L.A. Love - my take on Los Angeles (San Diego: fit in, violent crime)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jc76

I can understand that, I didn't know you have seen all those changes throughout the years. I'm a Dodgers fan as well and being in the heart of Cubs country, trust me I get tons of dirty looks for my Dodgers plate on the front of my car

I only know of the Los Angeles that I know today, and I love it, but maybe I would not like it anymore had I experienced all the changes you have. Once again I apologize.

Talking about Dodgers: I have 2 things to say, Go to a St Louis game, in St Louis and feel out of place as a Dodger fan, you got it. We did this last year, I don't think we will do that again. The second thing: when we were deciding on a place for retirement one of the reasons we choose Albuquerque was the Dodgers AAA team was there. Of course it wasn't the only reason. Well the year we moved there the Dodgers left. Last year we left and guess what? The Dodgers came back to ABQ.

nita

[ehcsrop]

Why is it that I seem to think of LA the city much better than LA the people? Hey, if you want rude, come on down.

[sdlife619]

What a great post! I to live in San Diego and feel exactly the same way the OP feels.


San Diegan's and it's government have this sense of pride that it doesn't have all the problems like LA has. Bad traffic, bad pollution, massive sprawl, lots of crime and everything else that LA is known for.

But in a way, that is what makes for a great city. If it wasn't for the hectic lifestyle of LA, the fast pace of life, many things that go on in LA, think how boring it would be? If it wasn't for hollywood, it's diverse culture and distinct neighborhoods, it wouldn't be as cool of a city.

LA is a mega metropolis, a real city, SD is not, it's more like a small town that is afraid to grow up.

I do enjoy some grittiness here and there and appreciate the faults that LA has from the horrible traffic to the graffiti littered streets with it's ****ed up sidewalks and tore up neighborhoods. It really bothers me how perfect San Diego looks all the time. I mean seriously, image here is so important because after all SD is a huge tourist town, and we are well known for our beaches, great weather, picture perfect neighborhoods and family friendly activities. So there is a heavy emphasis on making sure our freeways are extremely clean, this includes watering the landscaping extensively, even though we are in a massive drought, Cal Trans obviously doesn't care, and whats more important is making sure everything is green and beautiful, a blighted building will quickly be repainted, or complained about and at times the city will plant a tree just to cover up the blight, graffiti is reported immediately, after all we need to impress tourist, which could be future San Diegans

Not to be racist, but there is a lot of white people in San Diego,especially the County part. You would think the opposite, since Mexico is our neighbor, but that's not the case. Yes the further south you go in San Diego, the more Hispanics and the more diverse it gets, but overall, San Diego's lacks diversity and culture compared to LA and even the Bay Area. San Diego lacks Mexicans influence it all forms, including local government, San Diego culture is mostly about surfing, being a Bro driving lifted trucks, being rich, and kinda has this disgust towards minorities which don't have a voice or someone to speak up for them in politics. San Diego County is heavily White with hardly no Blacks Asians, Hispanics yes, but they are very segregated and mostly live in the inner city and South San Diego, and in the South Bay area of SD County. But the East part of SD County, North SD County, Beach areas, are all majority White and very conservative, small minded due to the military presence here, and suburban living.

When driving in LA, I notice the diversity, and embrace it. I even had cousins visit me from LA here in SD, and said to me "Where all the Mexicans", I was like "Not here".


But yeah, there is a sense of elitism in San Diego, almost like locals are proud not be like an LA, people down here like the peacefulness, picture perfectness, and the laid back lifestyle. Every time you hear people speak about LA, it's always negative, mostly about how dirty the place is, how crowded, how they have too many Mexicans, there too liberal. blah blah blah.

SD has it's problems too, not every place in SD is nice, we too have ghetto's and run down sections of town, liberal parts of the city, actually the city itself is liberal and very open minded, but the County is a whole nother story. It's very conservative, uptight, and anti everything. It's mainly because the same old geezer politicians have been running this place for so long, that nothing has changed. They do nothing to address the affordable housing crisis, housing is expensive here, and people are against any sort of low income housing for the poor, or middle income people. It's all about protecting property values over the people. Lot of old people live in San Diego County, which are conservative and have a lot of say on what goes on locally.

