London.

**londonlawyer** · November 21st, 2009, 11:15 AM

Awesome! (and correct!)

**JCMAN320** · November 23rd, 2009, 09:09 PM

Ohh I love Nigella. I watch her shows and completely forget what the hell she made lol. She is so my type.

**depechemoroder** · November 25th, 2009, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by zupermaus

The best places are now almost exclusively in the East End from anything goes Dalston (taking over from gentrifying Whitechapel, Hoxton and Islington, which are massive nightlife areas now), to London's former most crime ridden area, Hackney, now the new epicentre for artists, more than anywhere else in the world it's said. Walk a few metres from posh Spitalfields, full of tourists, and youll find where all the freaks have been hanging, Brick Lane Market, full of Londoners and streetstyle, yet so few make that connection.

I would agree. I'm an American who has lived in London for 4 years now and live on Hoxton Square. I love the East End, not for its beauty, but for its contrast and energy. Truthfully, Shoreditch, Hoxton, and Brick Lane have all lost their edge (I do love the Jaguar Shoes Bar though!). Zupermaus is right - things are definitely moving to Dalston (fashion and photography scene), Hackney/London Fields, and also Bethnal Green (more of a music and painter scene). I must say as much as I love NY, London really does have the edge in its creative scene. The closest neighbourhood to compare to Dalston or Hackney might be Bedford Stuyvesant, though BedStuy is far more dangerous and less eclectic than much of Hackney. Frankly, I rarely go West much anymore. I find the lovely village atmosphere of Stoke Newington, Canonbury, and parts of De Beauvoir Town far more pleasant than Chelsea or Belgravia. I love London and am sticking to it.

**depechemoroder** · November 25th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Ok I am going to try attaching some pictures I've taken around the East End, but it's my first time posting so hope I am doing this correctly

**depechemoroder** · November 25th, 2009, 05:32 PM

and a few more...

**Derek2k3** · November 25th, 2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by MidtownGuy

^gorgeous!

I think this can be fairly said of NYC in 2009 as well. Of course there are a few rough neighborhods...but I can hop on the subway and get off somewhere in Queens, or Brooklyn or the Bronx, to find utterly stimulating and safe neighborhoods. Racially diverse, full of various cultures, etc. You'll find charming architecture throughout the boroughs as well as neighborhoods bursting with flavor.

I don't know if you've ever gotten off the R train on Steinway in Queens and walked through Astoria...but if you do, you will find a mind boggling mix of people, cultures, stores, and structures. Ditto dozens of other neighborhoods across the city. Jackson Heights (Little India), Little Morocco, Flushing (NYC's second Chinatown, exploding with Asian culture)...Brownstone Brooklyn, the Russian neighborhoods along the sea... it's simply endless. I was in Washington Heights yesterday...nice architecture and sizzling hot Latino culture.

The thing that makes me sad is that so many European tourists insufficiently explore these areas, they only see the core (Manhattan). This is partially because of a lack of time. After all, Manhattan is a huge bite to chew on in a week or so..and if they do venture to other boroughs, it was a stroll down 1 avenue or two and then back on the subway to Manhattan, so it's hit or miss whether they actually saw the good stuff. NYC is just so huge, dense, and safe at the same time.

I'm sorry for being long winded but I hope I can inspire our European friends to broaden and update their idea of New York City beyond the reputation of skyscraper island surrounded by a ring of crime-ridden urban jungle.

I don't think it stops at tourists. For a number of reasons the city is very hard to fully experience. I've lived here all my life and have never been to Staten Island or the Rockaways. I'm sure it's the same in London too, especially since it's quite larger than nyc.

Wasn't sure where to post this, but I thought of your post while going through the pics. Be sure to check out all three pages of the thread.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=171214

**Codex** · December 2nd, 2009, 05:52 AM

London's Regency Terraces.

The Victorian Town Houses and Mansions of London's South Kensington.

**Codex** · December 2nd, 2009, 05:53 AM

More from across London reflecting the diversity of styles relating to the different historic periods, from Georgian and Regency through to Edwardian and Victorian.

**Codex** · December 2nd, 2009, 05:55 AM

Primrose Hill, London

Richmond Upon Thames & Kew, London

Nearby Barnes and Twickenham in London

**londonlawyer** · December 2nd, 2009, 10:15 AM

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!

London looks like the capital of the world. By contrast, NY looks dilapidated.

**infoshare** · December 2nd, 2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by londonlawyer

By contrast, NY looks dilapidated.

I do not want this to be true: but, it is.

**Alonzo-ny** · December 2nd, 2009, 10:35 AM

Stunning phots Codex, thank you.

**londonlawyer** · December 2nd, 2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by infoshare

I do not want this to be true: but, it is.

As I've said repeatedly, it boils down to differing perspectives on property. British people, like US suburban homeowners, take pride in their property and maintain it. In NY, by contrast, property is treated simply as a revenue stream, and there's no pride in it. As a consequence, much of NY looks dilapidated and London is a magnificent gem.

Look at how the prior owners of the nice building on E 3rd ran it down to a POS and then new owners -- with pride in their property -- restored it.

Consider the POS that I always post next to 785 8th that houses the Brazilian restaurant and that has BOARDED UP WINDOWS!!!

As yet another example (and not even remotely the worst example) of NY property owners' lack of pride, look at how these beautiful old buildings' cornices have been ripped off and how they're so poorly maintained. It sucks.

DGilic

**Alonzo-ny** · December 5th, 2009, 11:56 AM

Three mills island:

**londonlawyer** · December 5th, 2009, 12:18 PM

As far as architecture goes, that is the pinnacle of beauty. Unlike NY, it looks like a world capital. As I've stated that greed of NY property owners makes NY look like sh...it in comparison.