Study Says NY Has Some Advantages Over London

Though there are concerns that London could overtake NYC's position as the banking center of the world, a new study suggests the two cities both have a lot going for them, and NYC even fares better in some areas. The Sun reports that NYC has a "lower cost of living, more affordable housing, a stronger program to tackle urban poverty, and larger arts, fashion, and food scenes" vs. Blighty while London has better climate change prevention programs and "efforts to project a better city image." And though NYC has more financial regulations, there's now question whether London's lax regulations have hurt their banks.

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By Jen Chung in News on August 8, 2008 10:49 AM

Comments [rss]

ninyabruja

The only ways the NY subway is better are AC and 24 hour service. One rarely sees beggars/solicitors in the tube and the staff WILL do something about it if it's reported--unlike the sullen shrug one gets here.

NannyState

There are no Duane Reades in London.

end of discussion.

schadenfreudian mensch

"And I love the fact that the British do enforce their laws more staunchly and everyone follows the rules."

I've got news for you. No one there know what the rules are. Sorry to shatter your fantasy "henricus."

hwww.boingboing.net/2008/06/27...

www.boingboing.net/2008/04/22/...

aveB4life

F london.

henricus

I love London and would glably give up New York to move there in a heartbeat. The weather is perfect, mild all year, and I think it's a joke anyone would dare say that the arts scene is any better in New York. The museums are FREE there. Get that MoMA? FREE. The food is fantastic. And I love the fact that the British do enforce their laws more staunchly and everyone follows the rules. The sheer amount of asshattery in New York is amazing, with people trying to flaunt everything they can. "I'm going to take pictures five feet from a fire because I can!" "I don't want my bag searched because I dont have to!" New York has this awful "you can't tell me what to do" mentality that makes it come off as both childish and churlish. Laws are there to facilitate society, and even though you think you are being a modern-day Diogenes, in the end, you really are just masturbating in the agora.

Rule Britannia!

Think2wice

Oh, and London no natural beaches or oceanfront.

Think2wice

Re: [15]

"The Underground system is awesome though."

Aesthetically? I agree.

But we do have express trains, round-the-clock service, and (as previously mentioned) a flat fare or unlimited rides.

I have no love for the MTA and station maintenance has definitely taken a turn for the worse, however the MTA's predecessors engineered, IMO, the most efficiently designed rapid transit system ever built.

rdsizzle

Both cities are great in their own right - but London is gaining ground as the financial capital...

Kojak

London has better tea. I can't drink any more of that Lipton shit. PG-Tips all the way

schadenfreudian mensch

@nicemarmot

Not when I was there. Their Central Line was going to be out of service for 2 or 3 months. Tell NY'er that the "F" line is not going to run at all for 2 or 3 months and we'll see how long you live. There's also no a/c in the "carriages," so you're swealtering with 2 dozens or so blimeys in those tin cans during the hot summers. As bad as the subways are in NY, I'll take NY subway over the Underground anyday. And I hate paying for zoned fares too.

memoson

An important point omitted from the post is that street crime is higher in London especially in the South end.

ZeroK

"We also have more freedom and protection of citizens rights in the US. The GB isn't so free."

I can definitely agree with that. In London, they follow all those stupid little laws. London is my favorite city, but it has a very odd "near oppressive" feeling to it. More... law-enforced. It's not easy to explain, but there is definitely an odd feeling when you are there.

ZeroK

"London has better climate change prevention programs"

OOOOOH!! Better global warming plan?! Well fuck this popular cultural mecca of the western world! They've got some ideas about stopping Global Warming! Maybe I'll have to pay a few cents to get a bag with my groceries! Let me just pack my stuff and move right on over.

(The Underground system is awesome though.)

blablanyc

We also have more freedom and protection of citizens rights in the US. The GB isn't so free.

blablanyc

AND NO CONGESTION TAX!

nicemarmot

They're pretty much tied in crappiness as far as I'm concerned. The Underground is a bit more reliable than the MTA, though.

Toby von Meistersinger

MidCFrank: So it is twice as bad as I thought. For some reason 16 pages stuck in my mind.

interlard

I heard that in the London subway [sic] someone invented the "map" and they put them all over the inside of the cars. Even though you are traveling under the ground you actually know where you are, where you are going and if you need to transfer without having to live in the subway system for 20 years.

If only we could understand how a "map" could be invented here...

Kojak

Another note:

If you've ever flown Virgin Atlantic or British Airways, you will be served by (Mostly) tall, sultry British women. But when you arrive in London, You wonder what the hell happened to them.

British women in general are quite unattractive. Advantage New York (By a mile)

Gothamist_Cynic

the food in london sucks.

Toby von Meistersinger

New York doesn't require a sixteen page booklet explaining the subway fare system, as does London.

Kojak

London has shitty weather, but I guess they can't do much about that.

mwfbx

Let's not forget London's biggest advantage...the National Health Service!

Kojak

"lower cost of living, more affordable housing, a stronger program to tackle urban poverty, and larger arts, fashion, and food scenes"

All are strong points, ESPECIALLY when it comes to food. I can't stress that enough. However you'll probably get better Indian food in London.