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San Franciscans egos are already pretty bad as a second city. Could you imagine if it were the premier city in California? We wouldnt.hear the end of it!
It actually might be better if it were that way because maybe it wouldn't have such an inferiority complex at times.
Well, it is lackluster in that while LA has the output due to its large population, it has a subpar concentration of actual decision makers and economic influencers vs the Bay Area.
The first one is selective evidence, as you are choosing to present only one cities dominant industries, without looking at the dominant sectors in the other. Akin to other posters that highlighted LA's ports (the busiest container port ANYWHERE in the US) or it being an airhub, both relative weaknesses for San Francisco compared to LA. Again, a trillion dollar economy doesn't appear out of thin air. International trade and entertainment industries are big players on the world market, and San Francisco is dependent on them (it is how the world gets access to the androids and apple products that fuel its industries, and how they come to find about their very existence). This is why the type of tech companies that are either flourishing or opening satellite bases in LA are focusing on LA's strengths: the creative industry, marketing and access to world markets.
As for your second point, even if we agreed that SF punches above its weight and Los Angeles under its weight...LA is still in a different weight class, as in SF doesn't belong in the same ring.
As being a native of Los Angeles, I find it even silly there is an argument that San Francisco/Bay Area is even near the level of Los Angeles. Los Angeles put California on the map with Hollywood, San Francisco is a Tech city, with a large economy (smaller than Los Angeles on an aggregate level but larger on a person adjusted level), but who cares? Part of being the second city is the 'cool' factor, the prestige factor, and the Bay Area is just one of those areas in the USA known for jobs and that's pretty much it (ok gays and hippies and counterculture movement).
It seems that 18montclair cant get through his head that Greater LA has a much larger economy, than the Bay area. I only point this out because he keeps bringing up money as the deciding factor. Then he says that per-capita the Bay Area is superior. Which is true, but does he also claim that Qatar, one of the highest per capita income countries, is also superior to the much(lower per capita) larger countries that have huge economies?
His argument is one sided: Money
The fact is, LA has more Money anyways, so that argument doesn't hold up.
The first one is selective evidence, as you are choosing to present only one cities dominant industries, without looking at the dominant sectors in the other. Akin to other posters that highlighted LA's ports (the busiest container port ANYWHERE in the US) or it being an airhub, both relative weaknesses for San Francisco compared to LA. Again, a trillion dollar economy doesn't appear out of thin air. International trade and entertainment industries are big players on the world market, and San Francisco is dependent on them (it is how the world gets access to the androids and apple products that fuel its industries, and how they come to find about their very existence). This is why the type of tech companies that are either flourishing or opening satellite bases in LA are focusing on LA's strengths: the creative industry, marketing and access to world markets.
As for your second point, even if we agreed that SF punches above its weight and Los Angeles under its weight...LA is still in a different weight class, as in SF doesn't belong in the same ring.
Incorrect.
They are most definitely in the same GDP level because NYs GDP is $500 Billion bigger than LA!
You are closer to the Bay than you are to New York.
So just drop it because this road your on will only lead to you having hurt feelings.
As for your second point, even if we agreed that SF punches above its weight and Los Angeles under its weight...LA is still in a different weight class, as in SF doesn't belong in the same ring.
It seems that 18montclair cant get through his head that Greater LA has a much larger economy, than the Bay area. I only point this out because he keeps bringing up money as the deciding factor. Then he says that per-capita the Bay Area is superior. Which is true, but does he also claim that Qatar, one of the highest per capita income countries, is also superior to the much(lower per capita) larger countries that have huge economies?
His argument is one sided: Money
The fact is, LA has more Money anyways, so that argument doesn't hold up.
Per Capita is not a fair comparison in this regard since Los Angeles is a leisure destination. Every poor person wanting fun in the sun comes to LA and then tries to find a job. In San Francisco, people only come there for jobs, it's kind of a lackluster place to live if it isn't for your career.
I'm so glad people in the real world aren't so obsessed with stuff like this.
Right? Who cares which city is the "#1"
Both are pretty great and specialize in different things.
If you had to pick a singular city in a vacuum, I think it is easily Los Angeles. San Francisco punches way above its weight but without the Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley it cannot reach the magnitude of importance Los Angeles does. Taking the whole Bay Area versus all of Southern California, it gets closer (because IE is a bit of an anchor while the South Bay is a huge boost) but I think Southern CA still gets the nod.
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