Analysis of LA from a transplant.... (Los Angeles, San Francisco: rent, how much, lawyer)

[BarcelonaFan]

LA is so refreshing in comparison to the rest of the country. I love every bit of this city, even as much as I complain about West LA.

But the COL is the biggest burden and the job situation make it worse!

these employers take advantage of the labor force here.

[PDF]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

LA is so refreshing in comparison to the rest of the country. I love every bit of this city, even as much as I complain about West LA.

But the COL is the biggest burden and the job situation make it worse!

these employers take advantage of the labor force here.

BarcelonaFan, I'm curious which neighborhood you live in? It's OK if you don't want to mention it on here, I was just curious because I always read your posts/opinions on LA but can't remember ever seeing you mentioned where you chose to live when you moved out here, or where you would want to live.

[BarcelonaFan]

I live in *Valley Village which rocks. I love my neighborhood. I am looking to move to Studio City or Sherman Oaks or closer to Toluca Lake.

* actually I live right in between Valley Glen and Valley Village but I am always in the latter half.

I have no complaints about where I live. I am just trying to justify the major downgrade in living standards from Texas to LA. The perks are living in an awesome town, natural beauty, laid back feel, no keeping up with the Jones's vibe, etc.

But all my friends back home are already owning homes, starting families and careers. That's just something you kind of have to put on hold in LA or at least wait until you're much more established.

[moonsparkle]

Midwestern suburbs have that vibe too much in their own way. People get all judgmental about what brand of grill you have, or if your tv is LCD vs plasma sort of thing.

At least in LA, a lot of the "keeping up" mentality is centered around being in shape and dressing well. In LA, that seems to go farther than most places. You can barely be making it and living in a small apt, but if you present a good image, you get some respect for that. In the midwest, if you're a guy - you'll have to explain you're straight if you aren't fascinated by big-screen tv's, subwoofers, and happen to care more about fashion and working out. There's absolutely nothing good about the "Oktoberfest" culture that everyone obsesses about over here.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by trancedout

Midwestern suburbs have that vibe too much in their own way. People get all judgmental about what brand of grill you have, or if your tv is LCD vs plasma sort of thing.

At least in LA, a lot of the "keeping up" mentality is centered around being in shape and dressing well. In LA, that seems to go farther than most places. You can barely be making it and living in a small apt, but if you present a good image, you get some respect for that. In the midwest, if you're a guy - you'll have to explain you're straight if you aren't fascinated by big-screen tv's, subwoofers, and happen to care more about fashion and working out. There's absolutely nothing good about the "Oktoberfest" culture that everyone obsesses about over here.

Agreed. On just about everything. I'm not sure if you have to explain you're straight if you're not fascinated by the TVs/stereos. However, if you have zero interest in following sports . . . I actually like playing sports, and even watching a live game, but following whats going on through the season?? no. But THAT might make people wonder.

Oktoberfest?? Not sure where that comes into play here. Personally I like German food and beer. That German culture that is all over the midwest, can be a little hard to come by in Socal.

[BarcelonaFan]

In Texas if you're not into hunting, fishing, cars, as a source of pride then people think you're weird.

I have a mild interest in all three hobbies listed above but in small town TX if you're not totally enamoured by the three then think there is something wrong with you.

I'm more of the crunchy kind of guy; hiking, surfing, working out, and my favorite sports are soccer and tennis. So do the math and see why CA is more my fit.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

In Texas if you're not into hunting, fishing, cars, as a source of pride then people think you're weird.

I have a mild interest in all three hobbies listed above but in small town TX if you're not totally enamoured by the three then think there is something wrong with you.

I'm more of the crunchy kind of guy; hiking, surfing, working out, and my favorite sports are soccer and tennis. So do the math and see why CA is more my fit.

You're just like me in this regard. (although I haven't actually surfed yet, I do snorkel as I love marine life, and do some horseback riding and rock climbing on occassion).

The pine forests around Houston are more conducive to the more "manly" sports of hunting and fishing. They're flat, thick, with a lot of creeks.

What part of Houston did you grow up in. It seems like the thing about Texas cities, is that some parts are dominated by a diversity of transplants, while others have a much more old school Texan feel. It seems often that the urban core/downtown neighborhoods, as well as some new suburban subdivisions often have more transplants, whereas older suburban neighborhoods especially those that have bigger yards and more trees are characterized by a lot more native Texans.

[moonsparkle]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Agreed. On just about everything. I'm not sure if you have to explain you're straight if you're not fascinated by the TVs/stereos. However, if you have zero interest in following sports . . . I actually like playing sports, and even watching a live game, but following whats going on through the season?? no. But THAT might make people wonder.

Oktoberfest?? Not sure where that comes into play here. Personally I like German food and beer. That German culture that is all over the midwest, can be a little hard to come by in Socal.

I mean as an overall representation of the "beer culture" too much of the midwest prides itself on. I never cared for that stuff really. Too many people also are judgmental if you prefer light beer, that's not very masculine, guys will say stuff like "clear beer" - except the word starts with a "q" and rhymes with "clear", but doesn't show up when written here. Usually followed by some ignorant "huhuhu" laugh, implication real men drink Guinness, Leinenkugel, etc. Then again, counting calories is not really of importance in the midwest unless you're a woman trying to lose weight after pregnancy.

Don't get me wrong...there are some cities known for fitness in the midwest, Minneapolis comes to mind, but it is more like a PNW city stuck in the upper midwest.

[UB50]

Originally Posted by trancedout

Midwestern suburbs have that vibe too much in their own way. People get all judgmental about what brand of grill you have, or if your tv is LCD vs plasma sort of thing.

This gave me a chuckle. People really care about brands in other places. For women, it's always brands of clothing.

[taydigga]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

you fail to mention that some people won't choose to live their home city because that is where their family is located. as much as i may have been interested in living elsewhere, my wife would never have moved more than a couple hours from her family in the LA area. thus, we remain here, but i'm not complaining.

He failed to mention? Haha!