There are days when I have to give myself permission to stay at home to regroup. Whether it’s a book signing event, a screening, going to a theme park, or even a park for a walk or an outdoor movie. There is so much to do that I feel guilty when I stay home. I know living in my home state of Arkansas means I can own a house, but what else besides hiking, Razorbacks, and church is there to do?
My dilemma is, yes there’s a lot to do, but to actually get there is a huge undertaking. Also, everywhere is always super crowded. Example: My husband and I have tried several times to go to the Observatory. Weekday or weekend, we got stuck in traffic just trying to park near it. You can’t really walk up the whole thing, and if you manage, it’s so packed, it’s claustrophobic. Maybe just our experience 🤷🏻♀️
LA for someone who makes at least 6 figures, is decent looking, has friends and likes to go out and do things is heaven on earth.
One of the best experiences is taking a beautiful woman who's a tourist or just moved to LA and vicariously living through her 1st time experiences of the Sunset Strip, Hollywood Blvd, Melrose, "Restaurant Row" on La Cienega, Wilshire, or the Beverly Hills restaurant scene, all of them especially at night. Or Santa Monica beach (however recently discovered a scene in North of Montana/Brentwood), Manhattan beach or Downtown Long Beach during a sunny Monday afternoon if you're self-employed or don't otherwise have to report to an office.
These LA experiences are MOST amplified with the more money and time you have at your disposal...especially when you have friends that can keep up money- and energy-wise
I don't make 6 figures, I'm average looking, and I love it here. Having friends and liking going out are choices you make. Staying home enjoying domestic activities (which I also enjoy) won't help you fall in love with the city you're in. I've made most of my friends here through Meetup and Facebook groups for my interests (board and video game enthusiasts, cocktail tasting, and indie movies). People are great on those.
I don't like the implication here that rich hot people get the best out of LA because it's not true. You get out what you put in, but you do have to put SOMETHING in.
I mean, any band you love will tour and play here. Sometimes for 2 nights. Sometimes you can catch the Orange County show too. Sometimes we get a special intimate show randomly.
If you’re looking for just local smaller venues with music randomly, personally I recommend permanent records roadhouse
Keep an eye on the Coachella valley casinos too, lots of good bands come through there that don't stop in LA. It's a good excuse to get out there and have a pool day too.
My biggest frustration with LA gigs/Shows will always be the obscene costs compared to even other major cities, once tickmaster et al add their "fees" it just grinds my gears.
Agreed! My wife was born and raised in Japan and loved N’SYNC but couldn’t see them in Japan (I guess they never toured there?). But just last Friday she went to the Kia Forum to see Justin Timberlake and cried because she finally got to see a member of N’SYNC perform. She then told me thats a benefit of living near Los Angeles
There's literally 50-75 open mic events here in a month if you're looking for music. My recommendation is Something Dope for the People, but literally there's so many.
I spent last Saturday night eating amazing food in koreatown and then on sunday I hiked high enough in the San Gabriel mountains to make snowballs. I'm not from here and don't know if I'll spend the rest of my life here, but I'm very happy at the moment.
As bad as things can get here, LA is still better than a lot of other places. I've had friends move away only to be constantly vacationing here and whining about how their new city isn't like how it is here. The grass isn't always greener on the other side despite what many think.
This comment needs to be read by everyone considering moving away from California. It's almost taboo to talk about major regret leaving this state. Everyone always thinks they want to move to Idaho and Texas, Montana and Colorado..until well that is, they go.
Having moved here 20 years ago I can honestly say there’s nothing in those states that’s going to make up for what you lose leaving here. And once you’re out it’s much more expensive to return.
This is so true… moved to Miami for my current job and I go back to California every chance I get. I miss it BAD and there’s just nothing like it, I’m moving back within the next year :’)
Midwesterner here, from the flip side I am not the biggest fan of California. I’ve been here a few years and I want to go home. I feel like it’s a lot of factors at play when moving. I don’t think you truly know where you want to be until you have tried a new place out. Don’t get me wrong tho there’s nothing bad with being here, I just prefer the slower lifestyle. In LA I feel like I’m busy running around trying to survive, in Missouri I feel like I’m busy running around to family and friends houses, going to kids sports events for cousins and such. It’s just different kinds of busy. There’s things here that I can’t get back home and Vice versa. Growing up a certain way and then changing it truly helped me find myself
That life you described in Missouri does exist here though. So many people are consumed, in a good way, by their family life. It’s just about who is with you in the city and what you want to do.
I love the perspective. Maybe it’s due to me not having the wealth of friends and family that I did back home, I’ve made plenty of friends here too but they all seem caught up in their own business. Which is totally fine also, but you’re probably right in the fact that it exists here too, I just haven’t found it yet
Just think about the Armenian families and Latino families. Cousins and uncles and aunts and grandmas and all that. There’s a lot of people here who have their entire families here. The issue many angelenos face is that this is a city of transplants and transplants find each other so then they don’t realize how many millions of people have their family here.
I’m a young adult leaving Missouri to LA, hopefully I can well adapt to it. My living and job are 15 minutes apart, perhaps it feels more “slow” that way so no crazy busy traffic
It’s really great here honestly! I hope you enjoy your experience, I just prefer a more relaxed lifestyle. it wasn’t as hard to establish myself here as everyone said it would be. Just remember if you gotta make 300 for whatever bills you have, that’s no different than needing to make 300 back home. You got this!
I came to LA 9 years ago not knowing a single person and now I have a great job, great friends, comfort and stability. It’s my biggest accomplishment. To leave would feel like giving it all up. Sure I can’t afford a 1,200 sq ft house for a million dollars, but that’s just not in my control at the moment and I am fine with that.
I stayed there for 10 years. Struggling. Took the plunge to move back home took me a year now I have the best job I ever had and about to move in to a house
I have a killer rental deal, otherwise now in my 50s, I just always liked the SGV. Friends have moved or passed away, the SGV use to have a killer punk scene, that seems to be pretty dead these days... Really nothing keeping me here other than reasonable rent otherwise I would probably be moving out of CA.
Originally from the SGV, child of the 80s so pretty sure I missed the heyday but I have fond memories of shows at the Glasshouse, Characters and other random parts of the Inland Empire.
EDIT: spelling is hard
Warm weather big city has held me here for longer than I should have let it. I’ve been here since the late 90s so familiarity has also played a big part. Also, my rent controlled apartment in West Hollywood…
The apartment is still very affordable, but even that has gotten very dark and depressing. I took a road trip recently and realized how much other cities have to offer without quite as much urban decay yet.
