Have you ever been to california?

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kido (Picante F.C.)

I like:
Food: There's all kinds of food here.
Some of my favorites are chinese food, mexican food, and junk food of course.
Entertainment: I like to go to Griffith Park, Restaraunts, Universal Studios, and other cool places.

Also all the mutli-cultural people. That's what's cool about here because there's not just mainly one type of culture. It's all mixed in and helps you learn a lot about people and the real thing about some religions or countries, etc.

The 5 and 405 freeways are very busy.

No offense to anyone that lives in LA, but it's overrated. It's not like that. It's more of a ethical place. Some places are good. Other are bad and ghetto. Also it's not like famous people walk around and wait for someone to ask them for their autograph.

Hot Chick

yes, i used to stay with my aunts in CA. it's a nice out there, lots of places to go and see.. that's what i love about california. if i can just convince my husband to move there...

RDG78

When I was in the Army, I was stationed at Fort Ord for a year. That's near Monterey, and is now a college campus. I'll tell you what, this Michigan boy couldn't quite get used to the idea of being able to go swimming on Christmas Day.
I didn't get to Hollywood, so I can't comment on that. But San Francisco was pretty nice, even with all the old hippies wandering around. LA, being as spread out as it is, reminds me of Detroit, but with sunshine.

Joker

i live in California. sea world is good, so is disneyland. not so much lego land.

haven't been to hollywood in like 10 years.

Obviousman

For a number of reasons, we get a bunch of questions asking what it’s really like in Los Angeles.

First of all, I'll tell you what it's NOT like: It's not like anything on TV. People watch shows on TV and think that’s what it’s like out here. The “Real OC”, Newport Beach, The Hills, etc. Ever wonder why people in those shows never have to pay bills, do laundry, and are NEVER stuck in traffic? Because it’s FAKE. And the news doesn’t help either, since they know that sex and sensationalism sells. News flash: There aren’t running gun battles in the street. There aren’t shootouts every day. Also, you don’t see celebrities just walking down the street, all glammed up, or sipping a cappuccino at Starbucks waiting to sign autographs. We don't go surfing during lunch hour.

Some sections are REALLY nice, others are “ghetto”. Too many people have this vision in their head that LA is one or the other (either Beverly Hills or Compton). They either think LA is a fairy tale fantasy or an apocalyptic ghetto. In fact, most of it is working class and middle class stiffs working to pay the bills. Like me.

As for "Hollywood", that's more of an idea than a place. Most of the places where work is actually done aren't pretty at all. It's really an industrial area, where the industry happens to be movies and entertainment.

You NEED a car to live in Southern California. We don’t have an effective public transportation like New York or San Francisco. One reason is that LA is larger in area than either of those, without a central hub. Hollywood is 8 miles north of downtown, and 38 miles north of Disneyland. Average commute is 20-30 miles..

The freeway traffic is probably the worst thing about living here. The 405 is the worst. Know why they call it the 405? Because you go 4 o' 5 miles per hour, and it takes 4 o' 5 hours to get where you're going. Freeway Traffic is bad from 6-10 AM and bad from 3-7 PM. I don't know why they call it rush hour. It's more than an hour, and nobody's rushing, that's for sure.

The gangs are the cause of many rumors. Keep in mind that there are gangs in any large town, in every part of the country. In LA, the gangs aren't really downtown, they are in South LA, East LA, and north Long Beach (an extension of the South LA gangs, actually). And here's the deal: Mostly, they just kill each other.

Gas is expensive in California. It’s about 20-30 cents above the national average.

Yes, gas and real estate are very expensive in SoCal. However, this would be the best time to BUY a house because it's a buyer's market right now. There are a lot of foreclosures, and too many houses on the market.

Yep, freeways are a drag, it's smoggy in summer, and expensive to live here. Yet, if it's so bad, why do we have thousands and thousands of people moving here? Weather, Activities, Plenty of jobs, Beaches, mountains, deserts all within driving distance, and plenty of opportunity for those who have the skills and tenacity.

