NYC Vs. London: Where Would You Rather Live?

Kruse

I've been given an opportunity to work in one of these two cities. The thing is I can't decide which one. So today the good people of AH will decide my life for the foreseeable future. Whichever AH chooses, I shall book my flight and report back accordingly.

A few things I'd like you to keep in mind when deciding: entertainment, cost of living, transportation etc. I've been thinking about some London pro's - similar culture, TV, music preferences, how we treat others and this habit of saying "sorry" for every little thing whereas an American would look at you weirdly for saying that.

Another couple of things that I learned when measuring them up - London is introverted whereas NYC is extroverted. Americans need to demonstrate a concept of "alpha male" confidence whereas we just think they're loud and obnoxious. We are self-depreciating, New Yorkers are not. NYC is very commercial and think about "what will sell", we think about innovation, creativity and eccentric things. They think we're cold, we just see their smiles as plastic.

Am I right in these findings?

WilyCoyote

For more fun, better money, cheaper housing and down to earth people then London is your place by a large margin

Fr_Dougal

NYC.

You can always work in London, but opportunities to work(legally) in NYC don't come up all that often.

wazky

Ballygobackwards.

Duff

Ask can you be sent to Chicago instead. Best. City. Ever.

The Backwards Man

Dublin 4. Best of both worlds.

Susie_Toots

Have lived in both. They have their pros and cons like every place but NYC would be my first pick. You can always live in London, NYC not so easily if you're going to do it the legal way

pconn062

NYC without a doubt, amazing city especially if work will pay for your accommodation.

camel jockey

I'd probably go for London. Favourite US city is Boston, Boston ahead of New York.

hfallada

NYC is extremely expensive to live in( but you could live in places like Hoboken in NJ, which is practically Manhattan). But NYC in 10 years will probably be totally different to what it is now. Its changing so rapidly. Live in NYC, while its still NYC and not just a place for the super rich

chprt

Nyc without a doubt. You could fly to London for 9.99 any time you wanted. Nyc has so much to offer. And with the subway and trains u can find cheap accom outside Manhattan

biko

NYC, it's not often a chance to work there arises. You can always move to London later.
Mind, summer in NYC is sweltering and winter is fooking freezing, London is more temperate.

pauliebdub

London would be the only option is consider, but it's ferociously expensive and the quality of life isn't brilliant.

New York is a cess pit, hate the place.

keith16

Both fantastic cities to visit but not sure I could live in either.

If I had to pick one I would say NY. People aren't as bad / rude as is made out.

Beefy78

Probably my two favourite Cities. I'd pick New York though. What an opportunity for you.

PrettyBoy

New York without a doubt.

Micky Dolenz

I'v lived in London and it really is a great town with great people.

Never been to NYC so would probably give it a shot.

dpp v mcgee

New York by a long shot. London transport system sucks.

Bajingo

London without a doubt. New York is incredible in a sense but I find it quite dull day to day compared to London. London is a major European hub that is well connected to mainland European cities and it feels less isolated as a result. I don't like the grid-style design of most US cities like NY either.

The people aren't very different culturally and you're close to home as well. Emigrating isn't about getting as far a way as possible and I don't thinking moving to New York just because it's hard to legally work is a valid reason for doing it.

FouxDaFaFa

I would pick NY, never warmed to London despite multiple visits.

Great opportunities for onward travel.
Thriving entertainment scene.
Can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be.
Good transport, you probably wouldn't need a car.

Magenta

I would just say, if you choose NYC make sure to think about what happens when you get sick.
The USA has no public healthcare system and private health insurance companies will find ANY excuse to not pay up (used to work for one).

RachaelVO

New York for sure! Brilliant city, great for a bit of everything, shopping, socialising, cinema, theatre, arts, clubs, restaurants...

I know London has them too, and it's a class city too, I loved it, but I would definitely go for NY, it's just a more buzzing city.

clairefontaine

Do you have kids?

Check out private school costs. Way way way way expensive in NYC.

InTheTrees

I've lived many years in London and visited NYC many times. I love both cities passionately.

But I voted for London for where I'd rather live before I read your question saying you had an opportunity to work in either one.

So for you, i'd say, as many others have, you can go to London anytime, so pick NY. You only live once and its certainly a place to experience.

But for Quality of Life and ease of living i'd take London any day. But I already live in the US...

InTheTrees

Bajingo wrote: »

I don't like the grid-style design of most US cities like NY either.