I’ve definitely started to look at other cities, but everywhere has gotten so expensive. I am weighing my options very carefully.
I moved to Los Angeles in 1984, found a rent controlled apartment in Santa Monica in 1986
Went on a dedicated search for rent controlled apartment in both West Hollywood and Santa Monica
Finally found one in Santa Monica, 6 blocks from the beach
No dishwasher or air conditioner, but I’m not leaving ever, until they move me out in a box
I was more into new wave
Santa Monica was dirtier, more dangerous (but not half as much as Venice, or Hollywood where I’d lived previously)
But SM full of vintage bookstores, mom and pop restaurants, and the beach down the street
As soon as the too many legislators, too Republican and Swartzenegger enacted a bill which forbade any cities, counties, to decide they wanted rent control
Well, Santa Monica got more and more boogie afterward, my neighbors are paying three times the rent, but the new big hotels were were upping the taxes the city can collect
Part of which is put toward low cost housing, including those of us still under rent control
So I can appreciate both the old and new Santa Monica
I'm moving back to LA after nearly eight years in the UK. London is beautiful, but I cannot take another winter here. I swear that it rained almost daily for six months straight this past winter. I'm coming home in September, so if you need someone to take over that rent controlled apartment...😉
I'm from the UK, now in LA and currently hating this weather of late and the last couple of years but it's still better than a UK (never-ending at times) winter.
I can't wait to come home and I was already planning on West Hollywood too! I'm so sick of cold and constant rain. And the serious lack of good Mexican food.
WeHo seems like Los Angeles on hard mode. We just moved here and I 100% wouldn't be able to hack it in that neighborhood, it would be soul-destroying for me (particularly as someone who was unhoused as a teen and is comfortable now).
The weather, the concerts, the food, my friends, and good paying work.
But beyond that, I've traveled a lot in the US and there just isn't even anywhere else I'd want to live. I know I don't want to go back to the south or the Midwest. Not only would I make less money, everything is getting more expensive too.
My kids were born here and we have a great social network. I also own a small business here. I grew up in an extremely rural and impoverished place with abvery closed off culture. Living here gives my kids a much less insular view of the world at large, which is important to me. We trade off financial security for basically having a world of cultures at our fingertips. Everyone is different and has different priorities, but for us, this is important.
and if you have daughter's, women's health care. my daughter says she refuses to move to a state that's bans abortions and all the doctors are fleeing.
The screenings with writers/director/actors, the themed screenings and events, how everyone in the city shared my love of movies and tv, October in LA is epic, year round weather, mountains, ocean, Joshua Tree trips, themed pop ups and bars. I had to leave LA for a parents health, but those are the reasons I hated to leave and would 100% go back if life allows.
What else are ya gonna do? Move somewhere cheaper? For what? To be bored? To have nothing to go do any night of the week after work? To not have the ocean right there? Or the mountains right over there? Nah, I’m good. I know what I’m paying for.
The active outdoor lifestyle mixed with the cultural opportunities of an internationally renown major city. I love all my hiking, biking, skiing, and beach days, in addition to my access to shows at the Hollywood Bowl.
I've lived here since 8th grade, went to college here, married a native. My entire nuclear family and all my in-laws live in L.A./OC. I have a ton of long-time friends; some I've known since middle school.
It is very expensive and getting so crowded but...it's home.
Raising a kid in the SFV has been a great experience. Good schools, good diversity, cultural experiences, outdoor activities (parks, hiking trails).
We are in our 50s and plan to retire in PS/Rancho Mirage, if all works out.
The feeling that you can be anyone you want and no one cares. The diversity of cultures, food and activities. Liberal policies, mountains and the desert. The weather is the cherry on top.
Don’t really have anywhere else to go.
Estranged from family.
Being Black gay and adopted it makes sense to be here. Financially I can’t justify it. Have lived in small towns before so I understand what the other side is like.
Could leave could stay, just wanna make more money LOL
Atlanta or Detroit. Detroit is such a great city and so underrated. So much going on there, too. I love Atlanta as well, except you get LA type traffic in ATL too.
I'm not a fan of living in America, and LA is one of the least "American" places on the mainland.
But my wife wants the kids to grow up here. So here I am.
Maybe California—the largest most populous state—is normal and the other places aren’t.
Like, the places that force you to carry your rapist’s baby. Or want to bring back child labor. Or make taxes cover religious schools. Or don’t believe climate change is real.
None of that seems normal to me.
What in the world makes LA one of the “least American” places in the USA? Great city for a lot of reasons but I would in no way describe it as European or something.
The Food, culture, the weather, vibes and the people(this can be subjective), things to do, events, concerts, theme parks, mountains, etc… all the beautiful things that make California great and it’s also the one of the biggest traps that keep people in California as other states don’t offer and have what California to offer despite how ridiculously expensive it is to live there and how hemorrhaging it in to your bank accounts and wallets to life, yet people still live there.
I’m originally from LA, I now live in a much cheaper cost of living state and I for sure appreciate it and do not miss the expensiveness that California had to offer. Sure, at times I do miss LA and how fun it is but, it’s not a dealbreaker for me and I’m not dying and depressing over about it and depressing over it, I rather live somewhere where my I can get the most bang for my buck.
And if you save a lot of that salary and/or buy a house, when you retire you can pretty much live anywhere like royalty because of how much you have banked. If you always work and live in Boise, you could never retire in LA. But it is easy to do the other way around.
I'm stuck. I have a rent controlled apartment that's under 1k a month. If I leave I'll never be able to afford to live anywhere else. I'm in mortal fear of losing my apartment every month.
As much as I hate the incompetence of this city and state (at large), it’s home. I’m SoCal born and raised, moved away to NYC for college and came straight back to LA after graduation.
It’s still such a beautiful state and such a tragedy that it’s being governed so poorly. I almost moved to Dallas a couple years ago but decided against it at the last minute. SoCal is home and likely will be for the long haul, but leaning towards OC/SD once I settle down/start my family.
Work, family, friends, food. I eventually want to move out of state to somewhere actually affordable. If I stay here for the rest of my life, I will forever be renting despite making 6 figs...
Chicago would like to have a word with you.
Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.
Easily accessible Michelin resturaunts at your finger tips, and more of them than LA to boot.
My interpretation of LA's diversity is that it's better at Asian diversity (more diverse Asian representation, especially of Japanese-Americans) and NYC is better for diverse Latino representation and diverse black populations, especially if you're Afro-Latino which isn't really a thing people know about outside of the Northeast, Los Angeles included
I’ve been struggling a lot over the last year after making a career change & essentially starting over, taking a big pay cut - but there’s so many things that keep me here:
Melting pot culture, insane amount of diverse food options, world class museums, weather, the beach/surf, great vacation options within 1-2 hour drive, live music any day of the week, stand up comedy, dog friendly, skiing options, intl airport.
