gtangjr
gtangjr

New York vs. Los Angeles

Different coasts, different attitudes, and different ways of life.

Half my life in NYC, the other in LA. Most of my heart belongs to LA because I'm an outdoor type of person who values personal space. But New York has the appeal of a real city, navigable sans car, and full of wonder. This is not to say LA doesn't have its wonder. It's just more, you know, spread out, and it's probably bedazzled, too.

What say you?
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MONUMENTAL
MONUMENTAL 2yrs+
I am from L.A. I live in Phoenix, AZ now. I definitely agree that L.A. is ""bedazzled" I love the mix of cultural things to in L.A. though.
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AdamS
AdamS 2yrs+
My take? NY has a buzz like no other city, but the concrete jungle aspect (especially in Winter) tends to get a little hard to bear. LA seems a little on the fake side to me, but the weather can be fantastic. The air is filthy as hell though, and I can't stand that.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
I rather be in LA. I hate being on top of anyone. I also hate crowds like NYC has. When I move from NYC, LA is where I'm going.

@AJ: The air quality in NYC is worse. I'll take LA over NYC any day of the week. As for NYC, it does not have a buzz. It is more annoying than anything.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Monumental I havent visited L.A. though I wish NY had its weather..NY city winters can be quite brutal for the soul..
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
I've only been to LA briefly - but I loved the weather. NYC can't compete in that department - it's hardly ever as nice as it is right now in the city. It's either unbearably cold or ridiculously hot. Ick. But NYC is my city - obviously I am partial to it.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
I seem to be meeting a lot of transplants from LA lately and I find them all a bit slimy and unreal. At least with New Yorkers you can kind of read if someone doesn't particularly care for you, which can be comforting because then you at least know what to expect. Whereas LA people just smile and spread the honey even with people they hate. Maybe it's just a feature of the entertainment industry, which is what most of my LA acquaintances are into.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
Hey there uraniumfish! I'm from LA! I'll admit that there are a lot of fake people from LA -- but, most of those people are transplants from the midwest who are taking on some kind of douchey affectation. It's sad that we get our rep from people who aren't actually from there.
I find that NY is much more difficult to live in. Everyone here seems more interested in the next best thing or trading up. LA is a lot more laid back in that way. . . people just seem happier there.
NY is a great city but my heart lies with Los Angeles.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish: I prefer LA people, since I have that kind of personality myself. I can be laid back and flakey at times.

@JenMac: You are mind kind of person. I like you.I agree with you about LA all the way.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@JenMac: I also find NYC hard to live in. It is too much of a pressure cooker. And the people here are, well I've said enough. I will begin repeating myself too much.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
I've heard that LA is really stressful though, because of the need to drive everywhere, and how it's impossible to just have a nice stroll like one can in NYC.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
The driving in LA is so incredibly stressful!!!! I know people from LA that never learned how to drive - and though I have no idea how they got around that city for so long, I can understand not wanting to get behind the wheel in that crazy city. But I was telling an LA native the other night that I actually missed living in LA sometimes. She of course said I was the only person she had ever met that had lived there, moved back to NYC, and still felt that way.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
I honestly don't buy into the stereotype that LA people are squishy and flaky and whatnot. Just like NYC isn't made up of stressed out tight asses, it takes all kinds in LA. Plus both cities consist of a lot of transplants. I know stereotypes have to come from somewhere, but I do know plenty of people from LA who are sweet and make great friends.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Ajadedidealist: I can handle driving everywhere with no problem. I have a friend who lives in LA and she walks around many places. LA is not all that bad.

@BroadwayBK: My friend drives around and told me it isn't all that stressful, as long as you know where you are going. I believe Route 495 in NY is the worst highway to drive on. It's called the world's most dangerous highway for a reason.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
I actually like driving so the traffic didn't really bother me that much. It's kind of fun to have your windows down and the music up. And, you can get all of your phone calls done in the car which you can't do in NY on the street or in the subway.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@hhusted I have driven in LA and it IS stressful. Much prefer driving in New York, where traffic seems to move at a more reasonable pace.

@JenMac Unless you drive a stick.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
I could never imagine living in LA. Maybe it doesn't live up to the stereotype - but an image and body-conscious city that also doesn't seem very walkable sounds like the antithesis of my ideal!
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
It's very walkable if you live in Venice or any of the Bay citites. And, people get a lot of outdoor activity out there (hiking, swimming, running, etc) so it's actually much easier to stay fit.

@BroadwayBK -- nobody drives a stick except the Porsche douches.
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Benthedude
Benthedude 2yrs+
Its only body-conscious if you give into that. I think every city values media based beauty, New York included. I dont think you should bash LA because it is valued highly, if you dont want to live into that dont, but you can still live happliy in the city. And a note on walking, you can walk all you want, then take a bus to get where you want, or bike!
I have been biking in Los Angeles my whole life, and have been biking in New York for almost a year now. I would say I have never had as many close calls in LA as I have had in New York. Granted, Los Angeles is not bike accident immune, but I think you can stay away from trouble easier.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I spent about three months walking/taking the bus around LA, and it's doable. But it ain't no NYC when it comes to public transport.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@JenMac AND ME.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
Ahahahahah! Sorry BroadwayBK!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK I don't think any city in the US has the kind of public transport system that NYC.. yes we moan about the MTA constantly but thanks to the MTA many of us don't need to maintain a car in the city. The convenience that NYC offers is unmatchable.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: Sorry. But the BART has NYC beat. It is cleaner and faster. You don't have to wait long for it. I realize the BART is in San Francisco and we are talking about LA, but I wanted to make that comment because you mentioned how great the MTA was.

