anti-London views often seem to be held by people who haven't lived here and have maybe been down Oxford Street on a pre-Christmas Saturday once and have decided that's how all of London is all the time.

I adore Gail's chocolate cherry scones!

TBF I think the poster meant ghetto in the sense that they're closed off except to a certain kind of person, and spookily quiet sometimes (South Kensington in summer is populated IME solely by armies of tradespeople, presumably putting in basement swimming pools and roof terraces for the people who clear out to the country until September.

This is arse-backwards thinking. If people didn't drive so much, buses would be faster and the air quality would be better.
This argument about LTNs is endlessly rehearsed in my local area too (Zone 2) and people come up with the same old saw about how it's led to bars, restaurants, shops etc closing down. It's horseshit. Places close down if they're not good or popular and/or if they can't make their rent and bills any more (which is a genuine issue, but a separate one). It simply isn't true for the majority of potential customers that they can and do only come to places if they can drive there.

But we do have the DLR, which is great and very frequent, as well as the overground and buses. And, as a pp mentioned, it's only £10 a year (£20 for the first year) for me with my 60+ Oystercard!

@TammyOne I dunno, I moved to London in 2000 and coudn't even afford to live in Brixton, let along near Hampstead Heath. I lived in New Cross.

@Boiledeggandtoast I know, but going from SE to SW or vice versa can still be a pain. And as I said transport here is much better vs other parts of the UK but compared globally? not excellent

That’s Oxford Street, which apart from John Lewis, Selfridges and M&S should be avoided!

@spoodlesee I guess it depends where in SE and SW London you want to travel between (which may be your point!). I'm in Lewisham and have found it very easy to get the overground up to Waterloo and change onto the overground to SW London, or to London Bridge, Waterloo, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and pick up the tube.