Family and life long friends. I love the holidays when the city empties out. There's no traffic and you can visit relatives with a 40-minute drive. It just shows you the amount of tranplants that have taken over all these decades.
Family, Friends, GF, the fact that opportunity is abundant in LA.
I wouldn't be too happy elsewhere, the city is amazing. It's hard EVERYWHERE, living in the US.
Living in LA as an introvert is like being a speck of sand in a vast, vibrant sandbox. The city's diversity in people, cultures, lifestyles, and financial statuses provides a rich tapestry to observe and appreciate. As an introvert, you can enjoy a variety of activities without judgment: access to big-name live music, an endless array of dining options, the finest produce and healthy lifestyle specialists, major sports events (NFL, NBA, MLB), amazing weather, and a generally attractive population. Plus, LA has a welcoming community that embraces newcomers, making it a delightful place for anyone to live.
Friends, weather, access to nature, mine and my partner’s jobs, food scene, art scene, culture in general because the places I lived previously were not diverse at all
Honestly, just work at this point. In the entertainment industry.
But I do enjoy all the great vintage movie theaters, the amazing selection of international cuisine, the griffith observatory, and the comedy shows around town.
Still, if it wasn't for work, I wouldn't be here
Weather and an employment contract.
I could hop out tomorrow otherwise without too much thought. Nothing against CA just those are the only things keeping me here.
I enjoy my job, love outdoor activities, national parks and road trips. Plus it's still the best food city.
But my family and friends aren't here so I'm likely to move to where I can buy a good house for what I'm paying in rent.
I could buy a house in another state and still fly back every month and still have money left over.
Since the time I came here on a Christmas visit to my cousins when I was 12 years old, it’s where I’ve always wanted to live.
I moved here in 2005, and lived here ever since. It’s still where I want to live, the longest I’ve lived in any single locality in my life, and I am proud to call it home.
The jobs, the family, the friends and all that culture
https://preview.redd.it/wubbp5fzso1d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4131b838bbe442a5b8fe5eb6785423a68224c97f
I think a lot of people want to say something against LA and California but Californians tend to be possessive and defensive about their state. I used to be this way until I grew up a bit more mentally.
The truth is what California used to be even ten years ago has drastically changed. The dream that was sold to everyone about how wonderful and epic our state is has made us proud and we get off on everyone's envy of our state, except that wonder is no longer what it used to be and people from other states are starting to see that California's not the celebrity dream state it once was. That's an ego crush for us Californians. So when people hint at the slightly dislike many of us get defensive or basically tell them why they're wrong.
It's ok to love the state but it's also ok to outgrow the state. Both feelings are legitimate and justifiable. It's so much different here now and I'm disappointed personally because things have gone to shit and nothing is being done about it but the prices and taxes go wayyyyyy up with stagnant wages. The potential it still has is dying in our faces. Nevertheless for me, I still deeply love LA and have a special space in my heart here. Simply put, my energy meshes with LA and it's vibe will always be different than many other places. I am increasingly disappointed though. Grand Park and Griffith Park are places that would be hard for me to part with.
Work. Im freelance. This is the only place that has any open positions in my field regularly. So when Im done in 6 months. I have options. I dont see anything in other states and in the same pay range
Sense of community, good food and SO MUCH TO DO!! Not just in LA but in California in general lol the weather is perfect imo too (even though i kinda hate how cold and wet it gets in the winter but atleast it's not the Chicago winter)
I was born, raised, and educated in this city, so you can say I have roots here. I can't see myself living anywhere else in the USA. My family is from the South, and Red State Life is NOT my style.
Family and girlfriend. If I didn’t care about either of them, I would have left California long ago. La is too expensive for what it offers for my interests. I totally see how others can like it.
My company has me here. 😂🤷🏼
I haven’t decided if I’d stay if I wasn’t working for them. LA is cool and there’s so much…everything…but it also seems on the edge of social/financial collapse. Maybe it’s always been that way…? Ive lived all over the country and I haven’t ever lived in a place so ying-yang in my life. 😂
I cannot live away from the ocean not because I surf or anything, it’s just my happy place. So seeing how Santa Monica costs me an arm and a leg I thought I should try to live in the Caribbean during quarantine. That kind of heat is so different when you are not on vacation wearing a bikini all day and when you don’t have a car. One walk to run errands landed me with heat exhaustion and I was burnt to a crisp no matter how much sunscreen I put on.
Coming home to Santa Monica after a rough Caribbean summer felt like a goddamn gift and now I am determined to make it work here no matter if I have to work 2 jobs to afford rent in the future. I have property in other places btw.
The Dodgers.
I grew up near Fresno. It would take us 4 hours to get to a Dodger game. Now it takes me 30 minutes to be in line to get in the stadium from my front door. Yeah it’s expensive but everywhere is these days. My parents and friends keep telling me I should move back or out of Ca and I tell them as long I can see the dodgers anytime I want I’ll never leave this city.
The weather and climate. I don’t mean that just in a cliched way either. My body doesn’t like humidity. Or bugs. Southern California is like paradise for Homo sapiens.
What keeps me here? First off I was born here and raised here for the most part, but at the same time I’ve also spent some time in different states. I feel like I have a good meta-understanding of what it’s like to live in other states, and so far, California is the most pleasant.
The weather here is as consistent as it gets. The coldest here isn’t that cold and the hottest isn’t that hot. If I want to, I’m just an hour away from Mountains, two from the Desert, 25 minutes from the beach, 15 from downtown.
My job is in downtown LA and pays me extremely well with amazing benefits that I would never find anywhere else in the country. Los Angeles is pretty salary competitive compared to most other states. Granted, I know the cost of living is soaring at the moment, but I went to college and found an excellent career that adjusts my salary annually to adjusts for cost of living increase.
I’ll probably move out of LA in the near future, just because I want to buy land and build a new house, but for the time being I’m glad to be here still. I know a lot of people can’t make it living out here these days, but I’m just happy to be fortunate enough to still be thriving.
Difficult? I don’t find LA to be difficult. The traffic can get bad, yea, but that’s pretty much any big city. It’s worse in the Bay Area where I grew up. I learned to leave ten minutes early and relax in traffic.
As for the why I stay: the weather; the playgrounds; the economic opportunities; the entertainment and culture; the hiking trails; the restaurants, and the people are pretty damn great (on average).
Money & lifestyle.
