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L.A. is pretty unique. It shares obvious similarities with other sunbelt cities, but is much more densely built than any of them.
It has a core density, and a large old school downtown similar to older, traditionally urban cities like Chicago/Boston/Philly, but overall has a built form that resembles none of them. Nowhere near as core-centric either.
Of the choices, I'd go with Miami. It's built more densely than fellow sunbelt Atlanta, and has a glamour/beach component similar to L.A. Not a photocopy obviously, but the best choice here. Houston would have been a good choice. If/when it densifies, it'll most resemble L.A. (excluding other Cali cities, of course). It has the diversity, the port, and the notorious sprawl.
Last edited by RaymondChandlerLives; 11-07-2012 at 11:57 PM..
Out of the poll, Miami. They are both on the beach, both known for their sunny weather, both have a lot of palm trees, both places where celebrities like to hang out/party/live in, both large Hispanic populations, etc.
San Antonio is nothing like LA. Maybe San Diego. Austin is like Sacramento.
San Antonio & San Diego do have similarities, as well as Austin & Sacramento or San Jose, although I do find it interesting that California & Texas cities are sort of similar to each other. Also to answer the OP question LA is well LA it has a bit of very thing.
Freeway traffic and traffic jams are characteristics of all metros.
Well I think I meant a little more than than. fwys and traffic. One would have to be a blind to visit both cities and not see similarities between LA and Phx. They are a sprawled out mess that go on for miles and miles with the smog that goes with it. Palm trees and fwys and spending your day in a car. Half the people in Phoenix drove the 5 hours from LA and moved to Phoenix for a cheaper house. These cities are right next to each other. All those people from Calif that moved here definitely brought thier culture, type of housing. Their Orange County Politics and all thier gridlock with them.
I can't imagine people are listing Austin as comprable to LA and not even acknowledge Phoenix. Phoenix has had the reputation of developing into the inland LA for several decades now.
Well I think I meant a little more than than. fwys and traffic. One would have to be a blind to visit both cities and not see similarities between LA and Phx. They are a sprawled out mess that go on for miles and miles with the smog that goes with it. Palm trees and fwys and spending your day in a car. Half the people in Phoenix drove the 5 hours from LA and moved to Phoenix for a cheaper house. These cities are right next to each other. All those people from Calif that moved here definitely brought thier culture, type of housing. Their Orange County Politics and all thier gridlock with them.
I can't imagine people are listing Austin as comprable to LA and not even acknowledge Phoenix. Phoenix has had the reputation of developing into the inland LA for several decades now.
Phoenix isn't one of the options, that's why it isn't being aknowledged. It (and Vegas) are glorified SoCal exurbs, but they're not options. Phoenix resembles the Inland Empire more than anything imo, and if the L.A. basin had Phoenix's comparitively mild traffic and congestion, I'd fall to my knees and sing "hallelujah".
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