What do you think of LA?

Question

I'm considering attending a college about an hour away from LA. I've never lived in a city that big. The only really big city I've actually stayed in for any length of time is Chicago. I loved it. But I'm sure the two cities have a very different feel. So what do you think of LA?

Answer 1

its okay, except for the traffic, and cost of living.

Answer 2

For a number of reasons, we get a bunch of questions asking what it’s like in LA in order to move here.

First of all, I'll tell you what it's NOT like: It's not like anything on TV. People watch shows on TV and think that’s what it’s like out here. The “Real OC”, Newport Beach, The Hills, etc. Ever wonder why people in those shows never have to pay bills, do laundry, and are NEVER stuck in traffic? Because it’s FAKE. And the news doesn’t help either, since they know that s*x and sensationalism sells. News flash: There aren’t running gun battles in the street. There aren’t shootouts every day. Also, you don’t see celebrities just walking down the street, all glammed up, or sipping a cappuccino at Starbucks waiting to sign autographs. We don't go surfing during lunch hour.

Some sections are REALLY nice, others are “ghetto”. Too many people have this vision in their head that LA is one or the other (either Beverly Hills or Compton). In fact, most of it is working class and middle class stiffs working to pay the bills.

You NEED a car to live in Southern California. We don’t have an effective public transportation like New York or San Francisco. One reason is that LA is larger in area than either of those, without a central hub where everything is. Back in the 1960’s, we might have done it. But by the time local governments got their act together, it was much more difficult to make a working public transit system. Also, unlike NY, we have earthquakes, which make it a little more difficult to build underground.

The freeway traffic is probably the worst thing about living here. The 405 is the worst. Know why they call it the 405? Because you go 4 o' 5 miles per hour, and it takes 4 o' 5 hours to get where you're going. Freeway Traffic is bad from 6-10 AM and bad from 3-7 PM. I don't know why they call it rush hour. It's more than an hour, and nobody's rushing, that's for sure.

The gangs are the cause of many rumors. Keep in mind that there are gangs in any large town, in every part of the country. In LA, the gangs aren't really downtown, they are in South LA, East LA, and north Long Beach (an extension of the South LA gangs, actually). And here's the deal: Mostly, they just kill each other.

Gas is expensive in California. It’s about 20-30 cents above the national average.

Yes, gas and real estate are very expensive in SoCal. However, this would be the best time to BUY a house because it's a buyer's market right now. There are a lot of foreclosures, and too many houses on the market.

Yep, freeways are a drag, it's smoggy in summer, and expensive to live here. Yet, if it's so bad, why do we have thousands and thousands of people moving here?

Weather, Activities, Plenty of jobs, Beaches, mountains, deserts all within driving distance, and plenty of opportunity for those who have the skills and tenacity.

In colder parts of the country, people keep their cars in their garages all winter. Kids get snow toys for Christmas. Here, kids get BIKES, scooters, and skateboards. 10 AM Christmas morning, the streets are FULL of kids on their new bikes, scooters, etc. We have a play set from Costco in the back yard. I installed a light in the yard and our youngest plays on it (sometimes with friends) at night during the “winter”. You can't do THAT in the snow.

The job market is good here, mainly because there are SO many people here that it creates its own job market. Then there are MANY industries, including tourism, entertainment, shipping, manufacturing, etc. It’s an incredible economy.

However, it is not for everyone. Every time someone posts this question, you get the LA haters who post their bile and venom. A lot of them don’t know what they are talking about. Some people never even visit, and hate it on principle and stereotypes. Some actually visited once, and found out it wasn’t like it was on TV, and it certainly wasn’t Mayberry. And some actually lived here, and couldn’t deal with the expense, the traffic, or the somewhat impersonal nature of living in a large metropolis. To those I would say “good luck” to you wherever you are, but please don’t spew your hatred in this forum.

As for lifestyle, it’s rather casual. You work during the week, and then go do something fun on the weekend, so that you can impress your coworkers around the water cooler on Monday.

To summarize, LA a HUGE metropolis that really defies easy description. I live in one of the nicer suburbs, but the commute is no fun, often 1-2 hours each way each day. However, 340+ days of sunshine really helps. Yeah, it's expensive. Mrs. Obviousman and I both have to work to pay the mortgage. But is it worth it? You bet!

Answer 3

I love it!

Lots of things to do and you can NEVER be bored there!

Basically, if you get bored in LA, you aren't human! LOL.

The only thing I don't like about LA is having to wake up early just get to work.

And the cost of living in LA is a JOKE!!! A really small house in Long Beach (1bd, 1ba, 500 sq. ft.) for $1100 a month! (ugh.. :( )

(I could get a bigger house in Paso Robles, CA [at least an extra bedroom and 300+ sq. ft. for the same price])

Answer 4

It sucks, its polluted, its hot, tons of illegals, its expensive. My opinion on LA is not very high at all! !

Answer 5

Pretty much what Nessie said.

Answer 6

Let me first address something Nessie stated:  If you live in the heart of the city, or close to downtown, you'll see much which will turn you off.

However, if you stay on the more desirable west side, and more especially along the coast, most of those aforementioned turn-offs are not so noticeable.

L.A. is like any other major metropolitan area...lots of people, lots of traffic, large areas of crime and expensive living.

But, like any other major city, there is much to do in L.A., and always plenty of interesting things happening.

Answer 7

An hour away from the center of LA or an hour away from the edge of LA? Because an hour away from the center of LA is still in greater LA.

But really, I came here in 2001 and I still love LA. Sure it has its faults and maybe 10% of the city is a keep out area for decent folks but overall LA is a great place to live.

The pollution is far lower than it was in the 70s and the variety of people adds spice to your life. And you will certainly develop a taste for spicier food after a while.

And I just love that there is no snow here. No, you don't miss it at all. It rains just enough in the winter to get a little chilly and that's all the seasons you really want anyway.

Just make sure you find a place to live at or near your school because too many people make the mistake of getting a place to live in a cool area and then find it is a 3 hour commute to get to school.

The only downside to LA is that housing is more expensive. Most young people rent a share in a house or apartment for maybe $600 a month.

Answer 8

tain't cheap  you'll need lots and lots and lots of money.