101 Reasons I Want to Live in London

Just kidding.  I wouldn’t make you read through 101 reasons because even I wouldn’t want to read through that many…although I could probably create that list if I really wanted.

Here are a few that stick out:

1)  Much of London is beautiful.  The houses, the bridges, the architecture in general, the people, everything.

2)  The summer weather is perfect.

3)  For a city, there are a plethora of wonderfully built parks.  And no, they aren’t planted right next to highways (ahem, Philly).

4)  Free events all the time.  Free music.  Free fun.  FREE.

5) There are very few bugs.

6) The pub scene is pleasantly chill, and the people are surprisingly friendly.

7)  The accents never get old.

8)  The diversity is delightfully rich.  Listening to the numerous languages utilized all over the place is beautiful and inspiring.

9)  The tube is clean and easy to use.

10)  I’ve never felt so safe in so many areas of a city.

11)  Borough Market

12)  Cheers!

Reasons not to live in London:

1)  It’s crowded.

2)  The buildings are old = mold.  I’m allergic to mold.

3)  The drivers are, well, a tad crazy and impatient.

4)  Peanut butter is not utilized as frequently as I’d like.  (Minute, but I’m running out of negatives too quickly!)

The positives definitely outweigh the negatives…especially since the positive list could go on and on and on.  Who knows.  Maybe one day I’ll end up in London?

I’m sad to see it end, but my program in London has come to a close.  I look back and couldn’t have asked for a better trip.  I feel like I’ve thoroughly explored much of the city.  I’ve hit a lot of non-tourist spots and have met a lot of interesting and entertaining locals.  And in a month or so, the magazine we’ve been working on, primarily covering London’s music scene and culture, will be released!

I’ve done London the way I wanted to do London.  I think I’ve truly grasped a feel for the city.  In some ways, call me crazy, but I feel like I know London better than Philly.  I’ve seen what this place is capable of offering.  I’ve experienced a bit of what it’s like to live in one of the most diverse, populated cities in the world.  I’ve grown.  I’ve become a tad more independent, cultured, receptive.  I’ve learned to let go, go with the flow, embrace getting lost, let life come as it’s going to come.  Stop planning, start doing.  When there’s so much to experience, it’s not worth getting wrapped up in what’s to come next.  That’s when you miss what’s right in front of you.

Am I ready to go home?  No.  But am I happy, satisfied, fulfilled?  Yes.

Until we meet again, so long London.