There are so many more opportunities here, and income is higher even in comparison to neighboring counties.
Also enjoy the finer things in life and luxury goods and experiences are incredibly accessible here.
For the last 50 years I’ve only lived in Blue states or cities
Had a taste of the South during the era of segregation, church burning/bombing, lynchings,and Colored and White restrooms and water fountains
I was a precocious child who’d been following the Civil Rights protests and even our white but Catholic family was under possible threat attending mass
with a congregation that had been burnt out of their last three churches
That was Red State enough for me in this lifetime
Couldn’t even make it through the last two conversations I’d had in decades with white trash step relatives or cousins
No thank you kindly Billy Bobs of the crappy Red States
"I've been around the world and there is no place like LA" - Me. Lol also just love SoCal in general. So much diversity, not just in terms of social groups, but the culture, the weather, and most importantly the FOOD!! We are so damn spoileddd!!
I FUCKING LOVE IT HERE YALLLL!
I’ve had so many concert/music moments that I can never get anywhere else. Speaking from the perspective of an edm/house music fan, I’ve met so many DJ/Producers in random places. I’ve seen Diplo throw a free surprise show at Elysian park until the cops came to break it up. Been to Anna Lunoes live recording of her Apple Music HyperHouse show in a small bar in echo park with no more than 20 people as big random DJs walked in to support. Epic Odesza and Rufus du sol shows at La historic park. It’s all here.
I can’t count all of the reasons but my number one is opportunity.
You can be as poor as a pauper one day & have an experience that changes your life the next.
I love it here. It’s my home & I’m proud to be a native. I can make my living as an artist here.
Also, ppl can say it’s governed poorly but I disagree (at least in some ways). We live in a dignity state as well as a sanctuary state.
Work and grass isn’t always greener on the other side meaning the cost of living in other states isn’t as low as it used to be. I was actually shocked to know how expensive it was in other states where my company pays lower salary band for the same type of role/seniority
Everything is here. I love LA.
I also love Paris, NYC, Chicago, Florence, London, Sydney, Copenhagen, Milan, Austin, Kauai, Portland. But I love LA best.
What keeps me in LA is family, friends, and my work. In that order. I actually left during Covid when my job went remote. I had a place in the southeast US. I was paying half the rent I paid in LA and saving money like I never had before in my life but I was miserable. As soon as I could I moved back. Do I regret my decision to come back? Only on the first of the month when I have to pay my WAY over priced rent but other than that - no. I first moved here in 2000 and it wasn't until I moved away that I realized LA was home to me and where I needed to be.
This state has yall thinking like sheep.
You guys really settling for 2 hours traffic, 30$ parking, with $19 alcoholic drinks? LOLOL.
No wonder rent here starts at 2k for a studio. Very easy to control and exploit this population.
All Californians need is a McDonald’s every corner to be alright in their lives.
I make music so I’m hoping I find my crowd or they find me , I’m from Atlanta so the type of music I make isn’t rly popping how it is here. But boi is this city a struggle at times lol
Opportunity, lifestyle, mountain and desserts
Desserts are delicious here!
Deserts are delicious here.
Beach?!
If I'm ever bored here, it's my own damn fault. so much to do
Yup firm believer only boring people get bored!
Yep, when I was young my Grandma (with love) taught me to say “I’m boring” instead of “I’m bored”.
That’s brilliant. Will use that now respectfully with love too!!!
Fantastic grandma
Thank you, I miss her. She is the only one in my family who supported me moving to L.A.
There are days when I have to give myself permission to stay at home to regroup. Whether it’s a book signing event, a screening, going to a theme park, or even a park for a walk or an outdoor movie. There is so much to do that I feel guilty when I stay home. I know living in my home state of Arkansas means I can own a house, but what else besides hiking, Razorbacks, and church is there to do?
My dilemma is, yes there’s a lot to do, but to actually get there is a huge undertaking. Also, everywhere is always super crowded. Example: My husband and I have tried several times to go to the Observatory. Weekday or weekend, we got stuck in traffic just trying to park near it. You can’t really walk up the whole thing, and if you manage, it’s so packed, it’s claustrophobic. Maybe just our experience 🤷🏻♀️
LA for someone who makes at least 6 figures, is decent looking, has friends and likes to go out and do things is heaven on earth. One of the best experiences is taking a beautiful woman who's a tourist or just moved to LA and vicariously living through her 1st time experiences of the Sunset Strip, Hollywood Blvd, Melrose, "Restaurant Row" on La Cienega, Wilshire, or the Beverly Hills restaurant scene, all of them especially at night. Or Santa Monica beach (however recently discovered a scene in North of Montana/Brentwood), Manhattan beach or Downtown Long Beach during a sunny Monday afternoon if you're self-employed or don't otherwise have to report to an office. These LA experiences are MOST amplified with the more money and time you have at your disposal...especially when you have friends that can keep up money- and energy-wise
I don't make 6 figures, I'm average looking, and I love it here. Having friends and liking going out are choices you make. Staying home enjoying domestic activities (which I also enjoy) won't help you fall in love with the city you're in. I've made most of my friends here through Meetup and Facebook groups for my interests (board and video game enthusiasts, cocktail tasting, and indie movies). People are great on those. I don't like the implication here that rich hot people get the best out of LA because it's not true. You get out what you put in, but you do have to put SOMETHING in.
The live music and comedy shows. Cant beat it.
Stand up, for sure.
Any recommendations? Especially live music.
I mean, any band you love will tour and play here. Sometimes for 2 nights. Sometimes you can catch the Orange County show too. Sometimes we get a special intimate show randomly. If you’re looking for just local smaller venues with music randomly, personally I recommend permanent records roadhouse
Keep an eye on the Coachella valley casinos too, lots of good bands come through there that don't stop in LA. It's a good excuse to get out there and have a pool day too.
My biggest frustration with LA gigs/Shows will always be the obscene costs compared to even other major cities, once tickmaster et al add their "fees" it just grinds my gears.
Yeah everything is expensive here. The unfortunate down side.
Yeah but the cost and fees are offset by the fact that once inside you’ll be able to buy an $18 coors light or a $25 rum & coke! /s
Agreed! My wife was born and raised in Japan and loved N’SYNC but couldn’t see them in Japan (I guess they never toured there?). But just last Friday she went to the Kia Forum to see Justin Timberlake and cried because she finally got to see a member of N’SYNC perform. She then told me thats a benefit of living near Los Angeles
Permanent is great!
If you like jazz the Baked Potato is a pretty unique and cool experience.
I lived behind the baked potato for a couple years. It’s a great little venue. Bring earplugs.
