Is London the greatest city on the planet?
Abso-bloody-lutely!
Okay, this is my personal opinion of course, but as I spent many years both living and working there, I reckon I can (semi-subjectively) make such a judgement.
Is it my most favourite city on the planet though? Nope: It wasn't then and still isn't now. Although, it must be said, it did run a very close second back then.
'Back then' being over four years ago now.
So why am I writing about London when this blog is supposed to be about Modica?
Well, that'd be because I find myself back in the UK capital once again. In fact, I'm writing these lines in a holiday apartment not 10 minutes walk from the imposing Tower of London. Y'see, we came back to the UK for Alice's goddaughter's wedding in nearby Windsor. A place we'd also lived in for many years, back when both of our sons were young.
We'd decided that, since we made the journey there, we may as well visit London once again, so here I am doing my blog, looking out on another cold and blustery, but thankfully not damp day today.
Have I gone ahead and compared this city to my now-home city? Most foolishly perhaps, of course I have! I'm only human after all.
So I just have to try and compare the giant apple of London to the wee orange of Modica. I feel it'd be somewhat remiss of me if'n I didn't.
Now I'm not going to talk about things like size, population and influence. I'm not a complete numpty! Instead, let's talk of life, living costs, weather and the general 'feel' of both cities. I'll not be doing this in any depth (who wants that?), but using very broad 'brush-strokes' only.
'Life' first then.
To be honest, life in London is good. Good if you don't mind commuting and large crowds, but then the Underground and the buses are an absolute Godsend. Can't grumble about public transport here! It beats Modica hands down in that department.
Which leads us nicely into 'living costs', because while awesome, the cost of that commute is uber-high.
Then the general cost of living, especially when comparing rents and house prices, fruit and vege, eating and drinking out, is way higher here. Naturally. But, importantly, also way higher here when compared to locals' incomes.
'Weather' next.
Do I really have to do this? No. No I don't!
When it comes to general 'feel' though, I will admit I do love it here.
The cultural side, and hands down, more than holds in comparison to Modica. How can it not though, when London was the centre of a vast empire, and has been at the very centre of history for millennia. That culture don't come cheap though! Yesterday, I saw it'd cost £34.80 for a single entrance ticket to the Tower of London. Although 'only' £27.70 for an old fart like me!
Overall then ... while I do love London (and how can you not?), I much prefer to live in my now-most-favourite city on the planet: Modica.
So goodbye for now from my (now) third-favourite city on Earth...
