Is anyone else currently buying in London? Isn't the frenzy putting you off?

SecondTimeBuyer

ruggedtoast wrote: »

I have lived in London and Tokyo and spent a considerable amount of time in many other capital cities around the world.

I dont agree that London has the best restaurants bars and nightclubs in the whole world. Have you been to the whole world? Because I'm not even convinced it has the best restaurants bars and nightclubs in Western Europe actually. Would much rather go out in Berlin personally.

What do you think I mean by overcrowding? Overcrowding means too many people crowded together.

London has good points as you mention, just - not enough.

As far as amenities go, try and see a GP at short notice or find a school for your kid and come back and tell me about London's great amenities.

Berlin is over rated in my personal opinion. The Berghain has gone up itself and the Watergate seems to be going down a Ministry of Sound sell out path. I'd much rather be up the Paramount when the sun is rising!

My doctors surgery (Putneymead Medical Cente) is fantastic. If I call in the morning I am 90% sure I will get a same day appointment. If they don't have any appointments in the same day they offer a telephone service whereby a doctor will phone me, and if the doctor believes they need to see me they will bring me in to the surgery the same day. Choose your doctors via reviews - not just the one down the end of the street!

London is a great place but it's not for everyone, it is busy, it is overcrowded. But to say it doesn't have great amenities is rubbish.

And for informaiton London has the fourth most Michelin stars in the world.
http://www.americandailyherald.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/item/a-guide-to-the-top-5-michelin-starred-cities-around-the-world

ruggedtoast

SecondTimeBuyer wrote: »

Berlin is over rated in my personal opinion. The Berghain has gone up itself and the Watergate seems to be going down a Ministry of Sound sell out path. I'd much rather be up the Paramount when the sun is rising!

My doctors surgery (Putneymead Medical Cente) is fantastic. If I call in the morning I am 90% sure I will get a same day appointment. If they don't have any appointments in the same day they offer a telephone service whereby a doctor will phone me, and if the doctor believes they need to see me they will bring me in to the surgery the same day. Choose your doctors via reviews - not just the one down the end of the street!

London is a great place but it's not for everyone, it is busy, it is overcrowded. But to say it doesn't have great amenities is rubbish.

And for informaiton London has the fourth most Michelin stars in the world.
http://www.americandailyherald.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/item/a-guide-to-the-top-5-michelin-starred-cities-around-the-world

You can't pick and choose your doctor in London. You can choose one in your area that has agreed to take people from your locality with NHS England. The notion that you can shop for a GP using reviews like an Amazon purchase is fanciful to say the least.

It's great news about the Michelin stars, I eat in Michelin rated restaurants all the time after all. But then I don't live on the mean streets of Putney.

Keep it real.

AndyGuil

ruggedtoast wrote: »

It started rising strongly in 2009 actually, if the LR stats are to be believed. My point is that spreadsheets and reality arent always concomitant, and some properties in London are very expensive just now.

You can't just assume that because they have a London postal code they will be a good investment, because God knows, very few people buying in London at the moment are getting something they actually want.

I think the point is the observed prices and the noting of no difference doesn't reflect that there was a fall in between. It is also limited information about the valuation of the two references as there can be siginificant differences such as leasehold years, condition etc.. As I mentioned it will have risen up to the 2007 price, then it has fallen and risen back up to the 2007 price in 2012 and then we have the future trend.

SecondTimeBuyer

ruggedtoast wrote: »

You can't pick and choose your doctor in London. You can choose one in your area that has agreed to take people from your locality with NHS England. The notion that you can shop for a GP using reviews like an Amazon purchase is fanciful to say the least.

It's great news about the Michelin stars, I eat in Michelin rated restaurants all the time after all. But then I don't live on the mean streets of Putney.

Keep it real.

Actually you can. In my area there are 3 doctors surgeries that take people for my postcode, I looked at reviews online at each one when I moved in and selected the doctors surgery which suited my needs (good availability, late opening hours, and good service) the most.

The michelin star point is that London has fantastic restaurants, even on a budget you can eat amazing food at any number of the night markets. For less than £20 I can eat a lobster dinner, have a couple of drinks and get home.

