London appears among the most popular cities in the world. It is a city on the move, where you can find everything you need. It is one of the places where fashion is created, where you can meet people of all origins and where the word "Party" gets its real meaning. In there, one can find a job, become rich, have fun etc. Of course, all of that is true, but behind that, another reality is hidden. Everybody is not rich in London, and even wealthy people have to deal with major problems. When one realises that, an important question is raised: Is London really a land of milk and honey, as many people describe it? London's economical development is booming, and there are many pull factors for people there, but behind that, we can find many bad qualities. Actually, London is often regarded as an ideal place to be, but in reality, the quality of life in this town is ranked among the worst in Europe.
[...] There is no more exciting city in the world for shopping than London, the town is known for being the Mecca of shoppers. If the biggest shopping area is Oxford Street, it is far from being the more interesting. A few areas are specialised in different waves of fashion: for instance, Carnaby Street seems to be still in the 60s, Covent Garden is the symbol of the business spirit of the 80s, and many shops in King's road are a testimony of the punk movement. [...]
[...] Another reason why the unemployment rate is very low in London is the high number of part time jobs and insecure jobs. Most of the jobs which are created today are like that. Actually, most people who have a part time job didn't have the choice and would rather have a full time job. Alongside the wealth of the City can be found some of the poorest and most deprived areas in the UK. Unemployment for some groups can be over twice that for the region as a whole. [...]
[...] Actually, according to a recent survey, London people experience among the worst quality of life in the major Western European capitals. The survey for Mercer Resource Consulting found that London was ranked 11th in the bottom half of the top 15 European cities, just above Milan, Rome, Lisbon and Athens. A very expensive way of life London is the second city in the world where the way of life is the more expensive, just after Tokyo; it is therefore the most expensive city in Europe. [...]
[...] I really enjoyed my stay, but I had to face the reality of life in London: I was confronted to the job market as I looked for a job (in vain), to the expensiveness of life there and to pollution which I was not used to at all. However I do not regret having been in London: the two weeks I spent there were very instructive. It permitted me to discover another culture, a new way of life and to meet people I will never forget. [...]
[...] After the destruction of a big part of the city after World War many hideous buildings were erected but in the 80s 90s, remarkable buildings were created, particularly those by Richard Rogers (Stansted's airport), and Norman Foster (Lloyd's building). Moreover, the two last decades were hit by great rehabilitations ( like the Michelin plant on Fulham Road, Oxo tower on the South Bank turned into flats and the old power station in bank side adapted in art gallery). London: the place to be if you are young, unmarried and without children. [...]
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