Studio City, California - 3/31/2009

While Studio City is in Los Angeles, it is more like its own little community. The residential streets are wide and lined with trees. There is an interesting "main street" with terrific little shops, places to get coffee, or just browse. We're slightly infamous because Vitello's (where Robert Blake "allegedly" shot his wife) is in that little area, but while the food is not the best, it participates in the community. A short drive away, in North Hollywood, is a thriving small theater area. Every day of the week you can find an innovative play; sometimes with famous actors. The prices are reasonable and it has a small town feel.

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Looking to leave..... - 3/8/2009

The quality of life has deteriorated dramatically over the past two decades due to insane real estate prices, horrendous traffic, and rampant overspending by the politicians, and particularly the clueless Democrats in Sacramento.

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spread out - 2/18/2009

i've lived in, and taken mass trans in: chicago, san diego and los angeles. all have adequate buses and trains. the thing in l.a. is that this place is so spread out, so it takes forever to get anywhere by bus or train. i try to get things done in my own neighborhood, or have things shipped to me.

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Gr8 - 2/6/2009

Hot and dry...perfect...sometimes. Fires are not so great and a little rain would be nice to see some green lawns without causing a drought, but no one can complain that it isn't almost always nice and sunny. Can't stand the cold (Montreal - lived there and lived in minus 30 Celsius in winter...not fun). Cna't stand the humid heat either...also Montreal in summer...bad for my curly hair. Other than the pollution, LA has nice weather.

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can't beat the weather - 2/1/2009

can't beat the weather

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Night Life of New Urban Sprawlers - 12/26/2008

Hollywood is growing... Go East! The Metro Redline has renovated North Hollywood just north of Studio City. Now "Hollywood East" is developing a flavor of its own. Hollywood East is everything east of the Hollywood and Vine and West of Hyperion Ave. Vermont and Hillhurst avenues now have vibrant nightlife, from renovated multi-plex theaters to swanky new Manhattan style bistros. Sunset Blvd anchored on the east by the Arclight Theater Complex has begun to spring up new eateries and hot spots that five years ago were non-existent. Just West of Vine, Cahuenga Blvd now has a row of the hippest lounges slammed up against each other. From the Beauty Bar, a lounge meets beauty parlor to the Velvet Margarita, a kitsch Mexican restaurant that plays elvis movies on the walls. So if your tired of West Hollywood Scene or the "Trek and Dreck" of West Los Angeles, then travel to the New Hollywood East.

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LA... - 12/22/2008

What can be said about LA?? My mother always taught me that if I didnt have something nice to say, then dont say anything at all... Nuff said... Phil

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Quality of Life - 10/26/2008

Los Angeles, CA is a megapolis filled with diversion. The weather is beautiful, but it is offset by the smog. It is filled with small ethnic neighborhoods so you can find almost any type of food you want. There is a variety of entertainment to enjoy, only limited by expendable income. One of the major problems is that the city is so spread out it takes hours to go anywhere. Finding a job close to home or a house close to work is a problem. The average person travels more than 10 miles in heavy traffic to work. I travel 25 miles each way on some of the most congested freeways in America. It is estimated that Angelinos on the average spend more than 500 hours on the road each year waiting in traffic. That is certainly true in my case. I spend anywhere from 2-3 hours in traffic per day which consumes quality time. This puts average people on edge. The citizens are stressed and not very friendly. They are pushy in stores, traffic, and generally in every avenue of life. Politically it is extremely liberal with little tolerance for the opinions of others. Housing is extremely expensive. Median priced home is over $400,000 for an average size of 1,400 sq. ft. I sold a 2,000 sq. ft. 1987 townhome in Denver, CO for $151,00 and bought an 1,800 sq. ft. 1954 ranch style home in LA for $400,000. The property taxes are 7 times what they were in Denver. The city wastes taxpayers' dollars on mismanagement and city services are only good in neighborhoods where people have lobbying clout. Bureaucracy has more excuses than hours in the day as to why they can't do their job. Emergency rooms have become so overcrowded over the past 10 years, that a number of hospitals have closed. Salaries are good, but the cost of auto insurance is double that of other surrounding cities and states. $1500 vs $500 for a single car w/no accidents or tickets. Many people like living here. It definitely depends on the location and income. Overall, I think it is a better lifestyle than many large urban areas, but it is not a place conducive to a simple life.

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Lost Angels - 10/10/2008

Los Angeles needs a rebirth and it needs it now. Leadership is lacking and it shows.

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Some of the best weather in the U.S. - 10/4/2008

Lived here for 8 yrs and heads above where I came from in Ok.

