Honest Opinions on LA (Pasadena, Westwood: best neighborhoods, crime, lawyers)

[ivygrad10]

What makes LA the ideal city for an intelligent, ambitious, (male) college grad?

[KnoxTown]

It's not ideal unless you get a job lined up before moving here.

[bhcompy]

It's not an ideal city for an intelligent, ambitious college grad unless you have a major bankroll and experience to get you a job to pay the bills. If you're just starting out, I'd try a different city. LA is where dreams die more than they're made.

[UB50]

It's too crowded here. I think you should look somewhere else.

Right now, unemployment is really high too -- so unless you don't need a job...

[jksouthbay88]

I'm going to go with what UB50&bhcompy said.And I'm going to leave it at that.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by ivygrad10

What makes LA the ideal city for an intelligent, ambitious, (male) college grad?

What makes you think it is the ideal city or are you hoping some of us will say it is and convince you?

If you have a decent job, there are lots of positives about all of So Ca, it is pretty, diverse, good weather (even with the smog) and fairly laid back plus they have great sport teams, both college and pro. If you are not a sports fan that may not make a difference to you.

It is crowded (depending on where you come from this could be an issue or not one) very expensive living, outrageous taxes on everything, lacking in really good rapid transit thus you spend hours on freeways every day and the crime and gang problems really exist.

Hope this helps you a little.

Nita

[impala666]

Originally Posted by ivygrad10

What makes LA the ideal city for an intelligent, ambitious, (male) college grad?

Massive competition driven by unparalleled opportunity all of which creates an environment which is exiting and dynamic, for the few who are successful the rest will crash and burn.

What have you done and what would you like to do in the future?

[Bunjee]

Originally Posted by impala666

Massive competition driven by unparalleled opportunity all of which creates an environment which is exiting and dynamic, for the few who are successful the rest will crash and burn.

What have you done and what would you like to do in the future?

I think the bolded sentence is the point. You say you're ambitious but haven't said what your ambitions are. I take it from your screen name that you're an Ivy set to graduate in 2010? That's a golden parachute, and you're pretty much guaranteed a living of some kind here, though I'd caution you not to automatically assume you're the smartest guy in the room. It is competitive in LA and that attitude lacks self-knowledge.

Are you a business major? There's a diverse economy here, hampered by the recent collapse but that's everywhere. Are you into tech? There are defense contractors and JPL in Pasadena (I happen to like Pasadena, though it's hot). Are you a lawyer? Uh, yeah. There're lawyers in LA, LOL. In all, choosing LA as a launchpad you could certainly do worse, but not knowing more about your plans it's hard to form a response whether you could do better.

[TheRealAngelion]

Well, I agree with the other posters that it would be helpful to know what line of work you are looking to get into. Would also be curious to know which Ivy you're at.

But if you are like me and many other ambitious, entrepreneurial-minded people, life does not revolve around a JOB and you don't make your decision about where to live based on unemployment data. So with that said, LA is ideal for the kind of person you describe because:

A. LA is a city of full of ambitious, entrepreneurial-minded people who are into creating and inventing. So if that is what you are about, then you might be inspired by this atmosphere which celebrates and flaunts success no matter who you are or where you come from.

B. LA is a very welcoming, non-judgmental place with a very libertarian attitude and outlook toward life. You are allowed to be who you want to be and live your life as you please.

C. There are a lot of young people here like you with Ivy League degrees, so you will be in familiar company. LA along with NYC and SF is a top destination for graduates of Ivy League schools. The Ivy’s all seem to have their own mafias within the entertainment industry. LOL

D. It's a dynamic, cosmopolitan environment that offers all of the amenities and diversity one would expect of a great city. It also offers access to an active outdoorsy lifestyle too, so whether you are an urban sophisticate, a tree hugging granola, or a total surfer dude, you would feel comfortable here.

[ivygrad10]

Thanks Angelion for your response. The money is not really a problem - I won't jump coasts without a secure job. Really what I'm looking for is how LA compares to SF or NY for someone moving out to LA without knowing anybody. Are people welcoming or do they tend to stick to themselves? Do people's lives revolve around their work (like in NY) or do people see their jobs as a way of financing their lives? Are people really shallow like the stereotype or can you find good, down to earth people?

Ideally, I'd like to do something business oriented, but employment is not really my concern, my school has sufficient resources to help me with that. I'd also like to live somewhere west, near other similarly situated people. What are the best neighborhoods for that? Westwood? West L.A.?

Thanks for your responses.