When I first came to Philadelphia to study at Drexel, I was told Philadelphia was referred to as “The City of Brotherly Love”, “The City of Murals,” and “The City of Neighborhoods.” Similar to Philadelphia, London is also know as “The City of Neighborhoods,” for the many boroughs that make up England’s capital. With thirty-two boroughs to be exact, there are many different “areas” or “neighborhoods” that make up each one. With each area having it’s own set of characteristics, the amount of exploring to be had in London seems essentially endless.
Our current home, Metrogate, is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The area of the borough that we are in is South Kensington. Kensington is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in London, filled with Victorian buildings, museums and a palace. Yes, here at the Foundation of International Education, we are neighbors with royalty. The Kensington Palace is located in Hyde Park, just a few minutes walk from Metrogate. Other attractions located in this borough are the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Holland Park and Portobello Road.
When we attended the comedy show at the theater, we were in the area of Soho, located in the borough of Westminster. Soho is a very energetic neighborhood in London, famous for it’s nightlife and entertainment. When I was in Soho, it felt very comparable to New York City’s Time Square. With lots of lights, music and crowds of people, Soho character is the polar opposite of South Kensington. The borough Westminster is home to some of London’s most iconic features, including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Shoreditch, located in the borough Hackney, is another area I have been spending a lot of time in. If I had to compare Shoreditch to a Philadelphia neighborhood, it would be similar to Fishtown. Shoreditch is an upcoming area, described as young and artsy.
I have only named a few of the many London neighborhoods and boroughs, but I have already witnessed a wide range of different characteristics throughout the city. The boroughs and the neighborhoods seem to over lap a little bit, so although I am not completely confident in my geography, I am confident that in each area of London there are different spots for every person to enjoy. If you are looking for adventure, you can find it here in London, England! I am making it a goal of mine to explore as many London neighborhoods as I possibly can over the next few months.
