living in LA vs. NYC (debate)

Nyc is a real city, la. Is a mishmash of suburbs...thread.over

Don't move to L.A. We don't need anymore easties.

Why only those two choices?

NYC is more similar to Chicago. More happening-but also more expensive.

LA is without any redeeming qualities. It is an endless summer-but in my mind that's a negative as I hate summer. Even among California-a third tier state-LA's a third tier choice.

Have you considered a small or medium size city-rather than a megalopolis? The difference between a Fort Collins or even a Portland and Chicago is far greater than the difference between NYC and Chicago.

NYC sucks. Dirty, cold, rundown, expensive, filled with dbags.

LA isn't perfect either. Traffic is a bitch. Mass sprawl, but there is some urbanity too. Some areas are downright scary, others are ritzy as hell. Some dbags around, but not as many as NYC.

Overall though, LA thoroughly kicks the crap out of NYC in the categories of food, weather, culture/values/vibe, and outdoor recreational activities both around town and within a day's drive. Overall a much better place to live.

Whyyyyyyy? wrote:

Why only those two choices?

I suppose I'd consider other cities. I simply haven't traveled enough to know where else I would be happy.

I've heard good things about Seattle and SF, but have never been there.

chicago sucks too wrote:

NYC sucks. Dirty, cold, rundown, expensive, filled with dbags.

LA isn't perfect either. Traffic is a bitch. Mass sprawl, but there is some urbanity too. Some areas are downright scary, others are ritzy as hell. Some dbags around, but not as many as NYC.

Overall though, LA thoroughly kicks the crap out of NYC in the categories of food, weather, culture/values/vibe, and outdoor recreational activities both around town and within a day's drive. Overall a much better place to live.

The outdoor recreational activities is a big one for me. I have a large, active dog and I know he'd be more enriched in LA.

But the traffic in LA is a big drawback. I couldn't spend 2 hours commuting while my dog is at home waiting for me.

LookinToMove wrote:

[quote]chicago sucks too wrote:

But the traffic in LA is a big drawback. I couldn't spend 2 hours commuting while my dog is at home waiting for me.

Rent/live near your work, and you won't spend 2 hours commuting. Hopefully your job is near a desirable area to live. Definitely something to consider. LA does have better transit than most give it credit for, too.

There are tons of other decent-sized west coast cities that are good and liveable, and very different than Chicago. Seattle, Portland, SF, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego. All worth a look. I even like Phoenix. Vegas or SLC are okay too.

Fuggedaboutit, nyc is the best city in the world

The negative remarks about LA traffic are overstated. The really cool thing about LA is that we don't just have 1 central business district. There are 500 square miles, and several different "downtowns". Santa Monica, Long Beach, North/West Hollywood, traditional Downtown, Costa Mesa are a few and they are generally all bound by major freeways. I lived in Westwood and worked in Long Beach for almost 3 years and was never late for work. The weather, women, and weed are our greatest selling points honestly. The price of housing can be finicky, but if you're not an ignorant racist/a Mercedes driving yuppie you should be fine.

I personally think both cities suck. Chicago sucks too.

"women weed nd weather"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x81x1R7fiJk

YOu have kendrick lamar that is good.

santa monica, venice, westwood, downtown, koreatown etc are nice but there are alot of areas (large areas since it is more suburban than say east ny) that are sh*tty.

The traffic is unbearable and there are basically no other options, the subway is a joke

I live in the LA area and love it. Sure traffic can be annoying and housing prices are pretty expensive, but the weather here is hard to beat...can do outdoor activities at all times of the year. There are a lot of hiking/running trails, not to mention many different beaches! There are a lot of nice areas that aren't right in downtown LA..so you won't feel like you are right in the city. I would much prefer this to NYC..was way too busy/crowded and winters are cold. I also lived in Seattle for 6 years...which is very dog friendly, but it rains A LOT in the winter/spring months. I prefer it here in SoCal the most.

Whyyyyyyy? wrote:

Why only those two choices?

NYC is more similar to Chicago. More happening-but also more expensive.

LA is without any redeeming qualities. It is an endless summer-but in my mind that's a negative as I hate summer. Even among California-a third tier state-LA's a third tier choice.

Have you considered a small or medium size city-rather than a megalopolis? The difference between a Fort Collins or even a Portland and Chicago is far greater than the difference between NYC and Chicago.

You lost all credibility when you called California a third-tier state.

IDK, calling certain areas crappy is purely subjective imo. I lived in Ladera Heights (one of the US's wealthiest black communities) for several months and enjoyed my time. Lived right on the border of Inglewood, never had a break in or run in with any trouble. On the contrary, I found my neighbors to be wayyyy more approachable and respectful than in Westwood where my neighbors put their dogs needs before mine daily. Life is what you make it.....everyone is just tryin to get by....

Manhattan is where the billionaires look down on the millionaires ;

Manhattan Beach is where the millionaire athletes live.

Bel Air is a great place to party (i.e. Playboy Mansion)

Syracuse is a nice place to get away but nothing like the Hamptons

Lots of great opinions from dudes who've never left the flyover states.

If outdoor recreation is important, it's a no brainer.

Out the back door in NYC:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/facilities/images/kayak/fullsize/2/Inwood_Hill_Pk4.JPG

Out the back door in LA:

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/29700497.jpg

Most impressive mountains for a weekend trip out of NYC:

http://images.summitpost.org/original/673815.JPG

Most impressive mountains for a weekend trip out of LA, closer than the ones above are to NYC:

http://images.summitpost.org/original/475046.jpg

And it keeps going like that for well over 100 miles north. And then there's the desert, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, etc, particularly nice in the winter time in case you're not much of a skier. And the coast, which actually has some real terrain around it, unlike anything on the east coast outside of Maine. Oh, and the weather is pretty much perfect.

And for cred, I should state that I left Ohio for the Bay Area. I have to drive a bit further than Angelinos to get to the big mountains (although Yosemite Valley is much closer), but it's still freaking amazing being able to go on any random weekend to the most spectacular mountains in the lower 48, whereas previously I'd have to schedule a full on vacation to do so.

glad you take advantage of what you have on your doorstep

sad to say

some people never go to the mountains of California

sad to say

some people born in NYC have never been to the SofL or on the top of the ESB when The Freedom Lights blinked and cut thru the night for 50 miles..