Traffic in L.A. (Los Angeles, Orange: neighborhood, to live, prices)

[1979]

Is it possible to get around comfortably driving in the Los Angeles metro area nowadays? The last time I was there was in 1985, and I've heard it has gotten so much worse. Are there a lot of traffic problems? If so, where are the best areas to live to avoid traffic? What have been your experiences?

[BRinSM]

traffic is bad everywhere here. your best bet it is to live close to where you work.

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by 1979

Is it possible to get around comfortably driving in the Los Angeles metro area nowadays? The last time I was there was in 1985, and I've heard it has gotten so much worse. Are there a lot of traffic problems? If so, where are the best areas to live to avoid traffic? What have been your experiences?

It's hard to get anywhere at any time. Try to have everything you need in your neighborhood and never have to get on the 405.

[phoenix_talons]

Originally Posted by 1979

If so, where are the best areas to live to avoid traffic? What have been your experiences?

Away from Los Angeles and, whenever possible, avoid using the freeway.

[KnoxTown]

I have to drive daily to different places in and around LA. My advice: Don't drive 7-9 or 5-7, other then that, its totally managable.

[hsw]

LA fwy traffic actually moves faster, more smoothly than it did in early '90s...and smog is much less than 15+yrs ago...

LA region traffic is far more efficient than similar commute routes in NYC or Chicago regions...

Need to factor in advantages of a modern, decentralized urban region like LA...many live in suburbs fairly close to their offices in various suburban corridors; it's usually the less affluent who have the legendary, but fairly irrelevant, commutes....lots of people on Westside have 10-20min casual drives to offices in BevHills/CenturyCity, prob shorter commutes than many affluent guys in small towns like Cleveland/Cincinnati

Also, LA's nr-perfect weather means far less winter weather-related slowdowns than regions like NYC/Chic...

[ElleBebe]

Originally Posted by phoenix_talons

Away from Los Angeles and, whenever possible, avoid using the freeway.

I dunno, Santa Monica Blvd is almost impossible during rush hour.

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by ElleBebe

I dunno, Santa Monica Blvd is almost impossible during rush hour.

I agree. Going east to west (and vice-versa) is just horrendous.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by 1979

Is it possible to get around comfortably driving in the Los Angeles metro area nowadays? The last time I was there was in 1985, and I've heard it has gotten so much worse. Are there a lot of traffic problems? If so, where are the best areas to live to avoid traffic? What have been your experiences?

Like the above posters said, avoid freeways if you can. Just take them on the weekends for leisure if you do not have to be somewhere at a certain time. For work, take surface streets and leave early! In Los Angeles County, we have the Metro Rail (Green, Red, Blue, Gold & Orange Lines). I work in Lynwood 14 miles away. I would normally take the 105 to the 710 freeways. I can also drive all the way down Rosecrans Ave. and make a right on Atlantic Blvd. Usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. But, I use the park 'n' ride in Norwalk and take the Metro Rail Green Line and get off at the Blue Line Rosa Parks Station. (Watts). Then I take the bus the rest of the way, and walk the remaining 3 blocks to work. It takes longer. Depending on traffic. But, I save a lot of $ on gas and the bus/rail drivers do the driving for me!

I avoid freeways because it is difficult to change lanes in all of that traffic. If you know what lanes to get in ahead of time, it helps. But, the lanes merge all of the time. If you are surrounded by trucks and diesels, it is hard to see and adds that more much stress than you already have. If you choose to drive the freeways to work, you may want to take sedatives or tanquilizers which are addictive and bad for your health.

[ConsideringLA]

Originally Posted by Texasturkey

In Los Angeles County, we have the Metro Rail (Green, Red, Blue, Gold & Orange Lines). I work in Lynwood 14 miles away. I would normally take the 105 to the 710 freeways. But, I use the park 'n' ride in Norwalk and take the Metro Rail Green Line and get off at the Blue Line Station. Then I take the bus the rest of the way, and walk the remaining 3 blocks to work. It takes longer. Depending on traffic. But, I save a lot of $ on gas and the bus/rail drivers do the driving for me!

Couldn't agree more. I'm 17 miles away but choose to bike + metro orange line. I admit to having a warm feeling inside when folks complain about gas prices and traffic - I have (almost) no idea what they're talking about.

My route is about 45 minutes door-to-door, but it includes a workout on both ends and time with a book on an air-conditioned metro-liner. I actually look forward to my commute !!