Does anyone living in Los Angeles feel this way after many years of living here? (San Francisco: apartment, lofts)

[AliveandWell]

I just wanted to clarify that actually overall, through most of my stay in LA it has been quite positive. I moved here when I was really young and when you are really young, you don't notice a lot of things. There were maybe only a handful of times I became frustrated and or upset with my stay in LA. In 2006, it became the most frustrating being here. I guess the negative aspects of LA were starting to get to me. But I was wise enough to realize that I am a better person because of that. That shows personal growth.

I think this was due to the fact that it is difficult to get around with no car and I have been declared ineligible to drive due to a depth perception problem. I was tested for driving ability and did not pass. I have no problem with that because having a car costs $$. I always bought into the idea that it is difficult to meet people here and it may be more difficult than other places because of the urban sprawl but the thing I realized is that it is up to you to make the effort if you want to meet people.

LA might not have the best transit system, but if you are patient, you will survive and get by with no car, so it can be done.

The reason I am still in LA is because this city never ceases to be an exciting place!!

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

Yeah, but part of learning to love LA is learning to have a sense of humor about it, both the realities and the stereotypes. (and the fact that the rest of the country seems to have a strong love-hate relationship with the city - hardly anyone is neutral)

being strongly medicated helps too....it's a morally bankrupt wasteland - a portend of what the rest of the usa is moving toward, alas...if you don't sync with LA it means there's still hope for you.

[blutrank]

OH MY GOD.
i cannot belive what i read. i did live in LA county for almost all my life until i took my boat to BUKKHEAD CITY AZ. thank god i did just to see what real life is all about. You think LA is great, just start learning about it. As a teen age kid it was great, take you horse down to the LA river and ride to the beach or to the mountains via the rio hondo river. I bet you dont even know what they are. Now its all one great big slab of concrete and asphalt. and you think ITS great. It takes hours to get anywhere on any day. Everything cost more than anywhere else, people dont know their next door neighbor, crime is at a all time high, service stinks and you luvky if you dont get robbed of raped just going to the store. So LA can go to hell where it seems to be headed, and please have all your friends move with you to LA so we can keep our small towns, and you can keep the creeps.

[Jer3784]

Originally Posted by AliveandWell

LA might not have the best transit system, but if you are patient, you will survive and get by with no car, so it can be done.

The reason I am still in LA is because this city never ceases to be an exciting place!!

I wanted to highlight this statement, because I dont think anyone in any state realizes the opportunities that they have, and how not everyone is going to be the standard.

While I currently live in one of the countries best cities for public transportation, I am still around tons of people that feel that it is impossible to get around without a car. When the reality is, they are so used to being road rage push overs, that they are now afraid of getting the exercise of walking, taking a bike, or even sitting on the bench waiting for a bus. Yet, even with a car they complain about travel times, traffic, and now costs. Which really blows my mind. Would you rather pay 2 bucks to ride the bus, or deal with the repairs and costs of a new car? How I put it, either way you are stuck in traffic, so you might as well be stuck in traffic and saving money at the same time. Plus, everyone is so willing to complain about high taxes. Well, go use what you are helping to pay for to your advantage, and stop complaining.

Since I am moving to LA soon and do not drive, I am given mixed reviews on this. One friend thats all the way in The Valley has told me that its impossible to get around without a car (even though she also doesnt have a car). A friend of mine in North Hollywood travels into West Hollywood and Santa Monica all the time, and says that while its rough, living can easily be done without a car. And a friend in Brentwood went as far as telling me that most people he knows get around on bikes.

I think it all just depends on your perception of money, and your personality. But people need to stop acting like people who dont drive have the automatic death card. There are a lot more of us out there than you want to believe.

While I live in a major city, LA still has a lot more to offer me. And I would rather take advatnage of that, then sit back and worry if I look cool in my highly priced car thats going to send me home in 6 months.

Good on you for already realizing all this.

[Tasksgirl]

From the first day I loved it here but I can understand why many people don't. Your experience here changes DRASTICALLY depending on what part of the city you live in, what kind of job you have, etc. I have lived here 5 years and had many different "kinds" of life depending on where I lived and where I worked.. This is what will ultimately keep me in Los Angeles.. it's a neverending new experience that shifts day to day and you can never be bored..

[user_id]

No, I don't think this way. I can't help but think Los Angeles is an ugly pile of overpriced concrete. Can't get over that aspect of it.

[bluevelo]

There's a reason that they Made Escape from LA and that it is an even a more savage city than New York.

You could not pay me enough money to live in that stinking cesspool.

[blondandfun]

DUde, if you can't afford a car, you should be focused not on LA but on your education and get yourself a half-decent job... geez..

[alaplex]

I moved here from Ohio and understand your concern. I find that many people here don't take advantage of the city and the different areas. I live on the westside and the people I know think a trip to Hollywood is a weekend journey. When I suggest jumping on the metro rail I get this look like "are your serious"? I find that people on the westside stay on the west side. When was the last time you saw a blue eyed caucasion white woman on Broadway ave downtown? Don't happen! I for one was very excited when I moved here from a small town and unlike my friends, have never lost that perspective. I like to drive to midwilshire and jump on the red line to Hollywood or sometimes to Redondo Beach and jump on the Green line to Blue to Red. Went to the ""Make musick Pasadena" festival last summer and road the rail. It's amazing what one could see if they only had the spirit to venture out and around the city. It's almost like taking a trip to a foreing country due to the diversified nature of this city. I moved out here when I was 30 and now I'm 59 and still doing it. I would suggest that everyone get out of their little corners of the world and explore while you can. This is not to say I don't complain about LA because I do. Illegal immigration, traffic, etc but I try to keep it in perspective and keep in mind that at least it's not boring like in Ohio.

[buckeyenative01]

Originally Posted by alaplex

...at least it's not boring like in Ohio.

As a fellow former Ohioan...that's not exactly the best way to judge any city since they'll all look like Heaven by comparison