Author Lakeside_runner Posted May 27, 2010 Author Posted May 27, 2010 Unachievable? Living in LF and having even semi-regular runs on the beach. That's all. The rest is very typical moving-to-LA excitement. Over time you'll realize that most of it is too much of a hassle, and you'll actually find yourself wanting to stay within a 4 mile radius (if that), other than commuting to work. Do you have a job yet? If so, I'd recommend living somewhat close to it, because the commute is what drives people batty. Yup. I'm gonna work at the USC. Umm... don't want to live to close for obvious reasons.
Star Gazer Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Yup. I'm gonna work at the USC. Umm... don't want to live to close for obvious reasons. Yeeeahhh, I don't blame you!!! You know, you might want to consider actually living AT the beach (El Segundo, Hermosa, Manhattan). In terms of mileage it's farther than Los Feliz, but I think the commute is shorter to USC if you just pop over the 105 and then up the 110...
pandagirl Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Unachievable? Living in LF and having even semi-regular runs on the beach. That's all. The rest is very typical moving-to-LA excitement. Over time you'll realize that most of it is too much of a hassle, and you'll actually find yourself wanting to stay within a 4 mile radius (if that), other than commuting to work. Do you have a job yet? If so, I'd recommend living somewhat close to it, because the commute is what drives people batty. Why are you focusing on me, and not the others who are being realistic? Get off my back, PG. It's annoying. I know. I didn't want to piss on his party, but the whole country bumpkin attitude worries me. No one says they are excited to move to LA anymore, since everyone is busy moving OUT. lol I just don't see why you/people have to rain on his parade? Why can't he be excited about moving to LA? He will learn the ins and outs of living there and be just fine. Fine, he won't go for daily runs on the beach, but he can on the weekends. I've spent months in the Valley, and made it to Santa Monica on the weekends to ride my bike and enjoy the beach. Also, LA is the city I've spent the most time in except for my hometown and NYC, so I know it very well. I know tons of people there, and they all love it. I actually think there is some useful information in this thread for him: crosstown traffic sucks, Los Feliz is far from the West Side... I just don't like the condescending tone of: "Oh, poor guy, he has no idea what he's in for, tsk tsk."
Twenty-ten Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 I I just don't like the condescending tone of: "Oh, poor guy, he has no idea what he's in for, tsk tsk." Agreed there is no need for that. Every city has it's ups and downs and your life is what you make of it, I have friends who have moved to LA whom I have visited a few times and they LOVE it there and they would not dream of moving back, they made a great life for themselves, and accept the ups and downs and that's life really. No matter where you live. Some people are just miserable and they want to bring others down with them Lakeside, your move sounds very exciting!! Have fun.
Star Gazer Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 I actually think there is some useful information in this thread for him: crosstown traffic sucks, Los Feliz is far from the West Side... That's exactly what I said! Sheesh. I just don't like the condescending tone of: "Oh, poor guy, he has no idea what he's in for, tsk tsk." Umm... neither myself, Ariadne, or JB had a condescending tone. You need to LOOSEN up, girl. Serio. And Twenty-ten, the way you've been following me around is kinda creepy. Let's keep this thread about Lakeside's dream, and not your commentary on my posts...mkay?
Star Gazer Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Yeeeahhh, I don't blame you!!! You know, you might want to consider actually living AT the beach (El Segundo, Hermosa, Manhattan). In terms of mileage it's farther than Los Feliz, but I think the commute is shorter to USC if you just pop over the 105 and then up the 110... To add to that, maybe Long Beach too... Or even just mid-city, like around Miracle Mile/Park La Brea area.
BeautifulMan Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Sounds like you should be living in the SF suburbs or any decent place in the bay area. LA is cool for girls and partying but even then SF is bombtastic in that area too.
Jilly Bean Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 I just don't see why you/people have to rain on his parade? Why can't he be excited about moving to LA? You're over-reacting, PG. As posters who live in LA, I think we can comment about life there, whereas you only know it as an occasional visitor. Living in the Belly of the Beast is far from unicorns and rainbows, and the OP already has some very unrealistic expectations about life in Smell-A. It's fine to be excited about anything - but something else to keep it REALITY-BASED. It's like listening to someone say they are so excited to move to NYC, that they are going to shake the hand of every person they see in the morning on the 6 train. Oy. Borat, anyone?
