Moving to Los Angeles? (home, job transfer, buying)

[moslaam]

I've been considering moving to L.A. but I've heard so many negative things about the people there. I like to experience things for myself however, what are your opinions on moving to L.A.? I'm orginially from Houston and I live in New York City which I'm so over.

[Clarks]

Why Los Angeles? I think I would rather shoot myself..

[Charles]

Originally Posted by moslaam

what are your opinions on moving to L.A.?

How can LA benefit by you moving there?

[uptown_urbanist]

What kind of city do you like? I love LA, and think many of the stereotypes are just that - stereotypes. At the same time, a lot of people seem drawn to LA by some of those stereotypes, and they seem to be the ones who are the most unhappy. The LA economy is also really bad, so don't assume that you can easily get a job if you move there without one in hand.

For background, I don't live in LA currently, but we originally moved there after living in Washington, DC. It was a move for work, and I assumed I wouldn't like the city. (NYC is my dream city) Turned out I loved LA, and would be happily living there still if it weren't for yet another job transfer.

Wait a minute; I see you say "the people there." The people in LA are the same as people everywhere. Please don't tell me you're buying into the "everyone in LA is plastic and materialistic" stereotype, right?

[moslaam]

Not in any particular way. I'm just interested in moving somewhere that culturally rich and where I can purse a graduate degree when I'm ready.

[uptown_urbanist]

Yes, then LA is certainly culturally rich and has excellent graduate options.

[moslaam]

No. I'm not buying into anything. I just don't hear positive things about Los Angeles from natives and from people who have visited. I highly doubt that "everyone in LA is plastic and materialistic" but I'm sure it's not a rarity. I enjoy living and experiencing different places. Hence the reason why I'm interested in LA. I live in NYC and I'm from Houston. People are different but you can find the same people everywhere.That is what makes every city unique. I'm sure true Los Angeleans feel that there are certain things that are culturally LA or So Cal.

[uptown_urbanist]

The materialistic and shallow people are a pretty small percentage of the overall population, yet the media (and stereotypes) tends to focus on those people (tabloid fodder, for one thing). It's possible to find those people in LA (as in most cities, for that matter), but it's equally easy to ignore those people. They weren't a part of my daily reality. I don't think there is one dominant LA culture, although there is a strong Mexican and Asian influence. If you want huge diversity in every sense of the word you can certainly find it in LA, and at a much cheaper price tag than in NYC. LA has something for everyone, and it's a great place to spend a few years (or more) if you can make it work.

It sounds like you have a more realistic view of LA, which is good. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) at how many people post on the LA forum thinking that everyone in LA lives a lifestyle straight out of the Hills.

[moslaam]

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure the people who watch the Hills weren't fans of Sanford and Son.

[jc76]

Originally Posted by moslaam

I just don't hear positive things about Los Angeles from natives and from people who have visited.

Well just remember over 4 million people live there and I bet 3 million of them are there by choice, that's alot of people who are there because they like it. I say block out the haters, their opinion won't apply to you. Everyone hates certain areas for whatever reasons. I say visit and make your own personal judgment.

Another reason you have heard so much negative lately is because the economy has dimmed their way of life. Instead of Starbucks everyday they gotta settle for home brewed etc etc. Times are tough everywhere, not just LA. I love Los Angeles despite the hate say on CD.