There's tension between Hispanics and whites in SD County places like Escondido, because of the illegal immigration problem. The border is always the talk of the town it seems like.

San Diego is nothing like LA, we are more of this Midwestern hick town, that can't get it's act together. Just take a trip into East County like El Cajon and Santee, and you'll see what I mean.


SD is okay, but you get bored fast if your originally from LA, you too will see what I'm talking about.

[matt345]

Originally Posted by jc76

I only know of the Los Angeles that I know today, and I love it, but maybe I would not like it anymore had I experienced all the changes you have. Once again I apologize.

One could argue that many of the problems of today's Los Angeles, are the result of the actions taken by the Los Angeles of the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. Most obvious case - traffic. The traffic situation in Los Angeles didn't appear out of nowhere once the 80's and 90's hit. It is the direct result of decades worth of city 'planning' (idiotic decisions is a more appropriate term).

This is a city that chose to rip out all their streetcars in favor of the automobile and only the automobile. There was actually a plan to build a massive subway system in LA, however people demanded the freeway system instead. Plans by the city to build mass transit were met with fierce opposition even as late as the 1990's. Only in the 2000's (with traffic absolutely unbearable) has this mentality started to change. The traffic of today is also a direct result of a city that completely abandoned it's core areas (downtown, Westlake, etc.) in favor of this "suburbia for all" mentality. Downtown's old, let's move on to mid-Wilshire. Now that's old, on to Beverly Hills and Westside! We're bored with that, let's expand into the San Fernando Valley! Los Angeles diffused itself way too much.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by matt345

One could argue that many of the problems of today's Los Angeles, are the result of the actions taken by the Los Angeles of the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. Most obvious case - traffic. The traffic situation in Los Angeles didn't appear out of nowhere once the 80's and 90's hit. It is the direct result of decades worth of city 'planning' (idiotic decisions is a more appropriate term).

This is a city that chose to rip out all their streetcars in favor of the automobile and only the automobile. There was actually a plan to build a massive subway system in LA, however people demanded the freeway system instead. Plans by the city to build mass transit were met with fierce opposition even as late as the 1990's. Only in the 2000's (with traffic absolutely unbearable) has this mentality started to change. The traffic of today is also a direct result of a city that completely abandoned it's core areas (downtown, Westlake, etc.) in favor of this "suburbia for all" mentality. Downtown's old, let's move on to mid-Wilshire. Now that's old, on to Beverly Hills and Westside! We're bored with that, let's expand into the San Fernando Valley! Los Angeles diffused itself way too much.

How few people realize what you are saying. I remember when my husband did use public transportation when he could to commute and i would do the same, rather than drive in downtown, if possible. you are right about a subway system, no one in the 50s, 60s wanted anything to do with a system that would not allow them to drive their cars everywhere, anytime. You are right about the downtown area as well. Companies have been moving out since the 70s.

To many, even the present day Los Angeles is heaven, I am happy they feel that way, but in reality people have to accept how much it has changed and mostly not for the better. As I will always say, there are many things I still miss about Ca as well as things I miss about NM, Texas, VA, etc. This doesn't mean I would want to return.

Nita

[FLIGHTSIMMER]

Good looking, got money than you will have an easer time in LA.

[AliveandWell]

Originally Posted by nmnita

How few people realize what you are saying. I remember when my husband did use public transportation when he could to commute and i would do the same, rather than drive in downtown, if possible. you are right about a subway system, no one in the 50s, 60s wanted anything to do with a system that would not allow them to drive their cars everywhere, anytime. You are right about the downtown area as well. Companies have been moving out since the 70s.

To many, even the present day Los Angeles is heaven, I am happy they feel that way, but in reality people have to accept how much it has changed and mostly not for the better. As I will always say, there are many things I still miss about Ca as well as things I miss about NM, Texas, VA, etc. This doesn't mean I would want to return.

