This Sceptred Isle
#46
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 144
I agree but whereas the English Brits are prepared to criticise anything the other brits i.e Welsh, Scots etc seem only willing to criticise the English and blindly ignore their own faults or failures.
In many ways it is the English that are the true Brits whereas a lot of Welsh and Scots act almost like patriots with what seem like very out of date views of patriotism.
In many ways it is the English that are the true Brits whereas a lot of Welsh and Scots act almost like patriots with what seem like very out of date views of patriotism.
Originally posted by RoB1833
It seems strange that the main people on this thread are Welsh and have a real pride in their country. It's mainly the English on here that do the UK bashing and it makes you wonder if somehow we lack a sense of identity and patriotism in the same way the Welsh and Scots have.
I am a born Englishman but have always been raised as British throughout my life (if that makes sense???). It hasn't afftected me and I have a deep rooted sense of loyalty and pride for my country, shame others on here don't feel the same way.
It seems strange that the main people on this thread are Welsh and have a real pride in their country. It's mainly the English on here that do the UK bashing and it makes you wonder if somehow we lack a sense of identity and patriotism in the same way the Welsh and Scots have.
I am a born Englishman but have always been raised as British throughout my life (if that makes sense???). It hasn't afftected me and I have a deep rooted sense of loyalty and pride for my country, shame others on here don't feel the same way.
#47
Go RedSox!
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: London
Posts: 681
This Sceptred Isle
I'm gonna really go out on a limb because everyone keeps saying they hate London. I love London. There is plenty of work, hundreds of places to go and things to do, comprehensive transport (may not be perfect but it usually gets me anywhere I wanna go) and easy-peasy to get to hundreds of other places via direct flight.
Yes, property is expensive, rents are high, but compared to Grantham (where my mum lives) I'd rather live here, even though we could afford a three-bed detached house in Grantham (have a one-bed flat). Reason? There is sod all work in Grantham, and what there is is minimum wage. Sure you can commute to London. I did for 6 weeks before I bought the flat. But it costs £500 for a monthly train ticket, so you'd better have a damn good job to make it worth it. Definitely always a couple of degrees warmer here too, and there's no buses at all on Sundays or after 6pm in Grantham.
Not everybody hates London. Afterall, there are several million people living here.
Yes, property is expensive, rents are high, but compared to Grantham (where my mum lives) I'd rather live here, even though we could afford a three-bed detached house in Grantham (have a one-bed flat). Reason? There is sod all work in Grantham, and what there is is minimum wage. Sure you can commute to London. I did for 6 weeks before I bought the flat. But it costs £500 for a monthly train ticket, so you'd better have a damn good job to make it worth it. Definitely always a couple of degrees warmer here too, and there's no buses at all on Sundays or after 6pm in Grantham.
Not everybody hates London. Afterall, there are several million people living here.
#48
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: This Sceptred Isle
Originally posted by MrsLondon
I'm gonna really go out on a limb because everyone keeps saying they hate London. I love London. There is plenty of work, hundreds of places to go and things to do, comprehensive transport (may not be perfect but it usually gets me anywhere I wanna go) and easy-peasy to get to hundreds of other places via direct flight.
Yes, property is expensive, rents are high, but compared to Grantham (where my mum lives) I'd rather live here, even though we could afford a three-bed detached house in Grantham (have a one-bed flat). Reason? There is sod all work in Grantham, and what there is is minimum wage. Sure you can commute to London. I did for 6 weeks before I bought the flat. But it costs £500 for a monthly train ticket, so you'd better have a damn good job to make it worth it. Definitely always a couple of degrees warmer here too, and there's no buses at all on Sundays or after 6pm in Grantham.
Not everybody hates London. Afterall, there are several million people living here.
I'm gonna really go out on a limb because everyone keeps saying they hate London. I love London. There is plenty of work, hundreds of places to go and things to do, comprehensive transport (may not be perfect but it usually gets me anywhere I wanna go) and easy-peasy to get to hundreds of other places via direct flight.
Yes, property is expensive, rents are high, but compared to Grantham (where my mum lives) I'd rather live here, even though we could afford a three-bed detached house in Grantham (have a one-bed flat). Reason? There is sod all work in Grantham, and what there is is minimum wage. Sure you can commute to London. I did for 6 weeks before I bought the flat. But it costs £500 for a monthly train ticket, so you'd better have a damn good job to make it worth it. Definitely always a couple of degrees warmer here too, and there's no buses at all on Sundays or after 6pm in Grantham.
Not everybody hates London. Afterall, there are several million people living here.
I always say London is great if you have the cash but can be depressing if you are skint.
#49
Re: This Sceptred Isle
Originally posted by MrsLondon
I'm gonna really go out on a limb because everyone keeps saying they hate London. I love London. There is plenty of work, hundreds of places to go and things to do, comprehensive transport (may not be perfect but it usually gets me anywhere I wanna go) and easy-peasy to get to hundreds of other places via direct flight.