So why don't you 'Keep it real'

kmmr

ruggedtoast wrote: »

You can't pick and choose your doctor in London. You can choose one in your area that has agreed to take people from your locality with NHS England. The notion that you can shop for a GP using reviews like an Amazon purchase is fanciful to say the least.

It's great news about the Michelin stars, I eat in Michelin rated restaurants all the time after all. But then I don't live on the mean streets of Putney.

Keep it real.

Actually I can too. One of the benefits of London is there is a lot more choice even in your local area. My clinic gives me same day appointments, or, like the poster above - they will call me for a phone consultation. If I need drugs they will leave a prescription for pickup.

And I love the top restaurants! Amazingly cheap, for fantastic food.

AndyGuil

I had my choice of dentists. Haven't really looked around for GPs. I just picked the closest. Both have been excellent for arranging visits. Saturdays for the GP and very short notice for the dentist when I chipped a tooth.

demontfort

Come on fellow Londoners. Let’s face it if you don’t like dining out or musicals and you’ve already been to all the free museums then London doesn’t have much going for it. As for the negatives where do I begin:


Congestion - It takes a good half hour or more to travel a few miles by car and once you get to where you want to go parking is likely to be limited or non existent. What about the wonderful tube Guvnor? Constant delays and closures and even when operating you’regoing be rammed in between a gaggle of Italian tourists and grumpy looking Poles. As for the clown cyclists (I say this as a cyclist of 30 years)...... Plus as a bonus London congestion unlike other UK cities lasts throughout most of the day and night and permeates everywhere, I’vebeen stuck in a traffic jam on the North Circular at 11am on a Tuesday night.



Supermarkets – Packed to the rafters with people panic buying as though the world is about to end. If there is a hell on earth it’s Asda Leyton on a Saturday afternoon.



GPs – Again packed out at all times of the day. Even if you do have an appointment you are likely to kept waiting. Much worse than back in theMidlands



Crime – No worse than any other UK city. The only difference is the supposedly posh and safe areas where chumps pay half a million for a 1 bed suffer nearly as much as the down at heel ones.



Nightlife and Restaurants – Drinks prices are scandalous,£10 for a shot anyone and bar staff often make up their own prices assuming you are a drunk tourist. I can’t really comment on restaurants but if you want to shell out £40 on a miniscule plate of poncey food plus 12.5% service charge then crow about it to yur mates then be my guest.



House Prices and Rentals – I don’t need to elaborate but even if you are stupid enough to pay the inflated prices you may still be outbidby somebody dumber and richer than yourself.



Parks – If your idea of fun is being jammed in like a sardine in a traffic fume choked park with 100,000 other Londoners than good luck to you.



Shopping – Yes it has Harrods and the Bond Street boutiques butlet’s face it if you could shop there you wouldn’t be on MSE. Otherwise it’s the usual selection of high street stores just twice as busy and twice as far away than they would be if you lived in any other UK city. I go back home to the Midlands to do my shopping as I find there is greater choice nearby and better prices.



Services – Want some building work done or your car fixed then prepare to pay through the nose as with all the money sloshing about down here they can name their price.


The Mess – Central London is crammed with roadworks andbuilding sites and the streets are paved with rubbish and chewing gum rather gold


The people – This is what really makes London for me just the sheer volume of people crammed into the city. Ranging from tourists and ourother numerous overseas friends to the wannabe gangsters and the smug and self satisfied young professionals.






I’ve lived in a lot of places and on balance London is probably no better or worse than most of them. For me the only good thing about London is that I have a well paid job down here. If it wasn’t for that I’d have moved abroad long ago or headed back upthe M1. Clearly some people need to getout of London and live a little before they declare this cramped, congested and overpriced metropolis a world class city. If you want to see a world class city try Zurich or Tokyo.

egoode

demontfort wrote: »

Come on fellow Londoners. Let’s face it if you don’t like dining out or musicals and you’ve already been to all the free museums then London doesn’t have much going for it. As for the negatives where do I begin:

Congestion - It takes a good half hour or more to travel a few miles by car and once you get to where you want to go parking is likely to be limited or non existent. What about the wonderful tube Guvnor? Constant delays and closures and even when operating you’regoing be rammed in between a gaggle of Italian tourists and grumpy looking Poles. As for the clown cyclists (I say this as a cyclist of 30 years)...... Plus as a bonus London congestion unlike other UK cities lasts throughout most of the day and night and permeates everywhere, I’vebeen stuck in a traffic jam on the North Circular at 11am on a Tuesday night.

