Grew up there, and was visiting just this weekend. Great place, but I’d need the guarantee of a very well paid job to get me to move back – but that’s more the lack of mountains and the weather rather than the city itself, London’s great.

Lived here for 20+ years, I get the itch to go back ‘home’ every once in a while but the casual racism, provincial attitudes, life revolving around propping up the bar and tedium start to grate after a few days and I can’t wait to get back.
Best thing about it is how much it gets up people’s noses when they don’t ‘get it’. Worst thing is the tourists and tourist areas. The public transport is better than most places,

I do find the attitudes the OP mentions interesting though, a real sense of resentment that reminds me of those feelings some people have for richer and more successful siblings, jealousy mixed with feined indifference and a bit of self loathing for not quite being on their level instead of not giving a toss and just getting on with life.

It’s the second most visited city in the world (was 1st but they changed the ranking system to include spending so Bangkok is now 1st) so it must have something going for it.

Three years at uni back in 1980 to 1983. It was sort of fun then, the music scene was great and apart from inadvertently getting caught up in two riots, it was generally a bit of a laugh.

Once I had finished, I never wanted to return and apart from the odd trip for work (under great duress) I stay as far away as possible. Usual reasons for this, most of them listed above already.

I like to be able to see the sky without tilting my head back at 90 degrees!

London isn’t just one place – it’s 50+ different places all packed together. I’m sure everyone could find a place they could at least tolerate.
I’ve been here for 10+ years all together (two visits).
On average I’d say I like it. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not so good.
One telling emotion is that when I visit places outside of London I realise how much I like them, but I never think to myself ‘I can’t wait to get back to London’.

Binners said:

London dwellers – can I ask you all: do you do much stuff that generally get put under the title ‘touristy’?

I do every now and then, especially since I’ve had a kid. It’s not a matter of it being beneath people – I think it’s a case of avoiding the tourists.

I lived there for two years. Didn’t really like it to start with as I knew no one. Loved it eventually as I started to socialise more.

I used to enjoy visiting after that but soon grew bored with it. Too many self-important people rushing around and going nowhere, or “propping up the bar” and telling the world what a great place they live in without considering the alternatives. For all that, it has an undoubted appeal to many.

Binners – that attitude of ignoring what’s on your doorstep isn’t unique to London. Most Edinburgh locals barely tolerate the Festival, let alone participate in it. Lots of locals where I now live wouldn’t consider going for a walk or ride in the surrounding countryside.

Living under the Heathrow flight path was ace too when Concorde landed or took off.

London dwellers – can I ask you all: do you do much stuff that generally get put under the title ‘touristy’?

No. I know all the pedestrian rat-runs to avoid the areas they frequent, i fail to see the attraction of oxford st, Leicester square/ Trafalgar Square and Camden. The only touristy area I like is south bank, mainly because the BFI and RFH are there.

Before we get to carried away.

Exactly how many people have moaned about going to London?

…or is this strawman central?

Living under the Heathrow flight path was ace too when Concorde landed or took off.

This. My great aunt lived in Putney (Chartfield ave) and my 11 (and, ummm, 23) year old self went into orbit with excitment when it would fly over 🙂

Exactly how many people have moaned about going to London?

Exactly? No idea, but whenever there is a thread about what to do in That London, the OP of the thread generally takes a tone of ‘Urgh, I’m being forced to go deep in to the 7 circles of hell, how do I get through it without being mugged, raped or assaulted with an oyster card?’ This usually brings out a load of other moaners (from the north, generally) saying how they can’t imaginge why anyone would go, despite themselves having never been. And CaptainFlashheart, for balance.

After I moved out of Putney (Kersfield Road), I lived under Filton flight path too (Stoke Gifford).
That was even more ace on the rare occasions Concorde came home 🙂

I rode past Buckingham Palace on the way to work today 🙂

Moved down here for uni aged 18 from Cheshire – and still here 25 years later.
Did leave a few years ago and moved back up North. Missed the place like hell and came back.
Currently exiled in Bromley due to silly house prices but hoping to move back in – the energy, culture and general positive attitude is addictive after a while, I don’t imagine I’ll leave until I retire when I’ll probably move up to the Lakes

Been many times and liked it. Could happily enough live there, although in saying that if i had to live in a big European city then London would be behind the likes of Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and a few others.