@JenMac: I believe you all the way when you speak of driving in LA. As I said before, I have a friend who drives in LA and she told me it wasn't all that bad.

@BroadwayBK: I'm sorry you had such bad experiences. I think you have become so well adjusted to NYC life that nothing beats it now.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Everybody: Sorry folks, but LA is King. NYC is just so-so. NYC does have its great points. But nothing beats the west coast.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted You sound really miserable in NYC nothing about the city seems to enthuse you.. perhaps you should make that move to the West Coast asap. For me NYC is home and I love it bad weather, huge expenses et al.. and btw a recent survey by askmen.com has findings that indicate that in spite of its battered economy NYC is the best city for men both in a professional and personal capacity-http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100419/lf_nm_life/us_cities_men
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
Yeah, @hhusted - I'm going to have to defend the Big Apple here! I'm a proud East Coaster (born in NYC, went to school near Boston, spent some summers in the Berkshires, so a triple threat). Cold, Puritanical, and overly stressful to be sure - but we're also smart, serious, and that much closer to Europe!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@ajadedidealist you go girl!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@uptowngirl There is definitely not another US city that has the same sort of public transport that we have here, for sure.

@hhusted I didn't say that my life in LA was horrible, just the whole traffic mess over there is horrible. And I am capable of forming an opinion about a city that isn't NYC without having to constantly compare the two, thank you. I agree with uptowngirl - if you hate NYC so much, just move. Also, last I checked you said you've never been to LA? or never lived there? How do you know it's so much better.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@ajadeidealist You said it!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK: Because I have friends who live there and relate their experiences to me. Plus, my girlfriend went there about six months ago and told me everything. She even took pictures. She related all her experiences including driving, walking, and experiencing LA. So I saw LA through her and my friends. Plus, my screenwriting teacher lived there for 10 years and related his experiences to.

As for my feelings about NYC, I moved here by force in a way. I lived in NJ and was laid off my job. I met my girlfriend and she suggested I move here. So I took her advice and did. Bad mistake. This city does have a many great things I do like including Times Square, the lights and glitter of the place, and Central Park, but I hate the fact everyone is on top of each other. The place is not spread out. I'm a suburban person. I was born in the country and lived a suburban life. However, I feel I can enjoy LA better because of what people said about it.

Who knows. Maybe when I am done with my screenwriting class and go out there to sell my scripts, I may not even like it. Then again, I may. Won't know till I get there.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK amen!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Everybody: If I had the money I would move to LA. Anyone got $10,000. Unfortunately, that is not the case, so I am learning to deal with it the best I can. For those who love NYC and prefer it, that is your opinion and your option. Everyone is different. All I can say is if you are happy here, than live long and prosper.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
Anyone lived in the South? I've never even been - what's the culture like there?
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Basic
Basic 2yrs+
I've lived in California, New Jersey, Ohio, Kansas and Florida (Orlando and Key West).

Here is, basically, how these places all fall for me...

San Diego/L.A. - Hard to beat. Great weather, and in SD anyway, most people are very, very nice...Traffic is difficult, but you just roll down the window, turn the music up and enjoy it....Not enough greenery, though.. can't get lost in the woods...

Jersey - Man.. when it isn't too cold or too hot, it's actually really nice.. lots of green around you.. you CAN get lost in the woods here.

Ohio - near Cincinnati.. Loved it there. Though, again, it is mostly too cold or too hot.. but man, was is a GREAT place to live. Just the right amount of stress/ambition paired with the right mix of family values/relaxation.

Kansas City - If it didn't snow, i might still live there. It is actually a really nice place to live.. there isn't a whole lot around you, but it is just plain nice....and the people are some of the nicest...

Florida - Orlando . ugh.. tourist attraction galore.. Key West, however.. I have never been anywhere more laid back. Literally, I was going to be named store manager there once simply because I was the only one to ever come in on Mondays.. everyone else called in hungover..... SERIOUS party city.. and they mean it.

@ajade - The south is actually really nice.. but it is EXACTLY the opposite of NYC (or Cali even).. EVERYTHING is far awway, unless you live on the edge of a larger city. The vast majority of Alabama is open land with itty bitty 'towns' that are nothing more than a single street off of a highway surrounded by tons of land.. very relaxed, but thank goodness for online shopping!

@husted - I understand you are stuck where you are.. bummer.. hope you find a way out soon enough.. if you are doing the screenwriting, obviously, LA would be a prime place for you to be since the MAJORITY of entertainment is here.. unfortunately, the other place to be is NYC... heh..
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Ajadedidealist: The South is very laid back. People move slow compared to NYC. When you ask for directions, the person giving them ends up telling you the history of the place. It is really nice. I know. I was born and partially raised in the South. I go there to visit my step-sister now and then.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Basic: Well, as the Beverly Hillbillies theme went: "I'm going to pack up my bags and move to Beverly. Hills, movies, TV stars."

Thanks for the tips.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@hhusted no wonder you can't stomach NYC.. it must be a shock to your system.. as for me I come from a big, chaotic city environment and think I function best in an urban setting..hence my love for NYC.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
I think I'm going to need to learn to drive before I properly travel around anywhere in the US that isn't NY...
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
Los Angeles is the only place with that many people where you can actually be alone. And, for that, it gets all my votes.
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
I think I must be the only one on here who does NOT relate to LA in any way. Mostly the people, but also just a general atmosphere.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
Most of the time I feel like I'm alone in New York. If I'm not hanging with people anyway.
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Basic
Basic 2yrs+
@Neversleeps - Now THAT is funny. :) lol
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@DBlack Are you from New York? I can understand those sentiments if you are. I guess I can understand them if you're not, too...
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