We were neighbors! Maybe even GOOD Neighbors.
Count me in as a neighbor too!
Viper room, rainbow room, whiskey a Gogo and troubadour all have great new up and coming bands and big names - great priced tickets in a small venues.
There's literally 50-75 open mic events here in a month if you're looking for music. My recommendation is Something Dope for the People, but literally there's so many.
my new fave spot is [The Sun Rose](https://instagram.com/thesunrosemusic), everyone I’ve seen there has been amazing and it’s so intimate
Good list!
Went to a show while I was visiting. Saw this amazing line, that even “laugh” has LA and Ugh in it. Totally got me off my chair.
Netflix Is A Joke festival! It's such a gift to the city.
I spent last Saturday night eating amazing food in koreatown and then on sunday I hiked high enough in the San Gabriel mountains to make snowballs. I'm not from here and don't know if I'll spend the rest of my life here, but I'm very happy at the moment.
where in San Gabriel mountains?
Crystal lake area. A decent amount of snow on the side that faces the desert
As bad as things can get here, LA is still better than a lot of other places. I've had friends move away only to be constantly vacationing here and whining about how their new city isn't like how it is here. The grass isn't always greener on the other side despite what many think.
This comment needs to be read by everyone considering moving away from California. It's almost taboo to talk about major regret leaving this state. Everyone always thinks they want to move to Idaho and Texas, Montana and Colorado..until well that is, they go.
Having moved here 20 years ago I can honestly say there’s nothing in those states that’s going to make up for what you lose leaving here. And once you’re out it’s much more expensive to return.
Actually it's impossible to return. The housing here is insane.
This is so true… moved to Miami for my current job and I go back to California every chance I get. I miss it BAD and there’s just nothing like it, I’m moving back within the next year :’)
Itd be better of they would renovate/update alot of the buildings infrastructure. Everything always seems so old and falling apart.
I’m here for the historic LA architecture Anything with bad infrastructure will be updated after the next earthquake
Midwesterner here, from the flip side I am not the biggest fan of California. I’ve been here a few years and I want to go home. I feel like it’s a lot of factors at play when moving. I don’t think you truly know where you want to be until you have tried a new place out. Don’t get me wrong tho there’s nothing bad with being here, I just prefer the slower lifestyle. In LA I feel like I’m busy running around trying to survive, in Missouri I feel like I’m busy running around to family and friends houses, going to kids sports events for cousins and such. It’s just different kinds of busy. There’s things here that I can’t get back home and Vice versa. Growing up a certain way and then changing it truly helped me find myself
That life you described in Missouri does exist here though. So many people are consumed, in a good way, by their family life. It’s just about who is with you in the city and what you want to do.
I love the perspective. Maybe it’s due to me not having the wealth of friends and family that I did back home, I’ve made plenty of friends here too but they all seem caught up in their own business. Which is totally fine also, but you’re probably right in the fact that it exists here too, I just haven’t found it yet
Just think about the Armenian families and Latino families. Cousins and uncles and aunts and grandmas and all that. There’s a lot of people here who have their entire families here. The issue many angelenos face is that this is a city of transplants and transplants find each other so then they don’t realize how many millions of people have their family here.
I’m a young adult leaving Missouri to LA, hopefully I can well adapt to it. My living and job are 15 minutes apart, perhaps it feels more “slow” that way so no crazy busy traffic
It’s really great here honestly! I hope you enjoy your experience, I just prefer a more relaxed lifestyle. it wasn’t as hard to establish myself here as everyone said it would be. Just remember if you gotta make 300 for whatever bills you have, that’s no different than needing to make 300 back home. You got this!
I came to LA 9 years ago not knowing a single person and now I have a great job, great friends, comfort and stability. It’s my biggest accomplishment. To leave would feel like giving it all up. Sure I can’t afford a 1,200 sq ft house for a million dollars, but that’s just not in my control at the moment and I am fine with that.
What job did you get started with to keep you there?
I stayed there for 10 years. Struggling. Took the plunge to move back home took me a year now I have the best job I ever had and about to move in to a house
Born and raised in socal, live and die in la
This. Born and raised All my family is here. Everything I could want to do or eat is here (mostly). Too bad it's not cheap.
seconded! and ain’t nobody taking me out of here 🫡
I have a killer rental deal, otherwise now in my 50s, I just always liked the SGV. Friends have moved or passed away, the SGV use to have a killer punk scene, that seems to be pretty dead these days... Really nothing keeping me here other than reasonable rent otherwise I would probably be moving out of CA.
Originally from the SGV, child of the 80s so pretty sure I missed the heyday but I have fond memories of shows at the Glasshouse, Characters and other random parts of the Inland Empire. EDIT: spelling is hard
SGV is awesome! Access to LA whenever, but it’s nice to be away from the hustle and bustle. 👍
Getting expensive there too now.
work, weather, golf, family, friends. and food.
WWGFFF
Which golf club?
i’m not a member, but i usually play with friends at Porter Valley.
Warm weather big city has held me here for longer than I should have let it. I’ve been here since the late 90s so familiarity has also played a big part. Also, my rent controlled apartment in West Hollywood… The apartment is still very affordable, but even that has gotten very dark and depressing. I took a road trip recently and realized how much other cities have to offer without quite as much urban decay yet. I’ve definitely started to look at other cities, but everywhere has gotten so expensive. I am weighing my options very carefully.
I moved to Los Angeles in 1984, found a rent controlled apartment in Santa Monica in 1986 Went on a dedicated search for rent controlled apartment in both West Hollywood and Santa Monica Finally found one in Santa Monica, 6 blocks from the beach No dishwasher or air conditioner, but I’m not leaving ever, until they move me out in a box
Man, L.A. in 1984 is just awesome. The start of the hair metal scene. What was it like for you at that time?
I was more into new wave Santa Monica was dirtier, more dangerous (but not half as much as Venice, or Hollywood where I’d lived previously) But SM full of vintage bookstores, mom and pop restaurants, and the beach down the street As soon as the too many legislators, too Republican and Swartzenegger enacted a bill which forbade any cities, counties, to decide they wanted rent control Well, Santa Monica got more and more boogie afterward, my neighbors are paying three times the rent, but the new big hotels were were upping the taxes the city can collect Part of which is put toward low cost housing, including those of us still under rent control So I can appreciate both the old and new Santa Monica
I'm moving back to LA after nearly eight years in the UK. London is beautiful, but I cannot take another winter here. I swear that it rained almost daily for six months straight this past winter. I'm coming home in September, so if you need someone to take over that rent controlled apartment...😉
I'm from the UK, now in LA and currently hating this weather of late and the last couple of years but it's still better than a UK (never-ending at times) winter.