I used to be down with work all the time – this put me on a real downer on the place but in retrospect that was more to do work than London and living out of a suitcase – although working in a an office that overlooked Whitehall and getting to go into Parliament every now and then was interesting – there is a real sense of being at the centre of things.

Subsequently I’ve been a few times as a tourist (inc the Olympics) and really like it as a place for a short holiday. Loads to do, lots of it free, easy to get around and the quality/price of (mid-range) restaurants is really good.

I equally like New York, Rome, Paris, Berlin, San Fran etc (but not LA – the worst place I’ve ever been) … but ultimately I am a bit of a bumpkin and like to be able to look out of my window at open fields and have a bit of shoulder room – and being able to hit the trails right outside my door too.

binners – Member
London dwellers – can I ask you all: do you do much stuff that generally get put under the title ‘touristy’?

Well Yes and No…
To clarify, I’ve been working here in Shiney Town (CanWhf) for bloody years, it’s out East if you want a Geography lesson. Here it’s common to hear and mingle with folks from all over the world. Truly international place, professionals come here to specifically work in my industry because we are still seen as “the place to live/work” and achieve. I have a home just 10mins walk from here on the river and I have a home on the south coast too. It has to be this way, I couldn’t live here “full time” well not unless my pay rose by ohhh 50% (which is achievable)
Ok so living here then.. Right, travel. Travelling anywhere here is a ferking pain. Cyclings fine but by no means without restrictions or limits. Carrying stuff is a PITA and if it’s big then it’s the car. Car means congestion charge, living out East means we don’t get the reduced charge so it costs £11pd, not that I mind too much but for example like last night I had to pop into Condor to get my rear wheel of the roadie fixed (busted spoke) that meant taking the van with the bike in, it took me 2.5 hrs round trip leaving Shiney Town at 1730. That’s 2.5 hrs to go 4 miles, congestion charge routes finish at 1800 over my way and Condor fit inside it, so my journey for 20mins in the zone cost me £11, that is a pain, thats what we have to put up with, then the journey home took 1.5hrs stuck in traffic.
Bars/clubs/eating out/leisure.. Used to party once upon a time, met some amazing folks along the way and some right dickheads. We now have a limited group of friends, who like us have been there and done it and settled into middle life meandering. Bars, we have about 10 we frequent regularly (twice a week) Food again about 10 we use, clubs well we still go but its more social than throwing shapes and about once a month. Leisure, yes we use all the time we can to visit Sadlers Wells, Museums, Galleries, open events (Summerset House has a string of events on ATM) Churches (I’m upto 304 in Town) Being East means we get Spitalfields, it’s trendy(ish) was way better 5-7 years ago, but now is just another developing side of the City, before long it’ll be just like any other Borough. I prefer the Gentrified Boroughs myself but I’m not moving now, if I do it’ll be out of Town and upto Harrogate or back to the Coast.
Cycling, I have to put that in. It’s a bit of a pain TBH. You can’t stretch your legs in Town, it’s too busy. Either traffic or pedestrians will hamper your journey and you get used to it. You have to go out of Town to do any kind of proper riding. I’ve a good few routes out East/North East into Epping and beyond and South into the Hills but thats it. Most of my riding happens whilst on the Coast in the Downs or Harrogate way. I do tag the chain gangs around Regents Park which is a bit mental, great for sprint training and always someone to race but very insular and not very friendly. I do know the City very well, cruising around on the bike is a great way to see any City, London has some very very interesting places hidden away. Rapha produced a City guide last year and I’ve used that to find out some more interesting places I never knew about, thats how it goes, someone else will always know another place to go.
Overall, overall I’ve been happy but I’m coming to an end of the affair with it. We’ll not be here in 3 years so we’re making the most of it whilst we can. This is what I would advise to all coming here..
Make the most of it whilst you can.

stayed with a mate in Ealing for a few days in mid 80s. didn’t have much money so couldn’t get up to much

been through it on the train a few times, and been there for the odd day and a couple of longer trips for work over the years. Not been since 2000 and not that bothered about it TBH.

