Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

I like visiting both cities. The difference is that I've lived in London and would live there again while I have no desire to live in NYC. Another thing I like about London is being able to catch a train to Paris.

I do find NYC a more walk-able (as in smaller) city in the sense that you can pretty much walk to get to the major attractions from Central Park down to the Empire State Building to Brooklyn Bridge to Battery Park and the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island (although the Ellis Island museum is currently closed to visitors). It's exhausting but I've done it.

In London, you just can't do that to the same degree. I've walked Tower Bridge to the Tower of London to St Paul's Cathedral to Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace to Westminster to the London Eye. But there's so much more to see outside of that area that walking everywhere is just not feasible unless you have a lot more time and energy. Having said that, it's a hell of a lot more pleasant walking in London than it is in NYC.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

How so? We walked all over NYC last Christmas, from Spanish Harlem to the Ellis Island ferry, I thought it very pleasant.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

I think the sight lines are better in London probably due to there not being as many tall buildings in as dense a space. NYC can look very similar and claustrophobic in many areas. I also think that there is more green space (I mean in number rather than area) in Central London. It seems easier to find places to just sit and watch the world go by whereas in Manhattan it tends to be Central Park and then not much elsewhere. I think it's also much easier to walk along the river in London and the river is more of a focal point. In NYC, you know the rivers are there on either side of Manhattan but it just doesn't seem as easy to get near them as a pedestrian.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

Yes, I think that's fair. There are some nice streets in NYC with green space but nothing like as many such spots as there are in London. Mind, I'd be as comfortable in one of those co-op buildings along Central Park as I would in a townhouse in Bloomsbury, I like both cities.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

I don't think you're right on the walkability. The scale and density of London is so different to NYC because it's not been built on grid. You can see and visit more cafes, shops, pubs, parks, art, etc, etc but walking several hundred meters within central London than by walking blocks and blocks in NYC. Add to that all the hidden gems of history, architecture, passages, and London reigns supreme.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

Well if you read what I wrote, I actually meant you could walk in NYC and see the major attractions without using public transportation. The grid structure helps in that. That's what I meant by "walkability".

I think London has more attractions that are more spread out so, unless you have a lot more time, you need to use public transportation at least some of the time to get to them. I also said I actually prefer walking in London - part of that is because I think London is a much more interesting city in terms of layout and architecture. If that's what you mean by "walkability", then I agree.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

I did read your entry, I just found the emphasis on city attractions as being a bit touristy.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

Paris too.

Re: UK vs Canada vs US
 

Well, er, yes because I was mostly talking about visiting each city as a tourist. A sizable percentage of visitors to cities like New York and London are in fact tourists who will mostly be interested in the big ticket attractions in each city.

My point was that when I've visited NYC, I've been able to see the major sights by walking. As I also said, I think it's harder to do that in London because I think the sights are more spread out. As I also said, I actually enjoy walking in London more than in NYC - for the reasons I gave earlier.

I've been a tourist in each city (for myself or while touring with family or friends) so many times that I tend to do look for different things now e.g. just exploring areas for the hell of it without looking for anything in particular. In that regard, I find London more interesting than NYC.