NationStates Jolt Archive

So I'm moving out there in the new year, away from my favourite city in the world (London) to a place that apparantly has more murders than books and people haven't exactly been encouraging whenever I've revealed that I can't drive.

The only positive seems to be that it's sunny, so I'll be tanned and miserable.

Is it as bad as I have been led to believe?

Something nice about LA? It's waaay the fuck over on the west coast. Far far away from me. It's like suburb turned cancerous.

I hate LA, but I'm biased against large cities.

Good thing though, you won't be too far from nice deserts and mountains and beaches. Good places.

Someday it will fall of into the ocean, and that will probably clean up some of the pollution and litter.
*shrugs*

So I'm moving out there in the new year, away from my favourite city in the world (London) to a place that apparantly has more murders than books and people haven't exactly been encouraging whenever I've revealed that I can't drive.

The only positive seems to be that it's sunny, so I'll be tanned and miserable.

Is it as bad as I have been led to believe?

its only bad if you go into the ghetto...its actually very rich and upscale for the most part. so stick out of downtown (which wont be a problem) and you'll live like a king.

LA has excellent Mexican food. Stay away from the big chains and try a local hole in the wall place for the good stuff. What part are you moving to, do you know?

Depends on where you move to. There are bad parts, but there are beautiful parts of LA, too. It's geographically huge so to say you're moving here doesn't tell anyone much. Let's see, you can ski at 8 in the morning and be surfing by noon. Whatever kind of music you like, whatever kind of art you like, whatever kind of food you like you not only find here but you can find some of the best of whatever it is that the world has to offer. I actualy am good friends with three people who moved here from London and all of them intended to go back and none of them are now. They all intend to stay. Places to live - try Burbank, Simi Valley, West San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, some areas of Hollywood, Some areas of Long Beach, San Pedro, Manhatten Beach. Some areas of Downtown LA are experiencing this whole sort of revival but it's a little pricey. Silverlake is very bohemian and still cheap.

LA has excellent Mexican food. Stay away from the big chains and try a local hole in the wall place for the good stuff. What part are you moving to, do you know?

We're yet to find a place, but we've got the budget to get a decent area.

I'm not too interested in Mexican food, as a Brit my tastebuds only respond to grease and ketchup.

Lunky, funky, junky, wunky and whats that other word, and all kinds of bad stuff, wooo

[LA is] like several thousand square miles of American express junk mail, but without the same sense of moral depth. Also the air is, for some reason, yellow

Just thought I would throw this in

Where will you be working? What area, I mean.

Hawt people.
And thats about it.

One of my biggest concerns, having made my peace with the likelihood L.A won't compare to London culturally, is that my inability to drive will be a big obstacle. Realistically, for the L.A based here, will I be able to get by? Is there any public transport not intended solely for those who can't afford a car?

We're yet to find a place, but we've got the budget to get a decent area.
See PsychoticDan's suggestions on places to live, above. I like Santa Monica myself.

I'm not too interested in Mexican food, as a Brit my tastebuds only respond to grease and ketchup.
Lol well there's more to L.A. than the Mexican food, it was just the first thing that popped into my head. There's art, music, nightlife, food...

One of my biggest concerns, having made my peace with the likelihood L.A won't compare to London culturally, is that my inability to drive will be a big obstacle. Realistically, for the L.A based here, will I be able to get by? Is there any public transport not intended solely for those who can't afford a car?

Born and raised and lived here for 34 of my 37 years. Tell me where you'll be working and I'll tell you where to look for a place.

Where will you be working? What area, I mean.

I'm a writer, so I'll be working for whoever is stupid enough to employ me.

I'm a writer, so I'll be working for whoever is stupid enough to employ me.

What kind of writing? Newspaper? TV? Movies?

What kind of writing? Newspaper? TV? Movies?

Movies

The beaches?

As a UK citizen I would love to be able to live in another country. Unfortunately, I can't afford to leave the UK.
(You liberal lefties in the UK want things all your own way so much, I think it is only fair for you to pay up to get rid of me. You've aleady made a mess of the country so far. Just think of what you could do without me being around to object all the time - donations gratefully accepted by anyone stupid enough to send me the money).

If I could, I wouldn't go to LA - (This is based a holiday there) It is basically a bloody big city and bloody big cities, anywhere, suck.

Movies

Try Burbank, Silverlake or some areas of North Hollywood. You'll be able to use Mass Trans to get to Hollywood which, if you want into the movie business, is where you'll need to be going. As to North Hollywood, be carefull. There are nice places there and it's not to expensive, but there are bad places there, too. If you can afford Burbank that's your best bet in terms of crime and all that. If you're looking for good, close nightlife and low cost try Silverlake. Very artsy and bohemian with a lot of bars and coffeeshops. Any of those areas are a train ride from Hollywood.

