Public Transportation ect. (Los Angeles, Torrance, Pasadena: to buy, taxi, living in)

[bean805]

Hi I was wondering how bad the public transportation is in Los Angeles. I am currently living in Portland OR. and my good friend is moving down in april and he wants me to come along. I wont have a car and I was wondering will I need to buy one, also I was wondering how the hollywood scene is like down there... are people nice and welcoming, or is it just a bunch of bleach blonde rich people driving mercedes that wont give you the time of day. Any answer helps thanx for your time--tristan

[Charles]

Originally Posted by bean805

Hi I was wondering how bad the public transportation is in Los Angeles. ....I was wondering will I need to buy one, also I was wondering how the hollywood scene is like down there... are people nice and welcoming, or is it just a bunch of bleach blonde rich people driving mercedes that wont give you the time of day.

What units do you want your answer in? ("how bad the public ....")

A car is pretty important. Some people can make do without one, but they are an extreme minority.

What units do you want your answer in? ("Are people nice and .....")

[ffknight918]

I don't live in LA yet, but it seems like it would be smart to have a car. When I was there last week, I relied on public transportation a lot. The girl I was staying with had the opposite schedule as me. However, she lived downtown and most places that I needed to be were downtown. So I took the Metro Rail most places without a problem. I also took the Dash bus once as well.

[LTS0507]

It really depends on the area's of LA you are in. The MTA is working on trying to get LA pretty well covered. But right now, it can take along time to get from point A to point B. So if you are going to be taking Public Transportation, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Buses are always either late or early.

There is always Taxi's, but they are pretty expensive. I believe it's $2 just to pick you up and $2 for every mile they drive. But they are responsive, about the only benefit of them.

So a car is preferable...

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by bean805

Hi I was wondering how bad the public transportation is in Los Angeles. I am currently living in Portland OR. and my good friend is moving down in april and he wants me to come along. I wont have a car and I was wondering will I need to buy one, also I was wondering how the hollywood scene is like down there... are people nice and welcoming, or is it just a bunch of bleach blonde rich people driving mercedes that wont give you the time of day. Any answer helps thanx for your time--tristan

LA is a very big place geographically, many times bigger than Portland, OR, and much denser, too. But what it means is that you can take your pick depending on your needs, likes, dislikes. If you plan it right, you can live well in Los Angeles without a car. Many people do -- even by choice! L.A.'s obsession with cars has a lot more to do with fashion than need in many, many cases. In any event, I believe Flexcar has a program in L.A./Orange counties.

Regarding Hollywood. Well, based on your questions ("are people nice and welcoming, or is it just a bunch of bleach blonde rich people driving mercedes that wont give you the time of day") I'd say you just have to come, see for yourself, and make up your own mind. Mostly it'll be what you make it. I can comfortably say that about L.A. in general. It is what you make it. Keep in mind that living in L.A., or anywhere in Southern CA for that matter, takes a certain amount of skill. Patience, tolerance and humor will get you through the most trying of situations.

[bean805]

Thanks for all the replies guys. S far you have been very helpfull and insightful.

[CESpeed]

I rode the bus in L.A. for thirty years, so I feel very qualified to answer this question. The buses in L.A. SUCK! That doesn't mean it can't be done, but here are some things you have to know: If you need to get anywhere unless you are traveling early in the morning or late at night you will be late.

Always add half hour to whatever time you need to be where you are going.

The bus drivers will very rarely know how to get to where you are going.

The people who give you directions on the phone (or the internet) rarely know the best routes. (They always pick the most expensive routes and have the longest wait times) Your best bet is to get the basic direction from the previous mentioned sources and ask peopel who are riding the bus.

Whenever you get to a bus stop, look up at the sign it will tell you every bus that stops there, very helpful if you want to or need to find an alternate route. Go to a customer service center and get the schedules for the buses you'll take so you can route yourself.

Remember: the most reliable thing about the buses, is that they are unreliable. (various reasons, traffic, breakdowns, detours, etc.) ALWAYS add time to the time you need to be somewhere

The good news is if you have a set route and get to know your driver(s) (some are friendly, but a lot aren't) they will help you out. (wait for you if your are running, let you pay the next day, etc.)

If you need more info, feel free to DM me.

[Sorcerer68]

I rode public transportation up until 10 years ago...until I left and came back to L.A. There's been a huge change. Metro Rail is awesome IF you live in the right part of town i.e. Hollywood, Downtown, Los Feliz, NoHo, Koreatown. Venture out of these areas and you're heavily dependent on bus service. PT boonies are Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Torrance...really icky to ride the bus as they don't come as often. There are plenty of buses now in my neck of the woods...every few minutes at rush hour and in regular intervals after. Train station is a short walk. I can get to the valley in 11 minutes and downtown in 13 which I can't accomplish in my car. I ride the train to my office in Old Pasadena. It actually takes a few minutes longer but it's a nice ride. I still ride public transportation even though I'm one of those "bleach blonde people driving a Mercedes..." as it's a really smart thing to do in many situations. Bottom line: Public Transportation is totally doable if you live in the right part of town. If not, get a car.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer68

I rode public transportation up until 10 years ago...until I left and came back to L.A. There's been a huge change. Metro Rail is awesome IF you live in the right part of town i.e. Hollywood, Downtown, Los Feliz, NoHo, Koreatown. Venture out of these areas and you're heavily dependent on bus service. PT boonies are Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Torrance...really icky to ride the bus as they don't come as often. There are plenty of buses now in my neck of the woods...every few minutes at rush hour and in regular intervals after. Train station is a short walk. I can get to the valley in 11 minutes and downtown in 13 which I can't accomplish in my car. I ride the train to my office in Old Pasadena. It actually takes a few minutes longer but it's a nice ride. I still ride public transportation even though I'm one of those "bleach blonde people driving a Mercedes..." as it's a really smart thing to do in many situations. Bottom line: Public Transportation is totally doable if you live in the right part of town. If not, get a car.

Exactly. Between the Metro Red Line, the Gold Line to Pasadena, and the upcoming Expo Line, they've made *vast* improvements.

You still need a car. But still, Phoenix and Houston are *MUCH* worse than L.A. when it comes to public transportation.

[dereistic01]

i used to live in houston, i never saw a bus until i went to downtown. they built the light rail in 2004, but that goes to very few places. im pretty sure they built the light rail just to get the super bowl to come.