#stottie

Newcastle will always have a place in my heart; London will not. Here is why. 

1. The Cost

First things first. Things are SO much cheaper in the north.

You will actually return from buying a round worried that YOU have shortchanged the barman... really.

It is reported that Tyne and Wear is one of the cheapest places to buy a pint - 65p less than London! 

2. The Nightlife

The nightlife has been subject to ridicule due to certain MTV shows... but actually, those cheap pints you are drinking, are decent in taste and environment!

Pubs like The Cumberland Arms and The Brandling Villa serve fantastic local brews, as well as ample places for a boogie! 

3. The Sites 

You'd be surprised at the number of beautiful sites in Newcastle.

Grey Street was voted the best street in Britain, and the bridges along the Tyne each have a wonderful story; all next to each other in a unique and wonderful way.  

We have our own Trafalgar Square in the shape of Grey's Monument (without all the bloody pigeons).

We also have Hadrian's Wall - all in walking distance (forget the Tube and those confusing zones, the Metro is MUCH easier).

  4. The People

No two ways about it - the Geordies are WAY friendlier than the miserable Southerners that plod their way around London. 

The accent has been voted the friendliest accent in the UK, and it's not THAT hard to understand. 

Try talking to a stranger on the train in the South, you will be judged silently; do the same in Newcastle, and you may just find your new best friend! 

Not only that, we have some AWESOME exports: Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail, Sting, Mark Knopfler, The Animals, Ant and Dec, MR BEAN! 

5. The Size

You can't just 'pop' into town when you live in London; you have to get numerous tubes to various over-crowded places depending on what you need. 

In Newcastle, everything is compact, not too busy and accessible via some easy public transport/car parks and walking. 

We have two universities in the city centre, again, all in close proximity to shops and bars.

6. The Food

We brought the world Greggs. We could just leave it there, but London doesn't have the delights of Stotties, Pease Pudding, Pan Haggarty and Singin' Hinnies.

I challenge you to find me a better hangover cure than a Ham and Pease Pudding Stottie...

  7. The Scenery

Just 20 minutes away from the city centre is the beautiful North Sea Coast line, along with Tynemouth Priory, Cullercoats Bay - further up you have Alnmouth, Holy Island, Bamburgh - all just beautiful - in London, you have to brave the trains and M25 to get to the seaside. 

Go the other way and you have the rolling hills of Northumberland, the unaltered beauty is the hidden gem of England. 

Surrey and the South Downs have NOTHING on this. 

8. The Music

Few people know that the North East has some of the deepest roots in folk music. The Northumbrian Smallpipes are a quieter, nicer sounding bagpipe; the tunes are sweet and friendly. Waters Of Tyne  is a particular favourite. Find me goose-pimple causing tunes like THAT in London! 

On top of that, the music scene in Newcastle is certainly not dry - The Sage hosts a variety of big and new names in music, as well as fantastic festivals. The Metro Arena hosts the same big names as the O2, and the smaller pub venues are never without gigs. 

9. The Exports

The Railway, Lucozade, Viz, Newcastle Brown Ale

10. The Football

Forget your London derbies, Spurs, Chelseas, ARSEnals, West Hams - you London fans are NOTHING compared to the Toon Army. 

Gazza, Shearer, Robson, Beardsley - the golden boys of Newcastle United. 

On top of that, no matter how dreadful the score, the supporters still SUPPORT. I can never call myself a footie fan, but it is imprinted in my blood to scream bloody murder at a Newcastle match. Fact. 

There you have it. Why Newcastle is WAY better than London.