Above all else, Londoners take pride in the riches found in the museums, art galleries and historical memorial halls, embodying the city's long historical traditions. These institutions attract not only general tourists but also specialists searching for antiques and old literature in their respective fields. Many authoritative academic societies are headquartered here and maintain established links with scholars worldwide. I've heard that newly found insects are recognized and registered by the society of entomologists in London. The city has high cultural standards, which impress me.

The suburbs are also attractive, and greenery is abundant and wild animals protected. In the U.K., local governments buy unused land to preserve the greenery, and you can run into deer and sometimes foxes. A lifestyle of working downtown and living in the green suburbs is very popular, even if commuting takes more than an hour one-way. London is a place where you can enjoy the pleasure of harmonizing urban convenience with suburban comfort, or blending sophisticated culture with relaxing nature.

London is indeed a global community. On the tube or bus, you barely hear conversations in English. Instead, the languages are of Continental Europe, the Mideast, Africa or Asia. Most often than not an African language is spoken, but people have to speak in English on important occasions. A non-citizen can get a working visa if he or she can prove they have lived in the U.K. for four years, and receive medical care free of charge at public medical facilities. Perhaps these are some of the reasons why the U.K. attracts so many immigrants. Inevitably, immigration control has become very strict at airports and other points of entry.

Traffic jams are as much a headache for Londoners as for other big city dwellers. They collect eight pounds a day, what is known as a congestion charge, for an ordinary car entering the city during a workday, but this is nothing more than a drop in the bucket. One of the reasons for the congestion is the absence of an expressway crossing the urban area, the absence of which is explained by aesthetic reasons. London taxis are a London peculiarity, but you are well advised to avoid taking one during morning and evening rush hour.

Everyone's eyes are glued to soccer matches in this homeland of football, following the players' unparalleled speed and technical excellence. When you are watching a game between top-level teams, you can never look away as an amazing play may occur at any time. There are many other pastimes available to residents in the U.K., including tennis, golf, horse racing and cricket during the day, and theatrical plays, ballet, musical shows and concerts at night. There is much more in London that will charm you, but please look for the rest yourself.