I've been living in San Diego since 1979...spent at least a month of every summer in Los Angeles/Pomona/West Covina as a kid. Grew up at Dodger Stadium, the LA County Fair, Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm.

Got older and partied in Hollywood, Riverside, Glendale...

THERE IS NO PLACE THAT COMPARES.

I will never live anywhere else.

This pretty much describes it...

You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.

That said, my dream is to live in Southern California.

I'm originally from Texas an I can tell you that the Dallas crowd was not much different than the Hollywood crowd. If your thing is running in the fast lane with the fast crowd then yes, there will be consequences.

But LA is much more than the tabloid fodder. Yes it exists but it's hardly the norm. The entire entertainment industry is somewhat unregulated because there is always 10 people ready to do your job. But what I do see is a lot of people working their assess off in conditions that would make HR executives faint. People out here put up with a lot more, than say Dallas, because the ambition and the drive to make it is huge. And I don't mean just "movie stars," and "pop singers," but everyone from the receptionist at a production company to the film directors are only as good as their last project, so the hussle is definitely always on.

But, that's just the Hollywood machine. LA has a lot more to offer. I do not work in the entertainment industry but most of my friends do and they love it and they love what they do and they are some of the happiest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I do hear the occasssional gossip but mostly it's about the work, the work, and the work.

Oh and if LA has a high level of alcoholics and druggies, I think we also have the highest "recovery," rates in the country; at least I'm assuming from all the long lines to the AA meetings.

All my friends are moving to LA one by one because they're into film, and some are starting to get pulled into the big movie business. I've been invited time and time again to move there to hang and start trying to work on stuff, and I do want to try it soon....

Oh shit... I just noticed Charlie Murphy is in "Jungle Fever"!

Timmy84 said:

And before I start, this was not just a realization but I've known of all these celebrity deaths and all of that in Hollywood/California, it definitely gives me an impression that Hollywood/California is an unsafe place especially if you're a celebrity. This is celebrity related really because I've noticed a trend of famous celebrities who have met serious fates there from Sam Cooke to John Belushi to Marvin Gaye and on down, and now with Michael and Whitney, I just wonder what's this thing with Hollywood and deaths and I wonder if it's just coincidence or what.

Just wanted a debate on this.

It's coincidence.

It's what you make it.

If you have problems, they become magnified.

But a lot of people like to pretend problems don't exist so the suppress and avoid.

Hollywood didn't kill Whitney . . .

Genesia said:

I don't think it really changes people. I think it magnifies vulnerabilities that are already there.

Yup

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Timmy84 said:

I always heard if you come to Los Angeles that people can tell where you're from and you automatically are looked on as foreign to them. Like they have their own language in L.A., Beverly Hills, etc.

Los Angeles is made up, probably, of more transplants than natives. I'm a native and people are always surprised when I tell them I'm from Cali.

Los Angeles is AMAZING. The opportunities here are unlike anywhere else. I love L.A.

I like L.A. I love Oakland.

Timmy84 said:

SUPRMAN said:

Timmy84 said:

And before I start, this was not just a realization but I've known of all these celebrity deaths and all of that in Hollywood/California, it definitely gives me an impression that Hollywood/California is an unsafe place especially if you're a celebrity. This is celebrity related really because I've noticed a trend of famous celebrities who have met serious fates there from Sam Cooke to John Belushi to Marvin Gaye and on down, and now with Michael and Whitney, I just wonder what's this thing with Hollywood and deaths and I wonder if it's just coincidence or what.

Just wanted a debate on this.

It's coincidence.

It's what you make it.

If you have problems, they become magnified.

But a lot of people like to pretend problems don't exist so the suppress and avoid.

Hollywood didn't kill Whitney . . .

Well said Sup, I agree.

ThruTheEyesOfWonder said:

This pretty much describes it...

You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.

That said, my dream is to live in Southern California.

If I ever leave Long Island, that's where I'd like to go.

Never been there myself, but everyone who has tells me it's an amazing place to live.