However, it is not for everyone. Every time someone posts this question, you get the LA haters who post their bile and venom. A lot of them don’t know what they are talking about. Some people never even visit, and hate it on principle and stereotypes. Some actually visited once, and found out it wasn’t like it was on TV, and it certainly wasn’t Mayberry. And some actually lived here, and couldn’t deal with the expense, the traffic, or the somewhat impersonal nature of living in a large metropolis. To those I would say “good luck” to you wherever you are, but please don’t spew your hatred in this forum.

As for lifestyle, it’s rather casual. You work during the week, and then go do something fun on the weekend.

To summarize, LA a HUGE metropolis that really defies easy description. I live in one of the nicer suburbs, but the commute is no fun, often 1-2 hours each way each day. However, 340+ days of sunshine really helps. Yeah, it's expensive. Mrs. Obviousman and I both have to work to pay the mortgage. But is it worth it? Absolutely!

rmm

It's a nice place to visit - wouldn't want to live there.

MAD DOG

Have I ever been there? I live there.

Do you like at all? 50/50.

How about holllywood is it really like how they show it on tv? If Alabama shows the whole population married to cousins or siblings would you believe that?

playmaker4747

Yes, many times. I prefer San Diego to LA and Hollywood---less traffic, stress, etc., but you still have the beaches, the restaurants, the events, all that. California is a great place, but it comes with a load of frustrations.

mushu..

currently live in california. hollywood.. is not like on tv.. its really dirty, trash, old buildings, weird people... not what i expected it to be.

Your Friendly Jewish Accountant

Yeah, I live here. I love it, my parents live only 30 miles away.

Uh, no, Hollywood is NOTHING like TV.

Sexy Mama of 2 cuties

florida is way better but it is a nice place to visit

cobrastarshiprocks

You know, here it is, It's the most beautiful state with the best weather. Every Major city has it's bad and good sights. You get some posters telling u " it's a Craphole, it's a pit, trust me it sucks".... half of the people posting haven't even been there once, i am sure of that. California is great, especially the southern part, but the northern part has some nice areas too, although it's cooler. Los Angeles has really gorgeous areas and areas you don't want to look at. It all depends where u go, LA is very big. But if you want to go to the best city in whole California, i recommend San Diego. It is so beautiful and has an excellent scenery at night in the city .It is very relaxing. Living there in California quite expensive , so u should bring enough money with you in case you want to visit. Hope you'll enjoy your time here.

By the way Ava you said " long beach isn't a really good city to live at..try Bellflower" ...Bellflower ?... that is just east of Compton after paramount lol it isn't a good choice girl.it's true long beach isn't the best area and u probably got it off someone else or the net.obviously i got you !.. u don't even live in California, if u do.... why do u ask about how it's like there, if Hollywood is really like on TV... Seriously, u should be careful when u post... just telling you girl.

Dave J

live in california.weather is good.taxes and home prices will kill u.nice place if u have lots of cash.

West of Encino

yes many times.

cr.benz

i've lived in southern cali my whole life. there are a lot of nice areas with plenty of things to do and hundreds of miles of coastline. it can get very hot here though and i don't like extreme heat. plus, if you live in LA county or Orange county as well as San Diego county and San Fran area, the traffic can be unbelievable. i like california but i'm ready for a change. i want to live by a large city like seattle where it's colder and it's not that crouded outside the area.

Ishvarlan feels Dangerous

Once. I went in May 2006 for a "goodbye tour" with my Terminally Ill father. We were in Oakland, and honestly, it was the sickest I've ever been. I had some horrendous flu thing, and ended up going to the emergency room, where one of the nurses kept flirting/groping at me. The doctors decided on an Emergency Toncillectomy, till they realised my Medicaid is only valid in Georgia, then they decided to just give me some cough drops:D

Personally I would LOVE to go back to Cali.

Jesse

It's a pit.

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