stillafool Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 This is gonna be so awesome! I'm done with grad school. Done done and DONE! Yeah, that's right - I'M DONE!!!! I'm gonna have an awesome job. I'm gonna have a nice apartment in a 1920's building (I love these!) without a roommate. I'm gonna keep practicing Aikido under a 6th dan Shidoin straight from Japan. There are so many triathlons in CA and my training for an Ironman is gonna start in October and the weather is nice all year long so I'll be able to do it outdoors. I'll be able to get up at 5:30AM and run on the beach! I'm gonna have a car (finally! Didn't need one here...) - makes things a lot easier. I am gonna join a running group to make new friends and meet nice/shy/sporty girls. I will ask these girls out on dates like a picnic on the beach or a hike in a nature park near the city or go to check out this little hole-in-the-wall sushi place in Little Tokyo. Then, after a while, I will invite a special girl to my nice place and cook for her using these awesome fresh California ingredients and the freshest of the fresh seafood. And she's gonna love it, and I'm gonna love it that she loves it. I am gonna continue to walk down the streets with a big kind smile on my face . Just wanted to share here some excitement Good for you! I lived in L.A. for 20 years and it was awesome! Enjoy!
stillafool Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Is because it takes forever to go anywhere. To go to the beach is about one hour drive from where I live same as from Los Feliz. I know and then once you get there you have to deal with massive crowds of people. When I was in my early 20's I didn't mind so much but as I grew older I became sick of the crowds. It got to the point that if you hit the 405 at 3AM it was crowded, WTF? , I had to get out of there. But OP, it is very exciting when you are first moving there and you will have fun.
torranceshipman Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 I just don't see why you/people have to rain on his parade? Why can't he be excited about moving to LA? He will learn the ins and outs of living there and be just fine. Fine, he won't go for daily runs on the beach, but he can on the weekends. I've spent months in the Valley, and made it to Santa Monica on the weekends to ride my bike and enjoy the beach. Also, LA is the city I've spent the most time in except for my hometown and NYC, so I know it very well. I know tons of people there, and they all love it. I actually think there is some useful information in this thread for him: crosstown traffic sucks, Los Feliz is far from the West Side... I just don't like the condescending tone of: "Oh, poor guy, he has no idea what he's in for, tsk tsk." I totally agree - OP your post is AWESOME and you are going to love life in LA. You will do all of those things on your list and you'll enjoy it too. Who cares if you are from the country, or whatever? Sure, it'll take a bit of adjusting but so what? I hate the condescending attitude of others - it is like you are willing him to fail and that is plain mean. Go for it, OP.
Ariadne Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 I know and then once you get there you have to deal with massive crowds of people. When I was in my early 20's I didn't mind so much but as I grew older I became sick of the crowds. It got to the point that if you hit the 405 at 3AM it was crowded, WTF? And once you get there there is no parking, or you have to pay 5 to 7 dollars to park for a few minutes in the public parking lots. Weekend crowds forget it, parking 17 dollars.
Ariadne Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 (Btw, I know a few spots where you can go to the beach where there is nobody and there is free parking. But you have to not go where all the people go).
Author Lakeside_runner Posted May 27, 2010 Author Posted May 27, 2010 (Btw, I know a few spots where you can go to the beach where there is nobody and there is free parking. But you have to not go where all the people go). Haha, that was always the plan!
Ariadne Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Haha, that was always the plan! Well, unless you want to meet people and hang out then you'll want to go to Santa Monica, or Manhattan beach pier, or Venice beach.
marsle85 Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 You're over-reacting, PG. As posters who live in LA, I think we can comment about life there, whereas you only know it as an occasional visitor. Your initial post marking your entrance to this thread reads: Oh, boy. LA is going to eat this kid alive. That's not exactly commenting on "life there", or giving helpful advice... and this was in response to him inaccurately assuming he could go to the beach often? He just finished grad school, he's far from a "country bumpkin." Limit your responses to capturing the reality of LA, comments that demean an educated, attractive grown man's ability to "make it" are just haughty...and purely speculation.
Mme. Chaucer Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 People who express a great deal of enthusiasm and passion, like the OP does regarding his upcoming move, his training and whole new life on the horizon, are really compelling. I say reach out and GRAB IT and LIVE! Of course there will be all kinds of bumps and detours in the road. He's not a baby ... he knows. Have a blast and don't lose sight of your hopes for your own life ... don't ever become jaded.
DollWelch Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Congrats Runner ! You must be proud of yourself. Will you drink-up (wine) for the occasion? Sounds like you've got a perfect life planned out for yourself !