Tell me something nice about Los Angeles

It isn't Detroit. *shudders*

As a UK citizen I would love to be able to live in another country. Unfortunately, I can't afford to leave the UK.
(You liberal lefties in the UK want things all your own way so much, I think it is only fair for you to pay up to get rid of me. You've aleady made a mess of the country so far. Just think of what you could do without me being around to object all the time - donations gratefully accepted by anyone stupid enough to send me the money).

If I could, I wouldn't go to LA - (This is based a holiday there) It is basically a bloody big city and bloody big cities, anywhere, suck.

Just con an American girl into marrying you.

Thanks for your help Psychotic Dan (if you ever plan a vacation to London - and you should - give me a shout) I'll look into Silverlake although I think I'll have to give in to the evils of the car. At least gas will be cheap.

As a Northern Californian I am incapable of playing nice with SoCal except to defend it as part of California, so take my reluctance to say something nice in that light.

And, it's attached to Northern California, so there is that ;).

Good luck with the screenwriting.

I'm not too interested in Mexican food, as a Brit my tastebuds only respond to grease and ketchup.

Seems like you are a good candidate to eat Mexican food.

Just con an American girl into marrying you.

Thanks for your help Psychotic Dan (if you ever plan a vacation to London - and you should - give me a shout) I'll look into Silverlake although I think I'll have to give in to the evils of the car. At least gas will be cheap.

If you get a car then you're way more open. Try Santa Monica or, if you want to live a a really beautiful place and don't mind a commute Topanga Canyon. You'll wake up to dear on your front porch. Also, if you're mobile, check out Manhatten Beach. Nightlife, bikinis everywhere all summer. Beach BBQs and parties all the time. If I could move that's where I'd go.

If I could, I wouldn't go to LA - (This is based a holiday there) It is basically a bloody big city and bloody big cities, anywhere, suck.

Big bloody cities are the only places to live if you want more out of life than your 90 year old grandmother. I couldn't imagine living in a small town or villiage where you're miles away from anything worth seeing.

Where do you live by the way?

If you get a car then you're way more open. Try Santa Monica or, if you want to live a a really beautiful place and don't mind a commute Topanga Canyon. You'll wake up to dear on your front porch. Also, if you're mobile, check out Manhatten Beach. Nightlife, bikinis everywhere all summer. Beach BBQs and parties all the time. If I could move that's where I'd go.

I had heard good things about Santa Monica but also very bad things about the freeway (possibly? This is where I get confused) that connects it to somewhere. Or something.

Raymond Chandler lived and worked in LA (of course he did move south to La Jolla at one point but it's nice there, too).

There's been some major work done on restoring the Los Angeles River.

Southern California does have marvelous weather. At a price, the ground shakes now and then. Nothing's free.

One of my biggest concerns, having made my peace with the likelihood L.A won't compare to London culturally, is that my inability to drive will be a big obstacle. Realistically, for the L.A based here, will I be able to get by? Is there any public transport not intended solely for those who can't afford a car?
Out of curiosity, what is it about the culture in London that you think you'll miss?

Big bloody cities are the only places to live if you want more out of life than your 90 year old grandmother. I couldn't imagine living in a small town or villiage where you're miles away from anything worth seeing.

Where do you live by the way?

In a small bloody city in the middle of England.
I long for a nice deserted beach, somewhere hot, sunny and with no liberal lefties around.

"L.A. Story" was a funny movie. :)

See PsychoticDan's suggestions on places to live, above. I like Santa Monica myself.
A friend of mine lived & worked in LA for a couple of months or so and as far as I recall she lived in (or near) Santa Monica, and she really liked it. It sounded really nice, from what she told us.

And she didn't have a car yet she still survived. So I guess it's doable.

Out of curiosity, what is it about the culture in London that you think you'll miss?

The music, especially the small little places that it took me years to find, soccer, pubs on every corner (I will fight to the death anyone who says this is not culture, liver damage is the national pastime), the museums, soccer, the galleries, soccer, those zany modern artists who bring their unique brand of not-having-a-real-job-ing to the streets, the Tate, soccer, all those lovely indipendent and specialist bookshops that have somehow survived on what must be astronomical rents, soccer.

A post of mine that has seemingly vanished into thin air basically said that I'd heard good things about Santa Monica but if my memory was working correctly and there was every chance it wasn't, someone had said something bad about the freeway or something. I know traffic in general is a problem but it can't be worse than London.

A post of mine that has seemingly vanished into thin air basically said that I'd heard good things about Santa Monica but if my memory was working correctly and there was every chance it wasn't, someone had said something bad about the freeway or something. I know traffic in general is a problem but it can't be worse than London.

I already approved that one. It should be visible now. There's a Moderated Posts bug going around, but I'm approving them as quickly as I can.

I had heard good things about Santa Monica but also very bad things about the freeway (possibly? This is where I get confused) that connects it to somewhere. Or something.