Nita

I still manage without a car and I live in the LA metro, so it can be done if you want to, but it is a challenge for sure. I actually really like your post so that's why I'm replying to it

Los Angeles is not heaven that's for sure. Are there things I like about it? Of course there are. There are also things I don't like about it, but that's natural since every place has its pros and cons. I remember when I first arrived here back in 1983 that a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in Glendale would cost $500 a month for rent. Now, those same kinds of places cost at least 3 times more, minimum! And the traffic especially on the freeways has gotten really bad. And we are also experiencing droughts like never before. I honestly don't even remember when was the last time we had a drop of rain here. It must have been too long ago

It used to be safe for kids to walk outside or play in the street when I was growing up but not anymore.

If I had a choice, I probably would consider moving to a place like AZ(not in Flagstaff because it is expensive) due to the fact that my hard earned dollars would go farther. but I am not sure where in the US I'd move to. Oregon and Washington State are gorgeous places but since they are small states, their economies are not as diverse as CA, AZ, or TX for example. Now with the current economic conditions I will stay put where I am. I encourage others to not even move anywhere without securing a job first.

Again, I want to clarify that there are things I like about LA and for now, I am here but I don't think about the future because it is not here yet. I only live in the present and try to enjoy it as much as I can. Your post is very true and well written my dear

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by destroycreate

There is a darkness of the city I find attractive, a falseness I find beautiful. I'm not here to provide a guide to the city or an elaborate explanation of my opinions, but I recommend that next time you visit, dig a little deeper than the Disney-like Santa Monica Pier or stoic Rodeo Drive.

Looking for a cheap sweater to replace the one I bought 25 years ago, in Santee Alley, slowly working off the buzz of a three Martini lunch.

[Radical347]

Originally Posted by matt345

One could argue that many of the problems of today's Los Angeles, are the result of the actions taken by the Los Angeles of the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. Most obvious case - traffic. The traffic situation in Los Angeles didn't appear out of nowhere once the 80's and 90's hit. It is the direct result of decades worth of city 'planning' (idiotic decisions is a more appropriate term).

This is a city that chose to rip out all their streetcars in favor of the automobile and only the automobile. There was actually a plan to build a massive subway system in LA, however people demanded the freeway system instead. Plans by the city to build mass transit were met with fierce opposition even as late as the 1990's. Only in the 2000's (with traffic absolutely unbearable) has this mentality started to change. The traffic of today is also a direct result of a city that completely abandoned it's core areas (downtown, Westlake, etc.) in favor of this "suburbia for all" mentality. Downtown's old, let's move on to mid-Wilshire. Now that's old, on to Beverly Hills and Westside! We're bored with that, let's expand into the San Fernando Valley! Los Angeles diffused itself way too much.

This wasn't just limited to Los Angeles. The same happened to the steetcar systems for the vast majority of this country and suburbia has run amok just about everywhere save for some of the cities on the east coast.

Even in SF, which is touted as having one of the best public transportation systems in the country, streetcar lines were ripped up. Save for SF city and parts of Oakland and Berkeley, the Bay Area is just as suburban as anywhere else. I'll give BART that it's one of the best of its kind, but it was scheduled to go up to Marin co. too and residents there wouldn't have it.

[mike8290]

[quote=destroycreate;10619310]"Los Angeles sucks," - A declaration I've heard my entire life.

Being from San Diego, LA's southern, quieter, and tamer cousin two hours south, everybody automatically had to despise LA. It was like the ugly step-sister nobody wanted to invite to their birthday party, the armpit of the nerd in class who never bothered to deoderize. Always suffocating in traffic and smog, the city was a force to be avoided. San Diego to us on the other hand, was seen as an Apple Pie American image of middle-class perfection. Lots of republicans, safe streets, sterile tract housing developments, big yards, the beach of course, and family values. Secretly though...we may all have been jealous of the excitement the northern queen offered that our city didn't.