Its almost impossible to get lost in Manhattan though.

InTheTrees

Kruse wrote: »

Another couple of things that I learned when measuring them up - London is introverted whereas NYC is extroverted. Americans need to demonstrate a concept of "alpha male" confidence whereas we just think they're loud and obnoxious. We are self-depreciating, New Yorkers are not. NYC is very commercial and think about "what will sell", we think about innovation, creativity and eccentric things. They think we're cold, we just see their smiles as plastic.

Am I right in these findings?

I think so... I think the people in both cities (and in any huge city) develop what visitors call "rudeness" but really isnt. Its a kind of impatience but its not impenetrable.. if that makes any sense...

What do you do? That's pretty important. If you're working in a bank then i;d say go for it (NYC), if you're a teacher i'd be more wary for instance.

Son Of A Vidic

I have lived in both cities, but London wins it for me.

Ruu

Enjoyed living in London. NYC would be seems very competitive at the moment and wins many of the 'rudest' people to be around contests.

Wanderer2010

London without a doubt, the entertainment (clubs, theater, shows etc) is more electric, the subway system is not as expensive as NYC plus its marginally cheaper than NYC in that you dont need to be working morning noon and night just to cover the rent plus home is only an hour away if you get homesick.

Beefy78

InTheTrees wrote: »

Its almost impossible to get lost in Manhattan though.

Tell that to someone who has just staggered out of an 80s Club two miles from his hotel at 4am on his first night in Manhattan in eight years.

If you're drunk enough, it's definitely possible to get lost there.

Ruubot2 wrote: »

Enjoyed living in London. NYC would be seems very competitive at the moment and wins many of the 'rudest' people to be around contests.

I don't know about rude. New Yorkers tend to be very straight-talking and don't tolerate fools lightly. Personally I respect that.

clairefontaine

InTheTrees wrote: »

I think so... I think the people in both cities (and in any huge city) develop what visitors call "rudeness" but really isnt. Its a kind of impatience but its not impenetrable.. if that makes any sense...

What do you do? That's pretty important. If you're working in a bank then i;d say go for it (NYC), if you're a teacher i'd be more wary for instance.

New Yorkers will think you are the rude one if you take up their time or waste their time. They very direct because they are very busy.

Don't waste my time is the golden rule in NYC. If you break it, you are the rude one and they will let you know!

clairefontaine

The other thing about NYC is there is very little division between public and private because people spend so little time at home. They treat you the same way they treat their families. What you see is what you get.

InTheTrees

Yeah. Like I said. Its not really rudeness, its impatience. Londoners have it too I think. Its just expected. And its expected that everyone will ask the way once in a while, even locals, so you dont need to make excuses and tell your life story just ask.

Wompa1

New York and take advantage of cheap flights to see other parts of America if you can. The comment about the alpha male in NYC vs London is a little incorrect. If you've ever dealt with Brits working in London in Management, Business, Marketing etc. they all have that sh1thead big up themselves attitude. Don't let that sway you

Micky Dolenz

clairefontaine wrote: »

New Yorkers will think you are the rude one if you take up their time or waste their time. They very direct because they are very busy.

Don't waste my time is the golden rule in NYC. If you break it, you are the rude one and they will let you know!

How rude!

dd972

I suppose London's the better choice if you wanted to stay in the British Isles.

NYC would be the more attractive, didn't John Lennon say that NYC was to London what London was to Liverpool, for all it's supposed brashness I'd say NYC was a friendlier and more open city and culture, London's OK out to a certain radius then the sourpuss South East of England mentality hits once you get to the outer suburbs and the home counties.

Probably better transport in NYC as well and the pubs open until 4am.










( British Isles was a wind up btw )

Drakares

Did you know you're 10 times more likely to get mugged in London than you are in New York City?

That's because you don't live in New York City

cena

If you have family in nyc go over to them. London can ben seen anytime.

There is more to do in nyc sports wise if your into it

LordSutch

London without a doubt. You could fly to NYC any time you wanted for a break. London has so much to offer, and its so close to us here! With Londons massive Tube/Bus network u can easily find cheap accom outside Central London.

London is a great place to live.

Days 298

Kruse wrote: »

I've been given an opportunity to work in one of these two cities. The thing is I can't decide which one. So today the good people of AH will decide my life for the foreseeable future. Whichever AH chooses, I shall book my flight and report back accordingly.

