Search for any place in the USA:





Los Angeles, California SperlingViews

"LA"


LA - 5/22/2012
7 0
Abhd
Northridge, CA

Of course, the traffic sucks. The heat in the valley and downtown area suck. Price of living sucks. Inflation and gas sucks. But! Everything else is beautiful. Besides the rich people, everyone's really friendly. You get more sunshine in LA than you do anywhere else in America (with FL an Hawaii exceptions). If you enjoy a good climate, low humidity, and just sunshine and heat (plus cool evenings), LA or even California is the place for you. Depending where you live, beach could be a half hour to an hour or so away. Mountains and hills are everywhere. The culture is rich. There is some pretty fine Mexican food. LA is hip on the latest trends, however you have to be quite a trend-follower or well-connected to find these places. Good advice. Live by your work or school, wherever you have to drive to 8 in the morning on a daily basis. Second advice, Silver Lake is for the prestigious hipsters, Venice Beach for prestigious hipsters, Pasadena and Beverly Hills for the college minded, Long Beach--Manhattan Beach and Thousand Oaks area for families. Explore first: Urth Caffe (specifically Venice Beach), Intelligentsia Coffee (try that location or Silver Lake), Santa Monica Pier (if your touristy), Zuma Beach Malibu (if you're just a beach person in general), Laguna Beach (if you got the money to park), the Edison (20s style cocktail lounge), and Chicos (great Mexican food), Tender Greens (Santa Monica), the Getty, and blah--you can't fit it all in. Good luck trying. But one thing, you will need a car to survive unless you live close by, a road bike might work. Other hint hints (Echo, Highland, and Griffith). Angora Hills and down the coast to Dana Point are fun to explore too.

back to Los Angeles, California Add a New SperlingView Report Abuse
Reply to this SperlingView

Login to reply to SperlingViews. (Membership is Free)


More Los Angeles, California SperlingViews

ken
Los Angeles, CA

The City of Los Angeles - 5/20/2013

LA is a place to sell. everyone is selling something, more often than not- themselves. best of luck![read more...]


andrew
Las Vegas, NV

Horrbile !! - 2/27/2013

Lived in California all my life and can’t take it anymore moving soon and can’t wait! First, cost of living is high, California is one of the highest taxed states in the nation. You are taxed and taxed to death. Good luck getting a good job because the cost of living is so high mist good companies are leaving to Texas.. the good jobs are leaving in droves here. An average apt in a nice area 1 (bd) is about $1,600+ . Most of my college friends who have degrees live at home because they cannot afford to live on their own, or they have 2 or 3 roommates. If you want to buy a house forget it. So expensive that most people drive to Riverside county and have a 2-3 hr commute. Traffic is horrible and I mean horrible takes about 1hr to get anywhere. You cannot park anywhere in the city without a worried of getting a parking ticket or being towed. Crime is about the same in all large cities but you here you also have to worry about the cops. The LAPD is one of the worst corrupt police agencies in the country. I’m actually more afraid of the LAPD than the criminals. And in Orange County, Sheriff Mike Corona was arrested and sent to prison for corruption . Just Goggle his name and read the story not even Orange County is crime free. Most people here live pay-check to pay-check live at home until in their 30’s because the cannot survie. The people that seem to have money are only 1 paycheck away from the street and in debt so much. California only has the weather that is it ! [read more...]


Don
Los Angeles, CA

I have to leave Los Angeles - 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.[read more...]


Roberto
Rochester, NY

All Does Not Glitter in LA - 2/17/2013

After 6 months of living here I have found several means of discrimination here: Grocery stores in south LA carry the unhealthiest foods one can buy; why? Low price. South LA is mostly populated by minorities. I must shop in the suburbs further south or shop in LA proper. Housing choices seems to be dated from the 1950s. Non-food shopping can also be difficult here, if you want to shop in a mall. Where are the malls in s LA? A dead one in Hawthorne, a decent one in Manhattan Beach/Lawndale, and a better one in Carson. Even the Big Box stores here seem to be lacking. Okay, I moved here from Reno, NV; completely different from LA; and super conservative-no thanks. I'll put up with the shopping and housing issues here for a bit, rather than returning to an uncomfortable city for me. Most of the people I've encountered, here, are friendly.[read more...]


