Ghastliest Country in Europe

[StonehamPark]

Worth a read up, take with a pinch of salt although it is interesting;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196941/The-violent-country-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html

I rated on the cities in posts above on where I would class 'better' only for my own reasons, not in the general sense however I'll always stand by London being one of the bigger dumps in the world.

 

[Commander]

But again, if you move out of those very central places it seems to me, that even the nice high streets of suburbia that are very much part of London the town, offer no more than fast food outlets and the odd pub with hanging baskets outside, quite twee compared to Brighton.

In some places, yes, I do agree, but there are plenty of others that aren't like that. The likes of Hampstead, Primrose Hill, East Dulwich, Wimbledon, Angel, Chelsea, Richmond etc are all lovely, and very different to the image you portray there. Then there are the more edgy places like Camden and Brixton, which a lot of Brighton seems to model itself on,fairly poorly in my opinion. I never really liked that side of Brighton. Then you have the parks, which are fantastic in the Summer, although I have to admit they do not rival the beach. And then there are some absolute f***ing hell holes (most of South London) but then any city has them.

And London is the only true international city in the UK, despite what a load of idiot Mancs will tell you.

 

[Was not Was]

London is not a place to bring up kids, unless you can afford to send them to private school, in my opinion.

Tosh, if you don't mind me saying so. Living in South London, a few friends have moved out saying the same thing (one even moved to Australia!) but when we got any substance from them on why this is the case ("not a place to bring up kids" being a bit of cliche), it turned out to be all about them, not the kids at all. Think of all the people you know who grew up in small places and longed to have access to, or move to, a city. All I have to do is mention moving (back) to Sussex and my kids go apeshit!

There's loads of culture in every respect, you don't need a car, it's great for most kids. And if it's crime etc you're worried about - it's living in London that gives them the street-smarts to keep out of trouble.

So - I'm not saying it's a great place to bring up all children - I'm saying that "London is no place to bring up kids" is nonsense. And loads of the state schools are great btw.

 

[Commander]

Worth a read up, take with a pinch of salt although it is interesting;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196941/The-violent-country-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html

I rated on the cities in posts above on where I would class 'better' only for my own reasons, not in the general sense however I'll always stand by London being one of the bigger dumps in the world.

From the Daily Mail, and from 3 years ago. And also bollocks. Where would you feel safer wandering around, London or Joberg?

How anyone can say London is one of the bigger dumps in the world I have no idea. Especially when you use Bari as an example!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Anyone claiming that 'London is one of the biggest dumps in the world' is clearly not very well travelled.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Romania? Beautiful country with beautiful food and the most experimental women you can imagine.... oh yes!

Serbia? eight years ago I would have agreed with you but it has changed so much. There is still a problems with the Milosevic old guard which spoils the country

Ukraine? Like Romania.... depends where you are... there are some great places. Ukrainians an Bulgarians could do with cheering up a little.

Ive done just about every country in Europe and the ones that disappointed me the most were Luxembourg ( too clean and too soulless) and Moldavia ( lovely people but the place is a gangsta republic with terrible poverty)..... Albania comes close too.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Oh and not a real country but Republika Srbska is truly ghastly.... everything about it.... a true example of collective brainwashing.

 

[StonehamPark]

Anyone claiming that 'London is one of the biggest dumps in the world' is clearly not very well travelled.

You're obviously patriotic and blindly in love with your own country/city which is fair enough, rose tinted and all that. And believe me bud, I've travelled further and harder in my lifetime than you could imagine. London is a dump, end of story. If you love it, fair enough, each to their own.

 

[BigGully]

In some places, yes, I do agree, but there are plenty of others that aren't like that. The likes of Hampstead, Primrose Hill, East Dulwich, Wimbledon, Angel, Chelsea, Richmond etc are all lovely, and very different to the image you portray there. Then there are the more edgy places like Camden and Brixton, which a lot of Brighton seems to model itself on,fairly poorly in my opinion. I never really liked that side of Brighton. Then you have the parks, which are fantastic in the Summer, although I have to admit they do not rival the beach. And then there are some absolute f***ing hell holes (most of South London) but then any city has them.

And London is the only true international city in the UK, despite what a load of idiot Mancs will tell you.

Accepted ....

But when on a nice day you are having a cold beer at one of the many beach bars then wander up East Street past the buskers and some of the smart bars and restaurants, towards the central laines, more interesting independent shops, bars and eateries, across North Street and into the recently updated North laines area, some really innovative shops, plonk yourself down at a quirky bar to people watch, all within 30 mins of your start point then I am a happy man.

