Is L.A. zoned and planned poorly? (Los Angeles, San Francisco: apartment, house)

[stevorilla]

Actually I don't hate everything about L.A.. I'm an artist, and L.A. is the best place in the world for creative types. I love that I can go get a coffee and people are writing or playing music. With that said, I have traveled the world and lived in a large variety of cities throughout the U.S. and the world. I seen a lot of issues in L.A. that I haven't seen in many other large cities I've lived in. Most of these are first hand experiences that I base my judgements on. I've lived in NYC in lower and upper Manhatten, that's why I reference it above. Then again, I lived in pretty good neighborhoods there. It's not a good comparison, but it is a large city. The geography of NYC let's them put cops on every street corner in Manhatten, because it is very small and is isolated by water. It's not very safe in most of L.A.. The safe areas have their own police departments (ie: Callabasas and Burbank), while most of L.A. is short changed due to the police being spread too thin. I think the most frustrating thing is that you pay NYC prices, but you don't get the amazing subway system or city conveniences. Further more, I've lived in sevaral coastal cities on the East Coast, and I'm depressed to see the state of the surrounding waters in L.A. become polluted. I surf, and I've gotten infections from the water several times. Further more, I see trash in the water often. The bottom line, we have one of the largest populations across the L.A. area, and we need stiffer regulations to maintain the city. Perfect example. The subway system in L.A. doesn't have a ticket counter. It goes off the "trust factor". So many people don't pay, some get caught, but not often. The subway clearly needs the funding, but yet they don't inforce ticket purchases to fund themselves.

Cali has one of the largest economies in the world, and I L.A. could easily be one of the best cities in the world. It isn't though, and I'm wondering why.

[orthopodfrancis]

City planners seem to have no idea that people like to walk around in cities - that's why the 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica does well. So many areas being renovated are either giant monstrosities (L.A. Live) or are single purpose (Bunch of condos with no retail, or vise-versa).

Like I said in another post - L.A. is not a city - just a giant haphazard suburb.

[UB50]

Originally Posted by stevorilla

Actually I don't hate everything about L.A.. I'm an artist, and L.A. is the best place in the world for creative types. I love that I can go get a coffee and people are writing or playing music. With that said, I have traveled the world and lived in a large variety of cities throughout the U.S. and the world. I seen a lot of issues in L.A. that I haven't seen in many other large cities I've lived in. Most of these are first hand experiences that I base my judgements on. I've lived in NYC in lower and upper Manhatten, that's why I reference it above. Then again, I lived in pretty good neighborhoods there. It's not a good comparison, but it is a large city. The geography of NYC let's them put cops on every street corner in Manhatten, because it is very small and is isolated by water. It's not very safe in most of L.A.. The safe areas have their own police departments (ie: Callabasas and Burbank), while most of L.A. is short changed due to the police being spread too thin. I think the most frustrating thing is that you pay NYC prices, but you don't get the amazing subway system or city conveniences. Further more, I've lived in sevaral coastal cities on the East Coast, and I'm depressed to see the state of the surrounding waters in L.A. become polluted. I surf, and I've gotten infections from the water several times. Further more, I see trash in the water often. The bottom line, we have one of the largest populations across the L.A. area, and we need stiffer regulations to maintain the city. Perfect example. The subway system in L.A. doesn't have a ticket counter. It goes off the "trust factor". So many people don't pay, some get caught, but not often. The subway clearly needs the funding, but yet they don't inforce ticket purchases to fund themselves.

Cali has one of the largest economies in the world, and I L.A. could easily be one of the best cities in the world. It isn't though, and I'm wondering why.

I've read some of your posts and I've noticed that you mentioned Orlando as a great place frequently. Well, I lived in Orlando and it was the only place I ever lived where a stranger climbed through a window and raped my roommate. And we lived in a good neighborhood. I also had four men expose themselves to me on the street in one year (back then, no one ever reported this stuff because sex offenders weren't such a big deal). Where are the cops in Orlando? I notice their crime rate has totally spiraled out of control.

