Jen

Jen is another Parisian of 22. She moved to London seven months ago. She just graduated from the American University of Paris. She live is North London. She is also Yacob's girlfriend.

1) Did you come to London with a purpose?

To be honest, my main purpose when I moved to London was to spend the rest of my life here. I had to start an internship very soon for it was included in my studies and I was lucky enough to find something I loved. As a result, my purpose was to establish a successful professional career in my dream city, and possibly create my own company within the next few years.

2) What do you think about London?

Surprisingly, it is not as hard as I thought to make great friends in London. To me, it is one of the best cities to meet amazing people and to experience the best things about life. I met my boyfriend a few weeks after I moved here and it obviously made me love London right away. It is a very intense and dynamic city where life seems easier thanks to the kindness of its people. What I love the most about London is that everyday is different, even if I go to the same places with the same people. There is always something new, something exciting, something that makes me want to stay here for at least a few years longer.

3) Was it easy to settle down?

I was very lucky. My two best friends were waiting for me here. We found an amazing apartment and we already had made great friends. It was easy at work as well; people have been amazing to me most of the time. I never got homesick, at least not until today. The day I get tired of London, I guess I will move out, but until now it has been very easy and exciting to live here. Everything is new; it is so different from Paris, yet similar because of its multicultural aspect. It is always easier to settle in a cosmopolitan environment.

4) Do you like your neighbourhood?

I live in Kings Cross, which is heaven to me since it is so close to the train that leads me to Paris. The canal is beautiful, the parks around my place are amazing when you just want to relax and have a walk with your friends. It is very calm although it is very close to Camden, one of my favourite areas here, and it is only five minutes from the most frenetic tube station in London.

5) Anything you really like about living here?

To me, London was attractive because my best friends lived there. But after I moved here, I fell in love with all these amazing places I discovered the first times I came here. I love the diversity of London. There is a perfect balance between the mainstream and the indie culture. I could not stand it if it was only one part of it. I love the city’s diversity. But what I like the most about London is how helpful English people are, despite what a lot of people say. Such gentlemen. The only bad experience I can recall is in the bus with its drivers. But no city, as amazing as it is, can be perfect I guess.

Yacob

Yacob is 21. He is from Denmark and moved to England when he was 15. He has been in London for two years, and is now in band called "Screaming 66". He lives in East London.

1) I know you moved to London when you were quite young, tell me a bit about how it felt?

I had just turned 19 when I moved to London with my band. I had only just passed my A-levels and wanted to move to London for three reasons. Firstly it is the best place to be in the UK if you want people to hear your music. Secondly I wanted to experience London. A lot of people had told me good things about London. I also just wanted to get away from my family and the little town I had been living in. I think London has lived up to my expectations.

2) What was the best experience you’ve had since living here?

I’ve had many good experiences musically as my band have gone on to do very well in London but my best experience has probably been meeting my girlfriend.

3) What do you do here in London?

I play and write music with my band. London is a very inspiring place to be for an artist. The people’s mentality, the different cultures, the amazing buildings; both old and modern, the history of the city, the fashion, etc. London has everything that I need.

4) Have you met a lot of Danish emigrants?

I have to say that it has never been in my interest to find Danish friends here but for a few months I worked in market research and met a few Danish people as I was doing research for a Danish company. Apart from that I have met a few Danes in clubs and at gigs.

5) What do you like doing in London during your spare time?

I go out a lot. London is perfect for young people to go out. Regardless of your musical taste and budget, there’s always a club that meets your demands. As I specifically go to indie clubs I happen to socialise with people who I often have a lot in common with. I also like to go and find new areas that I haven’t explored before. London is so huge and there are loads of interesting places and museums to take a look at.

Carolyn

Carolyn is a 21 year old trendy English girl. She is about to enter Uni to study graphic design. She likes going out and listening to dance music.

1) Where are you from?

Well, I’m never really sure what to answer to that question because I was born in London but have lived in quite a few places throughout my life, including Colchester in Essex, Kentucky in the USA and Manchester. I guess the most sensible answer would indeed be London as that is where I live right now.

2) When did you move to London and why?

I moved to London about a year ago after I left university to live with my long-term boyfriend when I started work at American Apparel.

3) Did you always know you wanted to move to London

Yes I did because I’m a city girl at heart and it feels like home here. There’s so much energy and lots to do and see all the time.

4) As an English citizen from outside London, do you think it is easier for you to settle down here?

Having moved around a lot, I have had the chance to experience a wide range of cultures, but still find London a good ‘base’ to come back to. I think a particularly strong point of London is that it is so multicultural and welcoming to anyone and everyone. Being the capital also proves beneficial in terms of finding a job and somewhere to live. I think every person could find an area they love in London.

5) What is your favourite thing about London?

The galleries, the nightlife and the shopping of course! No really, there are so many great galleries in London, my favourites being the Hayward Gallery for its ever changing exhibits and the Tate Modern; a family friendly gallery with something for everyone. As for nightlife, heck if I know everywhere there is, as there are tonnes of places to go. Having said that, there are usually warehouse parties at the weekends, and they are worth checking out, as well as Dollop and Mega Mega Mega nights to be found in the East End. Aside from all of this though, my favourite thing about London is that you’re sure to meet someone new and interesting every time you step out the door!

Melody

Melody is a young Parisian of 22 who has been in London for a few years. She has been enjoying her life here, and doesn’t feel like moving elsewhere for the moment. She presently lives in North London but, since she moved to London, she has lived in Fulham and Whitechapel. She also loves the Beatles.

1) How long have you been living here?

Two years and a half, almost three years.

2) Why did you move to London?

To do a drama school, but I didn’t get in. But as I got here, I came across fascinating people who worked in the music industry and realised how interesting that was, so now I want to work in the music industry.

3) What is your favourite area in London?

It’s difficult to pick just one. I love different areas for different things. For example I love Camden for the market, the pubs and the canal, it’s really nice in the summer. I love Notting Hill for Portobello market. Bricklane and its vintage shops and curry restaurants. Soho to go out and go to restaurants, and it is also close to Oxford Street with all its shops such as Topshop. Carnaby street for its shops and its history (in a Beatlemania point of view).

4) How different is London from where you are from?

I come from Paris, and I guess it is different mostly in terms of people. Here they are more open-minded. Fashion is very unique, in Paris people tend to dress alike. Here you can wear whatever you want, and not feel judged. You feel welcome right away, you can easily talk to people, and there is always something happening.

5) Tell me something special about London (according to you)?

London is special to me because I feel more comfortable here than in Paris, I feel more at home. And I was able to meet great people here. Also, in London you have more opportunities work-wise, people tend to give you more chances.

Why I Started This Blog

London.  As Samuel Johnson said: “You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." This would sum up quite truthfully how people feel about London. Not only Britons but also foreigners dream to move to exciting London. It is a goal city, a desired destination. When people move to London, they are full of expectations. It is from this observation that I started wondering about those millions of people who make the journey to London. I wonder about all the different reasons that made these people change cities. And particularly, how do these people see London? What is London for them? Being myself a foreigner in London, these questions intrigue me. Let’s have a look around London.