Yeah. Commute's not so good. Not so bad to get to Hollywood from there, though.

The music, especially the small little places that it took me years to find, soccer, pubs on every corner (I will fight to the death anyone who says this is not culture, liver damage is the national pastime), the museums, soccer, the galleries, soccer, those zany modern artists who bring their unique brand of not-having-a-real-job-ing to the streets, the Tate, soccer, all those lovely indipendent and specialist bookshops that have somehow survived on what must be astronomical rents, soccer.

they should really be on charitable support :D

oh and (to be polite) who do you support? :p

A post of mine that has seemingly vanished into thin air basically said that I'd heard good things about Santa Monica but if my memory was working correctly and there was every chance it wasn't, someone had said something bad about the freeway or something. I know traffic in general is a problem but it can't be worse than London.

Actually, the traffic is denser and slower in London, but you never have as far to go. The problem in Los Angeles is that it's just geographically so huge.

they should really be on charitable support :D

oh and (to be polite) who do you support? :p

I'm a dirty, dirty plastic scouser and have a lame second team thing going on with Brentford.

The music, especially the small little places that it took me years to find, soccer, pubs on every corner (I will fight to the death anyone who says this is not culture, liver damage is the national pastime), the museums, soccer, the galleries, soccer, those zany modern artists who bring their unique brand of not-having-a-real-job-ing to the streets, the Tate, soccer, all those lovely indipendent and specialist bookshops that have somehow survived on what must be astronomical rents, soccer.

You'll find plenty of all of that here except the soccer. You can cathc it on cable and satelite, though. There are even pubs that play soccer on their big screens if you look for them.

Actually, the traffic is denser and slower in London, but you never have as far to go. The problem in Los Angeles is that it's just geographically so huge.

One of the coolest moments of my life was when I had to race across town for a train I couldn't miss. I ran across the roofs of three stationary cars and then jumped onto the back of a just-departing Routemaster bus. If Bond ever had to negotiate London traffic, that's how he'd have done it. Of course, I'm no Bond and the bus was also caught in the traffic jam so I waited breathlessly on the back for five minutes which sort of took the shine off it :headbang:

I'm not sure how that's related to anything you just said mind.

One of the coolest moments of my life was when I had to race across town for a train I couldn't miss. I ran across the roofs of three stationary cars and then jumped onto the back of a just-departing Routemaster bus. If Bond ever had to negotiate London traffic, that's how he'd have done it. Of course, I'm no Bond and the bus was also caught in the traffic jam so I waited breathlessly on the back for five minutes which sort of took the shine off it :headbang:

I'm not sure how that's related to anything you just said mind.

You're not going to be able to do that here. ;)

A friend of mine lived & worked in LA for a couple of months or so and as far as I recall she lived in (or near) Santa Monica, and she really liked it. It sounded really nice, from what she told us.

And she didn't have a car yet she still survived. So I guess it's doable.

A post of mine that has seemingly vanished into thin air basically said that I'd heard good things about Santa Monica but if my memory was working correctly and there was every chance it wasn't, someone had said something bad about the freeway or something. I know traffic in general is a problem but it can't be worse than London.
Santa Monica is a nice place, quite pretty, although I don't know much about the commute. Never lived there, only been down to visit. Pacific Palisades is nice too, but very pricey.

The music, especially the small little places that it took me years to find, soccer, pubs on every corner (I will fight to the death anyone who says this is not culture, liver damage is the national pastime), the museums, soccer, the galleries, soccer, those zany modern artists who bring their unique brand of not-having-a-real-job-ing to the streets, the Tate, soccer, all those lovely indipendent and specialist bookshops that have somehow survived on what must be astronomical rents, soccer.
You should be able to find all that in L.A. with little difficulty, except perhaps for the soccer. And the Tate, of course. :p

You're not going to be able to do that here. ;)

I can't even do it in London anymore because they got rid of the Routemasters in favour of bendy buses. Arseholes.

Okay, so the cultures great, the weather is superb, there are beaches and mountains, what am I going to be complaing about? Don't think I wouldn't complain about the lack of things to complain about because I'm prepared to go to any length.

I can't even do it in London anymore because they got rid of the Routemasters in favour of bendy buses. Arseholes.

Okay, so the cultures great, the weather is superb, there are beaches and mountains, what am I going to be complaing about? Don't think I wouldn't complain about the lack of things to complain about because I'm prepared to go to any length.
Lol, first you want to know if there's anything good about L.A. and now you want to know what you could possibly complain about? :p

So I'm moving out there in the new year, away from my favourite city in the world (London) to a place that apparantly has more murders than books and people haven't exactly been encouraging whenever I've revealed that I can't drive.

The only positive seems to be that it's sunny, so I'll be tanned and miserable.

Is it as bad as I have been led to believe?

