How’s London?
Hey Monkeys - I have an opportunity to internally transfer to my company’s London office in the new year. Currently in the NYC office and have been here for ~3.5 years. Would take a slight comp adjustment downwards but with the COL adjustment my net take home would increase. Have always liked the idea of living abroad… but want to hear people’s opinions on London as a city from a social perspective. Don’t need to hear anything about the difference in work culture, vacation days, etc. Also - I’m already aware of the travel opportunities when living in London so don’t need to hear about that. Focused on London and London only. Let me get your guys thoughts in general but below are 3 topics I’m specifically interested in hearing more about.
- Nightlife - am reading a ton about venue closures and late night licensing destroying London nightlife. Is it dead past 11 pm? Is London nightlife any fun? Do you guys just start going out earlier?
- Dating - do the apps dominate? Can you meet girls organically? Are the girls approachable? How’s the dating scene in general?
- Friends - is it easy to make friends? I didn’t know many people coming to NYC and was able to make friends fairly easily… obviously still had to put in the effort but I find NYC people pretty open to meeting new friends. Can you say the same for London?
Extra context if it’s relevant is I’m an American.
Thanks fellas.
I only meet girls inorganically
On the friends thing - personally, harder than NY or America generally. Brits are definitely more introverted than Americans on average and many just stick with their college friends. You'll be fine if you're fun to be around though.
Nightlife is great if you know where to go. It's more events and less about certain clubs.
Absolutely on the nightlife.
There's definitely bars and generic clubs shutting - so sucks if that's your thing. There's still loads around though and if you know where to go, can get in past 11pm. But there's definitely fewer "spontaneous" options than there used to be.
Pubs unfortunately close at 11pm usually but fun while they last.
After 11pm though, it's really about the event venues. The places that are more like club-rave hybrids. You'll normally need to buy a ticket ahead of time unless it's a small DJ. If you're into EDM (techno, house, breaks), there aren't many places better than the UK, and that includes London.
In terms of nightlife, most PE folks tend to go out to the private members clubs (5H, Maison Estelle, Annabel's, Soho House) in Mayfair - pretty much almost all the funds have offices in either Mayfair/St. James - (I'm pretty sure half of the PE London industry can be found at 5H on a Thursday night). Some go to Scotch/The Box afterwards cause it's the only clubs that are open late. For friends, you will probably be hanging out with your colleagues for the first few weeks/months - if they like you, they'll introduce you to their friends from college/hometowns, etc. - be expected to go to the pub after work with coworkers on a Thursday/Friday evening. Yes, you can meet people organically but dating apps still mostly dominate, also be expected to spend a lot, London is expensive. Making friends will be harder if you don't already have any friends living in London, try to befriend any Americans you can.
This is very accurate
Currently living in London, I know some good spots & I'm doing alright with the ladies. Feel free to DM
„alright with the ladies" doesn’t mean Platinum Lace Lap dancers my guy
Tends to just be cliquey. I know this because even as an intern Germans would be keeping with Germans on a social level. Of course at work everyone are friends
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