Mrs_d would like to go one day…

Lived and worked there over many years, great city for culture, art, food and entertainment (also lived & worked in New York and now in Hong Kong), as with any major international city you need to earn reasonable money to have a reasonable life there.

I personally think you have to be young and professional (20’s/early 30’s)to get the most out of it.

Stepdaughter 1 lived in Brixton for three years, loved it.
She got to know people, found it friendly.

Moved to Chiswick for another 3 years and not so impressed – plenty of nice bars and some good shops but by Christ it’s ugly.
And dirty.
Some nice houses but no one seems to look after them.
Litter and dogshit everywhere.
And no one smiles.
It’s all a bit soulless.

A very well off friend and his gf rent a room in a lovely house a bit further up by the river.
Stunning location, but a grand a month plus bills!?

I love the history, the overload of opportunity it offers and the huge diversity of the place.
Hate the feeling of the place though – there’s no warmth to it.

So has anyone not been? My mate’s nearly 40 and has so far expressed no desire to whatsoever which I find a bit odd(lives in NE England). I’ve been a lot for work and pleasure but 48 hours or a full work day are enough for me in one go. By then the train from Euston is like a portal back to the land of open space and peace and quiet…

Car means congestion charge, living out East means we don’t get the reduced charge so it costs £11pd, not that I mind too much but for example like last night I had to pop into Condor to get my rear wheel of the roadie fixed (busted spoke) that meant taking the van with the bike in, it took me 2.5 hrs round trip leaving Shiney Town at 1730. That’s 2.5 hrs to go 4 miles, congestion charge routes finish at 1800 over my way and Condor fit inside it, so my journey for 20mins in the zone cost me £11, that is a pain, thats what we have to put up with, then the journey home took 1.5hrs stuck in traffic.

It’s the fact that Londoners seem very tolerant of this that always amazes me. I’d go postal in those conditions 🙂

Visit occasionally for work – like the place now it has smartened up. Walking along the embankment on a sunny day is probably my favourite part. Couldn’t ever cope with living there (although Knightsbridge looked ok last time i walked through it).

Was born and brought up in London. Whilst it was great growing up there, I left very happily in my 20’s and never wanted to go back. Avoid it like the plague now.

My son lives there and even he’s tiring of it especially as he commutes by bike.

I’ve been a few times.

Nice city but still can’t beat Newcastle.

London is one of the best places in the world to be, but it’s about knowing the right places to live and to visit. Having lived in 6 Capital / major cities in the world, London is 2nd on my list after San-Fran.

Lived in Barnes, SW London for a number of years – 20mins to Waterloo but no tube, river path, Richmond Park and loads of ace pubs right on your doorstep. Not many better places to live.

Why do people moan about visiting ?

i’m sure that the few thousand millionaires who live there, and know their way around are having a great time. But as a visitor, it’s mostly quite unpleasant.

To me London is what Hell must look like, but the people in London are nicer.

Car means congestion charge, living out East means we don’t get the reduced charge so it costs £11pd, not that I mind too much but for example like last night I had to pop into Condor to get my rear wheel of the roadie fixed (busted spoke) that meant taking the van with the bike in, it took me 2.5 hrs round trip leaving Shiney Town at 1730. That’s 2.5 hrs to go 4 miles, congestion charge routes finish at 1800 over my way and Condor fit inside it, so my journey for 20mins in the zone cost me £11, that is a pain, thats what we have to put up with, then the journey home took 1.5hrs stuck in traffic.

That’s just mental, why not go to a more local bike shop?

So has anyone not been? My mate’s nearly 40 and has so far expressed no desire to whatsoever which I find a bit odd(lives in NE England).

If he lives in the NE that’s why. It’s one of the better places to live than London.