Robin
Los Angeles, CA

California is so overrated - 1/12/2013

I've lived in Los Angeles since 1980, and that is a very long time. I hate this area for so many reasons. First of all the housing costs are astronomical. For $300,000 you get a tiny crappy house in an area with gangster tagging everywhere. It's INSANE. My sister has a huge mansion in Houston that was 220K. The same house in LA would be at least a million dollars. I've been robbed at gunpoint by gang members and I live in a "good" area. I could go on and on about the joys of multiculturalism. This state has been ruined by the Democrats and their refusal to do anything about illegal immigration. The state is many billions in debt and doesn't seem to be able to correct the sinking ship. An illegal totalled my car on the freeway and had no insurance(of course) so I had to eat it. I have story after story like this. The city and is broke too, so the cops write lots of nonsense tickets and the parking "officers" also rape and pillage, all in the name of revenue enhancement. I believe that almost anywhere in the USA is about HALF as expensive as Los Angeles. I don't know why people stay here. I got stuck. Oh, the weather, that's right. It's supposed to be so great. Well, the last week has been cold as hell with nights in the mid 30's. I feel like I'm in New York. Can I say one good thing about LA? Okay, there are some good restaurants. But the mayor is a fool, and the city council is a crew of dunces. California is extremely overrated and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too expensive. I'm planning to leave as soon as I can work it out. [read more...]


Jwaun
New Castle, DE

Moving to Miami, FL - 1/4/2013

I must say Miami, FL is the place to be. Dont get me wrong but Los Angeles is a nice place to live. You got to have money to live here or Miami. Both places have a high crime rate so it wouldnt matter. I travel alot an if you like hot weather, nice beaches, fast pace and beautiful people then Miami's where you need to be. Los Angeles also has the same things but contains more of an american style in activities. Los Angeles is a very big city that has different area's such as the valleys, mountain ranges, and beaches. Its beautiful but they have Earthquakes which is worse than a hurricane. Los Angeles also has Landslides, Santa Ana Strong Winds and its polluted. There are beautiful people there but most have surgery done so dont think its all what it is on tv. LA is also can be very sad (HOLLYWOOD) there are lots of homeless people there and the people in a LA are just rude. But to me Florida citizens are very nice an Florida has nice clean air and its a relaxing place to live.[read more...]


April
Beverly Hills, CA

wow - 12/23/2012

L.A is waaayyy to packed. [read more...]


Charles
Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles - 10/20/2012

Great weather, great restaurants, and lots of things to do, LA is a great place to live and work when you're in your 20s-30s. With that said, in my 40s I feel I need a change of environment to something a little less congested and less stressful. The traffic in LA alone is enough to make anyone want to move, but all in all it is actually a pretty good place to live.[read more...]


Chris
Redondo Beach, CA

Cost of Living - 9/5/2012

I moved to LA 24 years ago, from the Northeast. It was the best thing I have ever done in my life. That being said, Los Angeles has a lot to offer, but it comes at a high price. Los Angeles is a massive suburban area with more developed cities scattered from place to place. There is more diversity here than anywhere else I have seen in the US, Though places like NY are probably pretty comparable. I have found over the years, with downturns in the economy, LA is usually among the last to be impacted, but once it is, it is also among the last to recover. With the high average cost of a home here(around 1/2 million), only about 10-15% of the population can afford to buy here. Most rent and currently, I rent a 1 bedroom, 800 sq.ft., 2 stall garage, on a busy street, in the southbay area for $1400. And that's a deal. A lot of studios are going for $1000 and up. Employment is down, There's always work, but it's gotten a lot tougher to find it over the last few years. Everyone wants to pay very little, but are very demanding and expect your life to revolve around your work. You swim with the sharks here, so either learn to bite back or get eaten. Many come and turn tail and run within 1-5 years. And it's only getting worse, but people keep coming, traffic gets more congested. So if you're thinking of moving here better grow a thick skin and sharp teeth and persistance should be you're middle name.[read more...]


Chowbon
Los Angeles, CA

Best place to live - 8/23/2012

Yes, every block is different. In Zip 90042, there are some excellent blocks/communities on/near the border of South Pasadena.[read more...]


Jazmine
Newport News, VA

Los Angeles - 7/19/2012

I heard that it was suppose to be a good price to live there but to read about the real price from a person that is living there changes the whole thing around. At first i thought it would be great to live there but after that i dont really think so.[read more...]


