Its been 3 Months living in LA.... (Los Angeles, Santa Monica: 2013, buy, restaurants)

[twiz88]

Originally Posted by ima30something

Welcome to LA. I've been here 8 years. I remember my shock with the traffic for the first 6 months. My idiosyncratic point of view is LA is too grey for the price. I thought it would be sunny and warm all the time... it's definitely not that case.

Yeah it warmer back home in Maryland however it rains often with the humidity

[twiz88]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGal

I agree we have the best Mexican and Asian food here for sure. My sister and her husband relocated to Memphis years ago when he was with the airlines and they complained because could not find good Mexican food places to eat. :-)

We plan on leaving this area when my husband retires in 5-6 yrs. We are tired of the traffic - and yes, the rude drivers. My husband's new truck was hit from behind as he was sitting in traffic on Freeway. Car was driving too fast - not paying attention to what was going in front of him and slammed into my husband. The guys car looked like an accordion. Prior to this accident - he was driving on Aviation where it curves at 4:30 am going to work down in Redondo Beach and some guy was on his phone - did not make that curve and drove SMACK into the side of my husbands truck (passenger side). It was totaled. Yep enough is enough.

We both were born and raised here in the South Bay and it has really changed. We live in Los Angeles County Unincorporated and it's the Wild West and all about self gratification. Block after block are setting off Professional Fireworks which are illegal but these folks do not care.

I grew up in Torrance and I remember as a kid we would bbq and then our parents would get us into the station wagon and drive down to Redondo Beach to watch the spectacular fire works display. Today, parents do not want to leave their homes as they are drinking in excess and at same time setting off these professional fireworks. Block after block - one by one and it is dangerous and scary. It's like WWII around our community. Done with it. Will be happy to move away.

We do have the BEST schools here where we are now. Perfect for young families. This is not the place to live for retirees.

thanks for sharing, that's how my accident happened as well someone not paying attention on the freeway

[Nafster]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

Drivers here are reasonable.

Uhhhhhhhh.......... No.

The only considerate things about drivers here in LA are that we do our best not to block intersections.

[Silver_Surfer]

Originally Posted by Nafster

Uhhhhhhhh.......... No.

The only considerate things about drivers here in LA are that we do our best not to block intersections.

There are jerks everywhere. LA has a ton of people so there's going to be more jerks.

[skygazer1]

Originally Posted by Nafster

Uhhhhhhhh.......... No.

The only considerate things about drivers here in LA are that we do our best not to block intersections.

And its the law... But really, having lived in LA most of my life, driving here is heavy but not particularly bad, esp. once you get used to how to deal with it. The key things is #1 avoid the worst traffic #2 avoid accidents #3 drive defensively #4 be aggressive in a nice way (be purposeful, and just GO) #5 let the other guy in if he's first, or needs to #6 Don't argue with other drivers, just GO.

It all works out in a large, efficient way, if you just go with the flow, don't make waves, drive quick and smart, take every open opportunity that appears.

As far as #1, you really need to use real-time traffic conditions on a mobile device. Don't take a route that has a lot of "red" fwy and streets! Go out, get round, learn the streets and fwy's and alternate routes if you need them. Just common sense, and you won't have much trouble in LA.

[Nafster]

Originally Posted by skygazer1

And its the law... But really, having lived in LA most of my life, driving here is heavy but not particularly bad, esp. once you get used to how to deal with it. The key things is #1 avoid the worst traffic #2 avoid accidents #3 drive defensively #4 be aggressive in a nice way (be purposeful, and just GO) #5 let the other guy in if he's first, or needs to #6 Don't argue with other drivers, just GO.

It all works out in a large, efficient way, if you just go with the flow, don't make waves, drive quick and smart, take every open opportunity that appears.

As far as #1, you really need to use real-time traffic conditions on a mobile device. Don't take a route that has a lot of "red" fwy and streets! Go out, get round, learn the streets and fwy's and alternate routes if you need them. Just common sense, and you won't have much trouble in LA.

Drivers in LA don't use common sense though...... Yes, it IS worse than many other places.

Only on City Data do you hear the BS that LA traffic and drivers are not bad. Agressive? Not too much. But just stupid, inconsiderate, and bad? Very much so.

[2Easy]

Originally Posted by Nafster

Drivers in LA don't use common sense though...... Yes, it IS worse than many other places.

Only on City Data do you hear the BS that LA traffic and drivers are not bad. Agressive? Not too much. But just stupid, inconsiderate, and bad? Very much so.

Worse than some, but better than most. Lots of bad drivers here, but most are ok. And the ones that are ok are consistent. You know what to expect. Drivers have definitely gotten worse since smart phones. Probably goes for everywhere.

[Angelino19]

Originally Posted by twiz88

2014 was my first time visiting Los Angeles, been in love with it ever since. Fast forward to March 2018 I'm now a resident. First off what they say is true traffic is a nightmare and living cost is very expense (housing). I live in East Hollywood near Santa Monica and Western its an upcoming area not too bad for my first place in LA. There is a ton or things to do here if you feel like sitting in traffic..lol Coming from the east coast most people here cant drive at all. My company car was hit and my personal car was hit none of the accidents were my fault just people not paying attention.

Food is great depending on what you are in the mood for everything is TACOS and BURRITOS, I like seafood
I'm 30 I would like to buy a house one day but geesh I would have to be a millionaire..seriously
Weather is great like 90% of the time, but that marine layer comes over the city often but eventually clears
Some people are nice but most come off kinda rude IMO, but I don't let it get to me
I love hiking at Griffith Park and Runyon after work and the weekends really nice views


I'm still learning my way around and learning Los Angeles but overall it has been an interesting experience thus far.

You say "everything is TACOS and BURRITOS" in LA. Come on man, you know that's not true. Maybe in your neighborhood of East Hollywood there lots of taco & burrito joints, but venture out a mile or so and you'll find all sorts of food choices. And BTW I lived on the east coast for 4 years and felt the same way about east coast drives as you do about LA drivers. East coast city folks drive like little old ladies.

[Angelino19]

Originally Posted by twiz88

yeah I know I can walk or bike in my area I'm around everything. My job requires me to drive I work in the auto industry i'm driving around most of the day. And to answer your question yes 2 accidents in 3 months NEITHER one of them my are my fault I was rear end and the other accident someone side swiped me avoiding another car. I lived on the east coast all my life drove in NYC 100s of time and many been to other major cities NO ACCIDENTS. I love the west coast but y'all cant drive. If the accidents were my fault then i can understand the "hmmm" but I was hit.

Why is it that so many east coast transplants end up getting in car accidents in LA, while locals have fewer such incidents. I have three friends from NY and Philly who moved out here a few years ago and within a short time all three were involved car accidents. Nothing serious thank God. However, I do agree with a previous post that pointed out LA drivers tend to be more aggressive, as if they're always running late for an appointment. That said, east coast drivers, drive annoyingly slow, even on LA freeways.

[timtemtym]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

IMO people in LA are pretty chill. If you want rude, try Miami.

Drivers here are reasonable. Again, you wante bad drivers...Miami.

Yes! When I go back to Texas people say, "How do you drive in LA? isn't it crazy?"

Drivers in LA are much nicer than Houston or Dallas. Plus people in California are mostly insured. Texas has huge numbers of uninsured drivers and have no incentive to stop when they have an accident. Police in Houston won't even respond to an accident unless there are injuries requiring an ambulance. The 911 operator will tell you to find your nearest police precinct and file a report. Hit and Runs are commonplace and it's easy to get off.