Does anyone hate living in Los Angeles,Ca and the San Fernando valley as much as I do? (Anaheim: cost, suburbia)

[kttam186290]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I started reading your post, and I was like yeah, ok same post, different poster, but then I see you moved to . . . Scottsdale??

Don't get me wrong Scottsdale is a lovely place, and I can certainly see where the cost of living is much better, but Scottsdale is not like a HUGE move away from the things people don't like about LA. Its basically an affordable version of LA.

I would say Scottsdale is as or more superficial as LAs more superficial areas, and seriously Phoenixes smog problems, while not quite as bad as greater LA, has gotten worse with Phoenixes growth, while LAs has gotten better with its environmental laws. That is something NO ONE disputes. (about air quality getting better).

I was never really impressed with Scottsdale either. I think because I'm from Southern California, was the biggest reason. It was like a newer version of Palm Springs or Palm Desert, nothing to write home about for me.

My impression of it was a place full of well-off retirees who did well during the era when the U.S. offered jobs with decent pension/retirement packages (1950s-1970s). If you are younger than that era and want to make it in Scottsdale, you had better work your way up to being manager of that Call Center because it's going to take every last penny of your Arizona earnings to put on airs at that level, and that's genuinely what it felt like.

[BarcelonaFan]

Originally Posted by mattk92681

I was never really impressed with Scottsdale either. I think because I'm from Southern California, was the biggest reason. It was like a newer version of Palm Springs or Palm Desert, nothing to write home about for me.

My impression of it was a place full of well-off retirees who did well during the era when the U.S. offered jobs with decent pension/retirement packages (1950s-1970s). If you are younger than that era and want to make it in Scottsdale, you had better work your way up to being manager of that Call Center because it's going to take every last penny of your Arizona earnings to put on airs at that level, and that's genuinely what it felt like.

Have those retirees not gotten a clue as to why young people can't make it? They lived in an era where wages were high, retirement was a possibility and jobs more secure. Why are they then still telling all if us to pull ourselves up from our bootstraps? Why do they vote right wing when it's contrary to their interests?

If thats Scottsdale then count me out.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by stevewarner

I used to hate life in L.a. but I moved away last summer and it was the best thing I did!!

The terrible traffic and smog were enough to deal with but add in the outrageous cost of nearly everything and it became too much to handle. Gas prices near the highest in the nation!! I was living in an apartment in Van Nuys and barely getting by with the high rent costs and it wasn't even in a very nice part of town!! Trying to run a business and paying all the extra taxes and licence costs were breaking me. Couldn't save up enough to move to a nicer area.

Then you have the superficial people mixed in with the troublemakers------the wanna-be celebs and all the illegals and gang bangers, what a wonderful combo!!

On top of all that California has turned into what I consider to be a socialist-fascist dictatorship. The nanny state mentality has caused the place to be bankrupt so basic things like road repairs can't be afforded. No talking on your cell phone in the car unless you have a bluetooth device. The state has probably the strictest gun laws in the country but not too shocking considering all the lefties that run the place!!

I moved to Scottsdale, Az last summer and I couldn't be happier. Cost of things is much more sane than in Ca and it's a better place for an individual to run a business. Only things I miss about L.a. area are the beaches and weather but who can enjoy either of them with the smog-choked sky and traffic-crowds? Even the nice things about L.a. went to pot.

Atleast I found someone who agrees with me that LA is a tough place to make it. For years I have considered moving to Scottsdale. But I have heard that people in Scottsdale are just as rude and superficial as LA. I'm not sure how true it is.

I live in Encino south of Ventura Blvd in my parents house rent free. I fI had to move to Van Nuys and struggle I would rather move to Scottsdale,Vegas or Portland.

