Why do You Live in L.A. (Los Angeles, San Francisco: renters, schools)

[SandyCo]

Des Demona, you "came out" several posts ago when you mentioned your "partner" on another L.A. thread. Subtle, but I caught it.

Unfortunately, I can't join in the coming out party here. Haha. Copyguy, that was indeed brave. My ex-brother-in-law died of AIDS several years ago now; I hope for your sake that you stay ahead of the game for many, many years. This gives me a whole new perspective on the way you look at life, and how annoying the L.A. forum's "whining" must be in general. Not that our complaints with L.A. aren't valid, but you know what I mean! I am also glad that you are now cancer-free! I know someone who went through throat cancer, too, and he gave us excruciating detail, so I have some idea of what you had to go through. Wow.

I live in L.A., because I've always lived here. Dumb, I know, but it's true. If I made enough money for a better lifestyle, I probably wouldn't be feeling the way I do. Pure and simple, though, I'm trapped here until my kids get through college. Not to say that I don't have choices, but I prefer staying here to: 1) moving to Palmdale or Lancaster for cheaper housing, but trading in a 12-mile commute to work for a 45-mile commute from Hell, or 2) trying to find a new job somewhere else with no guarantee of success, along with the anxiety and stress that comes with it. (Besides, inertia is a way of life for me! )

Things could be worse; I could be looking at ten more years here instead of only two or three. Time will pass no matter what I do - or don't do!

[montevista1]

I was in San Antonio for business the most homes in the area go for 100 dollars a sqft, its insane!

[_Liquid_]

Why do I live in LA?

Buxxom blondes and tommy's chiliburgers.

[Robert123]

I'm gay too, and live in San Antonio (for now). I have spent a lot of time in LA and love it for the reasons the other gay folks on here do. I'm really happy to see that gay people even come on this site. San Antonio is a very lazy place, backwards, etc. All of the Texas stereotypes are true. All it has going for it is the fabulous weather (better than CA for me, but I love humidity and sultry nights) and lower cost of living. I do miss LA's vibrancy, though, and the fact that Californians have a "clue." That's pretty huge.

[TheRealAngelion]

I too will more than likely return to LA in the new year, for many of the same reasons cited by the gay and straight people alike. I just love the place.

[UB50]

Can I come out as straight?

I live in LA because I love it. I've lived other places but I always wanted to live in a "real" city and this certainly is one! I'll never forget moving here then interviewing for a job on the top floor of one of the Arco Towers. I'd never been in a high speed elevator before! It was quite... unsettling! But considering I used to whoop it up over a 4 story building near a freeway interchange in another "city," it felt cool to live in a "real" city.

I've really never gotten over the breathless feeling I used to get walking down Wilshire with the high-rise buildings and the street life and the traffic and the shops and the restaurants and everything else. I wouldn't trade it for 20,000 Fresnos! Little towns are so cute -- until you have to live in one!

[ExNYr]

Never lived in LA but our five years in Ventura were happy ones. We left because of the cost of living and my husband being newly retired. Now we're in Ashland, Oregon which is a lovely town but I miss Ventura very much.

To be fair, he didn't develop quite the same attachment to the area as I did. We transferred from NY to LA for his new job. He liked it for the first couple of years but changed bosses and it ended in disaster after three years of hell. I think he equates CA with this huge, well-known, nasty company he worked for. Maybe someday we'll go back but our youngest has a couple of years left of high school and we can't leave for anywhere until she's done. Who knows, we may get to like it here a lot.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

The weather's a big plus, of course, but we like the access to sporting events, culture and good eats. In my field, Los Angeles is one of the major players, so reaching this point is meaningful. We likely will look to a scenic college town when we start down the mountain.

[junkman18]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer68

I've made the mistake of moving away twice. I'll never do it again. The short time I've been gone this time seems like an eternity. I can understand why people hate it, they hate it for many of the same reasons I love it. I love the energy and tempo of L.A.. It's like no other place on earth. I love the weather, geography, ethnic diversity and the fact that it's so huge. You literally have anything you want at your fingertips. I can go find whatever I'm in the mood for. I can hear live music 7 nights a week. I can find art galleries all over the place. As a gay man I don't have to worry about the crap I have to put up with in other places. The expense of housing is relative, the decent areas here are expensive. I'll buy a cheaper house in L.A. and durable goods are 1/2 the cost. Antiques, vintage goods and swap meet heaven for me. Rock concerts and dance clubs...I can't wait to come home again. Oh, I miss the whole Hollywood scene. I haven't been to a premiere in ages.

You are right, Everything you love about L.A. I hate. We moved from the Los Angeles area not long ago, And SO glad to be out of there.

[brian_2]

"I can't imagine being happy in a small town or rural area with so many small minded people who for some reason seem to be so threatened by the way I was born.

I couldn't live in a place in which the majority of people claim to be Christian and totally don't act that way when it comes to accepting me as a human being. It's all so hypocritical."

I'm not gay, but I totally agree with your comments. I'm dying to get the hell out of this place I'm living now. I'm wasting away precious time, and time is what we all have little of to waste. It gets scary realizing that all the places I'd like to be living are not viable in terms of affording a home any longer, then I think about all the truly poor people living in deplorable conditions throughout the world, and it snaps me back to the reality that I'm so fortunate to have what I do have, and live in a country that doesn't impede my wanderings. I think a sticking point for me is the belief that I must 'own' a place. As a widower I realize how transitory stuff is, and how precious life is. Time to start living again.