Timmy84 said:

And before I start, this was not just a realization but I've known of all these celebrity deaths and all of that in Hollywood/California, it definitely gives me an impression that Hollywood/California is an unsafe place especially if you're a celebrity. This is celebrity related really because I've noticed a trend of famous celebrities who have met serious fates there from Sam Cooke to John Belushi to Marvin Gaye and on down, and now with Michael and Whitney, I just wonder what's this thing with Hollywood and deaths and I wonder if it's just coincidence or what.

Just wanted a debate on this.

I'm assuming you're speaking of Hollywood/California as a state of mind rather than a geographical location. Because having actually lived there for nearly 13 years, just two blocks off from the famed corner of Hollywood & Vine, I can say definitively that it's no less safe a place to live than say Brooklyn, NY or Las Vegas, NV. That's not to say that the place doesn't change you though, but only in as much as any particular environment changes anyone; you adapt and grow.

However I will say that for the time I lived there (1981-1993), Hollywood is a much darker place than many people may ascertain from the glamorous imagery and lavish lifestyles that the media depicts. I would just tend to agree more with what some here have already stated; that Hollywood may just provide more opportunities for people to do to themselves what they were probably already inclined to do (i.e. self-destruct). And I'm sure the competitive backdrop probably only lends to that tendency.

i spent couple of nights in hollywood & that was two nights too many. no thankyou, the place is a shithole, plastic as fuck. i would get severe depression in that place & take anything to help me believe i was somewhere else

Even the bums are pretentious fucks in Hollywood

Genesia said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I agree with this.

Since moving to California, my sister has had a nose job, a boob job, fillers, Botox, and heaven knows what else. Now, she might have done all that had she stayed in the Midwest - but I doubt it. Still, those insecurities had to have been there before. [Edited 2/17/12 12:49pm]

Sounds like body dysmorphic syndrome.

This is kind of not related....but here in Atlanta, there are so many movies and television show being produced. And of course the music industry machine as well. I'd imagine Atlanta pales in comparision, but living here i'm sure u can live in the burbs and work your regular job and completely miss the Hollywood element like I do. I have family in Irvine and they are SOO regular! And super happy!

In ATL, whenever we go into the city it is definitly people looking for leverage with every single person that they meet. And it can suck people in.

The entertainment business for a lot of people is an excuse to stay 17, party like rock star, and deny inner demons. It is a vacant and empty place and if you are not STRONG in mind, it can really tear ou up.

Side note, Atlanta is Hollywood, but they love phat asses here! Perhaps better body image!

It may influence some celebrities in a negative way but I think it has been a very inspiring place for Prince from time to time.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Timmy84 said:

I always heard if you come to Los Angeles that people can tell where you're from and you automatically are looked on as foreign to them. Like they have their own language in L.A., Beverly Hills, etc.

Los Angeles is made up, probably, of more transplants than natives. I'm a native and people are always surprised when I tell them I'm from Cali.

Los Angeles is AMAZING. The opportunities here are unlike anywhere else. I love L.A.

I bet it is an amazing and inspiring place but what, in your experience, are the things that make LA so special and unlike any other place? I´d love to hear your opinion since you´re an LA native.

rdhull said:

KoolEaze said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Los Angeles is made up, probably, of more transplants than natives. I'm a native and people are always surprised when I tell them I'm from Cali.

Los Angeles is AMAZING. The opportunities here are unlike anywhere else. I love L.A.

I bet it is an amazing and inspiring place but what, in your experience, are the things that make LA so special and unlike any other place? I´d love to hear your opinion since you´re an LA native.

Culture - We have them all. Because so many different people are here from all over the world we hear of/experience/participate in other people's traditions. Because of this we are exposed to many different foods. On my way to Hollywood I can stop at Jewish Deli's, Middle Eastern Restaurants, hit Korean BBQ, Indian Tandoori, anything Mexican and just about anything else you could think of.

Also you have people that come here from all over the United States so you have a similar type of experience as above, on a national level.

Spirituality - There are incredible opportunities for people who are searching for their path in life. Again, because of all the different types of people that live here you have many expressions of faith and people tend to be more open minded to differences expressed by other people.

