I wanted to blog some amusing – event though very common – fact about “expats” in London and a recent email by my friend Nicolas de Pomereu with some interesting links just gave me this opportunity.

One of the articles Nicolas pointed out concerned the growth of London City. It is interesting to see that London is one of the fastest growing western cities in terms of business and population. This article highlights the key factors and causes of which are political choices and direction – aspects that could be challenged by the upcoming elections. It also describes the benefits and the drawbacks from this development of the English capital.

This leads me to my amusing fact. I joined the Seder dinner organised by the Jewish community at London Business School and we were all discussing the life in London. Most of us were students from different programs and share some common grievances that I have already heard so often in similar gatherings of “immigrants”. London is expensive. Goddamn expensive. We all hope for better pays and the city surely delivers better salaries than any other place on the continent. But there is a daring price to pay – housing, food, groceries, or going-out. You name it: IT IS expensive.

However, this doesn’t stop the inflow of talents and, let’s face it, low-qualification labour. The article by William Underhill is right to say that Swinging London is still a huge magnet, and will remain so even with its real estate bubble and its high retail prices. Especially for Frenchies like me – wine and cheese (I mean the real stuff, French) are really at a huge premium.

But there is hope. I replied to Nicolas – an enduring entrepreneur – that he could now benefit from a great opportunity to relocate in the Eastern part of London. Go west and then go East. That’s it.