Is there civilisation north of the Watford Gap? Why would anyone choose not live in London?

Answer 1

I've had the misfortune of living in and around various parts of London (Kilburn, Kingsbury, Pimlico, Gants Hill and Gidea Park) and have absolutely no wish to return to what is without doubt one of the most over-rated and uncivilised places on earth.

As a tourist visiting for a few days, London is an excellent place - there's some amazing things to see and do and it has a great deal going for it but as a place to live it's like hell on earth.

London is the only place in the UK that the majority of the population move away from, if it's so good why are so many people desperate to get away from it. If it wasn't for the people from overseas and their descendents then the population of London would have fallen from 7 to 3 million and every other property would be abandoned.

Maybe it's because it has the highest crime rate in Western Europe and one of the highest in the world. Perhaps it's because it's the most polluted place in the UK, maybe it's because it has one of the lowest quality of life indices of anywhere in the UK. Could it be because it has the highest levels of unemployment, poverty and homelessness in the UK or maybe it's because people don't like living in a city that has more drug addicts and alcoholics than anywhere else in the UK. Then again, it could be any one of the hundreds, probably thousands of other dubious distinctions that London can claim.

The above are all documented facts, they may not be well known but that's because the British media is primarily based in London and displays a huge bias in favour of London, but they're accurate facts all the same.

You'll no doubt be aware from the media how much the rich people of London have to pay to subsidise the poor people of Scotland for example. Well, think again. Scotland, like the rest of the UK, subsidises London.

You'll also be aware just how much richer people in London are than the rest of the UK. Sorry to disappoint you but it's another myth. Take the very rich people out of the equation and the average income for Londoners falls below that of many other parts of the UK and in fact, it's North Yorkshire that has the highest disposable income.

I've travelled the length and breadth of the UK and have met people from all walks of life in all parts of the country (something which I think is safe to say you haven't done). It is my considered opinion that there is nowhere as unfriendly, as hostile or as uninviting as London.

If you are of the opinion that London is the centre of the universe then it's can only be because you haven't travelled to many other places or are you believe everything the media wants you to believe.

London is a cesspit and it’s getting worse. Get out of there whilst you still have a chance and go and live in a much more civilised part of the UK, but please, leave your Cockney attitude behind when you leave.

Answer 2

Surely the question should be Is there any civilisation south of Watford Gap.Give me the North anyday.At least up here we know who the next door neighbour is and speak to them.Southeners ha vent time to be sociable they are always in a hurry and don't want to know.The beers crap as well.Long live the North.

Answer 3

Just watch a bit of East Enders ...... if you can stomach it.
I know it's fictitious but it'll all become clear about a lot of life living in London.
Masses of two dimensional, miserable people with irritating accents living on top of each other.
I've met people and asked them where they're from and they say "London" with a northern accent. Then I tell them that they can't be form London because their accent isn't irritating the hell out of me.
I think people think they've made it if they say they live in London (maybe because they can afford the rent in a bedsit in a ghetto in the middle of nowhere).
If you can work outside Greater London and afford a few nice things like a car and holiday then that's far more admirable. The quality of life in most non London places is going to be a lot higher.
You can always pop into London to see some of the sites / arts / major shopping etc but living there I believe is a compromise.
People outside of the capital are in general friendlier, kinder and happier without the London attitude.
I also agree with the other contributor about the media being London-centric.
Most large countires have decentralised cosmopolitan centres evenly distributed.
We have this in the UK but according to indolent journalists and reporters in the UK media you wouldn't know it.

Manchester's great. If it wasn't for the industrial revolution being kick started in Lancashire due to the Cotton Trade who knows?We may not even be using computers right now.
Manchester is a powerhouse of energy with loads of creativity and excitment. Check it out.

Answer 4

Possibly because London is well up on the list of 'Crime Capitals' of the world!
I was going to carry on about Londoners, but I can feel myself building up to a point of no return, so I'll quit' I will just say I have lived and worked in London, I have lived and worked in most parts of the world! London is the worse place I have ever been to!
Have you ever travelled the underground after 10 at night??

Answer 5

ere in the UK. Could it be because it has the highest levels of unemployment, poverty and homelessness in the UK or maybe it's because people don't like living in a city that has more drug addicts and alcoholics than anywhere else in the UK. Then again, it could be any one of the hundreds, probably thousands of other dubious distinctions that London can claim.

The above are all documented facts, they may not be well known but that's because the British media is primarily based in London and displays a huge bias in

Answer 6

There is civilisation North of the watfod gap .It is called Northern England- We have buses,trains,Colour Tvs, DVDs, shops,Computers and inside loos and everything man! Most of the time you get seats on the train- how cool is that!!!! ? They teach us our full postal addresses here too not just our house no,street and postcode!!!!

Don't knock it before you try it!

Answer 7

Some people like communtiies and villages and small towns, friendly faces. there are many reasons people don't live in London are any other big city for that matter, its a person perogitive, don't diss people just coz they don't live in london you might like no countyside loads of cars, congestion charges but other people don't.

Answer 8

I have lived before and after London. I would never go back.

Answer 9

Fresh air, polite people, intelligence outside of the business market, enjoyable scenery, pleasant houses, gardens, tree, flowers, reasonable priced goods, access to the beach, peaceful nights sleep, neighbours who talk and care about each other, saying hello to the guy and knowing he isn't going to stab you, good wholesome people, salt of the earth responses, people who listen, questions answered in words not grunts, manners, etiquette

Answer 10

Haven't you noticed the droves heading out of London?