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For as long as I can remember, I've always had two cities in mind when I thought about the most bustling business hubs in the world: New York City and London.
In my mind, it never got any better than the Big Apple or the British capital. They were the cities to make it in the arts or the corporate world. From Broadway and the West End to Canary Wharf and Wall Street, I wanted to experience it all. My dream was to live in one of them at some point in life to try my luck as a corporate lawyer.
Hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck gave me the opportunity to live in both of them. Both are chaotically enchanting, absurdly overpriced, and fast-paced, but if I had to pick one to live in today, it would be London. Here's why.
I first lived in New York City — in the center of Manhattan, to be precise. I moved from Mexico City at the end of 2020 and stayed there for a year. Yes, it was in the middle of the pandemic. But my experience of the city wasn't affected negatively by that. On the contrary, I got to see an empty New York go from zero to 100 in a couple of months.
For better and for worse, the city was everything that I expected: dirty, cosmopolitan, full of concrete, and way too expensive.
But beyond the unrealistic price tags and tall skyscrapers, I also got to appreciate the city's unique attributes: its social aspect, iconic restaurants, unmatchable style, and colorful neighborhoods. The city is full of life. In every corner of every street, I could feel it.
However, those attributes that made it so desirable for a short stay were exactly what made New York City a clear "no" for my long-term plans. New York is ethereal and unapologetic. Yes, at the same time, life-changing. But I couldn't see myself partying and working 24/7 for the rest of my life.
I moved to London at the end of 2021 — after both Brexit and the pandemic. Both the city and I felt like we needed a fresh start. So, I decided to discover London from a comparative perspective. I analyzed every one of its major aspects against those of its American counterpart. The results were surprising as I found similarities between them where I thought there would be clear differences.
For starters, I knew that London was famous for its dreary and often gray weather, but when I moved there, I realized that it wasn't as bad as I thought — especially compared to the extreme heat or cold of New York City.
I also thought London would be more expensive. However, I found that rent and travel were much more affordable and diverse than in the Big Apple.
London suddenly (without even considering its majestic history and stunning beauty) became a place I could call home for a longer period of time. I saw it as a busy financial hub with more things than just work or parties. There were parks, museums, schools, recreational areas, and a sense of humanity.
On the one hand, New York City reminds me of my most toxic ex: the intensity, the beauty, and the danger. Just like with my ex, I knew it wouldn't last long, and that's what made it so special.
On the other hand, London reminds me of my most stable relationship: its pragmatism, its elegance, its maturity, and its sense of purpose. I felt like I could build my life there.
New York City should be your sole option if you are young and ambitious. But be sure to move to London when you want to grow old and have a family before it's too late. That's just what I did.
