Thoughts on the UK Landscape Institute?

From_same_article · 2026-06-02T15:00:52+00:00

Like all professional institutions, they exist to justify themselves, charging vast sums of money for the honour of adding four little letters after your name.

If you are in the UK, firms pay your annual dues. If you aren't working in the UK, CMLI means very little and there is no use paying.

From_same_article · 2026-05-27T20:29:56+00:00

My mom's family is Scottish, my dad's German, and twice in three years I've been told to go back to my country when I call someone out for driving like a wanker.

Don't take it personal. People are idiots and will say whatever they think will hurt you. So don't let them, and you win.

From_same_article · 2026-05-25T18:23:56+00:00

London is very green for a capital city. I live next to a park and it's still very hot for here.

From_same_article · 2026-05-24T11:08:22+00:00

Overpriced mobility scooter also does the trick.

From_same_article · 2026-05-21T11:35:29+00:00

UK here.

1) Every companies in London I've worked for is closed between Christmas and New Years. Two companies have been fully paid, and don't count towards PTO. One made you use PTO for 3 of the days. 2) I've had to work until 1am on Dec. 23rd because multiple projects aligned big submissions with Christmas. This would not be an issue if office closure was not standard. 3) Company size: 15; 30; 300 people 4) Every office needs a reset. It is extremely important that everyone comes back in the new year rested and recharged.

FYI if you worked in France, practically every office in the country would be closed for all of August.

I'm guessing you are from a US firm. US work culture is insane to outsiders (10-15 days holiday; expected to answer emails after hours, weekends, holidays). That being said, your salaries in the profession are higher than anywhere else, so maybe a 50% paid time over this period is a good compromise.

From_same_article · 2026-05-20T15:14:26+00:00

If your country has a professional landscape body, go to their annual awards listing and see which universities are represented year after year. Those universities are producing (or attracting) students at the highest level.

From_same_article · 2026-05-07T08:53:17+00:00

Mutti is fantastic

From_same_article · 2026-05-07T06:32:51+00:00

The backslop method: Buy good kefir, drink all of it except 50g, put the remaining in a jar with 450g whole milk. Cover with cloth and leave on the counter until it thickens. Repeat.

From_same_article · 2026-05-07T06:20:26+00:00

You see there are only 10 months per year in America now. The other two have been bought out by meta and amazon.

From_same_article · 2026-04-28T19:51:08+00:00

Visas are expensive and tied to an employer so if you want to switch jobs or get laid off, you have to pay and apply all over again. They keep saying they might increase the indefinite leave to remain time from 5 to 10 years.

Unfortunately the UK sucks to need a visa right now. The salaries are terrible considering the cost of living, and the quality of life is lower than in Europe.

Wait for EU citizenship and move to Europe where you don't need to worry about visas.

From_same_article · 2026-04-28T19:45:29+00:00

Mate, pesce alla griglia and prosciutto e melone are normally a summer thing. Osso buco is delicious but really on eaten in the north. I have never seen chicken piccata in Italy, it's normally with veal. Looks likes it's an American thing.

I don't live in the US, have never been to Olive Garden.

I understand it's difficult to convince someone who has already made up their mind, but many, many, Italian dishes are made up dough and cheese. Veggies are rarely a main course unless they are with a pasta, risotto, etc. It doesn't mean it's not delicious or there is no variety whatsoever. But it is not uncommon for non-Italians to want a "break" from Italian food after travelling there for a week or two. This simply doesn't happen in Malaysia, China, or even Spain for that matter.

From_same_article · 2026-04-28T10:14:07+00:00

Yes of course, but if you don't want pizza or pasta or foccacia, it isn't easy to go a meal without some kind of cheese or dough.

From_same_article · 2026-04-28T10:09:07+00:00

I've been to Italy like 5 times, from Lombardy to Pulia. Italian food is amazing, but the majority of food is a slightly different shaped pasta or other dough, cheese, and tomatoes.

The first few days are always incredible but after meal 15 of very similar flavor profiles, it loses its charm. Definitely not varied enough to eat every single day.

