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Topic: LA vs. NY
| Author | Message |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 4/29/2008 3:42:36 PM | show profile I'm planning on moving soon (maybe to Ireland if I'm lucky) but if I stay in the states the only 2 cities I'd be willing to move to are LA and NY. Was wondering if there's anyone who has lived in both cities, and if so would be great to hear your opinion on which you like better and why. Thanks |
| Rulebook2 | Posted – 4/29/2008 4:03:59 PM | show profile Please give it up, troll. |
| reporterwriter | Posted – 4/29/2008 4:04:17 PM | show profile We've probably had one or two threads a year about this, usually on the main board, since I first started lurking in 2001. They always come down to personal preference or loyalty. You like palm trees and lots of sunshine? Go to LA. You like transit? Go to NY. You like all your culture in one place? Go to NY. You like outdoor activities? Go to LA. You like snappy reparte? Go to NY. You like a casual attitude? Go to LA. You like surfing? Go to LA. You like walking? Go to NY. I've lived in both and love both -- the similarities and the differences. |
| Janetblueyes | Posted – 4/29/2008 4:14:52 PM | show profile Bleak, I thought you already lived in NYC? |
| sue ellen mischke | Posted – 4/29/2008 6:38:46 PM | show profile I thought you hated NYC. Sell-out. |
| linjohn | Posted – 4/29/2008 7:56:52 PM | show profile I've lived in both cities - lived in NYC for seven years and LA for the last three. Like another poster said, it all comes down to preference. I loved NYC for the first 4-5 years or so, but then got very tired of the small apts, the walking/schlepping everywhere, and the hardness of the city. Things I had loved about it in my mid-20's - the restaurants, the scene, the energy, the convenience - began to matter less to me. I wanted a car again - to be able to drive somewhere for a weekend rather than drag my bags across town and on the LIRR or NJTransit - wanted to see green from my windows rather than steel, etc. I wasn't ready for the suburbs, however! LA has the space of suburbia with the restaurants, entertainment, job opps, etc. of a city. So for me it was perfect. Speaking of cars, yes, traffic is horrible. But after living in New York, I much prefer the solitude of my car stereo than being jam packed into a subway. That said, I have many friends on both coasts who would disagree. Before I moved I heard a lot about how LA people are fake, or vapid, and I suppose plenty are. But I worked in an industry in New York where there were enough fake people to last me a lifetime, so that type of thing never swayed me. People are people - some good, some bad, some more insecure than others. They exist in every city. I've made some of the deepest, strongest friendships of my life out in LA. The others I made back in New York. I will say that people out here are friendlier. Neighbors say hello, I know my grocer, my dry cleaner, my barista, etc. by name. Everyone smiles. When I was in New York I had no time for any of that. Now, it often makes my day. I have become much more patient since I moved out here, calmer, happier overall. Maybe it is the weather, maybe it is the people, maybe it is that my apartment is twice the size than the one I left. Who knows? It all suits me very well. I don't miss the seasons (we have autumn out here but no slipping on icy sidewalks) don't miss my "edge", don't miss feeling like I need to live in the epicenter of it all. These were all the things I was concerned about before I left. The only thing I really do miss is my family, but you can't have it all. So it really comes down to what you are looking for, what you are ready for. I wouldn't have moved to LA after college, and I couldn't go back to living in NYC now. But I can appreciate the positives of both. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will try and give more insight without writing another lengthy post here. |
| FamMan | Posted – 4/29/2008 8:08:04 PM | show profile I think you pretty much summed it up. I also live in LA. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 4/29/2008 11:13:31 PM | show profile linjohn: thanks for the great response. that's really helpful. |
| Nikongirl | Posted – 4/29/2008 11:19:19 PM | show profile Bleak, Have you considered somewhere in the middle, like Chicago? Just a thought... |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 4/29/2008 11:34:24 PM | show profile nikon: I'm only interested in moving to a place where I already have a few good friends, and that means NYC and LA. The rest of my friends are scattered in smaller cities I'd never want to live (Pitt, Richmond, DC, so on). Sue: You're right, I'm not fond of NYC because it's so expensive, and sort of overwhelming. Although I think I'd enjoy living in east or west village. Too bad I don't work on wall street since I can't afford 3 grand a month in rent. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 4/30/2008 12:41:38 AM | show profile Awww, too bad most of your friends have congregated in LA or NY, because when I saw the choices, I thought, "combine both and move to San Francisco." Lots of fantastic culture, food, and professional opportunities, but also a good amount of green and a more laid-back attitude. I was thisclose to SF, myself...but I knew people in NY. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 4/30/2008 7:53:25 AM | show profile I was only in SF once for like 2 hours and loved it. Now that you mention it it's probably the one place I'd feel most comfortable in America. Too bad I know not a soul there. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 4/30/2008 8:49:41 AM | show profile best partof NYC- walking everywhere, no car I've never lived in LA but I think the "walking everywhere " is one of the best parts of living in NYC. What a pleasure to give up car ownership and not have to drive around. I walk to work, occasionally take the bus. I rarely take the subway,but it does depend on where you live/work. My neighborhood and my building has a real feel of community. They know my name at the copy shop, know what beer I drink at my local wateringhole Living in NYC does not have to be a scene but it's there if you want it. I personally love going away for a break to the beach without a car- very easy. |
| sue ellen mischke | Posted – 4/30/2008 9:43:58 AM | show profile Bleak. I do not know you anymore. Good day, sir. I said good day. |
| Nikongirl | Posted – 4/30/2008 10:58:45 AM | show profile Oh Wordy bird...you are so right. San Francisco is a great city as is the surrounding area. Bleak, you will make new friends where ever you go. I moved to a new country with only 85 dollars and didn't know a soul...take a chance, step out of the box and do something entirely new. You could go from Bleak to Sleek! If you have friends in LA you can have them up to SF for a visit and you can zoom on down to LA to see them but SF beats the pants off LA in so many ways. You should consider it seriously. I love SF. I grew up in NY and lived two years in LA. No contest. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 4/30/2008 1:05:18 PM | show profile sue: you despise me now because i can't afford 3k a month in rent. I SEE HOW IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| woof | Posted – 4/30/2008 1:58:36 PM | show profile Bleak: I grew up in New York, lived in LA for a short time, then discovered San Francisco. SF is by far the most interesting and beautiful city in America. LA isn't in the same ballpark. Unless you're in the music business, go north. NYC is still a vibrant city, but you can always visit then leave the insanity behind. I travel throughout the world, but have never left the Bay Area. |
| pamelabeth | Posted – 4/30/2008 5:23:12 PM | show profile out on a limb... i live in nyc. it has its ups and downs for sure, as you know. i get a lot of inspiration from living here, in various ways, but i also get exhausted, run down, fed up. and barring some kind of lucky windfall, money will be an issue for me here, unless i change professions or stumble into an amazing real estate deal (ha). i have been visiting l.a. regularly over the last few years and have come to really enjoy it; except for the driving part, which i hate. but it has great outdoor life (beach! hiking! plants!!) and a sense of spaciousness that i love. and i agree with the poster who said we can find our friends anywhere. also, culture in l.a. is underrated--it is there to be found. i have only visited s.f. once. it's lovely, but i can't speak of it in detail. but i say this. how well do you know this girl in dublin? could you...move in with her? could you...marry her?! even just a "see how it goes" greencard marriage? if so, you could legally live/work in europe, which, from everything you've said in other posts, i think you'd love. i don't know. maybe i'm on too many prescription drugs today. i think i am. but these are my thoughts. |
| seeattleme | Posted – 4/30/2008 5:31:28 PM | show profile In my opinion, NY no contest, but I've never lived in L.A., just been there lots of times...and have many relatives who live there... Now, NY versus SF--there's a tough one. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 4/30/2008 8:40:17 PM | show profile Thanks a lot for the replies. I'm going to do my best to get to Dublin. If that doesn't work out than I'll have to decide between NY and LA. As much as I like SF I still have a thing about not moving to a city where I know not a soul. |
| Nikongirl | Posted – 4/30/2008 10:23:59 PM | show profile It sounds like it is important for you to follow your heart and go to Dublin. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen. Good Luck Bleak, go find your love and be happy ever after. |
| sue ellen mischke | Posted – 5/1/2008 8:22:06 AM | show profile Bleak, I despise you for not living on a bleak farm in Nebraska, where you would write about the disparity of the life of cows and their prized commodity -- cheese. LA and NYC are too common for you. And, Dublin? Well, I'm just jealous of your lass. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 5/1/2008 9:08:54 AM | show profile sue: I would go insane on a farm anywhere. I have to be within walking distance to a movie theatre and a good book store or I start jumping up and down like a monkey. But if I were to live out in the country, the Wicklow Mountains would be my choice. |
| sue ellen mischke | Posted – 5/1/2008 9:22:24 AM | show profile bLeak: I still think you should come to Chicago. |
| Bleak Spouse | Posted – 5/1/2008 11:46:39 AM | show profile chicago falls under places where i know not a soul (although i'm sure you're lovely in person). |
