Inspired by the life in New York thread.

I've only visited Los Angeles three times and the last time I was there it scared me so I did not go back. I was living in Brentwood and there was a mugging just down the street from us. They waited for this man to come home and when he entered his driveway they entered his house with him, robbed him and left him in the car trunk to die. Sad. True story.

I don't know what living in LA is like, but the crime you describe can happen anywhere really.

I live on the outskirts of Bangkok, yet I found the air very thick and muggy in LA.

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[Edited 2/16/09 17:29pm]

Fauxie said:

That was smog silly.

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

Yes, I don't like all the smog. It was taking until after midday to start clearing.

I think that when people discuss LA they think in terms of 30 square miles. LA is more like a state. In the burbs the living is very good, yet Maddy would say he loves living in the heart of it. I could not live in LA or OC proper. I choose to live just outside of them and for it, the air quality is much better as is traffic, general congestion and open spaces. LA is no different then anywhere else in that you have your fantastic areas, bordered by not so fantastic areas. 10 miles will sing a whole new story.

I think the toughest thing about LA is getting into the groove. You'll feel quite the outsider without a proper introduction into the circles right for you.From an outsiders point of view, there is nothing going on. That is considered pretentious by most and therefore undesirable. ( Although it is true of anywhere really)

Fauxie said:

Uh huh... you should have stayed over here.

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

You mean stay outside the city? Yeah, I get what you mean in your post above. It's like Bangkok, certain days, certain areas in the centre, the air is terrible, yet also there are trees everywhere and some places feel cool and breezy and not nearly as polluted. Out here, even though there's no longer any gap development-wise between us and the city proper, it's still very different (for now).

i love visiting i couldn't live there

When I visited (several years ago) I didn't like that the bars closed at 1am; although I guess it's all about the afterparty? That you have to drive everywhere -- especially if you're partying. Drinking and driving is a huge with me. And people look at you as though you have three heads when you ask them about using public transportation. I was at the LA County Museum of Art and wanted to go to Hollywood Boulevard (via public trans.) so I asked the information desk how to do that. They were like does not compute.

I just left and I miss it soooo much.

I want to move there. We will see what next year brings....

Idont live too far away from LA, and I visit alot. I love LA, just wouldnt want to live there.

I love San Francisco enough to move there, but I've never been to L.A. I've heard in some ways they are polar opposites: L.A.'s sort of the airheaded, blinged-out Orange County debutante to SF's self-righteous, gentrifying liberal grad student snob.

I know these are stereotypes, but is the difference quite so pronounced as folk say?
[Edited 2/16/09 20:50pm]

Lammastide said:

NO
but they are different.
The Bay is more laid back and friendlier vibe.
Both are still definitely California also if that makes any sense.

SUPRMAN said:

Would you ever want to live in L.A.?

Lammastide said:

I have been here for about 16 months now.


Used to say I never would,but I'm skeptical that I'll stay.

SUPRMAN said:

Ahhhh... I hadn't noticed you were there! I thought you were in the Bay Area right now.

Lammastide said:

i liken SF to being the closest to a East Coast type city in CA. you have better public transit, it feels like a city because everything has to be built up because of a lack of space, it feels like there is something going on all the time, and the people are friendlier

LA is massive the sprawl is confusing and overwhelming for me. The fact that sometimes you have to factor in a 2-3 traffic jam to get anywhere, and the people aren't as nice as they are in SF but are nicer than they are in SD.

Lammastide said:

Spent 40 years in the Bay Area, so yeah I love it.

ehuffnsd said:

I agree.I live in the Bay Area and it's a more relaxed place than the more hectic Los Angeles.Don't get me wrong,I like visiting L.A. from time to time,but I don't think I could ever live there.The traffic is horrendous and it's way too crowded.

Born and raised... I LA. I suppose the worst thing is that it is so spread out and difficult to navigate at times with no great public transportation. But is has it's pluses and minuses just like any other major city

Some of my favorite sights:

ehuffnsd said:

LA's massive sprawl and major traffic jams are a huge detterent for me too. Interesting that you say LA people are nicer than San Diegans--I always found it to be the exact opposite.

I lived in Santa Barbara for 5 years which is about one hour and a half from La. very very pretty but very expensive and people a bit mad there! ha ha ha

Efan said:

I wouldn't say people are generally unfriendly in LA... to me, it's all about what area you live/work in. The atmosphere in Silver Lake (where I live) is much different to that of Beverly Hills, or Hollywood, or Westwood or Bel Aire. It's too big a place to generalize that way

I live 2 hours from the city of L.A. I go for social reasons and shopping sprees. But I could never live there. The crime, dirt and traffic makes me feel greatful to come home.

PaisleyPark5083 said:

I have close friends who live in Ventura and Ojai - about an 1 1/2 hours from LA. I love visiting there because it's just far enough away to feel like you're getting a respite from the city life. Of course the crime rate is much lower and it's less populated... but ultimately I love the city life. I love going to see movies that are only in release here or in NY and I love all the choices for theater, museums, music clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, etc.

I guess I am sort of the opposite of you - when I want to get away I don't have to go very far for a complete change of scenery. I do like the stimulation of going out, but I can also enjoy the quiet of staying in without much city-interference.

greatdane said:

I did not mean mad in a bad way btw. No hard feelings!

I miss it so much!

An ex used to live nearby Santa Monica. He enjoyed it for a while but confided several times he couldn't get accustomed to it, no matter how hard he tried.

i was born in los angeles and lived there off and on throughout my childhood. i don't miss it. i don't mind going for a visit though.