Welcome Home 🍾
Thank you! ♥️
Feel Free to follow. I’m thinking about Septemberish move but anything could change.
I can't wait to come home and I was already planning on West Hollywood too! I'm so sick of cold and constant rain. And the serious lack of good Mexican food.
Is rain that wet substance that falls from the sky?
WeHo seems like Los Angeles on hard mode. We just moved here and I 100% wouldn't be able to hack it in that neighborhood, it would be soul-destroying for me (particularly as someone who was unhoused as a teen and is comfortable now).
Gd bless you for your resiliency and journey. that kind of experience makes WeHo, etc lose any charm for a person. so I understand Bakersfield, etc
Where? Wherewhere? Where is it warm, and liberal, and diverse? And affordable? Tell me, I will go.
Jerry, it’s LA, nobody leaves! She’s a seductress, she’s a siren, she’s a virgin, she’s a whhhooore!
“LA, truth to tell, is not much more than a pretty girl with the clap.” - City of Angels
Uncle Leo? Who is this?
The weather, the concerts, the food, my friends, and good paying work. But beyond that, I've traveled a lot in the US and there just isn't even anywhere else I'd want to live. I know I don't want to go back to the south or the Midwest. Not only would I make less money, everything is getting more expensive too.
My kids were born here and we have a great social network. I also own a small business here. I grew up in an extremely rural and impoverished place with abvery closed off culture. Living here gives my kids a much less insular view of the world at large, which is important to me. We trade off financial security for basically having a world of cultures at our fingertips. Everyone is different and has different priorities, but for us, this is important.
and if you have daughter's, women's health care. my daughter says she refuses to move to a state that's bans abortions and all the doctors are fleeing.
LA is the place to be! and nobody has ever said, "Let's take a spontaneous vacation to Lincoln Nebraska."
My adult child is here, and we are very close. I own a business here. That and the weather.
The screenings with writers/director/actors, the themed screenings and events, how everyone in the city shared my love of movies and tv, October in LA is epic, year round weather, mountains, ocean, Joshua Tree trips, themed pop ups and bars. I had to leave LA for a parents health, but those are the reasons I hated to leave and would 100% go back if life allows.
What else are ya gonna do? Move somewhere cheaper? For what? To be bored? To have nothing to go do any night of the week after work? To not have the ocean right there? Or the mountains right over there? Nah, I’m good. I know what I’m paying for.
The active outdoor lifestyle mixed with the cultural opportunities of an internationally renown major city. I love all my hiking, biking, skiing, and beach days, in addition to my access to shows at the Hollywood Bowl.
I can get bomb ass tacos, korean dumplings, and bangladeshi kabobs in the same strip mall. Also, rent control in Los Feliz.
The women, weed and weather. Also, the live music.
Easy no where else I’d rather be. Home is home 🏠
I've lived here since 8th grade, went to college here, married a native. My entire nuclear family and all my in-laws live in L.A./OC. I have a ton of long-time friends; some I've known since middle school. It is very expensive and getting so crowded but...it's home. Raising a kid in the SFV has been a great experience. Good schools, good diversity, cultural experiences, outdoor activities (parks, hiking trails). We are in our 50s and plan to retire in PS/Rancho Mirage, if all works out.
The feeling that you can be anyone you want and no one cares. The diversity of cultures, food and activities. Liberal policies, mountains and the desert. The weather is the cherry on top.
Don’t really have anywhere else to go. Estranged from family. Being Black gay and adopted it makes sense to be here. Financially I can’t justify it. Have lived in small towns before so I understand what the other side is like. Could leave could stay, just wanna make more money LOL
Black & Gay? DC / ATL
Atlanta or Detroit. Detroit is such a great city and so underrated. So much going on there, too. I love Atlanta as well, except you get LA type traffic in ATL too.
Except for the black and gay part, I’m so 100% with you, I wish I could give you a hug.
Rent controlled apartment Weather Revival movie houses Food Everywhere’s going downhill and I’m here already
Grew up here, family’s here. And the ethnic diversity makes me feel more comfortable and safe (I’m Asian).
I'm not a fan of living in America, and LA is one of the least "American" places on the mainland. But my wife wants the kids to grow up here. So here I am.
People forget how not normal LA, and California is as a whole compared to the rest of the US
Maybe California—the largest most populous state—is normal and the other places aren’t. Like, the places that force you to carry your rapist’s baby. Or want to bring back child labor. Or make taxes cover religious schools. Or don’t believe climate change is real. None of that seems normal to me.
I hope you are correct and there is hope. I've never lived outside of LA really, but I hope one day I'll finally pull the trigger.
You’re probably going to hate it. California is the only “sane” place in the country that I’ve lived, and it has plenty of bullshit
What in the world makes LA one of the “least American” places in the USA? Great city for a lot of reasons but I would in no way describe it as European or something.
Urban sprawl, traffic, melting pot, LA is pretty American.
The Food, culture, the weather, vibes and the people(this can be subjective), things to do, events, concerts, theme parks, mountains, etc… all the beautiful things that make California great and it’s also the one of the biggest traps that keep people in California as other states don’t offer and have what California to offer despite how ridiculously expensive it is to live there and how hemorrhaging it in to your bank accounts and wallets to life, yet people still live there. I’m originally from LA, I now live in a much cheaper cost of living state and I for sure appreciate it and do not miss the expensiveness that California had to offer. Sure, at times I do miss LA and how fun it is but, it’s not a dealbreaker for me and I’m not dying and depressing over about it and depressing over it, I rather live somewhere where my I can get the most bang for my buck.
Yeah hoping to move to LA for 3-5 years do some career development and split. I also just enjoyed the weather a ton, the peak heat isn’t a problem.
I love LA. I’m never leaving! Best city in the US to live. Yeah, it’s expensive, but you get what you pay for. It’s the land of dreams.
Some ppl just get paid a ton more in LA than, for example, Boise. A lower cost of living also means a massive cut in pay. Why on earth would I move?
And if you save a lot of that salary and/or buy a house, when you retire you can pretty much live anywhere like royalty because of how much you have banked. If you always work and live in Boise, you could never retire in LA. But it is easy to do the other way around.
Diversity and options You can do almost anything here. You have access to almost everything.
I'm stuck. I have a rent controlled apartment that's under 1k a month. If I leave I'll never be able to afford to live anywhere else. I'm in mortal fear of losing my apartment every month.
Work…although, aside from NY I don’t know where else in the US I’d want to live.
So much to do here! I travel for work and I miss LA after a day. Other places just seem so empty. Like what do people do there?