Location Location Location - You can experience any type of place you want within 2 hour drive, mostly though you can get to these places in an hour or less. We live next to the Ocean so you can go there. You can go to the desert. You can go to the mountains. You can live a city life or live in the outskirts. Vegas is 6 hours away. San Francisco is an hour flight away.

Weather - Many places have one kind of seasonal experience. If it's winter it snows for months. If it's Summer your going to fry your ass off. In the winter we don't have snow but you can go to it in the Mountains. In the summer it's not so debilitatingly hot but you can get to the desert and the heat if that is what you like. 80 degree weather is normal here, even in winter.

Los Angeles is glorious. It really is the City of the Angels.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

KoolEaze said:

I bet it is an amazing and inspiring place but what, in your experience, are the things that make LA so special and unlike any other place? I´d love to hear your opinion since you´re an LA native.

Culture - We have them all. Because so many different people are here from all over the world we hear of/experience/participate in other people's traditions. Because of this we are exposed to many different foods. On my way to Hollywood I can stop at Jewish Deli's, Middle Eastern Restaurants, hit Korean BBQ, Indian Tandoori, anything Mexican and just about anything else you could think of.

Also you have people that come here from all over the United States so you have a similar type of experience as above, on a national level.

Spirituality - There are incredible opportunities for people who are searching for their path in life. Again, because of all the different types of people that live here you have many expressions of faith and people tend to be more open minded to differences expressed by other people.

Location Location Location - You can experience any type of place you want within 2 hour drive, mostly though you can get to these places in an hour or less. We live next to the Ocean so you can go there. You can go to the desert. You can go to the mountains. You can live a city life or live in the outskirts. Vegas is 6 hours away. San Francisco is an hour flight away.

Weather - Many places have one kind of seasonal experience. If it's winter it snows for months. If it's Summer your going to fry your ass off. In the winter we don't have snow but you can go to it in the Mountains. In the summer it's not so debilitatingly hot but you can get to the desert and the heat if that is what you like. 80 degree weather is normal here, even in winter.

Los Angeles is glorious. It really is the City of the Angels.

Thanks for the quick reply Supa! I expected almost exactly these answers from you and it´s cool to see my ideas and notions of LA being reaffirmed by you. Surely LA and California have their pros and cons but this thread seemed to focus a bit more on the cons. You and Suprman kind of brought some balance.

Ever since I was a kid, I´ve had this strange connection with LA even though I´ve never been there. Whether it´s the climate, the music, the beach culture, the geography or the movies and TV series that are based there, I´ve always felt like LA is a place that I should definitely visit one day, if not work there for maybe a few months or a year. Ironically, I also think I should spend time in NYC but it´s a different thing with LA. I feel LA has a lot that I could connect with. I see it less as a place of temptations (because those can be found anywhere) but rather as a very energetic and motivating place, but in a less stressful way than NYC. It´s no wonder that many people, from athletes to artists, have reached their goals there.

Your post made me want to visit LA even more than I already wanted to.

It isnt hollywood or cali that changes a person its the person that decides to fuck up theyre own life.

[Edited 2/19/12 14:32pm]

jon1967 said:

It isnt hollywood or cali that changes a person its the person that decides to fuck up theyre own life.

^ I was in the audience while this was being filmed.

PDogz said:

jon1967 said:

It isnt hollywood or cali that changes a person its the person that decides to fuck up theyre own life.

^ I was in the audience while this was being filmed.

COOL!

RodeoSchro said:

She's going Hollywood Tonight

*inserts conspiracy theory here*

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

KoolEaze said:

I bet it is an amazing and inspiring place but what, in your experience, are the things that make LA so special and unlike any other place? I´d love to hear your opinion since you´re an LA native.

Culture - We have them all. Because so many different people are here from all over the world we hear of/experience/participate in other people's traditions. Because of this we are exposed to many different foods. On my way to Hollywood I can stop at Jewish Deli's, Middle Eastern Restaurants, hit Korean BBQ, Indian Tandoori, anything Mexican and just about anything else you could think of.