Well that's my weekend sorted.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

As a lover of London as one of the best cities in the world, I have to agree with everything that Commander says. However, I think that it really helps if you know the whole of London really well or live there as it is so big with so many areas to visit. I personally do not like the west end, but areas like Primrose Hill, Fulham, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Smithfield, Angel etc I love. You could spend a whole year in the City of London and still not learn about all its history. A weekend in the west end gives you no idea of how great a city it is.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

You're obviously patriotic and blindly in love with your own country/city which is fair enough, rose tinted and all that. And believe me bud, I've travelled further and harder in my lifetime than you could imagine. London is a dump, end of story. If you love it, fair enough, each to their own.

Not especially patriotic, and have never lived in London.

Your comment about the place is still sensationalist rubbish though. Biggest dump in the world? Do me a favour.

This travelled further and harder than I can imagine thing? Lots of pretty holiday destinations? Or are you really suggesting that London is a 'bigger dump' than Karachi, Mumbai, Abidjan, Soweto, Algiers, Baghdad, Beirut, Bogota, Bucharest, Calcutta, Damascus, Detroit, Grozny, Tirana, San Salvador, etc, etc, etc

Sensationalist gubbins.

 

[StonehamPark]

Not especially patriotic, and have never lived in London.

Your comment about the place is still sensationalist rubbish though. Biggest dump in the world? Do me a favour.

This travelled further and harder than I can imagine thing? Lots of pretty holiday destinations? Or are you really suggesting that London is a 'bigger dump' than Karachi, Mumbai, Abidjan, Soweto, Algiers, Baghdad, Beirut, Bogota, Bucharest, Calcutta, Damascus, Detroit, Grozny, Tirana, San Salvador, etc, etc, etc

Sensationalist gubbins.

One key sentence there, 'one of the bigger dumps' not the biggest, that spot would be reserved for, as you just mentioned, Dubai or perhaps Surathani although the beach there off the dock isn't the worst. Perhaps Kununurra or Tenant Creek for the racial violence, Bahrain for the civil unrest, the Burmese border encountering the Thai military with itchy trigger fingers? There's plenty more examples as you can imagine...
The holiday comment? I've been on a 'holiday' once in the last 8 years. I got back from travelling the world last October and had been away travelling for 4 years here, there and everywhere. Prior to my travelling I was in the Royal Air Force - Regiment Gunner.
Do you want to compare passport stamps? Cos I know who'd win bud.

 

[BigGully]

One key sentence there, 'one of the bigger dumps' not the biggest, that spot would be reserved for, as you just mentioned, Dubai or perhaps Surathani although the beach there off the dock isn't the worst. Perhaps Kununurra or Tenant Creek for the racial violence, Bahrain for the civil unrest, the Burmese border encountering the Thai military with itchy trigger fingers? There's plenty more examples as you can imagine...
The holiday comment? I've been on a 'holiday' once in the last 8 years. I got back from travelling the world last October and had been away travelling for 4 years here, there and everywhere. Prior to my travelling I was in the Royal Air Force - Regiment Gunner.
Do you want to compare passport stamps? Cos I know who'd win bud.

Oh come on, you can have as many passport stamps as you like, it isnt likely to represent an expertise on world destinations.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Well good on you for travelling far and wide, most people don't.
As I said earlier, each to their own, I love marmite but for all I know you might f***ing hate the stuff.

Nearly all through work, in fairness. I've never 'been travelling' as such. One day.

 

[User removed 4]

I'd struggle to really say a European country that I dislike

 

[Lokki 7]

I have lived in London for a total of 30 years now and I'm still finding new and exciting things to do and see. It changes constantly, I feel like I hardly know it and I love that. There is so much going on it truly is a global super city. It's safe, tolerant, clean and full of opportunities. It's the largest financial centre on earth, modern but with an accumulation of 2,000 years of rich history. We really are lucky to have it on our doorstep for cultural, social and economic reasons.

I am well travelled and love Paris, Rome and various other places mentioned on this thread but as far as I'm concerned none have as much to offer as London. Anyone that can't see that is a very blinkered individual. My only severve criticism is the weather. Can't have it all I guess.

 

[Commander]

Tosh, if you don't mind me saying so. Living in South London, a few friends have moved out saying the same thing (one even moved to Australia!) but when we got any substance from them on why this is the case ("not a place to bring up kids" being a bit of cliche), it turned out to be all about them, not the kids at all. Think of all the people you know who grew up in small places and longed to have access to, or move to, a city. All I have to do is mention moving (back) to Sussex and my kids go apeshit!

There's loads of culture in every respect, you don't need a car, it's great for most kids. And if it's crime etc you're worried about - it's living in London that gives them the street-smarts to keep out of trouble.

So - I'm not saying it's a great place to bring up all children - I'm saying that "London is no place to bring up kids" is nonsense. And loads of the state schools are great btw.

I don't mind at all. I think maybe I phrased it wrong, "London is not a place for me to bring up kids" would have been better. I grew up in the countryside and loved it, and want my kids to do the same.