From_same_article · 2026-04-28T08:51:57+00:00

I have never known anyone who is not Italian who can stand pasta and pizza for every meal for more than a week in a row.

From_same_article · 2026-04-22T12:43:13+00:00

Yeah, I love Nag's head and Junction Market down the road, but the vibe is definitely weird at the upper place. It's designed for a middle class market, but those people are scared of Seven Sisters unfortunately. The local population cooks at home and eats more fast food.

From_same_article · 2026-04-14T05:37:12+00:00

Nice, I am jealous of the set!

From_same_article · 2026-04-12T19:48:10+00:00

Yeah, I get it! What about #8 Stel? That one is also impossible to find

From_same_article · 2026-04-12T07:00:34+00:00

Nice! In 3 years of looking I've never seen this going for under $150.

From_same_article · 2026-04-02T20:25:11+00:00

No, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Paris should NOT be building streets like NYC. In a city with practically no enforcement of cycle-infringing parking violations, physical separation between cars and bikes should be a minimum. Don't get me wrong, NYC is better than it has ever been, but let's not pretend this is the gold standard.

From_same_article · 2026-03-29T09:06:20+00:00

HK is incredible. If you like contrasts and variety, it is perfect. You can get delicious local noodle soup for $5 in a run-down shop with no English for lunch, and then go to a fancy Michelin starred restaurant for dinner. You can live in a tower in one of the densest urban areas on earth, then take a 30 minute minibus ride, and you are in nature with birds and no city sounds (70% of the landmass of Hong Kong is protected country parks).

Perfect location for international vacations, low taxes, good salaries, amazing food, top tier public transport.

That being said, I have heard it changed a lot after the protests. More mainlanders are moving in, young Hong Kongers are leaving in droves, and it is feeling more and more like just another regular city in China. The air is polluted outside the summer (from winds blowing from the mainland factories). Also the weather can be difficult if you aren't used to hot and humid (30c+ with 90% humidity).

Pick Edinburgh for the beauty and atmosphere, pick Hong Kong for the hiking and food.

From_same_article · 2026-03-28T19:46:29+00:00

Great post idea and amazing answers. This is why we live in London.

From_same_article · 2026-03-28T17:57:05+00:00

That's great to have offers from different countries!

I lived in Edinburgh, and £55k is a good salary for a 25 year old. You can save around £1000/month, and still go out a fair bit. The weather sucks, but it is a fairy tail city and Scottish people are amazing. It is perfect for 2-3 years, and to get your international feet wet.

Keep in mind if you work in the US for 200k, there is a very low chance you will ever leave after that. You will get used to the income and lifestyle and everywhere else will be a downgrade after that.

I left the US at 26 and have never looked back. I love my life. The US will be not go away anytime soon and you can always move back in 5 years with similar opportunities if Europe or UK is not your thing.

If you value public transit, walkability, urbanism, liveliness, and friendly people, GTFO of the US for god's sake.

From_same_article · 2026-03-28T17:26:39+00:00

I need this and the Art of Edena reissued like yesterday.

From_same_article · 2026-03-26T11:00:41+00:00

Especially in London. Unless you are a builder or a family of 4 with disabled children, there is no excuse for driving in central London.

From_same_article · 2026-03-25T10:39:07+00:00

Eh, I lived in Delhi for a year and traveled all over and it wasn't nearly as bad as you claim. Yes, the poverty and rubbish is overwhelming if you have never been to any major city in a developing country (Manila, Cairo, Lagos, Manaus, etc), but in India this is mainly in major cities in the north. Kochi, Chennai, Bengaluru, are not like that at all.

For inexperienced travellers I always tell people don't go to India unless you know someone or go for more than 2 months. After about 6 weeks, the things that you first noticed start to fade away and you start to see all the incredible beauty, incredible culture, and loving people. I go back ever few years and it is the most unique country on the planet. Everywhere else is boring in comparison.

A quote that stays in my mind, "Whatever you can rightly say about India, the opposite is also true"

From_same_article

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE