I've been down to London this morning....

AD9898_2

I just wanted to say, Londoners you have my sympathy and empathy for residing in such an area. Row after row of 70's, 80's, 90's and 00' pokey flats, with no garden, driveway, garage etc. Appalling architecture and probably build quality too.

Too think people pay hundred's of thousands for these places just seems beyond any kind of common sense, seriously sellers would have to pay me to live in some of these places.

Then I approached what can only be described as the most depressing set of flats I've ever seen, concrete clad 60's abominations, with concrete balconies, to the front an assortment of kebab houses, and to the rear, I estimated a 20 acre cemetery.

My god, I was thinking I couldn't choose which would be better, the flats or six feet under in one of the plots. It hurt my eyes it was that bad.

When you do actually come to what looks like a nice row of houses, closer inspection sees about twenty four doorbells, some slumlord has turned a once nice house into a hovel of flats, probably even the cupboard where the vacuum would be stored is being rented out for £200 a week.

Londoners, I take my hat off to you for being content living in such a place.

Barneysmom

It's not all like that though, to be fair.
There are some really nice places in London it's just a struggle to fine them these days. And even then the average person couldn't afford to buy one.
Most cities are like that now, overcrowded, litter-strewn and car rammed.

chucknorris

AD9898 wrote: »

Londoners, I take my hat off to you for being content living in such a place.

I wasn't content, I merely put up with it for about 5 years (the first 10 were ok, but the last 5 I grinded out) by then I had made enough to retire and moved to Surrey.

Plus I didn't quite live in as bad a place you suggest, although I grant you it's nowehere near as nice as Dorking (generally speaking).

amcluesent

But it's all very 'diverse' and 'vibrant' an' that, innit!

CLAPTON

AD9898 wrote: »

20 acre cemetery.

shocking............

nearlyrich

My son recently moved to London, he is renting a flat with a friend very nice modern secure in a decent area 15 mins walk from work 2 mins from public transport bars and restaurants, reasonable rent and bills... he is in his 20's and he loves it. It's not all bad.....

chucknorris

nearlyrich wrote: »

My son recently moved to London, he is renting a flat with a friend very nice modern secure in a decent area 15 mins walk from work 2 mins from public transport bars and restaurants, reasonable rent and bills... he is in his 20's and he loves it. It's not all bad.....

I found it very good for career advancement and socialising so it's great for 20's-30's but I must admit after 10 years I was dying to get away from the crowds, grime and rat race (but stayed there another 5 years as I didn't want to commute).

Cleaver

AD9898 wrote: »

I just wanted to say, Londoners you have my sympathy and empathy for residing in such an area. Row after row of 70's, 80's, 90's and 00' pokey flats, with no garden, driveway, garage etc. Appalling architecture and probably build quality too.

Too think people pay hundred's of thousands for these places just seems beyond any kind of common sense, seriously sellers would have to pay me to live in some of these places.

Then I approached what can only be described as the most depressing set of flats I've ever seen, concrete clad 60's abominations, with concrete balconies, to the front an assortment of kebab houses, and to the rear, I estimated a 20 acre cemetery.

My god, I was thinking I couldn't choose which would be better, the flats or six feet under in one of the plots. It hurt my eyes it was that bad.

When you do actually come to what looks like a nice row of houses, closer inspection sees about twenty four doorbells, some slumlord has turned a once nice house into a hovel of flats, probably even the cupboard where the vacuum would be stored is being rented out for £200 a week.

Londoners, I take my hat off to you for being content living in such a place.

Isn't it lovely how we're all different?

I go down to London a lot for work and had a year of my life when I 'lived' there from Monday to Friday for work. Londoners have my envy and admiration for living in such a great city. Row after row of amazing streets and roads full of amazing architecture slap bang in the middle of an amazing place.

I love wandering around London and looking in to those basement kitchens and seeing families or inidividuals eating or preparing meals and think how great it'd be to have all that culture, history, great buildings, restaurants, bars, attractions etc. on your doorstep. There's just something about London that makes you feel alive, and it's only really New York and Paris that I've visited that gives me that same buzz.

I actually think the opposite of you Ad. When I see one of those 'secret' London terrace roads, right in the centre with lovey houses, hanging baskets and relative peace and quiet in such a busy place I can fully understand why so many people chose to pay so much to live there.

Londoners, I take my hat off to you for living in such an amazing place. You're lucky, lucky people. Make the most of it. Obviously peak oil is coming and you should all be fearful, but for now you should enjoy great food, people, museums and all the other stuff and don't worry too much about it...

vivatifosi

Another I love London vote here. It's horses for courses. When you're in your twenties and going out all the time, why do you want a garden? London has plenty of parks you can walk in, lovely walks alongside the Thames and the GU canal, little hidden bits as Cleaver says. You can come in late from work and still find a take away open. You can find a quaint pavement cafe to enjoy Sunday brunch.

I live in the shires now, but still enjoy going there. From where I live I can get into central London in about half an hour, its close enough but I get to enjoy the space and the countryside too. I love my days out there though. What's not to love about its world-class museums and art galleries; globally-famous stores (mmm... Fortnum and Mason handmade truffles...); fantastic theatres and concert venues; great restaurants, etc?

botchjob

AD9898 wrote: »

Londoners, I take my hat off to you for being content living in such a place.

That's very kind of you. One of the things I like most about living in London is that people like you don't.

googler

I visit for concerts and the occasional museum/culture trip, and I'm afraid after 3 days or so of escalators, tubes, oyster cards and watching the populace play with their iPhones that I'm just plumb tuckered out and ready to drop.

Last trip, we went to the theatre; watched three ladies enter the three seats in front of us; as soon as they were settled, they ALL pulled out their iPhones and started tapping away at their screens. I could see the screen of the nearest, and it was a blank white space. For five minutes, she stared at it, talked to her friends, went back to the menu, came back to the white space, and repeated the process. There wasn't anything going on. She was playing with her phone to keep up the illusion of activity, but wasn't actually doing anything.......


The only thing that would keep me there is the fact that touring musicians often jet in to Europe, and London is their only UK stop; I'm talking about the major-league jazz artists, the likes of Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, and the rock acts as well.

On another forum, I took issue with someone moaning that so-and-so artist WASN'T playing London on a particular tour. Like it would be so difficult for them to actually venture OUT of the city once in a while..... and symptomatic of the Londoner's general attitude that everything revolves around them; when 99% of the artists only play London, you can't really moan when 1% don't.