Los Angeles (Pasadena, San Gabriel, Culver City: hotel, income, work)

[BENZBOY15]

Here's how the upper SoCal elite live:



If you're thinking about buying this house, you're too late. It sold for 25Million to some Las Vegas casino owner. I drove around in the area by this home (La Jolla Farms rd.) and the houses are massive.

Escape to a private, gated coastal retreat high above the Pacific where exceptional craftsmanship and exquisite materials blend harmoniously against a backdrop of sparkling ocean and azure skies to create an estate of distinction and refinement. Situated on the largest privately owned residential oceanfront parcel in San Diego County it is a residence with all the amenities of the finest resort, including a tennis court, racquetball court, screening room, mosaic pool, spa, gymnasium with steam shower. It is a property which truly offers a lifestyle that is majestic and comfortable, private yet friendly, and prestigious but not pretentious. A rare opportunity to purchase one of the finest oceanfront properties in America and turn dreams into reality.

[BENZBOY15]

The previous two houses are in San Diego county. Here's some from L.A:



Pasedana is affordable? Try this 52 million dollar hotel...oops home:



This one in the Holmby Hills for sale is rumored to be owned by a Saudi prince:



Some from the O.C:



Over done? No way!:



If you can afford to live in the nice SoCal areas, it really is pretty:



Another:

[brian_2]

The second from the bottom picture (http://www.dreamhomes.us/IMAGES/images1/120283a.jpg (broken link)) - the glass panels dividing the surf from the lounge chairs makes me sad.

'My palace is my prison, but my reward is the envy I see in others'.

[BENZBOY15]

Originally Posted by brian_2

The second from the bottom picture (http://www.dreamhomes.us/IMAGES/images1/120283a.jpg (broken link)) - the glass panels dividing the surf from the lounge chairs makes me sad.

'My palace is my prison, but my reward is the envy I see in others'.

The only problem with your statement is that the owners won't be seeing any envy from beachgoers unless they happen to be next door, because that is a private beach. I think the glass wall serves as a wall to keep pets and little kids from going off the mini cliff bluff.

[McGowdog]

How do you get a negative reputation?

[brian_2]

"I think the glass wall serves as a wall to keep pets and little kids from going off the mini cliff bluff."

How delightful.

Do you by chance worship at the alter of extreme privacy & extreme wealth?

Is 'BENZ' a reference to Mercedes Benz?

Please tell us you don't wear a 'BENZ' medallion around your neck on a gold chain. No, I don't think you'd do that, would you?

'BENZBOYZ' would really get you noticed. But the wealthy don't like to assume ghetto poses - right?

[BENZBOY15]

My name is benzboy because that's what it is for every internet thing I sign up on. I don't drive a mercedes, neither do my parents. I started the benzboy name on Car and Driver Fourms about 2.5 years ago for no particular reason other than the fact that I like benzes.

I admire success and people that have brought themselves up from nothing and I do like privacy. I do not like ostentation which is why I posted pics of houses that define that very word, except for the 2800 sqft house.

My house is more or less like that first one, not too small but for sure not huge and ridiculious like some and I don't live in a private, gate gaurded ultra wealthy enclave.

I use the Benzboy name for this site and everywhere else so I don't have to remember a different name for each forum I belong to.

I'm not going to lie though, I do like looking at houses like the ones posted and driving around areas I could never afford. I wouldn't want to live in a 15,000 sqft house but that's not saying they're not fun to look at and walk around in.

[BENZBOY15]

L.A really has the worst air, the worst gangs and some of the most over-done, absurd houses SoCal has to offer. Check out that Pasedena hotel sized house....how could anyone live in such a thing. It would be embarrasing to say that you live in a 35,000 sqft house.

[shiksa]

Originally Posted by Cali2ID

fastfilm:

You are so right. However you list stops short at some of the wonderful things L.A. has to offer. Allow me to include the following:

L.A. offers exciting, nightly car races between the CHP and various upstanding residents.
Also, L.A. is the only city that offers extracurricular activities for the high school students such as "Locker room to Lockdown in five seconds" L.A. also showcases one of the most exhilarating, fast-paced, freeway games around: "Dodge-a-Bullet." However, my absolute favorite aspect of L.A. is when you must pay $989,000 for a dilapidated house in a neighborhood underneath the 405 fwy. next to "Ron's Autos" across from "S&J's liquor" Yes...that's my favorite!!!

As my name suggests I am outta here. I am so done with the crime, pollution, illegals, cost of living,traffic, etc. I'm
done! I told my wife that when we leave for the last time I want her to take a picture of me at the NV./CA. border facing California flipping it off! There is only one good view of L.A. and that's through my rear view mirror.

You've just described Phoenix!

[brian_2]

You explained your reasoning well BENZBOY15. I spent enough of my past working hours in the residences of wealthy (LA/Orange County/Santa Barbara County) celebrities/business moguls to become very jaded about affluence and influence. Regardless, there's no denying the beauty of expansive, landscaped lawns and striking architecture, especially when so many of us live in tiny domiciles with postage stamp size yards. I thought you might have been a 'Robb Report' groupie. It's good to hear you're not. I apologize for my annoying cynicism. From my past years in LA I saw what a magazine culture LA (more so than most other locales) was, and lately I've taken up the bad habit of characterizing Angelinos by what magazines they buy and read. Those who buy the Robb Report fascinate me no less than the people who buy 'In Style'.