Supermarkets – Packed to the rafters with people panic buying as though the world is about to end. If there is a hell on earth it’s Asda Leyton on a Saturday afternoon.

GPs – Again packed out at all times of the day. Even if you do have an appointment you are likely to kept waiting. Much worse than back in theMidlands

Crime – No worse than any other UK city. The only difference is the supposedly posh and safe areas where chumps pay half a million for a 1 bed suffer nearly as much as the down at heel ones.

Nightlife and Restaurants – Drinks prices are scandalous,£10 for a shot anyone and bar staff often make up their own prices assuming you are a drunk tourist. I can’t really comment on restaurants but if you want to shell out £40 on a miniscule plate of poncey food plus 12.5% service charge then crow about it to yur mates then be my guest.

House Prices and Rentals – I don’t need to elaborate but even if you are stupid enough to pay the inflated prices you may still be outbidby somebody dumber and richer than yourself.

Parks – If your idea of fun is being jammed in like a sardine in a traffic fume choked park with 100,000 other Londoners than good luck to you.

Shopping – Yes it has Harrods and the Bond Street boutiques butlet’s face it if you could shop there you wouldn’t be on MSE. Otherwise it’s the usual selection of high street stores just twice as busy and twice as far away than they would be if you lived in any other UK city. I go back home to the Midlands to do my shopping as I find there is greater choice nearby and better prices.

Services – Want some building work done or your car fixed then prepare to pay through the nose as with all the money sloshing about down here they can name their price.


The Mess – Central London is crammed with roadworks andbuilding sites and the streets are paved with rubbish and chewing gum rather gold


The people – This is what really makes London for me just the sheer volume of people crammed into the city. Ranging from tourists and ourother numerous overseas friends to the wannabe gangsters and the smug and self satisfied young professionals.

I’ve lived in a lot of places and on balance London is probably no better or worse than most of them. For me the only good thing about London is that I have a well paid job down here. If it wasn’t for that I’d have moved abroad long ago or headed back upthe M1. Clearly some people need to getout of London and live a little before they declare this cramped, congested and overpriced metropolis a world class city. If you want to see a world class city try Zurich or Tokyo.

Wow you not sure why you bother living here if you hate it that much. Surely you could get a job somewhere else if it makes you so unhappy here. Also where are you drinking that you are paying £10 for a shot. I've never seen prices like that!

Maybe I'm not like most MSE members but I do go to Michelin Star restuarants and shop in the Bond St boutiques but it's not like it's something I do every week (maybe once a year or so) and by saving money in other areas of my life from tips on here I can have a treat occassionally in places like that.

I'm surprised you recommend Tokyo as better than London given I've seen all the same problems London has in Tokyo. Especially as I found the crowding on their transport system is way worse than London's.

AndyGuil

I enjoy London because of its vast stunning architecture, the range of food, the ease of access of just about anything you could desire, the museums and events that are constantly changing, the great choice of pubs and beers, easy travelling and contact with friends, social, positive attitudes of people and achievements, and the parks (one in particular). I could go on. The reasons are unique to everyone and you can't expect everyone to like everything.

I do like Tokyo. That and New York are the only two places that come close to London. Seoul is getting there too.

SecondTimeBuyer

demontfort wrote: »

Come on fellow Londoners. Let’s face it if you don’t like dining out or musicals and you’ve already been to all the free museums then London doesn’t have much going for it. As for the negatives where do I begin:


Congestion - It takes a good half hour or more to travel a few miles by car and once you get to where you want to go parking is likely to be limited or non existent. What about the wonderful tube Guvnor? Constant delays and closures and even when operating you’regoing be rammed in between a gaggle of Italian tourists and grumpy looking Poles. As for the clown cyclists (I say this as a cyclist of 30 years)...... Plus as a bonus London congestion unlike other UK cities lasts throughout most of the day and night and permeates everywhere, I’vebeen stuck in a traffic jam on the North Circular at 11am on a Tuesday night.



