hate the traffic? blame yourself! (San Jose: 2014, buying a house, transfer)

[jm1982]

When I told some family members about crime in my area and the long commute they made it seem like I was kind of crazy to "live so far" ,

I bought something where I could afford, now I don't work at the same place which was in Brentwood so commute there isn't an issue anymore.

Also I hear a lot of people say "People want to live far so they can own a big McMansion" , I don't think that's really accurate.. it's just that they are trying to find something affordable. These $1800+ one bedroom west la apartments are NOT affordable,especially with a family.

Maybe I could of rented an old , tiny studio in West L.A kind of close to work for the same I paid for a 1700sq foot in the "hood"..but the only thing that would of gone up in price would of been the rent of the apartment.

Lot's of people missed out on several hundred thousand in possible equity by continuing to rent when prices were cheap.

It takes a lot of time for most people to save up money like that.

It is a sacrifice to commute, but one that people are hoping will pay off either economically or in terms of quality of life for them and their families.

There are some places where the city center is cheaper than the 'suburbs' but L.A isn't one of those places.

In a city like Pittsburgh, there are places right in the heart of everything for very little money, but more people want to live in the suburubs. This is changing now though it seems.

This is why we have the term "inner city" being viewed as negative.

This is changing as there is a clear trend of people wanting to move back to the "the city" near downtown areas and cities are starting to redevelop and improve their downtown areas.

[StreetLegal]

Originally Posted by BeatAngMoh

IMO unless they own it and its a high end apartment in Manhattan or the entire building in El A, only a loser lives in an apartment their whole life. Enough said.

Wow, only a loser would make a statement such as this.^^^

Los Angeles has the highest percentage (over 50%) of renters in the nation (according to Harvard's Joint Center for the Study of Housing).
Los Angeles Has The Highest Percentage Of Renters In The US - State O' the Market - Curbed LA

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

moral of the story: stop living so far from where u work. if everyone lived close to where they work, the traffic wouldnt be as terrible.

OMG, the stupid, it burns.

[kmo20]

While everyone complains about traffic (rightfully so), ultimately happiness is found or lost due to many other choices and decisions. You can have a "wife you hate" and kids that "drain your money" and live a block away from work. I know plenty of people who are very happy that commute an hour each way. If someone is miserable it's likely due to other issues besides the length of their commute.

[munchitup]

My wife works in DTLA - I love to visit that neighborhood, but it's not somewhere I really want to live and be 24/7. Since I work from home, I would always be in that super-urban environment, which might be a bit too much - especially with a kid.

Before that, we had the exact opposite problem - wife worked out in Calabasas. Way too suburban for us, so we lived in Hollywood, a perfect place for a young married couple. Sure by staying in the exurbs my wife would be home from work in 15 minutes, but then every weekend we would have to drive 30 minutes just to get dinner somewhere relatively interesting like Sherman Oaks. No thanks.

I have a friend that lives in Pasadena and works on the Westside. His job used to be in Central LA, so the commute from Pas was much more reasonable. Company moves, is he really supposed to move all the way across the city (not to mention pay a good 1.5x or more in rent). On top of all that, his wife works on the Eastside and has a 5 minute commute.

I agree in general with the OP, but he/she should understand it's not always that easy.

[molerat]

no man, he's probably mad bc your original post was naive and blind to the plight of a lot of people living all over LA county and you wrote it in a condescending way.

they would all absolutely live close to where they work but the fact is most cannot afford to do so, or the area they can afford right by work is dangerous and they dont want to live there.

I feel horrible for the people I see on the other side of the freeway as they slug through traffic. I also have an inverse commute and sail through traffic, but I used to work with a lot of people who did live out way far and they go through hell every morning to get to work.

It all comes down to housing prices, people get lured out to outlying areas to buy a house with a decent price and safe neighborhoods, sadly many of the outlying new communities then later become somewhat dangerous also and then they're stuck with their mortgage out in a place that used to be nice.

So it's not something I think you should chastise people for, they would if they could, and it sucks for alot of people, and it's because housing is way too expensive in LA.

[YoungTraveler2011]

Originally Posted by molerat

no man, he's probably mad bc your original post was naive and blind to the plight of a lot of people living all over LA county and you wrote it in a condescending way.

they would all absolutely live close to where they work but the fact is most cannot afford to do so, or the area they can afford right by work is dangerous and they dont want to live there.

I feel horrible for the people I see on the other side of the freeway as they slug through traffic. I also have an inverse commute and sail through traffic, but I used to work with a lot of people who did live out way far and they go through hell every morning to get to work.

It all comes down to housing prices, people get lured out to outlying areas to buy a house with a decent price and safe neighborhoods, sadly many of the outlying new communities then later become somewhat dangerous also and then they're stuck with their mortgage out in a place that used to be nice.

So it's not something I think you should chastise people for, they would if they could, and it sucks for alot of people, and it's because housing is way too expensive in LA.

Why dont they get another job closer to where they live or move out of LA?

[MordinSolus]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

Why dont they get another job closer to where they live or move out of LA?

Are you 13 or just ignorant? The job market is lousy and LA's is particularly bad if you want a high paying job. Just "getting another job closer to where you live" is not easy, especially if you live in the 'burbs and need to support a family.
Use your brain and develop a little empathy.

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by MordinSolus

Are you 13 or just ignorant? The job market is lousy and LA's is particularly bad if you want a high paying job. Just "getting another job closer to where you live" is not easy, especially if you live in the 'burbs and need to support a family.
Use your brain and develop a little empathy.

I think he's 13. Anyone who has moved wouldn't be talking like this. Got a new job 20 miles away? JUST MOVE! Ok, your contract is at a place over yonder? JUST MOVE! Don't worry that it's only a 7 month contract, you can JUST MOVE again! Can't get something full time with benefits where you can work 35 years then retire? JUST MOVE...somewhere magical where everyone gets that.

[HockeyAndRugby]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

moral of the story: stop living so far from where u work. if everyone lived close to where they work, the traffic wouldnt be as terrible.

Real moral of the story: you haven't got a clue of what you are talking about. First, learn how to write properly. No CAPS LOCK, no sentences that do not start with a capital. Second, really look at their lives, and at the news. We have a recession, so people will take a ny job they can get. It's better being in traffic for two hours than being homeless. People tend to have more than one job in their lifetime, so what do you suggest? Never take a promotion? Or just move all the time? Yeah, that'll make your family happy.

Is your post even intended to be taken serious?