New York hands down if it was me. You can live and work in Europe whenever.

upandcumming

Ruubot2 wrote: »

Enjoyed living in London. NYC would be seems very competitive at the moment and wins many of the 'rudest' people to be around contests.

Can see why too... idiot tourists.

Sinfonia

Kruse wrote: »

Am I right in these findings?

No. That's all stereotypical nonsense. There's 8 million people in NYC, so many different ways of life.

And in my experience, the people in London were colder and more inclined to rush around and be no-nonsense or whatever, didn't find that at all in NYC (and was surprised, considering that people often say the kind of things you had in your post).

carlmango11

This is a really interesting one for me. I am obsessed with London and have wanted to move there for years. Then I moved to New York and I'm starting to become indecisive.

Firstly, New Yorkers aren't rude at all. They're actually really friendly and talkative. I've been approached on the street and asked if I needed directions twice, just because me and my friend were looking at the subway map on my phone choosing our quickest route home.

If you're standing in people's way or delaying trains then yeah, you'll get a nasty comment but it's the exact same in London. In London, however, I find it's more passive aggressive whereas in NYC the people are very outspoken. The British and Irish are very reserved in public - which to be honest, I prefer. Americans are very loud and confident which irritates me at times.

I think I'd still choose London. It's so close to home in many more ways than geographically. Friends will visit more often and you can go home more often - this is a big bonus when you're alone in a new city.

EDIT: Also, I think New York gets hyped up a LOT by American films, music etc. A lot of people might just instantly say NYC because it's made out to be this amazing paradise. Keep that in mind.

BeerWolf

NYC be a far more interesting place to work if you've lived in Ireland all your life

fishy fishy

clairefontaine wrote: »

New Yorkers will think you are the rude one if you take up their time or waste their time. They very direct because they are very busy.

Don't waste my time is the golden rule in NYC. If you break it, you are the rude one and they will let you know!

Busy? they need to learn some manners more like.

rainbow kirby

Never been to New York, but I'm pretty happy living in London...

Cienciano

It depends. If it's a job for a year or 2, New York definitely. If it's for the rest of your life, London.

FTA69

The notion of people in London being rude bastards is often grossly overestimated in my opinion. While the pace of the commute (and life in general) is very fast and people are expected to know what to do/where they're going etc, I've never seen anyone stuck for help when they've needed it. A question in a train carriage about destination etc will always yield a few people offering help and advice. A woman with a buggy will always get a helping hand at the steps without having to ask; the same for elderly people and heavy bags. If you block subway walks or stand on the top of escalators you may (rightly) draw people's ire but this will rarely be in the form of outspoken abuse. A dirty look is the most likely thing you're going to get.

While New York and London are fantastic cities offering a wealth of diversity and opportunity they are also places that you need to work at to get the most out of them. It's very easy to get stuck in a rut as easily in London as it is anywhere else. I know people who work in the same job, drink in the same handful of pubs and hang around with the same circle of people without branching into anything new. There is so much to take advantage from in living in London/New York you owe it yourself to do a small bit of exploring.

While I love London, if I was you and had the opportunity to get an immediate set up in New York for a small bit I'd do that. London is a great spot but it will always be there; a chance to get a quick start in America sounds like the better bet for the time being in my opinion.

old hippy

London, for sure. As attractive as NYC is, London just has it all. And we don't get all hysterical about stuff...

resnatop

Well, being a London boy, this might be fairly biased, but there is no place like London. It is extremely multicultural and that makes a place great, just because you have a bigger mix of people from different backgrounds. If you take the part that I am from, Croydon, the progression of people is fascinating. In the 60s and 70s, the West Indies and Africans moved in force, and influenced London culture to the max. From what music we listen to, how we speak and just generally act. In the 80s up to now, we have had the migration of far more Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi people. This has started to impact on culture also.

So for culture, and an enjoyable day to day life, London would be my choice.

I have been to New York, and it just felt fake. I went to the Bronx and Brooklyn, it felt exactly the same as Manhattan. Boring, mundane and oh so bogus.

Michael D Not Higgins

carlmango11 wrote: »

Firstly, New Yorkers aren't rude at all. They're actually really friendly and talkative. I've been approached on the street and asked if I needed directions twice, just because me and my friend were looking at the subway map on my phone choosing our quickest route home.

I've found this as well. When I was there years ago, we approached a woman walking her dog. She was a bit suspicious of us at first but when she heard the Irish accent and that we were only looking for directions she was very friendly and helpful.