North and south England

E Lynne, I often hear about this divide between north and south in England. What are the differences between the north and the south?

L Well, the weather – I think there’s a big difference there (uhuh), erm, I think the north is probably wetter, and probably a little cooler as well, whereas in the south, it does rain obviously, because, well, it’s England, but it, it, rains a little less, I would say.

E What about the people? Are they different?

L Well, now, people say that er, in the north it’s much friendlier, and I think that probably is true. It takes longer to get to know people in the south, perhaps.

E Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that. Erm, what about the cost of living?

L Well, I think the north is definitely cheaper there, er, if you want to buy a house, it’s much cheaper (uhuh). I think things like food and just the general cost of living I think is, is cheaper in the north.

E I think of London and the south, erm, is it more cosmopolitan in the south?

L Well, London is certainly very cosmopolitan, but there are other cities in the north of England as well, like Manchester or Leeds or Liverpool, that are also now very cosmopolitan and and have become very interesting cities.

E Uhuh.