A Lady in London

Yesterday was my five-year anniversary of moving to London. It’s hard to believe how quickly the half-decade has gone by! In honor of five years of living in the UK, I thought I would list the top five things I love about city I now call home.

The Parks

London is home to an amazing collection of parks and gardens. Among these, Hampstead Heath is my favorite. Its steep hills and wild appearance make it unique when compared with London’s more manicured parks and gardens. But speaking of those, my other favorite park in the city is St. James’s Park, which is always bursting with flowers and alive with the sounds of birds from all over the world.

The Museums

London has world-class everything. Art, music, and culture both originate here and pass through here on their way around the world. The city’s museums not only have impressive collections, but also incredible temporary exhibitions, ensuring that Londoners and visitors alike are spoiled for choice year-round. One of my favorite museums in the city is the Victoria & Albert Museum, which features everything from textiles to the decorative arts.

The Restaurants

London’s culinary scene has come a long way in the last five years. When I moved here, I was hard pressed to find a quality meal at a reasonable price. But now the city is brimming with great places to eat, from street food trucks to Michelin-starred dining rooms. I can even get decent Mexican food here now, which makes my inner Californian very content. And that’s to say nothing of afternoon tea…

The Transport

While every Londoner loves to hate the tube, I have to admit that the city’s transport links are pretty impressive. From daily travels on the Underground and Overground to long-distance rail networks, international trains, and five international airports, one of the best parts about living in London is how easy it is to get around. And get out, if need be. Chronic delays permitting, of course…

The History

Being from California, a place that didn’t become a state until 1850, I am in awe of anything over 50 years old. Lucky for me, London has no shortage of things that fit that description. From Sir Christopher Wren’s beautiful churches to big brick walls built by the Romans, I could spend the rest of my life walking through London wide-eyed and amazed by how much history there is in this city.

And maybe I will. Now that I have lived in London for five years, I might just stay forever!