You're obviously patriotic and blindly in love with your own country/city which is fair enough, rose tinted and all that. And believe me bud, I've travelled further and harder in my lifetime than you could imagine. London is a dump, end of story. If you love it, fair enough, each to their own.

If what you say is true then why does half the world want to live there? I've travelled a fair bit, and London is not a dump. Parts of it are, but name me one city in the world that doesn't have dodgy areas.

It's nothing to do with being patriotic or blind love, and in fact the thing that made me realise what a fantastic city London is, was going travelling around the world and seeing so many other 'rival' cities. When I got back I realised what a great city we have here on our doorstep, which in my opinion, has more going for it than any other I've been to, with the possible exception of New York.

Accepted ....

But when on a nice day you are having a cold beer at one of the many beach bars then wander up East Street past the buskers and some of the smart bars and restaurants, towards the central laines, more interesting independent shops, bars and eateries, across North Street and into the recently updated North laines area, some really innovative shops, plonk yourself down at a quirky bar to people watch, all within 30 mins of your start point then I am a happy man.

Absolutely, Brighton is a great city.

As a lover of London as one of the best cities in the world, I have to agree with everything that Commander says. However, I think that it really helps if you know the whole of London really well or live there as it is so big with so many areas to visit. I personally do not like the west end, but areas like Primrose Hill, Fulham, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Smithfield, Angel etc I love. You could spend a whole year in the City of London and still not learn about all its history. A weekend in the west end gives you no idea of how great a city it is.

And that is a very good point, and is the main reason why I didn't really appreciate London until I lived here. The West End is great if you want to go to the theatre or do some shopping, but I probably do that once a year. Which is also about all I saw of London when I lived in Brighton, apart from shitty pubs around the likes of Brentford, Leytonstone, Barnet and other shit football grounds.

My two favourite things about London are the history, which is just incredible, the whole place is just steeped in it and there is so much to see, and the other is the random little pubs that you stumble across that are older than most countries, and then you can never find them again. On a warm sunny day like today, there is no better place in the world to live and work, if you are youngish and have a half-decent job anyway. Shame I work in the hell hole of King's Cross and am too scared to go outside.

 

[User removed 4]

I have lived in London for a total of 30 years now and I'm still finding new and exciting things to do and see. It changes constantly, I feel like I hardly know it and I love that. There is so much going on it truly is a global super city. It's safe, tolerant, clean and full of opportunities. It's the largest financial centre on earth, modern but with an accumulation of 2,000 years of rich history. We really are lucky to have it on our doorstep for cultural, social and economic reasons.

I am well travelled and love Paris, Rome and various other places mentioned on this thread but as far as I'm concerned none have as much to offer as London. Anyone that can't see that is a very blinkered individual. My only severve criticism is the weather. Can't have it all I guess.

You weapons grade tool

 

[watsongooal]

If anyone can name me a city in the world with more History, better architecture, more diversity and more to see and do then I will eat my hat.

People on here who are saying London is a dump are frankly idiots who need to spend more time out of Brighton.

London isnt just about Oxford Street, Trafalger Square and Millwall away- I have lived here now for 5 years in West Hampstead, London Bridge and now Chislehurst and whilst my fav city is New York, London pushes it very far. You can walk 1 mile in any direction and everything is London changes.

And before anyone says- I travelled for 2 years and have seen my fair amount of cities

 

[StonehamPark]

If what you say is true then why does half the world want to live there? I've travelled a fair bit, and London is not a dump. Parts of it are, but name me one city in the world that doesn't have dodgy areas.

It's nothing to do with being patriotic or blind love, and in fact the thing that made me realise what a fantastic city London is, was going travelling around the world and seeing so many other 'rival' cities. When I got back I realised what a great city we have here on our doorstep, which in my opinion, has more going for it than any other I've been to, with the possible exception of New York.

As I said, each to their own. All this thread is about is our own personal opinions.
You do raise a good point, lots of people 'want' to live here. This could be for many reasons, the main ones being:
1: Possibly easiest city/country to get into from abroad.
2: Free benefits & entitlement to anyone who applies.
3: Plenty of cash work.
4: Plenty of student and foreign language centers.

Of course there are other small reasons like the historical value, cheap flights over here and cheapish sub-standard accommodation if you're happy to share a 2 bed flat with 6 other students.

I couldn't name you a single city where there isn't a rough patch. The only place I've visited without seeing any slight hint of 'scum' would be Singapore, however I wouldn't be so naive as to say it's a perfect city.

If we were to name better cities (again my own opinion) in the world, out of the ones I've visited I'd name:
Melbourne, Chang Mai, New York & Toronto as all-round better cities.
Again, my own opinion based on my own experiences, don't shoot.
Edit. Add Vancouver to that as well.