London is such a dump

I live in London and I think this. It's absolutely nasty and unsafe and just horrible place to live can't wait to move

I stayed by Hyde park last month and it was so beautiful. Iv spent lots of time in London and there are gross bits and lovely bits, the same as everywhere

Yeah you think that as a tourist that don't live here!

@jade no, everywhere has nice and horrid places! I basically stayed there for a year when my boyfriend was there, I spent around 4 days a week there each week for a year. I hate some areas of London but the whole place isn’t bad. my brother also used to live there. Iv lived in multiple different cities and there isn’t a single place that is nice everywhere.. unless you are living in a small town but then there’s nothing there

I avoid the city completely at the weekends. All the scammers are out trying to con tourists, the crowds are insane, nothing works, nothing is cleaned until Sunday. We have to live here for now as our jobs are only here but we have started plans to emigrate. It’s a shithole in central. Expensive, filthy, violent crime. It used to be fun when I was a kid visiting but now it’s just at breaking point, too busy and too dangerous. I would recommend visiting outside of central though. It is lovely around the canals and parks, Richmond, Greenwich, Little Venice etc. Those days are when I enjoy the city.

If you say so @Lydia what do I know after living in London for over 25 years

@jade you’re weirdly argumentative have you had a bad morning? all I’m saying is you can’t generalise entire cities, which will always be a true statement. Like I know people who moved there a decade ago and would never consider leaving, and I know people who were born there and feel stuck because they hate it. Places are more than one thing

I'm not argumentative I'm just saying I feel like I probably know it a bit better but at same time I believe everyone has different likes and needs and lots of people love London for all the benefits it has while others hate it

And why would you start asking if I've had a bad morning? That's got nothing to do with my opinion a bit on the nose to state something like that to someone who's just giving their opinions

Born and raised in London, agree with @Lydia to slate London as a whole based on one trip to a tourist trap is unfair. To add to that you and your family getting ill, it’s understandable why you have attached such negative associations with the place, but honestly, it’s not that bad. Yes there are shitty areas, but on the flip side, there are plenty of beautiful areas too. Pretty much on par with most cities such as Paris and New York. I feel just as with most big cities, you either love them or hate them.

I've been a few times and some places are genuinely beautiful, but some places are a bit groggy. Mainly the areas that have higher foot traffic like tourist attractions. Most places have this though, it's probably just more noticeable because there's more people living there and tourists that come from literally all over the world to see it. I personally could never imagine living there though, but that's mainly because I'm a seaside gal at heart and the thought of being somewhere so built up would make me feel landlocked😂

I didn’t get that impression when I went to the London eye recently. It was very busy but also quite stunning. Bit worrying that Tommy Robinson was protesting at the time. Hates madam tusards. I’ve had to travel through London a few times with a buggy and asd son and people generally have been quite helpful. We used to live near Croydon which I havnt been to since the riots. There are beautiful places in London however there are places I would not feel comfortable going to during the day or night. I think moving has made me appreciate it more. My bil lives in Canary Wharf. I do not feel sorry for him living in his very expensive apartment next to the river!

I've never been and never seen the appeal. Same with Paris, dirty and unkempt There is some really lovely towns across England though. I love Norfolk, York, Bude, Torquay x

It’s a capital city - as all cities there are nice areas and not so nice areas. I think you had bad luck. We live in a very affluent area of London and sometimes you may see mess from a night out or a bin that has been sabotaged by a fox. It’s city living with a high population 🤷🏻‍♀️ Come again another day and maybe avoid going to tourist attractions and peak times! We always go mid week if we want to do something like that and not in the school holidays! Makes for a far better experience for all :)

Well this has certainly sparked an interesting debate! Thanks for commenting all. When I say “London” I mean central London. I live in a place that is considered London but it’s miles away from the centre and it’s sort of ok but obviously nowhere near as bad as the centre. Just my personal opinion but I hate all parts of central London, I don’t know anywhere that is particularly nice but then my idea of “nice” is not not having buildings on top of each other, not being around miserable people, not seeing sick and spit on the floor. Maybe my standards are too high 😂

Haha no your standards and are not too high I’m the same - i have sadly just accepted it over time 🤦🏻‍♀️ The smell of drains is horrendous outside my office sometimes

Also to add, I've lived by Blackpool all my life and it's a dump too but people who live there swear it's beautiful 😅 you'll always get those who see it for what it is and those who will defend it until their blue in the face. Do what makes you happy. Visit the places yo enjoy and love x

Everywhere has nice and horrible bits. Touristy places are never going to be the best! I grew up in London and lived there until about 2 years ago when we moved out. There are some grotty bits of course but that's the same everywhere! I wouldn't judge the whole place just on one visit to a tourist trap!

I’m not basing it on one visit, this last visit was just the straw that broke the camel’s back!

Haha, reminds me of my experience at the Chicago city aquarium 😵‍💫 it would probably be better at a non busy time