Five things I love about living in London (it's not all doom and gloom, ya know):

5. Riding on the top of a double-decker bus. Which I do every day both to and from work. It hasn't gotten old yet, and I hope it never does.

4. The pub culture, especially boozy lunches on Fridays and a warm corner with a glass of wine and good gossip after work. I love how "going down the pub" is such an essential part of British life - the "third place" that just doesn't exist in American life (despite Starbucks' attempts to the contrary).

3. Sunday Roasts. The English answer to brunch, and much more my speed. Newspapers, a pint, and some roast beef and yorkshire pudding. Even better in a slightly shabby but still hip regenerated boozer like the Prince Bonaparte, The Princess, or the Northgate (our three favorites).

2. Borough Market. A foodie's dream and so authentically and atmospherically London it's almost unreal. I love that I know it well enough to dash in and out for a quick 20 minute shop or to wander for 2 hours. I never thought I'd say this, but the Ferry Plaza just can't compare.

1. My neighborhood. It doesn't look like much, but it's a vibrant, diverse slice of East London. I love that Spitalfields is right down the street and the Columbia Road Flower Market is around the corner. I love that it has the hippest restaurant I've ever been to right around the corner from the homiest. I love our little Food Hall market for everyday, and that Tesco is a 10 minute walk. I love how Zigfrid's is bumpin' at 4pm on a Sunday. I love how it never gets touristy during the day, but is crawling with the B&T crowd on Saturday nights. I love our Thai takeaway place. I love that one of the London;s best boutiques is tucked away in an alley right behind one of its greatest modern furniture stores. I love how close it is to Brick Lane. I love being able to get challah for 50p 24/7. I love our wine store. I love that it's a challenging place to live. It may not be San Francisco, but it's just fine for now.