Never liked London, I go in for work once a week, and am happy to leave at the end of the day. My dad grew up there, and doesn’t have any real affection for the place.
The people are for the most part charmless. The noise and traffic gets on my nerves. Public transport is crammed.
I also don’t like the way much of the South East is being dragged into greater London, as the labyrinth expands.
Saying that, over time you work out which parts really annoy you, and which parts are ok to spend some time in. I avoid central London, South London, West London, most of East London…actually I don’t like it at all!

Or walk!

If he lives in the NE that’s why. It’s one of the better places to live than London.

Totally agree. As an exiled Geordie, I never really had much of an urge to go to London until I left the Toon. Still, I find it odd that he’s not even curious. The scale of the place, it’s buildings, the mass of humanity that throng the tube, Oxford St and the like – it’s worth seeing at least once in your life, even if you decide its shit.

I live in London officially, but its firmly in Suburbia. Its the last London postcode heading north, I’m close to Ally Pally as well

Its the best of both or the worst of both depending on your perspective. For me – best of both

Used to work in Central London, now work out of London. I can motorcycle, cycle or take the train, and now I work out of town I can drive which is a bonus, and my most regular method of transport

Wetherspoons and All Bar Ones next to every mainline station were put there for a reason, its for the Out-of-Towners to congregate in realise its **** then leave again. If you need a good example go to Liverpool Street on a Friday night, its like being in Southend. That leaves the rest of the city free for Londoners to enjoy its splendour.

They’ve even put a Weatherspoons on the last services on the M40 before you get to London in case you were mental enough to travel in by car.

I need at least five pints to get through a daytrip to the capital.

Or walk!

Or take your back wheel off and take it in on the DLR/Central line.

London is expensive, polluted, surly, rushed, hot, bothered, arrogant, baffling and disorganised. It’s also by far the very best city on this planet. I sometimes do the touristy stuff but not when the tourists are about it’s a nightmare have you ever seen the queue for the Eye for example

Or strap it on your back and ride one of your other bikes!

LHS – Member

That’s just mental, why not go to a more local bike shop?

&

nedrapier – Member

Or walk!

Or take your back wheel off and take it in on the DLR/Central line.

Nah, bike in for a service too and pulling the bike along with the dished wheel for 4 miles would have meant a skid every meter or so and progress would have been slower than the van. 😆

I chose Condor cos thats where I bought the bike (warranty/service etc.) and it’s a great shop with excellent service and good bunch of lads. Only one other shop I’d choose to take my bike to and that was closed on Mondays and has a doorbell :wink:.

I’m down there every few weeks with work, and I love it to visit.

So much going on, and plenty of amazing restaurants. Lots of history and culture, so I make a point of walking or cycling everywhere to see as much as possible instead of retiring to my hotel room with a meal for one.

However, I hate the sheer volume of tourists, stopping en masse in the middle of the pavement, then wondering why Londoners (and people who work there) get annoyed at this fact.

I also hate the lack of hills and the sheer urban sprawl (see my irregular series of posts on where to find good biking in London).

Also – the Tube in London in summer, especially the Central Line – horrible!

Sorry, that is still completly mental.

£11 for congestion charge
Probably £10 in fuel for sitting there for 2.5hrs
If you actually put a value on your time, say nominally £20/hr – that’s £50.

That’s more than the cost of the service of the bike just to transport it there.

Few stops on the DLR and another 2 on the central line? And a few minutes stroll. Surely that’s less than a tenner and several hours.

I love London. Kind of bias, as I’ve got a lot of family connections and history with the city, so spent a great deal of time there in the holiday when growing up. Did my first year of Uni there, and then came back post grad to work for 5 years. Went all over town with my job, and packed in a pretty decent social life as well. Travelling around from A to B can be horrendous at times though, I’ll agree with that.

I’d go back tomorrow…..providing I could double my salary. Which was pretty much why I left. Love the city, can’t really afford to live there.

I now get the best of both worlds, as I get to visit whenever I like and stay with family for free, but don’t have to pay the stupid rent prices.

My sister lives and works in the middle of town, and despite earning twice what I do, I’m still better off living in the North. Still only 2.5 hours on the train from where I live, so could be worse.

“Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
— Samuel Johnson