Armando
Los Angeles, CA

Melrose elementary magnet school - 6/4/2012

Best school ever even with budget cuts and limited resources this school thanks to the teachers, coordinators and parents are doing a great job. My son is in third grade ready for four I'm extremely happy, because he is way ahead in math science and art. Yes!!!! I forgot He just perform at house of blues thanks to the Rock star program amazing.[read more...]


Bp
Los Angeles, CA

Arete Digital Imaging - 6/4/2012

Based in Los Angeles we offer premiere digital printing for small business and corporate clients. We specialize in Car wraps,Vehicle Graphics and all forms of mobile advertising design,printing and installation. [read more...]


Lisa
Venice, CA

Venice - 5/25/2012

I've lived in Venice longer than I've lived anywhere (I'm originally from San Diego). I love it. Venice is a little piece of paradise on earth. Yes, there are problems with homeless, with parking, with very high housing costs, but it is a wonderful, walkable community, with great funky restaurants and wine bars, the boardwalk, the ocean, an eclectic mix of architecture and a creative population. [read more...]


Abhd
Northridge, CA

LA - 5/22/2012

Of course, the traffic sucks. The heat in the valley and downtown area suck. Price of living sucks. Inflation and gas sucks. But! Everything else is beautiful. Besides the rich people, everyone's really friendly. You get more sunshine in LA than you do anywhere else in America (with FL an Hawaii exceptions). If you enjoy a good climate, low humidity, and just sunshine and heat (plus cool evenings), LA or even California is the place for you. Depending where you live, beach could be a half hour to an hour or so away. Mountains and hills are everywhere. The culture is rich. There is some pretty fine Mexican food. LA is hip on the latest trends, however you have to be quite a trend-follower or well-connected to find these places. Good advice. Live by your work or school, wherever you have to drive to 8 in the morning on a daily basis. Second advice, Silver Lake is for the prestigious hipsters, Venice Beach for prestigious hipsters, Pasadena and Beverly Hills for the college minded, Long Beach--Manhattan Beach and Thousand Oaks area for families. Explore first: Urth Caffe (specifically Venice Beach), Intelligentsia Coffee (try that location or Silver Lake), Santa Monica Pier (if your touristy), Zuma Beach Malibu (if you're just a beach person in general), Laguna Beach (if you got the money to park), the Edison (20s style cocktail lounge), and Chicos (great Mexican food), Tender Greens (Santa Monica), the Getty, and blah--you can't fit it all in. Good luck trying. But one thing, you will need a car to survive unless you live close by, a road bike might work. Other hint hints (Echo, Highland, and Griffith). Angora Hills and down the coast to Dana Point are fun to explore too.[read more...]


Jason
Los Angeles, CA

ABRAHAM LINCOLN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL - 2/23/2012

This school is good but the recent Vice Principal has really packed a punch onto the seniors graduating year 2012. I know that student who graduated before 2012 did NOT need 20 hours of community Service hours or anything like that. I am a Current student in Lincoln High School, a school with great teachers and a principal but the new Vice Principal or whoever she is really did knock me out on the year of 2012. I have Senior Classes and now i have to worry about Community Service hours. Now, i can BARELY even keep my feet on the floor anymore, books, quiz, homework, projects, essays and many more coming left and right then i get a knockout punch for Community service hours and other stuff required for Graduation. Too much stress is going on right now for me to even FOCUS what i want to do. College apps, Community Service hours, Homework, Quiz, Test, Senior Portfolio. My god..what else is there?! Even my Dad who attended this school said it wasn't this horrible before, he graduated this school as if it was a piece of cake, but now? Damn...I think I'm going to die young for being unhealthy due to all the all-nighter i need to pull for school than live to be able to even see my future! I just hope that Administrators of this school/district do not just add stuff for students to do before they graduate. They had it easy back in high school, maybe not SAT/ or ACT or even CAHSEE, now? Oh man is it a horrible just to even get all of that done..maybe our Administrators/Principals and teachers should try to understand what students are going through rather than killing the with education that wont really help them in life.[read more...]


Steve
Rosemead, CA

info - 2/21/2012

good.[read more...]


Bp
Los Angeles, CA

Great Climate - 1/24/2012

Great climate[read more...]