Mimolicious Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 This is gonna be so awesome! I'm done with grad school. Done done and DONE! Yeah, that's right - I'M DONE!!!! I'm gonna have an awesome job. I'm gonna have a nice apartment in a 1920's building (I love these!) without a roommate. I'm gonna keep practicing Aikido under a 6th dan Shidoin straight from Japan. There are so many triathlons in CA and my training for an Ironman is gonna start in October and the weather is nice all year long so I'll be able to do it outdoors. I'll be able to get up at 5:30AM and run on the beach! I'm gonna have a car (finally! Didn't need one here...) - makes things a lot easier. I am gonna join a running group to make new friends and meet nice/shy/sporty girls. I will ask these girls out on dates like a picnic on the beach or a hike in a nature park near the city or go to check out this little hole-in-the-wall sushi place in Little Tokyo. Then, after a while, I will invite a special girl to my nice place and cook for her using these awesome fresh California ingredients and the freshest of the fresh seafood. And she's gonna love it, and I'm gonna love it that she loves it. I am gonna continue to walk down the streets with a big kind smile on my face . Just wanted to share here some excitement DAYUM Can I come over?? LOL! Congratulations bebe! Wish you the best of luck and may all your dreams and wishes come true.
FitChick Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 I am one of the hordes who can't wait to leave LA. You will see loads of For Rent signs everywhere and empty stores because the economy is so bad and taxes are the highest in the nation and will go higher. Good luck!
4givrnt4gtr Posted May 27, 2010 Posted May 27, 2010 Sounds like you should be living in the SF suburbs or any decent place in the bay area. LA is cool for girls and partying but even then SF is bombtastic in that area too. Ahhh I was hoping to do just that! move to SF suburbs from LA. Its hard to imagine the excitement and dreams of someone who is just arriving to LA when you've lived here for a long time. It kinda tends to make you a bit cynical after a while. BUT LA does have its charms....for instance, the beach is amazing, the random gorgeous sunsets you get to see, or if you drive early in the morning by downtown, its so beautiful the way the sun hits the buildings. It is a gorgeous place if you stop and look at it (and force yourself to ignore the fakeness and self centerdness of a lot of people here). Now OP, unfortunately I do agree with the other posters who live here when they say you might have way too high expectations...(meeting shy sporty girls....yeaaahhhh uhhh not too many). Enjoy the transition and have fun meeting people but dont expect LA to be heaven on earth k? Wouldn't want you to be like the many people who've come from other parts of the country with huge expectations and when they aren't met they go back to their original locations saying LA is the worst place in the world.... Now living wise....definitely check out El Segundo...its cheaper than most of the other beach areas and its a very quaint little town near the 105 which is the best freeway to get to USC.... Anyway congrats on your achievement and have fun with your move! BTW when are u moving???
Author Lakeside_runner Posted May 27, 2010 Author Posted May 27, 2010 (edited) Now OP, unfortunately I do agree with the other posters who live here when they say you might have way too high expectations...(meeting shy sporty girls....yeaaahhhh uhhh not too many). Enjoy the transition and have fun meeting people but dont expect LA to be heaven on earth k? Wouldn't want you to be like the many people who've come from other parts of the country with huge expectations and when they aren't met they go back to their original locations saying LA is the worst place in the world.... I don't expect LA to be heaven on earth. It's just another city with it's up- and downsides. I don't expect that everything is going to be perfect etc. I've lived in a lot of different cities thus far like London, Berlin, Warsaw, Minneapolis. I've never had trouble with adapting to a new location. It's the willingness of embracing new things and accepting them for what they are instead of fighting them that makes it easy. What I am really looking forward to is the ocean, the beaches, the nice weather, the variety of different ethnic neighborhoods. I love outdoors and having the ocean, mountains, forests and deserts within driving distance seems to be really awesome. The whole excitement is also linked very much to the pure fact of being done with grad school in general. It's - being finally done with school! A totally new chapter of life with great outlooks on the future. Socially it is a huge step up. Financially - imagine that your salary just tripled! As far as girls are concerned - they are everywhere the same. Within the western culture there really aren't big essential differences in expectations of girls towards guys. I really don't think that one can have a girlfriend in Minnesota, or Europe but can't find a date in LA. There are so many different people there There are nice girls everywhere! I am not 'blindly' excited - my enthusiasm is well within reason! Hell, in fact two of the nice, shy sporty girls from my running group moved here from LA. It's not like they wanted to - they had to (companies got restructured). I don't need a lot of them - I need only one Anyway congrats on your achievement and have fun with your move! BTW when are u moving??? Beginning of August... Edited May 27, 2010 by Lakeside_runner
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