London is full of juxtapositions. it can feel so liberating, full of endless opportunities and a hub for creativity. it can also feel claustrophobic, miserable and with an estimated 12,500 homeless people sleeping rough every night – lonely. It’s a city of promise and people doing what they can. I headed to Brixton to ask people what they hated and loved about London. Here’s the results:
Lauren 40
LOVE’S: “It’s so beautiful here. Everyone rushing about for buses and meetings and dinner with friends. Off to pick up the kids from school or to do their weekly shop. And just look at the different styles of clothes here- it’s so diverse.”
HATE’S: “Everyone’s usually in such a rush that they don’t stop to admire how beautiful it actually is here!”
Kwami 22
LOVE’S: “London is a great place to follow your dreams. There are loads of ways to pursue your creative goals. You just have to look around to see loads of people who you can collaborate and work with on exciting new projects.”
HATE’S: “There seems to be a big divide between the rich and poor – it’s such a melting pot, so I was shocked at just how seperately people live here. There isn’t so much community.”
Naomi: 24
LOVE’S: “The local market (Brixton) sells lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and they are pretty cheap too. This means I can save on food costs and support local businesses. I love that about London. I love London.”
HATE’S: “It’s pretty noisy here! it’s a city that never seems to sleep. I live on a main road and right next to a train station so it’s hard to get some peace around here.”
Tyrell 29
LOVE’S: “There is always a museum to visit, a gig to go to and a new exhibition to see.”
HATE’S: “I worry about pollution here. There are too many cars on the road. I wish more people would travel on bikes, and live in more eco-friendly way. That’s the trouble with cities they don’t think about the impact actions have on the environment.”
Everywhere is South of somewhere 