Feel free to sent me a private message on city data or email me at annoyomous0381@yahoo.com

California is very democratic and liberal. This is why California has the highest state income tax in the nation and is still broke.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by mattk92681

If you move to Phoenix, you'll get to work in a Call Center (if you're lucky)...Why do you think most ASU graduates move to LA or San Diego after college? Arizona's job market doesn't value a bachelors degree the way California does.

Vegas? That's restaurant city! And restaurants-in-a-casino city to boot!

And forget about making lasting friendships there...It's very transient. A bachelors degree in Las Vegas will put you miles ahead of 80% of the population on an intellectual level, but don't expect a job based on that alone. Vegas is a service industry town, not a magnet for people with degrees. Government jobs in Vegas are also, for better or worse, controlled by a small and well-connected clique of natives who also *incidentally* happen to be members of the LDS church. So, if you plan on joining the LDS church, that might help a little bit.

Why don't you try San Francisco or San Jose? You might even like Sacramento actually...?

I wouldn't mind living in San Francisco but ists a very expensive place to live. When I vistied Walnut Creek,CA a month ago I told myself I could see myself living in Walnut creek and taking the BART to San Francisco for work.

Its seems that Vegas is a very heard place to make friends.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by taydigga

You're kidding right? West LA and the Valley are totally different. Sure there's some intersecting groups of people but the overall lifestyle (cost of living being one of them) is just different.

People wise and lifestyle wise between West LA and south valley(Encino,Sherman Oaks and Studio City) there isnt that much of a difference.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

Have those retirees not gotten a clue as to why young people can't make it? They lived in an era where wages were high, retirement was a possibility and jobs more secure. Why are they then still telling all if us to pull ourselves up from our bootstraps? Why do they vote right wing when it's contrary to their interests?

If thats Scottsdale then count me out.

Scottsdale and most of Arizona is very republican. Its also a red state. Arizona allows people to carry guns on them.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

The OP isn't college-educated, and is mostly only qualified for retail and restaurants. So, you are inavertedly making a solid case for Vegas.

Although, personally, I think if the OP has a lot of social issues and other social problems....the kind of people attracted to Vegas, are probably the kind of people who'll try to take advantage of him.

I have a BA degree from California State University Northridge. My degree is in Radio-TV-Film. In Las Vegas I have heard of people taking advantage of people for free car rides and other things. Vegas seems like s shallow city from what I have heard. I also have heard that Las Vegas has a very very high suicude rate.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I think these are your real problems; although they are compounded by living in a high cost of living area like L.A.

Have you ever read Penelope Trunk's career blog? She has Asperger's and lots of interesting career advice, some of which is geared specifically toward people with Asperger's.

www.penelopetrunk.com

Penelope Trunks website and blog is very interesting. She does have Aspergers and I can relate to her in many ways.

[git45]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Personally I disagree about Chicago. It is not the midwest version of LA.

Other than being major cities/major metropolitan areas in states that that have budget issues, the two really have little in common.

Chicago, while world class and cosmopolitan, has a culture is much more entrenched in tradition, that may not always make sense to people not from there. LA is not really like this. You certainly have materialism and superficiality, but is very different than LA.

In LA and other parts of California, people get married later, and there is not the pressure to start a family as much. LA may be more superficial about appearance, youth, etc. Chicagoland there is more superficiality about which schools you went to, which neighborhood/town you grew up in, the sports team you follow, the size of your house, etc. Chicagoans may also judge you on what you are wearing, but its more about having a more traditional, classic appearance in the workplace.

The only areas where you see the kind of LA glitz and glamour vibe in Chicagoland is the near north side of the city (Mag Mile/River North/Gold Coast, somewhat Lincoln Park, West Loop, South Loop, etc.

Spot on.

[Miss Pip]

Originally Posted by annonymous0381

I do appear different than most people by LA standards. I wear glasses,walk wobbly and talke in a monotone voice.

Is this a joke?

Why do you walk wobbly?

Are you fat?

The monotone voice thing is not sexy, especially during "intercourse" and of course with picking up girls. You might want to work on that.