Orlando proper has a population of 150,000. It's smaller than Glendale. Comparing Orlando to Los Angeles is just a joke. Why don't you compare Orlando to Glendale and then tell me how it stacks up?

Speaking of surf -- where was your old surf hangout? Sebastian? You wanna compare those little three foot waves with the waves out here? If you want to continue to surf "better waves" without the trash, then you should donate some time to one of the environmental groups instead of just complaining about it. Otherwise, if you like nice clean water, go back and surf those three footers at Sebastian.

[stevorilla]

UB50; I've never compared Orlando to L.A.. Yes, I've lived in Orlando, but they are two totally different cities. I've lived in about 10 other cities, and I like them all a lot better. It's because L.A. is NOT a city. It's a suburb. If you've read this thread or any I've posted, you'll discover, the only city I compare L.A. to in the U.S. is NYC. Just because of pure population. I've lived in Orlando and I've lived in NYC. Apples to oranges dude... I know your looking for some rationalization to my comments, but sorry dude, it's an opinion and many many have the same opinion of this crappy city. Cali surf is the bomb; I only said L.A. waters are disgusting...

UB50; sounds like your really like these forums ( Total Posts: 2,242 (4.47 posts per day); Now I know why your going and looking up some random guys posts to research him; judging by the number of posts you've had, you need a life dude.

I'm out; enjoy your forum with only positive things to say about your city (sorry if the truth hurts dude).

[Jakehorror]

Hey Steve, how much $ to give me a few surf lessons? One of the things on my "Bucket List" is to learn to surf

[stevorilla]

I know a few people who have learned from Tom at:
Surfing LA Surf School - Lessons

He's very good and his prices are reasonable... You should definitely go out. Don't let my dirty water post scare you. It's a lot dirtier other places, so it could be worse I use to surf in the Philippines, and man you should have seen the garbage in the water.

[Jakehorror]

Originally Posted by stevorilla

I know a few people who have learned from Tom at:
Surfing LA Surf School - Lessons

He's very good and his prices are reasonable... You should definitely go out. Don't let my dirty water post scare you. It's a lot dirtier other places, so it could be worse I use to surf in the Philippines, and man you should have seen the garbage in the water.

Hahaha! I used to work with a guy from the Philipines who told us about the water there, YUCK!
Yeah I'll definatly try Surfing, I used to skateboard alot when I was a teenager (many moons ago, ok 15 years) and my balance has always been good, ya think that will be relative to the fundamentals of Surfing? Or not? Looks fun!!!!

[stevorilla]

JakeHorror; surfing is for everyone. You will definitely be able to ride a wave after a couple of lessons. You may not become great at it, but you can definitely learn how to and have fun enjoy...

[LuckyGem]

Originally Posted by sgvkev

LA is planned pretty good actually for the most part... city proper and the suburbs.

Southwest LA: Sawtelle, Palms, Mar Vista, and Venice which are gentrified ghettos as well as Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, and Westchester which are all upper to middle class.

Ha, gentrified ghettos, with houses starting at $600,000 to over a million. Get your facts straight.

[parklifemedia]

Los Angeles is the worst of both worlds. An urban suburb, suburban in the sense that getting from one point to another is quite tedious, and urban with regards to problems. LA has horrible food compared to San Francisco or New York, but if you're coming from Indiana it probably seems great. LA seems to have lower quality transplants than comparable cities like Chicago and San Francisco which import an ivy league chic into it's cities. It's a great city in some ways, especially if you never have to go outside. If you bought a house in Los Feliz or Beverly Hills in 1995 for 700,000 LA is probably one of the best cities in America. If you are trying to buy into it now it's overpriced for it's urban amenities. The allure of LA is the freedom to pursue your dream, or park your Range Rover in a garage, have a back yard, but still be able to shop at the Prada store or a boutique in Echo Park. California in general is sliding into the abyss with it's lack of quality public schools in many areas, but LA is still a decent city in it's own apocalyptic chic way.