Tone of this forum (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills: vacation, houses, business)

[Sassberto]

The tone of this forum has gone so negative I don't think I can participate here anymore. The volume of anti-hispanic (aka anti-illegal) in addition to the general anti-California posting has created a big feedback loop with Google, and it appears to be self-sustaining.

It's unfortunate that people are getting such a one-sided view of our state, cities, and lives from a few disgruntled people.

[UB50]

Unless people like you participate, it will remain a one-sided view. I happen to like it in California and, until recently, I felt like I was in the minority. I hope you don't quit posting!

[SandyCo]

To be fair, I have never lived outside of L.A. County. I don't know how well I would deal with:

1. Real weather (humidity/snow/thunderstorms).
2. A small town where everything closes early.
3. A town that didn't have a Target or a Wal*Mart.
4. A dry county (I had never even heard of such a thing until recently!)
5. Living in a community where everyone knows your business, and expects certain behavior from you ("go to church every Sunday", etc.).
6. Feeling like an outsider.
7. Getting used to a different culture.

I'm sure there are more concerns and questions.

I'm glad there are people here who like California, and L.A. in particular. Please make sure to tell us what your lifestyle is, though. Young and single? Don't mind renting forever? Rich enough to put your kids into private school and thereby avoid the "LAUSD up" public schools, or live in an area like Beverly Hills?

Those of us who are posting negative images and experiences here are from the rapidly disappearing middle class. We are unable to buy houses. Our kids don't get a decent education. These are all legitimate problems, and should not be swept under the rug by, "Oh, isn't L.A. wonderful!" Vacation here, but don't live here unless you make well over $100,000 a year.

I've said before that it depends what your goals and dreams are. So many goals and dreams are not attainable for most of us, at least the ones who post the most often on this forum. I'm sorry, but that's the real truth.

[James T]

How are we supposed to feel while we're being invaded by people who should not be here, and who are ruining our quality of life? Have you seen what life was like in Los Angeles 50 years ago? This differences are astounding.

[dusesean1986]

This is very dissapointing that this forum site for Los Angeles has become a playground of racial antimosity and venom towards Latinos instead of illegal immigration. I am very appalled by what is occuring, these are attacks on good decent people, not attacking the issue of illegal immigration.

[UB50]

4. A dry county (I had never even heard of such a thing until recently!)
5. Living in a community where everyone knows your business, and expects certain behavior from you ("go to church every Sunday", etc.).

Dry counties are fairly common. Check out "blue laws" because I'll bet you've never heard of them either.

Living in an area where everyone knows your business is something I don't miss from the South. I felt more of a need to "keep up with the Joneses" in a small town than I do in a big city. It's hard to be accepted in a small town if you don't belong to the Junior League, Toastmasters, Chamber of Commerce, local golf club or whatever it is you need to belong to. Sometimes you have to be invited to join particular groups and those invitations can take a long time coming.

I'm single and 40+. I rent. Unless house prices come way down, I'll have to continue to rent.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

The tone of this forum has gone so negative I don't think I can participate here anymore. The volume of anti-hispanic (aka anti-illegal) in addition to the general anti-California posting has created a big feedback loop with Google, and it appears to be self-sustaining.

It's unfortunate that people are getting such a one-sided view of our state, cities, and lives from a few disgruntled people.

Stand your ground. Hammer away. Cite facts. Try and answer every negative. Recruit the good guys to stick around. You can turn it around....

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by olecapt

Stand your ground. Hammer away. Cite facts. Try and answer every negative. Recruit the good guys to stick around. You can turn it around....

Alas that would take more time and energy than I have to offer. It's really a shame because it seems like this all happened in a matter of weeks.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Alas that would take more time and energy than I have to offer. It's really a shame because it seems like this all happened in a matter of weeks.

Well that is how it happens The naysayers stick and the proponents go back to their lifes and the newbys get bad information.

I find it takes less than 15 minutes a day to deal with Las Vegas and Nevada. Many days less. And you may find that dealing with it for a week or two builds a cadre of defenders.

If you can try it for a while...it turns around fast.

[copyguy]

I'll help. Please read some of my other posts. I first came to this board and thought it was odd that it was so one-sided and so vehemently agaisnt L.A.

I got critizized for "personally attacking people" here because I suggested that they should stop whining and move out of L.A if they don't like it here.

I'm with you. I'm all for turning this board around and providing some intelligent and constructive counterpoint to the hystertcal element.