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LA is done. - 9/27/2008

In the 20 years that I have lived here, I have seen the quality of life in LA go down each year, and now it's almost at the point of no return. Overcrowded, overpriced, overtaxed, and now overrun with illegals that have destroyed the economy, school system, health care, and more, perhaps beyond the point that it an ever be the same, and with a mayor that protects them, it will only get worse. It's really a shame, the best weather in the country, access to the ocean, mountains, desert, so many options to enjoy the outdoors. The politics of the city and state are so out of control, and out of touch with the core values that this country was built on. California should become its own country, as they are so detached socially from the rest of the US, besides, English will soon become a second language. I sincerely hope that the rest of the country is paying attention to what has happened here, and if they really care about core values, elect the right politicians that will protect YOUR way of life.

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A Bit Pricey - 9/9/2008

Living in Los Angeles can be great; climate, culture, people...etc., although there is the downside to the average person. The cost of living is definitly not cheap. As they say, you get what you pay for, yikes!

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Great Weather, Interesting People, Lots of Traffic - 9/6/2008

Los Angeles is definitely a place unto itself. It can be a very exciting place to live. There are great cultural offerings, a very diverse mix of people and neighborhoods, and a nice Mediterranean climate. The entertainment industry adds a certain glitz to the place. The traffic is abominable and the lack of good public transportation for a city so vast and spread out is a drawback. A fun place to be young, but I do not want to live here forever.

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LA for the sinle folk - 9/5/2008

This is a very hard place to be socially. If you are in your 20's or 30's and are not into binge drinking and movies- you will be alone. If you like that there are plenty of people to enjoy those things with. Sadly- it is very true-Angelenos are truly flaking and are often very selfinvolved. The weather is WONDERFUL!!! If you like beaches, hiking, running etc... You will be in heaven(except for the pollution- which rarely bothers anyone who does not have a compromised immune system) You will be able to go and participate in out door activities almost 365 days a year. If you are single and looking to date- this is a VERY difficult place to be. Image is everything. Marriage and family are not top priority here. Acting, appearances and making money are the priority. (sadly)

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FIFTY FIFTY - 8/12/2008

I have lived in Los Angeles for 20 years and it has changed so much. Of course there is the over priced houses, and the exaggerated traffic. But all in all, los angeles is a very nice place to live. It exposes everyone to various cultures,and situations living here. The downside is mostly everyone in Los angeles is materialistic, so expect everything to be overpriced. There is alot of things teens and adults can do here, and there's never a dull moment. The beach is only up to 15 mins away from most parts of LA, thats what makes it such a good place to live in. Don't mind the crime, it happens everywhere. People in LA just get used to it.

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Know the risks - 8/2/2008

If you like Mexican food, driving, being totally uber-hip, and being able to rock climb and grow organic vegetables year round, this is your place. If you like seasons, public transit, the concept of going out downtown, and not getting sunburned every time you leave the house, this is NOT your place. Clearly, I have mixed feelings on the subject of LA. I'm glad I grew up here, but am pretty sure I won't end up here.

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The City - 7/23/2008

It is getting over crowded and we are running low on water. Traffic congestion is worse every day. The high price of gasoline has reduced traffic for the near term, but I don't think it will last. On the plus side the climate here near the Pacific Ocean is probably the best in the country. It never gets much below 40 degrees here, and there are very few when it gets over 90. I live in Mar Vista where we get a cool breeze of the ocean most afternoons in the summer.

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Weather - 7/22/2008

The weather here virtually allows you to do activities outdoors all year round.

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The New Downtown L.A. - 7/21/2008

As a new resident of Los Angeles, formerly of Chicago, I wanted to comment on the revitalization occurring in the downtown area. There is a surge of twenty/thirty-somethings moving back to downtown due to the recent development of livable apartment complexes located mostly around the 110 between downtown and Westlake. There is a new Ralph's and the Macy's Mall at 7th and Figuroa with several dining options all within walking distance. Lots of great sushi and upscale restaurants with breathtaking city views. Admittedly Chicago is a much more downtown oriented city, but L.A. has come a long way and if you're not interested in the Hollywood scene, downtown has its own vibe that has nothing to do with the glitz of Bev Hills. It also allows you to be close to the meager public transportation system that L.A. offers. It's a far cry from NYC and the Chi, but if you're flexible, you might make it work.

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To Hot For Comfort - 7/9/2008

Los Angeles, "shake and bake"? Well, so far of late, just baking. And given the crowded conditions, the high crime, congestion and other draw backs, this is one town that will see 'nothing but tail lights from us' very soon. Give us a good old four seasons location and we are bound immediately.

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