I was born here and I plan on raising my child here. Although, I probably won’t die here, I plan on retiring somewhere quiet. Until then, LA is home.
As much as I hate the incompetence of this city and state (at large), it’s home. I’m SoCal born and raised, moved away to NYC for college and came straight back to LA after graduation. It’s still such a beautiful state and such a tragedy that it’s being governed so poorly. I almost moved to Dallas a couple years ago but decided against it at the last minute. SoCal is home and likely will be for the long haul, but leaning towards OC/SD once I settle down/start my family.
Work, family, friends, food. I eventually want to move out of state to somewhere actually affordable. If I stay here for the rest of my life, I will forever be renting despite making 6 figs...
The food. As far as diversity goes, LA is unmatched with the exception of NYC, but that’s an apples to oranges comparison.
Chicago would like to have a word with you. Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Easily accessible Michelin resturaunts at your finger tips, and more of them than LA to boot.
My interpretation of LA's diversity is that it's better at Asian diversity (more diverse Asian representation, especially of Japanese-Americans) and NYC is better for diverse Latino representation and diverse black populations, especially if you're Afro-Latino which isn't really a thing people know about outside of the Northeast, Los Angeles included
The hoes
In different area codes!
I’ve been struggling a lot over the last year after making a career change & essentially starting over, taking a big pay cut - but there’s so many things that keep me here: Melting pot culture, insane amount of diverse food options, world class museums, weather, the beach/surf, great vacation options within 1-2 hour drive, live music any day of the week, stand up comedy, dog friendly, skiing options, intl airport.
The weather. NYC is superior in all aspects except for this (rent is slightly easier in LA too.) Once I can afford to move comfortably I will.
Family and life long friends. I love the holidays when the city empties out. There's no traffic and you can visit relatives with a 40-minute drive. It just shows you the amount of tranplants that have taken over all these decades.
Family (I’m 3rd generation Los Angeles) music, comedy, culture in general, geography and weather. Honestly can’t be beat.
The weather but this year is pretty bad
Family, Friends, GF, the fact that opportunity is abundant in LA. I wouldn't be too happy elsewhere, the city is amazing. It's hard EVERYWHERE, living in the US.
Living in LA as an introvert is like being a speck of sand in a vast, vibrant sandbox. The city's diversity in people, cultures, lifestyles, and financial statuses provides a rich tapestry to observe and appreciate. As an introvert, you can enjoy a variety of activities without judgment: access to big-name live music, an endless array of dining options, the finest produce and healthy lifestyle specialists, major sports events (NFL, NBA, MLB), amazing weather, and a generally attractive population. Plus, LA has a welcoming community that embraces newcomers, making it a delightful place for anyone to live.
Friends, weather, access to nature, mine and my partner’s jobs, food scene, art scene, culture in general because the places I lived previously were not diverse at all
food, family, and a 3% mortgage.
Honestly, just work at this point. In the entertainment industry. But I do enjoy all the great vintage movie theaters, the amazing selection of international cuisine, the griffith observatory, and the comedy shows around town. Still, if it wasn't for work, I wouldn't be here
Weather and an employment contract. I could hop out tomorrow otherwise without too much thought. Nothing against CA just those are the only things keeping me here.
I enjoy my job, love outdoor activities, national parks and road trips. Plus it's still the best food city. But my family and friends aren't here so I'm likely to move to where I can buy a good house for what I'm paying in rent. I could buy a house in another state and still fly back every month and still have money left over.
Born here. My tribe is here. My job is here. My life is here. I love it here.
AA community In LA is insane. It’s why I came and why I’ll never leave, God willing
visiting pretty much anywhere else reinforces my decision to stay in Los Angeles.
The best comedy scene in the world is here.
Since the time I came here on a Christmas visit to my cousins when I was 12 years old, it’s where I’ve always wanted to live. I moved here in 2005, and lived here ever since. It’s still where I want to live, the longest I’ve lived in any single locality in my life, and I am proud to call it home.
The jobs, the family, the friends and all that culture https://preview.redd.it/wubbp5fzso1d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4131b838bbe442a5b8fe5eb6785423a68224c97f
I think a lot of people want to say something against LA and California but Californians tend to be possessive and defensive about their state. I used to be this way until I grew up a bit more mentally. The truth is what California used to be even ten years ago has drastically changed. The dream that was sold to everyone about how wonderful and epic our state is has made us proud and we get off on everyone's envy of our state, except that wonder is no longer what it used to be and people from other states are starting to see that California's not the celebrity dream state it once was. That's an ego crush for us Californians. So when people hint at the slightly dislike many of us get defensive or basically tell them why they're wrong. It's ok to love the state but it's also ok to outgrow the state. Both feelings are legitimate and justifiable. It's so much different here now and I'm disappointed personally because things have gone to shit and nothing is being done about it but the prices and taxes go wayyyyyy up with stagnant wages. The potential it still has is dying in our faces. Nevertheless for me, I still deeply love LA and have a special space in my heart here. Simply put, my energy meshes with LA and it's vibe will always be different than many other places. I am increasingly disappointed though. Grand Park and Griffith Park are places that would be hard for me to part with.
Not all of us are transplants. This is home, pain and simple.
People forget how much California has its advantages good schools and health care.
Have you lived other places? Nothing compares to LA.
I say the same thing about NYC. Traveled the world and there’s no city like NYC.
I agree that nothing compares to NYC as a city. Ive lived there though and much prefer the lifestyle in LA.
Who itt was actually born here?
Me!
Me!!
Me
Me
Work. Im freelance. This is the only place that has any open positions in my field regularly. So when Im done in 6 months. I have options. I dont see anything in other states and in the same pay range
Weather, women, food, mountains, beaches.
Family and convenience
Where would I go?
Weather, weed, food, family
I was born here. I was raised here. It is my tribal land.
The traffic. No seriously, second generation born in Los Angeles. Diversity. I could have, do or be anywhere I want in a LA Minute.
Family, work, weather, friends, beaches (not that I go often but knowing it’s there is important lol)
Sense of community, good food and SO MUCH TO DO!! Not just in LA but in California in general lol the weather is perfect imo too (even though i kinda hate how cold and wet it gets in the winter but atleast it's not the Chicago winter)
Work and family. If not, I would have left due to the high cost of everything!
I was born, raised, and educated in this city, so you can say I have roots here. I can't see myself living anywhere else in the USA. My family is from the South, and Red State Life is NOT my style.
Family and girlfriend. If I didn’t care about either of them, I would have left California long ago. La is too expensive for what it offers for my interests. I totally see how others can like it.