Wrong, there is to much smog to see the sun. Good luck getting out of there, the rest of your life is gonna suck if you don't. I went there once...I got stuck for three days and man, it sucked ass, just go all out and move to Compton, thats the only respectable neighborhood there. *sarcastic*

Los Angeles has angels...? :p

Los Angeles has the worlds cheapest Rolex's.

I can't even do it in London anymore because they got rid of the Routemasters in favour of bendy buses. Arseholes.

Okay, so the cultures great, the weather is superb, there are beaches and mountains, what am I going to be complaing about? Don't think I wouldn't complain about the lack of things to complain about because I'm prepared to go to any length.

you will complain about commutes. Other than that most people who live tend to like it. There are bad areas to be sure, but if you're not in one it's not bad. Oh, after a while even liberals start complaining about illegal immigrants, but I'd rather have our illegal immigrant problem than the one in London. We may not share a language here and our infrastructure is straining, but we share a culture so we don't have people wanting Shaira law here.

"Swimmin' pools, movie stars"

Wrong, there is to much smog to see the sun. Good luck getting out of there, the rest of your life is gonna suck if you don't. I went there once...I got stuck for three days and man, it sucked ass, just go all out and move to Compton, thats the only respectable neighborhood there. *sarcastic*

You know nothing about this city. :)

Originally it was called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciúncula. But you can abbreviate it :)

Now let me welcome everybody to the wild wild west
A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness
The track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest
Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat
The state where you never find a dance floor empty
And pimps be on a mission for them greens
Lean mean money makin' machines servin' fiends
I been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes
Ever since honeys was wearin' sassoon
Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me
Diamonds shinin', lookin' like I robbed Liberace
It's all good, from Diego to the Bay
Your city is the bomb if your city makin' pay (uh)
Throw up a finger if you feel the same way
Dre puttin' it down for Californ-i-a


California (California) knows how to party (knows how to party)
California (west coast) knows how to party (yes they do, that's right)
In the city (city) of L.A. (city L.A., yeah)
In the city (in the city) of good ol' Watts (good ol' Watts, yeah)
In the city, city of Compton (city of Compton)
We keep it rockin' (keep it rockin') we keep it rockin'
Yeah (come on) now make it shake (come on) come on (come on)


Shake it (come on) shake it (come on) baby (come on)
Shake it, shake it (shake it baby)
Shake it, shake it (come on) mama (come on, come on)
Shake it (come on) Cali (come on) shake it Cali
Shake it, shake it baby (that's right, uh)
Shake it, shake it (shake it, shake it)
Shake it, shake it mama (shake it, shake it)
Shake it Cali


Out on bail, fresh outta jail, California dreamin'
Soon as I step on the scene I'm hearin' hoochies screamin'
Fiendin' for money and alcohol, the life of the west side
Playa where cowards die and it's all raw
Only in Cali where we riot now rallies are live and die
In L.A. we wearin' Chucks not Ballies (yeah, that's right, uh)
Dressed in Locs and khaki suits and ride is what we do
Flossin', but have caution, we collide with other crews
Famous because we've programs worldwide
Let 'em recognize from Longbeach to Rosecrans
Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam, it's west side
So you know the row won't bow down to no man
Say what you say but give me that bomb beat from Dre
Let me serenade the streets of L.A.
From Oakland to Sacktown, the Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down, give me love


California (California) knows how to party (ain't no stoppin')
California knows how to party (come on baby)
In the city (South Central) of L.A. (L.A.)
In the city of good ol' Watts (uh, that's right)
In the city, city of Compton (yeah, yeah)
We keep it rockin', we keep (yeah) it rockin' (yeah)
Now make it shake (come on) uh


Shake it, shake it baby (uh, shake it)
Shake it, shake it (shake it (yeah) baby)
Shake it, shake it mama (yeah)
Shake it Cali (shake it Cali)
Shake it, shake it baby (shake it Cali)
Shake it, shake it (uh)
Shake it, shake it mama (west coast)
Shake it Cali (uh)


Yeah, uh, uh
Longbeach in the house, uh, yeah
Oaktown, Oakland definitely in the house, hahaha
Frisko (yeah) Frisko
Hey, you know L.A. up in this
Pasadena, where you at
Yeah, Ingelwood, Ingelwood always up to no good
Even Hollywood tryin' to get a piece baby
Sacramento, Sacramento, where you at, yeah (California)
Throw it up y'all, throw it up, throw it up, I can't see ya
(California love) uh, uh, uh
Let's show these fools how we do this on this west side
'Cause you and I know it's the best side
Yeah, that's right (California)
West coast, west coast (shake it baby)
Uh, California love, California love, yeah

Originally it was called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciúncula. But you can abbreviate it :)
Too bad Porciúncula didn't stick, we could have had a city nicknamed Porky.

you will complain about commutes. Other than that most people who live tend to like it. There are bad areas to be sure, but if you're not in one it's not bad. Oh, after a while even liberals start complaining about illegal immigrants, but I'd rather have our illegal immigrant problem than the one in London. We may not share a language here and our infrastructure is straining, but we share a culture so we don't have people wanting Shaira law here.

