Big Apple or Big Ben? How NYC Compares to London
BY Maya Gopala
Subway or the chube? Bagels or fish and chips? Yellow cab or double deckahs?
Here’s how I think two of the best cities in the world stack up against each other.
Food
There’s certainly no toasted garlic bagel with egg, avocado, and pepper jack cheese here in London. For that, nothing can top Brooklyn Bagels! But London has a diverse range of restaurants that live up to their expectations. From entire food markets (check out Borough Market!) to streets lined with South Asian food (Brick Lane) to Italian restaurants on every block, if you’re a foodie, one semester won’t be enough in London. But, to my surprise, groceries are a lot different here. Since Europe has strict regulations on preservatives, produce expires within a few days. Take it from my roomie and me, who had to throw away an entire carton of spoiled milk after using it just once. So although the groceries are definitely healthier here, convenience-wise, New York City might just take the cake with its Trader Joe’s, bagels, and food trucks.
Winner: NYC
SCHOOL
Where NYU London’s campus is located.
NYU London doesn’t quite put the “study” back into study abroad. Compared to the main New York campus, classes here meet less often and for longer periods of time. For example, two of my classes meet once a week, but are 2 hours and 45 minutes each (with a 15-minute break). In my experience, most of my classes have less assignments than in the New York campus, however they are worth more points. So if you thrive off of a more independent learning environment, NYU London might be the place for you.
In terms of teaching, professors here come from diverse backgrounds and often also teach at other British universities. Their experiences globally and in London make them really insightful to learn from. And of course, the British accents help!
Winner: London
Transportation
When it comes to transportation, London has nailed it. With extensive underground routes, bus routes, the overground rail, and even ferry routes, it is certainly easy to find your way around the huge city. And compared to New York City, London’s transportation is both cleaner and safer. London has employees at almost every train station, CCTV cameras throughout each train/bus, and many resources to report crime. Plus, all the transport buses are double decker, so you get to ride on the top deck with a view of the city!
However, when it comes to walking, New York is a slightly more walkable city than London, mainly because London is huge. The grid system is also something London could take note of - it’s hard to pronounce all the British street names right!
But overall, even when I commute alone or at night, I have never felt unsafe in the London metros - and I can’t say the same about New York. So for that reason, London gets my vote for transportation.
Winner: London
Activities & More
At a Christmas Market in London!
In New York, there is never a shortage of things to do, parks to see, cafes to bike to, or freebies to find. And London is similar - I haven’t found myself bored here. Something I absolutely love about London is the variety of markets - there are vintage markets, jewelry markets, Christmas markets, and more. Although New York City has its share of markets as well, European ones, specifically the Christmas markets, have a certain charm to them. You can find something for everyone at the markets here, so be sure to check them out if you visit London.
On the flip side, New York weather makes it much easier to go outside and see the city. The rain and gloom here, although never a torrential downpour, consistently makes me want to bundle up inside and watch Netflix (no HBO Max here either). In New York, even though it might be freezing, I would still spot the sun reflecting off of buildings from Kimmel, and suddenly be more motivated to get outside.
But in London, I’ll put it this way: there’s certainly no spontaneous picnics or bike rides here, and the weather app has risen to the top of my screen time.
Winner: NYC
expenses
Winner: neither.