Yes, property is expensive, rents are high, but compared to Grantham (where my mum lives) I'd rather live here, even though we could afford a three-bed detached house in Grantham (have a one-bed flat). Reason? There is sod all work in Grantham, and what there is is minimum wage. Sure you can commute to London. I did for 6 weeks before I bought the flat. But it costs £500 for a monthly train ticket, so you'd better have a damn good job to make it worth it. Definitely always a couple of degrees warmer here too, and there's no buses at all on Sundays or after 6pm in Grantham.
Not everybody hates London. Afterall, there are several million people living here.
I'm gonna really go out on a limb because everyone keeps saying they hate London. I love London. There is plenty of work, hundreds of places to go and things to do, comprehensive transport (may not be perfect but it usually gets me anywhere I wanna go) and easy-peasy to get to hundreds of other places via direct flight.
Yes, property is expensive, rents are high, but compared to Grantham (where my mum lives) I'd rather live here, even though we could afford a three-bed detached house in Grantham (have a one-bed flat). Reason? There is sod all work in Grantham, and what there is is minimum wage. Sure you can commute to London. I did for 6 weeks before I bought the flat. But it costs £500 for a monthly train ticket, so you'd better have a damn good job to make it worth it. Definitely always a couple of degrees warmer here too, and there's no buses at all on Sundays or after 6pm in Grantham.
Not everybody hates London. Afterall, there are several million people living here.
#50
Re: This Sceptred Isle
Originally posted by muppetking
The majority of our friends live and work in London in stressful but well paid jobs and none of them would consider changing their lifestyles for another. London truly is a miracle.
The majority of our friends live and work in London in stressful but well paid jobs and none of them would consider changing their lifestyles for another. London truly is a miracle.
#51
Re: This Sceptred Isle
Originally posted by dunroving
Took a friend of mine from US to London a while back. She'd never been out of the US before. As we sat on the underground about 11 pm on a Friday night, she was swooning over how fabulous London was, so much to do, so vibrant. She thought for a moment and then said - "It's just like New York - but without the crime!"
Took a friend of mine from US to London a while back. She'd never been out of the US before. As we sat on the underground about 11 pm on a Friday night, she was swooning over how fabulous London was, so much to do, so vibrant. She thought for a moment and then said - "It's just like New York - but without the crime!"
#52
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: This Sceptred Isle
Originally posted by muppetking
In NZ the media like to bash London and equate it with all of England. However, the vast majority of our friends that have visited from these shores are simply blown away by it. I still get a buzz wandering around or going out with friends because there is always something new to see or visit. For me London has SOUL and a unique character. It stirs the blood. Something impossible to replicate in the Southern Hemisphere. NOT that I am implying that anywhere is trying to be.
In NZ the media like to bash London and equate it with all of England. However, the vast majority of our friends that have visited from these shores are simply blown away by it. I still get a buzz wandering around or going out with friends because there is always something new to see or visit. For me London has SOUL and a unique character. It stirs the blood. Something impossible to replicate in the Southern Hemisphere. NOT that I am implying that anywhere is trying to be.
#53
I'm only 2 years out of the London so I'm not really looking back on it with rose tinted googles. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm getting married to an American I would give very serious consideration to moving back there.
It's not perfect. It's expensive, overcrowded, dirty in a lot of places and there is crime. But that being said it's one of the best, livliest, most cosmopolitan cities on the planet and it was a good home to me for 34 years.
I never had a single crime problem there and I lived in West London and worked all over London. My first year in Spain in a quiet Costa backwater, I was robbed once and burgled twice!
It's not perfect. It's expensive, overcrowded, dirty in a lot of places and there is crime. But that being said it's one of the best, livliest, most cosmopolitan cities on the planet and it was a good home to me for 34 years.
I never had a single crime problem there and I lived in West London and worked all over London. My first year in Spain in a quiet Costa backwater, I was robbed once and burgled twice!
#54
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Originally posted by sibsie
It's not perfect. It's expensive, overcrowded, dirty in a lot of places and there is crime. But that being said it's one of the best, livliest, most cosmopolitan cities on the planet and it was a good home to me for 34 years.
It's not perfect. It's expensive, overcrowded, dirty in a lot of places and there is crime. But that being said it's one of the best, livliest, most cosmopolitan cities on the planet and it was a good home to me for 34 years.
#55
Originally posted by bondipom
That is the same with any major city in the world. I think a lot of the people who are emigrating should really be moving into the country or to a less crowded city.
That is the same with any major city in the world. I think a lot of the people who are emigrating should really be moving into the country or to a less crowded city.
Next stop 40 miles outside of Boston which is nowhere near as lively as London but a hell of a lot better than where I am now.