I have to leave Los Angeles
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2/25/2013
Let me make it very clear from the start: I love L.A.
I am not a native, but have been here since 1983. I'm originally from Oklahoma City, and have lived in (in chronological order): Oklahoma City, Portland (OR), Seattle, San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Albuquerque, San Diego, and now, Los Angeles. Back when I had money, I traveled 2-1/2 months a year, and have been to every state and major city in this country, and to 52 foreign countries. I don't think any city in the world has the unique combination of climate and cultural diversity that Los Angeles has, and that's the main reason I love it here.
But I can't afford it anymore. My income is dramatically less than it used to be, and my rent (for a simple studio apartment in an older building in a decidedly not-fashionable neighborhood) takes over two thirds of that. For that reason, and that reason alone, I've got to return to my hometown, Oklahoma City. If I wanted to, I could rent a larger apartment or even a house for less than what I'm paying here. Since I'm over 70 now, there's no way I can work full time (I'd love to work part time), so the only income I can count on is my social security, and it'll go much, much farther in OKC than it's going here in LA.
I'm back in touch with old highschool classmates back in OKC, but I have to admit that most of the people who are really important to me now are here in LA, and I'm going to miss them terribly. But, surprisingly, OKC has morphed into a surprisingly cosmopolitan place, so I guess I'll be OK.
Don | Los Angeles, CA