Why so few Wal-mart/Target in LA? (Long Beach, Santa Ana: school, wages)

[iNviNciBL3]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

I know that you know that he probably meant to write "definitely" instead.

Lol. yes definitely

Originally Posted by trancedout

lol, I am a midwestern suburbanite. Never liked the midwest much though. Already getting cold. When I was on the 101 going north...I knew I had to be in LA.

Yea i grew up in a midwestern suburb, i moved to a more urban setting and its great going to mom and pop shops, local food co-op, etc..

[Sophiasmommy]

There's a really nice WalMart in Valencia and it's always packed. The anti walmart cliche's are embarrassing, but whatever.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Chicano3000X

Ya, but bootcamp ends in 3 months(or whatever the army has.). Wal-Mart, your there until your completely devoid of a soul. God forbid find yourself at 50 wondering where the last 25 years went. Aim higher, dont settle. **** those jobs. Only a temporary stepping stone to move higher, and not higher in the company, but get your ass to a better job higher.

Last time I was there, the employees weren't chained to the building.

[nickdahammer]

Sadly, many of them are accurate.

Originally Posted by Sophiasmommy

There's a really nice WalMart in Valencia and it's always packed. The anti walmart cliche's are embarrassing, but whatever.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by nickdahammer

Sadly, many of them are accurate.

Indeed.

(Taken yesterday in a Walmart Parking lot in Anaheim.)

[Chicano3000X]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Last time I was there, the employees weren't chained to the building.

You cant see the chains. The chains of long term loyalty because no other job will be available for a very long time.

No I'm not saying it's sweat shops. But it is pretty ****** working at the bottom for faceless corporations. We them, they need us. But may it be a temporary relationship. And may there be a new and better beginning for the mere mortals that turn those cogs.

[kttam186290]

Originally Posted by trancedout

Thinking more about the logistics of the actual move now. And it dawned upon how much I could streamline the process having one of these nearby.

The reason I mention stores like walmart/target (yes, I know lots of people hate walmart but that's besides the point) is because at Super walmart or Super target, you can literally buy all the food you'll need (unless you're into that "foodie" thing, which I'm not), a plasma TV, household cleaning supplies, a table, super glue, advil, a flash drive, and a bottle of wine to top it off if you'd like.

All in one visit. I don't like the idea of going to Vons for this, CVS for that, and end up paying more, then having to find an electronics store for basic electronics. Best Buy doesn't seem easy to come across either in LA.

Also, I've never found a place that is across-the-board as cheap as walmart for basic necessities. I need to be on a budget when I get there.

To the people who moved to LA from elsewhere...

Did you ever find it hard to "set up shop" so to say with the lack of these department stores that seem to be oversaturated everywhere else?

If you're looking for those big box stores that combine retail and groceries, you'll probably be happier in one of LA's suburbs, rather than the city itself. And when I say "suburbs", I mean Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, etc. and not Pasadena, Glendale or Burbank.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Indeed.

(Taken yesterday in a Walmart Parking lot in Anaheim.)

Ha ha ha...man that is hilarious but not shocking. I have an older overweight lady with rolls in her hair wearing a see-thru nightgown at a WalMart which made me lose my appetite but the one that was funniest (to me) is the one where someone tied a goat to one of the parking lot signs...

One thing for sure, "People of WalMart" in CA got nothing on "People of WalMart" in other states.

[moonsparkle]

Originally Posted by iNviNciBL3

Yea i grew up in a midwestern suburb, i moved to a more urban setting and its great going to mom and pop shops, local food co-op, etc..

I don't mind those stores, but they usually close early and it takes longer to find what I'm looking for. In the midwest, which you think would be a stronghold for "small, locally owned & operated shops", it seems like there's more department stores.

Local food co-op's oftentimes charge up to $8 for a gallon of milk or some basic item like that - at least around here.

I really have no preferences as to shopping for basics....just whatever is lowest price and open late, which doesn't leave many options.

[HarryKerryJr]

Originally Posted by Sophiasmommy

There's a really nice WalMart in Valencia and it's always packed. The anti walmart cliche's are embarrassing, but whatever.

It's not a "cliche." It is the common experience in the LA area. Your cited example is real, but rare.