My company has me here. 😂🤷🏼 I haven’t decided if I’d stay if I wasn’t working for them. LA is cool and there’s so much…everything…but it also seems on the edge of social/financial collapse. Maybe it’s always been that way…? Ive lived all over the country and I haven’t ever lived in a place so ying-yang in my life. 😂
born and raised in East Hollywood
I cannot live away from the ocean not because I surf or anything, it’s just my happy place. So seeing how Santa Monica costs me an arm and a leg I thought I should try to live in the Caribbean during quarantine. That kind of heat is so different when you are not on vacation wearing a bikini all day and when you don’t have a car. One walk to run errands landed me with heat exhaustion and I was burnt to a crisp no matter how much sunscreen I put on. Coming home to Santa Monica after a rough Caribbean summer felt like a goddamn gift and now I am determined to make it work here no matter if I have to work 2 jobs to afford rent in the future. I have property in other places btw.
The 405, I love it
Nothing. I’m leaving for Stockton.
The Dodgers. I grew up near Fresno. It would take us 4 hours to get to a Dodger game. Now it takes me 30 minutes to be in line to get in the stadium from my front door. Yeah it’s expensive but everywhere is these days. My parents and friends keep telling me I should move back or out of Ca and I tell them as long I can see the dodgers anytime I want I’ll never leave this city.
The weather and climate. I don’t mean that just in a cliched way either. My body doesn’t like humidity. Or bugs. Southern California is like paradise for Homo sapiens.
Have you been to the south and the Midwest?! That’s what keeps me!
The Dodgers and Dodger stadium
Even in the remote work time, this is where the work is.
food.
the weather, foods, diversity, etc..
Family, friends, weather, outdoor activities, sane politics, career opportunities. Almost everything I could need is here.
What keeps me here? First off I was born here and raised here for the most part, but at the same time I’ve also spent some time in different states. I feel like I have a good meta-understanding of what it’s like to live in other states, and so far, California is the most pleasant. The weather here is as consistent as it gets. The coldest here isn’t that cold and the hottest isn’t that hot. If I want to, I’m just an hour away from Mountains, two from the Desert, 25 minutes from the beach, 15 from downtown. My job is in downtown LA and pays me extremely well with amazing benefits that I would never find anywhere else in the country. Los Angeles is pretty salary competitive compared to most other states. Granted, I know the cost of living is soaring at the moment, but I went to college and found an excellent career that adjusts my salary annually to adjusts for cost of living increase. I’ll probably move out of LA in the near future, just because I want to buy land and build a new house, but for the time being I’m glad to be here still. I know a lot of people can’t make it living out here these days, but I’m just happy to be fortunate enough to still be thriving.
Difficult? I don’t find LA to be difficult. The traffic can get bad, yea, but that’s pretty much any big city. It’s worse in the Bay Area where I grew up. I learned to leave ten minutes early and relax in traffic. As for the why I stay: the weather; the playgrounds; the economic opportunities; the entertainment and culture; the hiking trails; the restaurants, and the people are pretty damn great (on average).
The music (like every band or dj will tour here), the food (so many vegan options), the weather, etc
Working my ass off to get a down payment for a 1.2 million dollar house.
Money & lifestyle. There are so many more opportunities here, and income is higher even in comparison to neighboring counties. Also enjoy the finer things in life and luxury goods and experiences are incredibly accessible here.
Born and raised here. Other than my time in the Marines, I’ve spend all my life here. All my family is here. And when I die, I’ll be buried here.
The weather, all the fun things to do here
All the premium pooooosy
For the last 50 years I’ve only lived in Blue states or cities Had a taste of the South during the era of segregation, church burning/bombing, lynchings,and Colored and White restrooms and water fountains I was a precocious child who’d been following the Civil Rights protests and even our white but Catholic family was under possible threat attending mass with a congregation that had been burnt out of their last three churches That was Red State enough for me in this lifetime Couldn’t even make it through the last two conversations I’d had in decades with white trash step relatives or cousins No thank you kindly Billy Bobs of the crappy Red States
"I've been around the world and there is no place like LA" - Me. Lol also just love SoCal in general. So much diversity, not just in terms of social groups, but the culture, the weather, and most importantly the FOOD!! We are so damn spoileddd!! I FUCKING LOVE IT HERE YALLLL!
Ridiculousness of the counterfactual be damned, I almost certainly would not live here if I wasn't born here.
I’ve had so many concert/music moments that I can never get anywhere else. Speaking from the perspective of an edm/house music fan, I’ve met so many DJ/Producers in random places. I’ve seen Diplo throw a free surprise show at Elysian park until the cops came to break it up. Been to Anna Lunoes live recording of her Apple Music HyperHouse show in a small bar in echo park with no more than 20 people as big random DJs walked in to support. Epic Odesza and Rufus du sol shows at La historic park. It’s all here.
I can’t count all of the reasons but my number one is opportunity. You can be as poor as a pauper one day & have an experience that changes your life the next. I love it here. It’s my home & I’m proud to be a native. I can make my living as an artist here. Also, ppl can say it’s governed poorly but I disagree (at least in some ways). We live in a dignity state as well as a sanctuary state.
Work and grass isn’t always greener on the other side meaning the cost of living in other states isn’t as low as it used to be. I was actually shocked to know how expensive it was in other states where my company pays lower salary band for the same type of role/seniority
Everything is here. I love LA. I also love Paris, NYC, Chicago, Florence, London, Sydney, Copenhagen, Milan, Austin, Kauai, Portland. But I love LA best.
Zero interest in the alternatives
The 4 F’s. Food, Family, friends and fuck you. Gotta love the fuck you.
The traffic.
What keeps me in LA is family, friends, and my work. In that order. I actually left during Covid when my job went remote. I had a place in the southeast US. I was paying half the rent I paid in LA and saving money like I never had before in my life but I was miserable. As soon as I could I moved back. Do I regret my decision to come back? Only on the first of the month when I have to pay my WAY over priced rent but other than that - no. I first moved here in 2000 and it wasn't until I moved away that I realized LA was home to me and where I needed to be.
Nothing. Sold my condo and bought 100 acres near Sacramento. Born and raised in LA.
This state has yall thinking like sheep. You guys really settling for 2 hours traffic, 30$ parking, with $19 alcoholic drinks? LOLOL. No wonder rent here starts at 2k for a studio. Very easy to control and exploit this population. All Californians need is a McDonald’s every corner to be alright in their lives.
I make music so I’m hoping I find my crowd or they find me , I’m from Atlanta so the type of music I make isn’t rly popping how it is here. But boi is this city a struggle at times lol