Ben
Beaverton, OR

L.A. is almost beyond definition - 8/13/2011

It's white collar and blue collar. It's manicured lawns, but also barred-up windows. It's yoga-practicing vegans living next door to barbecue enthusiasts. It's whites and Hispanics, but also blacks, Asians, Europeans and Middle Easterners. It's a college town, but also a financial powerhouse. It's Disneyland, sunshine and miles of sandy beaches, but it's also graffiti, gangs, smog, earthquakes and riots. It's glamorous, but also gritty. It's Hollywood and the entertainment industry for sure, but it's also about every other conceivable industry you can think of as well. That is L.A. It's beyond definition. It's almost anything and everything you can think of in a city rolled up into one. From Beverly Hills to Compton, Pacific Palisades to Watts, Manhattan Beach to Long Beach, L.A. doesn't just represent a part of our country, it represents a microcosm of our world. Thousands from everywhere flock to L.A. every year to follow their dreams. For many, that's acting, but for some it's writing, music, a start-up business, a graduate degree, an apprenticeship with a leading law firm or financial firm, etc. Thousands every year leave L.A. Sometimes their dreams are unfulfilled, sometimes they are ready to for a slower pace and sometimes they just can't take being away from home. I always read about the doom of California and let's make it clear: California has a ton of problems, but it still has thousands moving there year after year and the decline of industry in California is heavily exaggerated. There are still tons of jobs out there with new businesses popping up every day. However, you have to be the best and the brightest to get them. When you compete with a huge size of talent, you have to step up your game. L.A. has everything. The best shopping, the best weather, the best restaurants, the best entertainment, arts and culture galore, hiking, biking, surfing, skiing, pro sports, theme parks, kayaking, boating, you name it, it can be found here. When you are in the right mind set and at the right age, L.A. is fun central. Work hard, but play even harder. If that's how you operate, you'll love it here. I did for many years. I moved here from the Midwest to "follow my dream," which was to be a screenwriter. After working for many years as a script consultant, I finally gave up the dream. I lost interest in playing the networking game and having that ever so slim shot that I would ever make it actually writing movies. Am I sad? No. Do I regret ever moving here? Absolutely not. I have made new friends, I have tried new experiences, and I found my future wife. We moved up to the Portland, Oregon area, which is a much slower pace of life, but has many of the big city advantages we miss about L.A. We are ready to have a family and have a life, so the change was a needed one for us, but we had a great time when we were in L.A. While many communities are about giving back to the community, L.A. is about taking and making your mark. Some do, some don't. I doubt I did, but I had a blast for four years trying. Oh, and yes, you do need a car. Everyone drives. L.A. tries to act like they are becoming this public transportation mecca, but the automobile is still king. And make sure it looks good. Appearance is key here. Look sharp or get lost. Win or go home. That's how it rolls with the Lakers and Dodgers and that's how it rolls in this city. L.A. is the ultimate summer camp for adults. It's fun, it's unforgettable and it allows you to try new things. But eventually, it's time to go home and grow up.[read more...]


Mars
La Habra, CA

LA and my Love/Hate relationship - 6/22/2011

Well, I've lived in LA since 2006. Before that, I spent 7 years in Portland, OR, and 3 years in Houston, TX. Now what I do like about LA is that there is lots of great food, plenty of diversity, politically open-minded people, though in the suburbs are typically more conservative than those in the city, but still open-minded in their attitudes. Plenty of places to see and things to do, and great beaches and great mountains. However, the main downside is that it is DIRTY, just filthy. It's rated the dirtiest city in the US, and to me it's possibly the dirtiest in any developed country. The fact that there is not enough inner-city nature makes the place even more disgusting, and every time there is a space of land that you can build on, city developers will build on it! I also don't like how it is a city of no-opinion. When a trend hits LA, everyone follows it. If you don't, you look like a black sheep. Also, the weather. As a person who prefers cooler and rainier weather (being from Oregon originally), not my place. If you like sunny and hot, be my guest. You could live in the beach towns, but it is horridly expensive. And on that note, yes, really expensive place to live. You might make five times as much as anywhere else, BUT you'll be paying ten times more just to even live. Don't get me started on the houses too, oh and the taxes, we have high sales tax and state income tax. BOTH! It seems like it's impossible to have a different opinion of this place without being ridiculed. Also the traffic, and the fact that it's virtually unavoidable. There is hardly any mass transit, the metrolink is not the most efficient light rail, yes there's buses everywhere, but they're not that efficient either. In other words, it is almost a legal requirement to have a car here, not joking on this one. I miss having the MAX train of Portland, that went almost anywhere. Once I have my chance, I'm leaving this place, most likely it'll be San Francisco or New York, or some place like those.[read more...]


Next >>