LDN vs NYC - which city is better?

Both cities contend to be the world’s best, but which really is? I have the absolute pleasure of living in London and recently had the equal pleasure of visiting New York City. I thought it was blog-worthy to share the points that differentiate the two cities in my mind.

As a heads up, this comparison isn’t based on a standard set of indicators, but more my rambling observations – five differences that stuck out for me :-) Let the games begin…

Music

My first impression of NYC was a delightful one. When I stepped into the immigration hall at JFK airport the sweet sound of music filled my ears. MUSIC! It was a bit of light jazz, nothing special, but mixed with the chatter of recent arrivals and the colourful space, it completely lifted my mood.

I think the reason it had such an effect on me is because you will not find life in many public transit spaces in London. For tube stations, it’s usually the march of footsteps laid over a background of silence. In addition, the newer tube stations can be so grey and soulless that they literally suck the life out of you. Side note: do not get me started on the urban design of Canary Wharf (where I work). I hate it.

I firmly believe that the design of a space has a profound effect on the mood and behaviour of people within it. London can learn a thing or two from NYC on how to bring some vitality into its public spaces. The fact that this short burst of music had such a memorable effect on me makes me think that London commutes could be so much nicer if they were infused with some better design features. 

Throughout my time in NYC, music continued to fill my ears: I heard an impromptu drum circle in a subway station, a breakdance performance in a train complete with guys flipping off the roof, a couple singing Frank Ocean at the top of their lungs on the subway, and a random tango night at 9pm in Central Park. NYC has music in its bones.

Winner: NYC

Congeniality

One day as I was walking down the street, a lady stopped me and asked if she could take a photo of my t-shirt. Now the Londoner in me would’ve reeled back in disgust and proceeded to run down the street full pelt to avoid any random interaction. But the Australian in me was fine to stop and let her take the photo. Just the fact that she asked said a lot to me about how New Yorkers interact with one another.

When a Londoner commutes (especially morning), it feels like a veil is cast over them. The rules are to 1) look dour (maybe even feel dour to really get into the experience), 2) avoid eye contact and 3) never speak. They are generally nice people, but when it comes to the commute everyone reverts to this impersonal state where you’re frozen in your own world. 

Throughout the week, I had a couple more random instances when people interacted with me, including asking for directions and help in carrying a suitcase. In all my 10 months in London, I can’t think back to one time someone interacted with me on the street!

New Yorkers will say that people in NYC are generally colder than elsewhere in the US, but at least they’re warmer than the average Londoner ;-)

Winner: NYC

Sustainability

This one sits very close to my heart. The more I learn about climate change and resource consumption, the more aware I become about my own lifestyle choices.

Quick fact: if everyone in the world lived like the average American, it would take five earths to support us. Like an Indian, 0.6 earths.

The rampant consumerism was tangible in NYC. All the ads shout at you to buy more stuff and everything was incredibly cheap; the food portions are huge and the medicines used to combat the ill healths are pervasive. It seemed like perpetual loops were in place to fuel the capitalist value system. Call me a hippy, or simply environmentally-minded, but the typical American lifestyle really doesn’t sit well with me.

It feels easier to live a more sustainable life in London. I think people here are more environmentally-aware. That being said, I think Australians trump most countries in terms of environmental awareness. I suppose it’s our strong connection to the land that makes climate change and sustainability so relevant. I do miss that.

Winner: London

Subway / Tube

All great cities in the world are founded on great public transport - think London, New York, Paris, Tokyo. Accessibility is synonymous with growth and prosperity. And so I feel the high-rise towers in New York and London only stand thanks to the subway roots at their feet. 

I am so incredibly impressed with London’s public transport system. It’s resulted in the right amount of density and diversity across the city, and avoided much of the urban sprawl you find in cities like Sydney. I love not having to drive! No frustrations with traffic and it means I can get drunk and not worry about how to get home :-)

New York’s public transport is fantastic by American standards, but pales in comparison to London. The subway is so grimy! Also it was ridiculously hot and uncomfortable when I was there in the middle of summer. The bus and train services are also a lot more limited. But I get the sense that people don’t care about it all that much; they’re satisfied with how it is and that's just the way it is. 

Winner: London

Attitude

I really enjoy people-watching. My favourite game at the airport is to observe travellers and try to guess their nationality. 

If I may indulge you, here are some tips I’ve picked up:

New Yorkers

These cats have swagger! The way they swing their arms and roll their shoulders when they walk almost looks like they’re slow-dancing down the street; they can hold a confident eye contact and tend to shoot a nice smile; their dress is funky af – loved seeing the eclectic, 80s-inspired style.

You can see this laidback attitude written into the city. There’s lots of graffiti, plenty of run-down buildings and lots of small-talk between passers-by – they’re here to have a good time.

Londoners

These guys don’t have the patience to even be walking – they need to get where they need to be in the most efficient manner possible. They’ll usually be in a great rush, lost deep in their thoughts with a cross look on their face; they will avoid eye contact at all costs; and they’re very reserved in the way they interact, almost aloof.

You can see this more uptight attitude written into the city. Everything is prim and proper in Central London, there’s no litter on the streets and everything is very orderly (ample formalities when forming queues ha). It’s the English vibe.

If I could personify the two as businessmen in a meeting, the New Yorker would be well-built and wear an expensive suit, ever-ready to flash his gleaming white smile, and who thumps you on the back when saying hello in a cheerful, frat-boy manner. His Londoner counterpart is dweeby, has a slight hunch, wears a brown suit and looks at the table for the most part. 

The New Yorker would win the business deal based on his charm and charisma, and the Londoner would apologise for losing, not exactly sure why, but just out of habit. Haha this image is very real in my head.

Winner: New York

So who wins?!

Well I added up the scores, and it looks like NYC wins 3 to 2! 

... But. 

When I re-read this post, I realised that I’ve been very critical of old London town. Maybe it was my post-trip high of being in a new environment, or that the grass is always greener on the other side, or that I’m becoming slightly English, and therefore critical! Whatever it is, it just doesn't feel right calling London a loser in this instance. 

Hearing my parents’ observations of London (they arrived this week) and comparisons to Sydney makes me realise just how much this city has over Sydney (‘home’). The history, culture, night-life, ENERGY, internationalism, access to Europe etc etc. London is great.

I guess it’s all relative hey? And that you never really know a place until you see it with your own eyes. My eyes focused on the differences between urban environment and culture, however with yours you might see something entirely different. Hence, I would like you all to see London and New York and let me know what your observations are! If you can imagine a Londoner and New Yorker in a business meeting, how would that meeting go? Haha

I’m off to Paris with my parents this weekend and I’m looking forward to more relative city comparisons :-)