How can people stand to live in large cities like NY or LA?

This is actually a reasonable post for once. I too often wonder why anyone would want to live in these huge cities.

LA - perfect weather

NYC - Economic Opportunity

How big is your condo stick? I'm curious what 250k will get you in Chattanooga.

Well, I have lived in both, LA for 20ish years and NY for 5. I did it because that's where the work was. It was not my preference. If I have a choice, I will never live in either one again.

More and better bars and restaurants

More and better leisure activities - theatres, concerts, etc..

Far more people to meet

Better pay, more jobs

Better public transport - I can go on a night out and get home without having to pay a fortune on a taxi or worry about crashing driving my car into a tree

International airport so it is easy to get around and travel the world

People shouldn't always think "big city" when they think of NY or LA. Large portions of them are distinct communities. I live in Manhattan just a two-minute walk from Central Park. I work at home. I go to "midtown" about twice a month, tops. I live on a quiet tree-lined street. Everything I need, including plenty of entertainment and dining opportunities, is within easy walking distance. Things are open late, and they're open early. I like the mix of people. It's a goo life.

You know nothing about Los Angeles if you think nature isn't easily accessible.

While were at it.. did you know San Diego area is the most diverse natural place on earth?

The more you know~

Stick with eharmony wrote:

I live in a mid sized city. I have $250k condo and have a 2 minute commute to work. I make a good living. I'm surrounded by mountains rivers and such and it's gorgeous.

None of this could happen if I lived in a big city. What advantages does a big city have? I can't see how people like 1 hour traffic jam commutes, being 100% surrounded by people and living in dityness

I don't get it

I've wondered the same thing many times.

UrineIdiot wrote:

You know nothing about Los Angeles if you think nature isn't easily accessible.

Yeah, there are little piles of "nature" all over the sidewalks.

Lol. I was visiting family in Portland, Oregon over the xmas break and saw a huge pile of human turds on a sidewalk in downtown Portland. Craptastic!

You live in the state of SEC, in the county of Alabama, and in the city of Tennessee. We know this based on your prior posts.

Adding to the convo wrote:

Yeah, there are little piles of "nature" all over the sidewalks.

Every residential street in LA has trees and grass and plants along the sidewalks: nature.

I used to live very close to NYC. My Dad has worked there all his life. I know the city very well. I like to visit, but no more than a few days. It's too crowded.

From a runners standpoint there's nothing there. Chattanooga has trails and walking paths. How could you not love chattanooga?!!?

For the record, my condo is 1100 sq ft. It's gated with a pool and club house and overlooks signal mountain

L.A. calls itself 'The Center of the Universe' but you can't walk around in the evening without fear of being tased or having your brains blasted away by L.A.P.D. pigs.

Lived for 5 in NYC, 5 in LA. Now live in Salt Lake City. Not mormon- very different here than you'd think. Ride my bike or walk to work- 1/2 mile away. I live downtown. Park 1/2 mile away for grass repeats. 2 tracks within 2 miles warmup.

More and better bars and restaurants- oh, please. Like you utilize them anyway. We all get our favorites, and we stick to those.

More and better leisure activities - theatres, concerts, etc..-

Ummmmm, wrong again. Pro sports, theater, baseball spring training, and definitely concerts. Best snow on earth. Mountain bike and running trails as far as the eye can see. Climbing in every canyon. If you wear those out, can always drive to Jackson hole, Moab, canyons natl park, or even Durango.

Far more people to meet- strike 3. Because NYC and LA are soooo friendly. People here look each other in the eye and greet them.

Better pay, more jobs- higher pay in a place that is has a significantly higher cost of living is just compensation. What I get for $2500/month here gets me jack squat in NYC or LA. I live in a 3 bedroom/3 bath condo with view of mountains outside my window.

Better public transport - I can go on a night out and get home without having to pay a fortune on a taxi or worry about crashing driving my car into a tree

- what do you know? We have uber and public transport here, too!

- shockingly, we also have an international airport that is easy to access and utilize...stark contrast to NYC or LA.

I tend to agree with you, but unless you've lived there, you don't know what you're missing. If you're in to art, culture, food, music, intelligent conversation, challenging work, good looking people, etc... then you can't beat NY. It's just not a place to spend your entire life. It wears on your soul and your finances.

But yeah, people in NY end up going to the same dive bar a block from their apartment that's no different than the local bar in their podunk hometown.

I'd say smaller cities like Portland, Denver, Austin have a nice balance of culture, job opportunities, and ease of living.

Stick with eharmony wrote:

What advantages does a big city have?

I don't get it

Simple: Jobs. The good, high-paying jobs.

New Yorkers are delusional. The cost of living is way too high. Attempting to raise a family in the NY area is insane. Property taxes in the safe school districts are outrageous (and reinforce racial segregation). The transit system is under perpetual construction, smells, is unreliable and increasingly dangerous. After you pay your rent and deal with your commute there's no time or money to go anywhere besides the local spots. Endless loops of Central Park are boring. Gym memberships are overpriced. Forget having a car in Manhattan. The weather sucks in the winter and the summer. The people horribly self centered and unimaginative.

There are many 500M to 2MM sized cities in this country where you can live without all of the above, be happier, save more money and train better.

LA is like living on Xanax.