I can't say I've ever heard a Londoner complain illegal immigrants are ruining the city. From my experiences immigration has made London into the vibrant, buzzing city it is today.

All the mexicans I know in London are filthy rich, so I guess that aspect will be a culture shock :D

I can't say I've ever heard a Londoner complain illegal immigrants are ruining the city. From my experiences immigration has made London into the vibrant, buzzing city it is today.Might be why they're here.

All the mexicans I know in London are filthy rich, so I guess that aspect will be a culture shock :D

Well, most Mexicans here are Americans who have been here a long time so they're middle class or higher. Over the last six years or so, though, it's gotten to the point that 40% of the jail population are illegal immigrants in LA County, we've lost 15 emergency rooms in LA in the last five years largely due to their use as primary care centers for illegal immigrants. Not to mention th increased traffic, other problems... Schools are overrun now with classroom sizes out of control...

Don't let the scariness scare you!

LA is a great town to live in. I live in North Hollywood, across from a nice sized park and a public library. Sittons is three blocks away and you will get all the grease and ketchup you need right there. They even have a "British Burger" which is a bacon cheesburger with some kind of dressing stuffed in there as well. I worked in Santa Monica and lived here for two years, and yes, the commute can be a bear.
But we also have terrific museums, the LA Phil, plenty of stage (especially here in NOHO) and great sushi. I won't claim the cajun food is any good, but if you let me know I can cook that for you, so no problems. Tolouca Lake and NOHO are going to be exploding soon, with NOHO throwing apartments and retail up as fast as they can build them. There is a new superbus expansion that begins two blocks from me, and will take you all the way across the valley for 1.25$ ten times as fast as driving. THe Metro will take yo to almost any work spot or fun spot you can think of, including China town, and the airport. If I had to move here again, I would move right where I am. It's a cheap place to live, and right in the middle of the best part of LA--the Valley.

Best hospitals in the country-ceder saini (sp?) and UCLA medical school. DEcent surfing if you like that, I can see the mountains from almost any street in the valley (you end up using them to figure out where you are) and there is Ikea for cheap housewares, great bookstores, (the Illiad) and a great Hungarian place nearby. While I hate LA, and am only here for the school, I have to admit, if you are looking for culture, here is the place to be. There money is also here, whcih is why they can afford to buy all the culture they want (damned sad but true). If you like wargaming the last grenadier is nearby, and China town has terrific Chinese food.

Quit worrying about the move. You will enjoy the city. Don't move too far north or south of the Industry tho, you will want to be able to schmooze a bit.

Good luck!

as for the gimp that said LA is nothig but smog--I call BS. If you have seen it like that, you were here 30 years ago. There is a smudge of it you can see at the horizon, but I dare any large city to avoid that. Blue skies and bautiful sunsets baby!


Why do I hate the city? It's a damned desert. I miss my swamps.

Another thing - can anybody name any favourite Cafes? Somewhere that I can hang around for hours in with my laptop/ notepad. Merci.

Aroma Cafe on Tujunga Ave. Or any of the four biillion Starvucks in the city. If you walk two blocks you will find a Starbucks with several dozen hungry writers tapping away.

Starbucks? I just vomited a little.

Ray Bones: They say the fucking smog is the fucking reason you have such beautiful fucking sunsets.

LA is fucked up. So is the rest of Southern California.

Ray Bones: They say the fucking smog is the fucking reason you have such beautiful fucking sunsets.

That's not true. we used to have really bad smog, but that has been cleaned up over the last couple decades. We have particulates in the air regardless of smog. The native Americans used to refer to the Valley as the "Vally of Smoke." There wasn't any smog then. We've got lots of mountains and they're covered in chapperal which is inherently dusty and we also live in an environment that is designed to burn. There are plants here with seeds that will not grow until they have been cracked by fire and that have resins that ignite at low temperatures and burn at high temperatures. Dust and prticulates in our air are just part of the natural way much of LA is.

Fuck Los Angeles and the rest of shitty Southern California. Worst place in the US.

Another thing - can anybody name any favourite Cafes? Somewhere that I can hang around for hours in with my laptop/ notepad. Merci.

you will not lack for those in any of the places I mentioned. You'll walk out your front door and trip over coffee shops and small bars and sandwhich joints.

Fuck Los Angeles and the rest of shitty Southern California. Worst place in the US.

People who don't live here are jealous of us. ;)

People who don't live here are jealous of us. ;)

Yes... lets go with that...

Sorry, I'm not trying to be an ass, I just really REALLY don't like LA.

Fuck Los Angeles and the rest of shitty Southern California. Worst place in the US.

You've obviously never been to toledo.

