What are the differences between north and south London?

Question

Why does south of the river feel different to north? Is it the fashion, music different cultures, more money? People i've met seem to feel they 'belong' and seem to stick to one or the other. What's the deal?

Answer 1

They shoot each other more frequently in south London

Answer 2

Over the history of London, South London traditionally has been the industrial area and housed the poorer factory workers. North London was where the wealthier people would live.

There is a clear difference between the two. I live in North London and only go south of the river for work. I much prefer North London.

Answer 3

North London is architecturally different because suffered less bomb damage during the war and so retains the old twisty streets with houses too close together. South and East London were easier to get at and so were hit more so there has been more re-building and roads tend to be wider.

North London also retains more of the village areas that existed before London absorbed them; Muswell Hill, Highgate, Hampstead, Finchley, etc. South London has Greenwich Village and a few others, but not to the same extent.

South London is built on soil with a lot more clay than North London and this is one of the reasons that the underground doesn't extend out there.

Answer 4

There's a difference between being north of the river and implying a north or north west london postcode. For snobbish elites in Islington and Hampstead, then there are Battersea and Dulwich to the south. The south may have Peckham, but then I'd hardly call Harlesden or Seven Sisters quaint and idyllic. Probably the biggest difference is that the north has a better transport infrastructure, including tube.

Answer 5

North London, pronounce North London
South London, pronounce Sarf London

North London tends to be more expensive an area to live, personally i am a West London girl so i cant say

Answer 6

All you really need to know is that South London is the greatest!!
I don't think there is really a massive difference between north and south London in terms of money any more, and everywhere in London you have the nice areas and the grotty bits...
I think though, once you find an area of London you like (or are from anyway) then you tend to stick to it, lots of people i know won't consider living in south london and i don't think i am likely to ever live north of the river again (not that i have anything against it of course!).

Answer 7

North London = civilized and well organised. The way a city should be.
South London = the ways of the jungle.

Answer 8

it's that thing they call the 'drink' (AKA the thames), just don't fall in it though

I heard rumours that a certain person by the name of 'KL' was thinking of launching a passport scheme for londoners...esp of those frequently crossing the drink, south to north and north to south

Answer 9

East London is the best..West Ham and Alf Garnet country.

Answer 10

ones in the south...ones in the north. good god arent i clever??