I grew up in London and moved to New York a year ago. 7 differences have shocked me, from how expensive NYC is to tipping culture.

I lived in London for most of my life before moving to New York last year with my partner.

Growing up in the UK, I traveled relatively often to other European countries, whether studying abroad in Sweden, visiting friends in Barcelona, or taking family trips to Paris. 

In my experience, living in London gave me easy access to other countries in Europe, and inspired me to travel more and made me want to visit other places, like the US. 

Over the years, I made friends with people from the US who lived in London, and I was always intrigued by the idea of moving there.

In 2022, my partner and I decided to move to the US permanently, specifically to New York City, where my partner was born. It was also a place that had always been on my bucket list to live in.

I pictured New York like I'd seen it in movies and on TV, and I was struck by the city's energy when I arrived.

Before arriving, I was curious what New York would be like.

I'd always wanted to visit because it's an iconic city in my eyes, and I'd seen so much of it in movies and TV shows. I was especially looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere, trying the food, and seeing famous landmarks like the skyscrapers and Empire State Building.

In the year I've been here living here, I've done all of the above and have also noticed some key differences between what it's like living in New York compared to London, despite both being large, metropolitan cities.

The pace in New York feels much faster to me, and I miss all the green spaces I had in London.

In London, it often felt overwhelming for me to have to navigate the busy streets and large crowds on a daily basis.

The pace in New York felt even faster to me, with massive groups of locals and tourists and a speedy energy, so I knew I wanted to find parks and green spaces to escape from the hustle and bustle, just as I enjoyed doing in London.

However, I've found fewer parks in New York than the many I loved visiting in London.

And in my opinion, the New York parks I've been to haven't been as expansive and therefore relaxing as my favorites in London, like Hyde Park, St. James's Park, Regent's, and Green Park, so I miss spending as much time in green spaces as I used to in my former city.

New York's restaurant scene is impressive, but the expectations around tipping were new to me.

I'd heard great things about the food and restaurant scene in New York before moving there, but I still was blown away by the diversity and quality of dining options that became available to me as a full-time resident.

However, the tipping culture in the US was something I had to get used to.

Living in the US, I've noticed it's standard to leave a tip of 18% to 20% at restaurants and bars. I've even seen tip jars in coffee shops and bakeries, and have been prompted to add a tip when I pay by card at many cafes or to-go counters.

This wasn't the same standard as in London.

In London, in my experience, it's not expected to leave a tip at all. This difference meant that the money I spend while eating out and going for drinks adds up more quickly than I'm used to, so I've been more aware of what I'm spending.

I still love trying new restaurants, but it does cost more than in London.

Inexpensive travel to other places is more limited when departing from New York, in my experience.

In London, I found it was easy to book convenient and inexpensive getaways, either to a different part of the UK or another country in Europe.

For example, a round-trip flight from London to Paris can cost as little as £54, or around $65, on budget carriers like easyJet. 

But since moving to New York, I've found it's been more challenging to find affordable destinations for a quick trip. Since the country is so big, flights between major cities take longer and cost more than I'm used to spending on travel in and around the UK. 

In the past year, I've mostly visited cities that are also on the East Coast, including Atlanta, Miami, and Tampa, which I've chosen because they've been cheaper to visit.

I've enjoyed visiting these destinations, but I want to visit more cities in the western US, although I know I'll have to budget more than I would have for a trip out of London.

Some museums and art exhibitions I've been to in New York cost more than they did for me in London.

New York is home to some of the most unique museums and exhibitions I've ever seen.

One of my favorite experiences was at Arcadia Earth, an interactive art installation on environmental issues and ocean exploration. The Museum of Ice Cream was also a fun, Instagram-friendly exhibit that I enjoyed snapping photos of and strolling through.

But I've noticed that admission costs to certain art exhibits tend to be higher than museums I've been to in London.

For example, when I visited, New York's Museum of Modern Art charged $25 for an adult ticket, and the Met charged $30.

In London, I was able to visit museums like the National Gallery and the British Museum for free, as these two venues and more around town were almost always free for all visitors. 

Overall, while I still enjoy visiting museums in New York, the more affordable options in London allowed me to enjoy art and culture more often without worrying about the cost.

I've found that London's architecture and city planning is much older than New York's.

While London is much older than New York, I was still surprised by the stark contrast between the architecture styles of both cities.

In London, there are winding streets and centuries-old landmarks, from the medieval Tower of London to Georgian townhouses.

In New York, I've noticed more skyscrapers and neighborhoods that have a grid-like layout. I think this gives New York a more modern but less picturesque feel than London.

Despite the differences, I think the architectural heritage of both cities is fascinating. I'm interested in history and design, so it's been a treat to explore New York as a new resident and learn the background of the city's landmarks. 

I noticed New Yorkers are more direct than Londoners and talk about more personal topics.

Through the conversations I've had while living in New York and the friend networks I've built so far, I've found New Yorkers to be more open and expressive than most Londoners I know.

People I've met in New York are typically more willing to discuss sensitive topics like money, family, and relationships than I've experienced with colleagues and friends in the UK. This was uncomfortable for me at first, but I've grown to prefer it as it's given me the opportunity to open up more quickly to new people. 

Many New Yorkers I've met are more open about their lives, including in professional situations. At one meetup I had with some industry colleagues, several people shared how much money they were earning. I can't imagine having a similar conversation in London, but without it, I wouldn't have known I was being paid less. 

The public transport system in New York is less efficient and clean than in London, in my opinion.

When it comes to walking, I think New York has an advantage over London with its grid-like streets and sidewalks. 

And while both cities have large public transit systems, I think there are some key differences between the two. I personally took the tube in London more often than I take the train in New York, where I've found the subway system can be crowded and frequently, the trains are delayed. I prefer London's tube, as I find it's more efficient and has cleaner trains. 

However, the air conditioning in New York trains was more consistent during the summer months, in my experience.

And the ticket prices are similar, with New York's single-ride fare at $2.75 and London's at £2.80 for a single Zone One fare, as of March 2023. 

Ultimately, I think both New York City and London offer something for everyone, whether you're a history buff, a culture aficionado, or just looking for a great time.

The choice between the two cities comes down to personal preference, in my opinion, and the kind of experience you're looking for. What London has in history, New York makes up for in modernity and energy, in my experience.

While there are some things I miss about living in London, my year so far of living in New York has been undeniably exciting and I can't wait to learn more about it.