In fact, growing up LA held such an undeserved and negative image in my head that when my family and I did visit (which was seldom), I felt as though we were entering a vortex...another country or state. The pace of life seemed more hectic and the people more plastic. I was afraid to breathe the air, be murdered by OJ Simpson, be molested by a Hollywood male streetwalker. The sky always seemed to have that afternoon look--never fully bright-happy-day, but more so somber-sunny-afternoon...a constant smokey-orange sun. Tattered stocky palm trees lined the highways, industrial wastelands pumping black smoke into the sky thrived in their destruction while being intermixed between mile-long roads of car dealerships. Where was the supposed glamour?

But today I find it a different story. As I grow older, with each visit to the city - the more I fall in love with the place. I'm not saying I'd ever live there - that'd be a breach of contract as a San Diego native - but I must admit, there's something seductive about the City of Angels. There's a feeling in the air of "yes, I damn well am the most filmed city in the world" and that **** really matters there. LA is an important financial and entertainement cosmopolatain capital of the world, ready to challenge any world class city.

Whether it's the glorious seediness of Hollywood Boulevard, the numerous overlooked ethnic neighborhoods the city has to offer, or the kitschy street murals and boutiques in Los Feliz or on Melrose, LA is a fascinating place. Nowhere in the world is there a city of its size that defies all convential images of a metropolis...you can drive for hours throughout the different sections of the city and see maybe no more than 20 pedestrians on the street. Tokyo, New York City and Shanghai all have millions of skyscrapers and bustling urban neighborhoods. But LA is a city of the car, her citizens stubbornly refusing to give up the auto-dream, frequently voting against proposed expansions of the subway lines through their neighborhoods (which of courses prolongs the city's racial segregation - perhaps intentional), despite Angelenos spending the most hours in traffic than in any other city in America. It seems in some bizarre way that her citizens are almost proud of her endless problems.

Sitting above a massive fault line that could spasm a major Earthquake at any time, LA moves on -constantly evolving, still sprawling, still polluting. People flock from all corners of the globe for the nil chance to appear on screen or in print. Living constantly on the edge makes life more exciting, right? Race riots and brush fires and traffic jams make the city...almost charming after awhile.

Personally, I love how everytime I visit the city there's a new neighborhood to be discovered that I never knew existed. A common misconception, especially amongst European travelers, is that the city is just endless sprawl. It might look this way from a rental car on the crumbling 405 Interstate, but in reality the city is quite dense and has many districts, all with a unique vibe and feel. Japantown, Koreatown, Westwood, The Jewlery District, and Boyle Heights for example, all have a very distinct aura worth experiencing.

There is a darkness of the city I find attractive, a falseness I find beautiful. I'm not here to provide a guide to the city or an elaborate explanation of my opinions, but I recommend that next time you visit, dig a little deeper than the Disney-like Santa Monica Pier or stoic Rodeo Drive. Admire the classic Art Deco architectural styles of Beverly Hills or the blighted neon of Hollywood at night, or grab some Filipino Grub in Filipinotown. Check out the boisterous body builders pumping their muscles right on the boardwalk of Venice Beach and risk getting mugged (which probably is as opposite to a beach paradise atmosphere than what you'd imagined), or shop on the ecclectic yet posh Robertson Boulevard--maybe even catch a glimpse of Vanessa Hudgens shopping with Kristen Stewart.

All in all, LA is not a hellhole. She's got her problems - after all, she really is just a teenager - but like any hormonal adolescent girl, she really does also have her pleasant sides.










Your so right LA is awesome.
In fact here's a list of all the awesome things that happened in the 15 years I've lived here.

I've had my car broken into twice.
1 friend robbed
1 friend was shot and robbed
1 friend raped
1 friend robbed and pushed to the ground
1 friend motercycle stolen twice
A coworker was robbed, shot, and died a few days later
One coworker was victim of a drive-by shooting, and no longer has use of his hand.

Now isn't LA awesome?