You've obviously never been to toledo.

I've been to Cleveland though, many times. Cleveland kicks ass.

I've been to Cleveland though, many times. Cleveland kicks ass.

Not so much.

LA sucks, imo.

Have fun!

Yes... lets go with that...

Sorry, I'm not trying to be an ass, I just really REALLY don't like LA.

I've just come across a lot of people who hate the place and have never been here. There was this one girl I dated in college who used to go on these anti-LA rants all the time and she'd never been closer to it than 500 miles away in Vegas.

People think of LA and they think of Skid Row but they don't know that much of LA looks more like this:

http://www.kathrynyarnell.com/asp/homes/1220%5C135273_1835410.jpg

And suburban street like where I live:

http://www.city-data.com/cpicv/vfiles7616.jpg

And nice bars like this:

www.candlelightbar.com

But we do have a lot of these:

http://theglitteringeye.com/images/simifire.jpg

Oh, after a while even liberals start complaining about illegal immigrants, but I'd rather have our illegal immigrant problem than the one in London. We may not share a language here and our infrastructure is straining, but we share a culture so we don't have people wanting Shaira law here.

Mexicans: Considerably less likely to explode at odd intervals. :p Although, a good burrito may spontaneously combust in your small intestine. It happens.

Also, if you see a building with writing like this:

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/armenian.htm

..on the side, that means you can get good cheese there. If you follow those buildings long enough, you'll invariably end up back at the source someplace in Glendale.

I've just come across a lot of people who hate the place and have never been here. There was this one girl I dated in college who used to go on these anti-LA rants all the time and she'd never been closer to it than 500 miles away in Vegas.
I know a lot of people who are like that, and I just don't get it. Los Angeles is not my favourite place in the world, but that doesn't mean that I can't see any good in the city. Not by a long shot.

My favorite bar:

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:S75FvgJOjw-AQM:http://www.santasusanacantina.net/sitebuilder/images/Santa_Susana_Cantina_Country_Kickoff_011-397x275.jpg

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:5lX50MOW7d8yzM:http://www.santasusanacantina.net/sitebuilder/images/Santa_Susana_Cantina_Country_Kickoff_008-314x199.jpg

Here it is during a fire.
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:pa-pIj2IPv8M-M:http://www.santasusanacantina.net/sitebuilder/images/Cantina-536x308.jpg

People just don't know what there is here.

Well, I've never been there, but I know you have a badass skyline.

LA is like mega suburbia. If you want a skyline go to New York or Hong Kong.

Most people who never been to NY think it is just a big city. They have no clue about the amount of green they will see once they leave the city, or the size of Central Park within the city itself. It is definitely an eye-opener and I'm always pleased when those who visit comment on this tendency.

I think LA is the third most cosmopolitan city in the world. Can you guess which is #1? I bet you can't.

Hint: It is not in the US and has a listed population consisting of 80% foreigners.

I don't think anyone else has mentioned this...

They screen movies in the Hollywood Cemetary.

LA is like mega suburbia. If you want a skyline go to New York or Hong Kong.
http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u14/jazzmaster221/large/38725847.LosAngelesSkyline.jpg

If you found the LA skyline to be impressive, I would suggest going to New York City or Hong Kong.

The only people who whine about LA never live here. They're always some dip who lives in BF Idaho and has only seen it on the tv. I mean, yeah, it has its problems, but if it is so awful why does the population grow so fast?

EASY ANSWER! cause it's a great town. I don't even like it here, and I know it's a terrific place to live. You can live on the beach, in the mountains, in a city, in a suburb, next to a nice park like I do--jesus, just about any environment you want you can find here. And the people who complain about the smog have no idea what they are talking about. We DO get fire twice a year, but the odds of you having to evacuate are almost zip unless you live on the side of a mountain in a fire zone, which is easy to avoid.

Mind, when fire season comes I do staty indoors because I have asthma. But good lord, can't you people find something worthwile to hate? Try New York. Now THERE is a city I could avoid. GRey skylines, loud people, and slushy winters. LIved there 2 years and my feet stayed cold the whole time. UNless they were blistered from the melting pavement in the summers. Mind, the CHinese food was terrific!

okay then:





something nice about Los Angeles

Another thing - can anybody name any favourite Cafes? Somewhere that I can hang around for hours in with my laptop/ notepad. Merci.

A bit late to the conversation, but figure I might as well add my US$0.02. Granada Hills, Northridge, and Valencia are all pretty nice areas, though Valencia may be a bit pricey. Like folks have said, there are good areas, and there are bad areas. Smog isn't TOO hideous most days. It can be pretty yucky in the summer, but in the winter it generally isn't too bad.

And yeah, the commute from say, the San Fernando Valley to Santa Monica can be a real pain in the ass. I'm in the Valley but work in Santa Monica, and my commute takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour on a normal day. I've got a car, so I can't really offer any info on public transportation.

