Not reading other posts. Started to and thought they were silly.
I moved to LA for college from Minneapolis. BEST FUCKING CHOICE EVER!
In no way am I an ocean person or a hollywood party girl.
I am however a diehard skier (now living in Mammoth) who loves music, movies, diversity, art, glorious weather, and people who are motivated to do something.
I lived in downtown LA in the arts district next to little tokyo. I hardly ever needed to drive and when I did it was basically always opposite of traffic or I could just take the train pretty much everywhere since Union Station was walking distance.
Again, I'm not a hollywood person. I don't party at the clubs or do drugs or blah blah blah... but I am pretty into the music industry and do go to those parties and help out my friend with concerts and what not when I'm in town. I also love that movies are always being filmed. I try to be an extra when I can in any action film where I get to look like I'm dead or dying. I really want a zombie movie to happen downtown... that is a dream of mine.
I also love the diversity. I don't fear south central, it's not some peoples type of place, but I just think it more interesting than bothersome. Same goes for the mexican communities, thai town, and everything else.
Also, the weather can't be beat. Sooooo good. Finally, the people. A lot of people don't like LA cause their experience is with the want to be actor type, but the thing is, there is EVERY type of person there. You just need to find the people you get on with. I found those people and have the 2 greatest friends I will ever have in my life and know they will exist in my life for my entire life.
Traffic, well it sucks. Don't try to get from Santa Monica to Pasadena at 4pm on a Friday and you're good. Just takes some planning. I even ditched my car because the metro system is so much better than it used to be and the amount of hourly car rentals in existence makes it way more affordable to not have a car. Subway from LA to Hollywood = $1.25 takes 15 minutes during rush hour. Lets me out right at hollywood and vine. 5 minute walk to one of the best movie theaters in the country. So good.
Ok, done loving LA. I love Mammoth too :)