Also you have people that come here from all over the United States so you have a similar type of experience as above, on a national level.

Spirituality - There are incredible opportunities for people who are searching for their path in life. Again, because of all the different types of people that live here you have many expressions of faith and people tend to be more open minded to differences expressed by other people.

Location Location Location - You can experience any type of place you want within 2 hour drive, mostly though you can get to these places in an hour or less. We live next to the Ocean so you can go there. You can go to the desert. You can go to the mountains. You can live a city life or live in the outskirts. Vegas is 6 hours away. San Francisco is an hour flight away.

Weather - Many places have one kind of seasonal experience. If it's winter it snows for months. If it's Summer your going to fry your ass off. In the winter we don't have snow but you can go to it in the Mountains. In the summer it's not so debilitatingly hot but you can get to the desert and the heat if that is what you like. 80 degree weather is normal here, even in winter.

Los Angeles is glorious. It really is the City of the Angels.

Well said............. I love L.A. I will NEVER EVER move anywhere else. We have the best weather and easy access to the beaches, mountains, and deserts. I have lived here my whole life.

I think the poster probably meant to talk about the entertainment industry, not the location.

i just got home a few days ago from a trip down to L.A., and i hated it for the most part. but i was with my parents and they didn't want to go to see any of the cool stuff while there. mostly spent time in the county hospital visiting my aunt who is very ill with cancer. and then a lot of time in west covina where my grandma lives.

i was born in duarte, and lived in southern cali for years as a child. we did drive home the 101 north towards where i live in central california. and i enjoyed stopping at ventura pier.

dJJ said:

Genesia said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: Since moving to California, my sister has had a nose job, a boob job, fillers, Botox, and heaven knows what else. Now, she might have done all that had she stayed in the Midwest - but I doubt it. Still, those insecurities had to have been there before. [Edited 2/17/12 12:49pm]

Sounds like body dysmorphic syndrome.

It's not really that deep, I don't think.

It's just standard m.o. when you live and operate in an environment that touts youth and beauty as power and popularity currency.

Though not entirely to the same degree, I experienced seeing people do that during my decade in Miami Beach as well. Living in a place drenched with budding 17 year old supermodels who naturally had pert boobs and weighed 3lbs, there was definitely pressure on non-fashion industry women to keep everything looking tight and right so that they could compete in Miami workplaces and social scenes. There just seems to be certain pockets of society where women fall prey by the thousands chasing the elusive fountain of youth, and trying to keep up with the Miss Joneses.

Ottensen said:

dJJ said:

Sounds like body dysmorphic syndrome.

It's not really that deep, I don't think.

It's just standard m.o. when you live and operate in an environment that touts youth and beauty as power and popularity currency.

Though not entirely to the same degree, I experienced seeing people do that during my decade in Miami Beach as well. Living in a place drenched with budding 17 year old supermodels who naturally had pert boobs and weighed 3lbs, there was definitely pressure on non-fashion industry women to keep everything looking tight and right so that they could compete in Miami workplaces and social scenes. There just seems to be certain pockets of society where women fall prey by the thousands chasing the elusive fountain of youth, and trying to keep up with the Miss Joneses.

Why would they? There's a lot of beauty in aging. What's wrong with looking your age?

Reading all the posts here, I've come to one conclusion, yeah Hollywood has a little to do with changing you...but the bottom line...

MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING! It dosent matter where you live. Remember, some folks that came into money very fast, don't know how to handle it. Most artists and entetainers come from humble beginnings. Once they have made it, that feel that they must continue to live up to everyone's expectations, and really it's all they know. It's now like they can become nurse, or UPS driver after selling millions or had a string of blockbuster hits. I couldn't live that way 24/7.

Fame has a price, and it's a steep one if you don't know how to handle it.

They shake your hand and they smile
And they buy you a drink
They say we'll be your friends
We'll stick with you till the end
Ah but everybody's only
Looking out for themselves
And you say well who can you trust
I'll tell you it's just
Nobody else's money -

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

For the love of money is the root of all evil.