And as for cafes, I can recommend several places. In the Valley, you can get some pretty good Japanese food at E&E Cafe at Reseda and Nordhoff- the place gets a pretty fair amount of traffic from the college crowd since it's near Cal State Northridge. For really bloody awesome Italian, Bara Bing at Sepulveda and Chatsworth is great, though that area is a bit seedy. A good bar/steakhouse is The Sherman Room, at Sherman Way and Balboa. Over in Santa Monica, the Spitfire Grill (near the airport) has really awesome burgers, that's a good place to hang out since it gets a lot of the business crowd and college crowd.

The Pantry (http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11301282)

The Pantry (http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11301282)
At first I thought this was going to be someplace like The Kitchen (http://www.thekitchenrestaurant.com/) in Sacramento. Good, but not the kind of place you go to all the time (at least not on my budget!) - and therefore not something you mention in a "what's great about this place" kind of thread. But The Pantry sounds interesting, I'm actually kind of surprised I haven't heard of it before now. The reviews are very mixed - have you been there yourself?

At first I thought this was going to be someplace like The Kitchen (http://www.thekitchenrestaurant.com/) in Sacramento. Good, but not the kind of place you go to all the time (at least not on my budget!) - and therefore not something you mention in a "what's great about this place" kind of thread. But The Pantry sounds interesting, I'm actually kind of surprised I haven't heard of it before now. The reviews are very mixed - have you been there yourself?

Yep, I went all the time when I lived there. 3am is the best time to go IMO ;)

Yep, I went all the time when I lived there. 3am is the best time to go IMO ;)
Cool. I'll have to talk my friends into taking me there next time I'm down for a visit. :)

It's big. :)

That's about all I can come up with.

A bit late to the conversation, but figure I might as well add my US$0.02. Granada Hills, Northridge, and Valencia are all pretty nice areas, though Valencia may be a bit pricey. Like folks have said, there are good areas, and there are bad areas. Smog isn't TOO hideous most days. It can be pretty yucky in the summer, but in the winter it generally isn't too bad.

And yeah, the commute from say, the San Fernando Valley to Santa Monica can be a real pain in the ass. I'm in the Valley but work in Santa Monica, and my commute takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour on a normal day. I've got a car, so I can't really offer any info on public transportation.

And as for cafes, I can recommend several places. In the Valley, you can get some pretty good Japanese food at E&E Cafe at Reseda and Nordhoff- the place gets a pretty fair amount of traffic from the college crowd since it's near Cal State Northridge. For really bloody awesome Italian, Bara Bing at Sepulveda and Chatsworth is great, though that area is a bit seedy. A good bar/steakhouse is The Sherman Room, at Sherman Way and Balboa. Over in Santa Monica, the Spitfire Grill (near the airport) has really awesome burgers, that's a good place to hang out since it gets a lot of the business crowd and college crowd.

You're very close to me. I grew up on Sepulveda and Devonshire and at 17 moved to chatsworth. A few years away to college and now I'm in East Simi Valley. Have you been to The Candlelight (www.candlelightbar.com) yet? You should check it out on a Friday or Saturday. Very, very nice atmosphere. On top of a hill at the east end of Simi with a great view of the whole valley and beds that you can lounge around on. Also, last Friday these two vefy beautiful women came in and around midnight gave the entire bar a lesbian show. :) On the bar then on the bed...

Today as I was travelling back on the bus reflecting on one of my last walks around town as a Londoner (at least for a while) an American women started yelling at the bus driver - for a perfectly good reason I hasten to add - without seemingly finding her behaviour alarming and I realised just what I've let myself in for. I'm heading to a land where there is apparantly no fear of unironic sentiment. No longer will I have to excuse my wife for her apparant lack of volume control on the basis that she's a) an American b) an actress and c) a combination of these two striking factors.

Instead I'll be that strange guy who applauds mildly instead of whooping deliriously (seriously guys what is with that?); the guy who thinks extreme weather is anything other than 11 celcius and cloudy; in fact, I'll be the guy who says celcius.

Just out of curiousity, what's the weather like in LA right now? Here in London it's 11 celcius and cloudy. You can tell that this is the case because I'm not hiding under the table shreiking.

Just out of curiousity, what's the weather like in LA right now? Here in London it's 11 celcius and cloudy. You can tell that this is the case because I'm not hiding under the table shreiking.
Well, I'm not in L.A. but their local news has the weather at 53 F (11 or 12 C, if I'm not mistaken), with clear skies and 61% humidity. Keep in mind this is at 7:40 in the morning. It's supposed to get up to the 70s today (70 F is about 21 C).

21 degrees? Has someone forgotten to tell them it's winter?

Something nice about LA? It's waaay the fuck over on the west coast. Far far away from me. It's like suburb turned cancerous.

The overall level of idiocy in government in LA cannot be overemphasized.