Supermarkets – Packed to the rafters with people panic buying as though the world is about to end. If there is a hell on earth it’s Asda Leyton on a Saturday afternoon.



GPs – Again packed out at all times of the day. Even if you do have an appointment you are likely to kept waiting. Much worse than back in theMidlands



Crime – No worse than any other UK city. The only difference is the supposedly posh and safe areas where chumps pay half a million for a 1 bed suffer nearly as much as the down at heel ones.



Nightlife and Restaurants – Drinks prices are scandalous,£10 for a shot anyone and bar staff often make up their own prices assuming you are a drunk tourist. I can’t really comment on restaurants but if you want to shell out £40 on a miniscule plate of poncey food plus 12.5% service charge then crow about it to yur mates then be my guest.



House Prices and Rentals – I don’t need to elaborate but even if you are stupid enough to pay the inflated prices you may still be outbidby somebody dumber and richer than yourself.



Parks – If your idea of fun is being jammed in like a sardine in a traffic fume choked park with 100,000 other Londoners than good luck to you.



Shopping – Yes it has Harrods and the Bond Street boutiques butlet’s face it if you could shop there you wouldn’t be on MSE. Otherwise it’s the usual selection of high street stores just twice as busy and twice as far away than they would be if you lived in any other UK city. I go back home to the Midlands to do my shopping as I find there is greater choice nearby and better prices.



Services – Want some building work done or your car fixed then prepare to pay through the nose as with all the money sloshing about down here they can name their price.


The Mess – Central London is crammed with roadworks andbuilding sites and the streets are paved with rubbish and chewing gum rather gold


The people – This is what really makes London for me just the sheer volume of people crammed into the city. Ranging from tourists and ourother numerous overseas friends to the wannabe gangsters and the smug and self satisfied young professionals.






I’ve lived in a lot of places and on balance London is probably no better or worse than most of them. For me the only good thing about London is that I have a well paid job down here. If it wasn’t for that I’d have moved abroad long ago or headed back upthe M1. Clearly some people need to getout of London and live a little before they declare this cramped, congested and overpriced metropolis a world class city. If you want to see a world class city try Zurich or Tokyo.

Zurich is not a fair comparison as it is tiny. The UK's closest comparison to Zurich is probably Edinburgh.


It also sounds like to me you have had enough of London and should go back to the Midlands! I’m not sure why you spend all your time in the car / on public transport. If you pick your area to live correctly you should never need to drive whilst in London

London doesn't need to be expensive to be enjoyed, the people who don't enjoy London only work here and don't go out and see the sites (all the negatives, none of the positives). I love what freedom London gives me



A typical Saturday for me will be to get my food delivered in the morning whilst I have breakfast (no need to visit the supermarket), then go for a walk in the local common (170 acres of parkland) if the weather is good, or walk to my local gym if the weather is bad. On my way home I can stop off at a local Italian delicatessen or farmers market to make some lunch at home. In the afternoon I can walk to my local pub which has all the football showing on 4 screens, and buy a pint of lager for less than £3.30 (cheap by city standards anywhere in the UK). When the games over I can walk home pick up the Mrs and then either get the bus (3 stops) to the local cinema (£15.90 a month – unlimited movies) or walk to our local Michelin starred restaurant (from £27.50 for 3 courses set menu).


Yes the tube is busy when commuting, but if you plan your journeys you can miss most of the hassle. I usually get the tube at 7.15 which gets me to my office at 8am, I can then either go to the gym for half an hour or do a bit of extra work which gives me a bit of lieu time for when I want to slope off early to enjoy a meal out or seeing a musical ;-)

Also if you are prepared to search out a good independent garage there are plenty of cheap ones out there. I use an excellent mechanic in SW15 that gives me fair advice and his rates are excellent.