It's also WAAAY more expensive than London, unless you live in the slums.

21 degrees? Has someone forgotten to tell them it's winter?
LOL, no that's just L.A. for you. Doesn't get very cold in southern California.

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/forecast-normals.asp?partner=accuweather&zipcode=90001&metric=1

The overall level of idiocy in government in LA cannot be overemphasized.

It's also WAAAY more expensive than London, unless you live in the slums.

I've read on many occasions that London is the most expensive city in the world. And I'm certainly paying a sum not unequivilent to the cost of a return trip to jupiter every month in rent. It's crazy money to buy good food too. On top of that, gas costs are hilariously small in the U.S. So, in summary, please please please please say you've got that wrong. Please.

I've read on many occasions that London is the most expensive city in the world. And I'm certainly paying a sum not unequivilent to the cost of a return trip to jupiter every month in rent. It's crazy money to buy good food too. On top of that, gas costs are hilariously small in the U.S. So, in summary, please please please please say you've got that wrong. Please.
Err, L.A. can certainly be expensive, but I don't think the cost of living is anywhere near what I'm told it is in London.

I've read on many occasions that London is the most expensive city in the world. And I'm certainly paying a sum not unequivilent to the cost of a return trip to jupiter every month in rent. It's crazy money to buy good food too. On top of that, gas costs are hilariously small in the U.S. So, in summary, please please please please say you've got that wrong. Please.

I've been to both cities.

Your housing will cost far more in LA, unless you like living in a dump. I've lived in Chelsea, and it's cheaper than most of LA.

Food is cheaper, as is gas, but that's largely because we don't tax the living shit out of everything people might touch.

See the cost of living indicators at the bottom of each page:
London (http://www.economist.com/cities/citiesmain.cfm?city_id=LDN)
Los Angeles (http://www.economist.com/cities/citiesmain.cfm?city_id=LA)

I know it doesn't show everything, but it does give you at least some idea how the cities compare.

Your housing will cost far more in LA, unless you like living in a dump. I've lived in Chelsea, and it's cheaper than most of LA.



I really don't think that is true. Housing in London is more expensive than New York across all segments and LA is certainly a lot cheaper than either place.

Not to mention that SoCal real estate is hardly a growth item at the moment while london's is still appreciating.

I really don't think that is true. Housing in London is more expensive than New York across all segments and LA is certainly a lot cheaper than either place.

Not to mention that SoCal real estate is hardly a growth item at the moment while london's is still appreciating.

I would also point out that what is "acceptable" at certain levels (I found Chelsea to universally be an overpriced abomination) in the UK is valued at far less in LA.

Try comparing "single family home" in LA suburbs to a "single family home" in Hounslow. The usable interior square footage inside alone is much smaller in London.

I would also point out that what is "acceptable" at certain levels (I found Chelsea to universally be an overpriced abomination) in the UK is valued at far less in LA.

Try comparing "single family home" in LA suburbs to a "single family home" in Hounslow. The usable interior square footage inside alone is much smaller in London.

Yes, you can get far more for your money in LA. Per square foot it is much cheaper than London.

You can make the same comparison with NYC too. Which is why so many people moved out to Socal in the seventies.

Why on earth did you go to hounslow? For the record, I hate london. It's a dump. If I want to go to a big city in europe, I'll go to Rome thank you very much.

Yes, you can get far more for your money in LA. Per square foot it is much cheaper than London.

You can make the same comparison with NYC too. Which is why so many people moved out to Socal in the seventies.

Why on earth did you go to hounslow? For the record, I hate london. It's a dump. If I want to go to a big city in europe, I'll go to Rome thank you very much.

I only went to Hounslow to check the data on that migration pattern study done in a Monty Python episode.

Why on earth did you go to hounslow? For the record, I hate london. It's a dump. If I want to go to a big city in europe, I'll go to Rome thank you very much.

You must have been to some very attractive dumps

http://blog.freetimegears.com.tw/patrick/archives/London-night-Melle-03.jpg

Well, the weather right now is pretty nice. Bit cool but not unpleasantly so, though it's been pretty windy on a regular basis.

Weather in LA in the winter is something of a toss-up. It can be really mild or even warm; it can be cold, damp, and windy; it could be pouring rain. .... But not snow, not a chance. Well, not often. The last time it snowed in the Valley was February 1989. The only snow day off from school I've ever had :D

You must have been to some very attractive dumps.

Yes, and london wasn't one of them. It's alright if you are a smoggy I suppose. But it's not all that. It's certainly not NYC.

The Lakers, if you like a bunch of cheating Rapists.

The Lakers, if you like a bunch of cheating Rapists.

Sports are overrated anyway =p

The Lakers, if you like a bunch of cheating Rapists.

We can agree to disagree on the Kobe thing, I don't think he did it, but how do they cheat?


Lakers rule!