[Deutsch]

Osna,

You have some very interesting points on L.A. I think that every part of L.A has it's own unique character, so I wouldn't make the blanket statement "LA is a dump", that depends largely on what part of L.A you're talking about. If you're talking about Calabasas, well, you've never been, if you're talking about Downtown, then obviously you couldn't have never chosen a better adjective, but there is more to L.A. then it's ever menacing idiocyncracies. Like Matt said we have probably the most culturally dynamic landscape anywhere(the intergration part we still have to work on, and no I didn't mean "immigration"), and that aspect no matter how jaded the people are, is priceless. The city is a sell for so many because of so many different factors, from the ideal weather to the city life, it's literally all here. I'm sure there are other cool places elsewhere in other parts of the country, other parts of the world, but none of them is nor will ever be quite like L.A.

[Osnabrueck]

Personally, I think the primary sell is work. There's gobs of it to be had in the LA area - lord knows that's why I'm here.

[Narischkeiter Uebermensch]

Originally Posted by Matt

Hey buddy I live in Pasadena and trust me its not dumpy.... WOw, you really have an ignorant view of Los Angelos. MAybe you should come here and make your own decision instead of what some ignoramous told you. LA is the most ethnically dynamic and culturally dynamic place in the world and still maintains its own unique character. Of course their are bad parts but those are few and far between....And Pasadena happens to be one of the homes of the most expensive real estate in Southern California. Think before you type. Please.

Naturally I originally lived in Pasadena,I came there for the Art Center college of design,way back then the rental prices were too high,'Stratospheric' now is literally between 6 to 10 times that much,and worse it getting worse by the day,it's overbuilt,and crime never been any higher,and the 'cultural diversity' includes too many gangs from sucha 'diversified ethnic backgrounds' of North west Pasadena & Altadena,one of My girl friends lives by west 'Woodbury',and got hysteric recently as someone shot another one near her apartment which is on N. 'Raymond'Ave. or st.,The overwhelemed local Pasadena Police unfortunately don't respond often for 911 calls,and My other friends who came long ago from Guadalajara,Jalisco,Mexico and living in N.W. neighboring Altadena think it's worse then in Mexico(it's incredible)!,They themselves lives in an area west of the cemetery above 'Woodbury' between 'Lincoln' and 'Fair Oaks' Aveneus.and are fed up with the noise,crime,and often in the winter lack of phone line,which once is down it's for a month!.They being Mexicans complain to me about the Mexican & mexican american gang members that are making life there miserable,naturally,the only acceptable places in Pasadena to some exten (in addition to South Pasadena,San Marino & best: Sierra Madre),it's 'Linda Vista' by the Art center college of design,and North Eastern most section of Pasadena close to Sierra Madre,Unfortunately even in Sierra Madre recently were few murders commited by visiting 'Latino americans',Sierra Madre which is the superior location around here,due to greedy S.O.B. landlords monthly rental price for rooms are between U.S. $ 600 to U.S.$ 750 a month,It's greed what ruined this country!.and dishonesty as well(This goes from the President on down,thru the government,Police & military),Corruption it's additional problem of this nation,and worse Child molestation,read the Pasadena Star News to see what a group of US soldiers done in Iraq,I mean raping a 12 Years old girl,and then the military try to 'cover it up' by claiming that it's 24 years old woman,in addition to that they murdered the innocent civilian victims which they staklked for a week prior to their pre meditated crime.Let's be honest!.

[Osnabrueck]

I'll tell you what, it's pretty damn hard to buy yourself some good living in southern California.

I rent a 720sq. 1 bedroom apartment on the outskirts of Marina Del Rey. I pay $1,300 a month for the damn place in a neighborhood that's decent at first glance, and a little sketchy upon further scrutiny.

If you head twoards one end of my street, you're greeted with the 90 fwy and some nice surroundings, on the other end of my street is what looks for all the world to be the most butt-ugly corner of Culver City. There's all kinds of freakazoids creeping around at night and there's all manner of unwanted noise, car alarms and every other thing you think you wouldn't have to put up with at this price.

Add to that, the exposed power lines, the unkempt sidewalks and pavement, everything that belies the fact that you're living in one of the more exclusive areas in the country.

I'd gripe some more, but I'm heading down to the POS Mc Donalds to get some grub, since fast food is just about all I can afford in this area...

[dOmInIX]

Wow guys, this went way off topic!

Narischkeiter Uebermensch, no, I'm not sure I'd be happy there because I don't know how's the life there! You may say it sucks, Matt may say it's great, Osna something third...
It was maybe even an impetuous by me, saying I'd live there! Despite everything, thefts, criminal...I'd like to see California! But I'd sure come back here in my country!
These are all subjective thoughts, I think one should come there and see how it is, it is all a matter of an individual.

[Osnabrueck]

Just seeing California is a task unto itself. Just be sure to hook up with people who really really know their way around, or else your bound to waste your time.

Illustrative of why LA can be a drag - I have to drop off my wife downtown, and I have to be at work by 9, which means I have to leave home by 6:30 am, or else I run the risk of coming in late. It's just 30 miles round trip - but the traffic is so brutal you have to take your time estimate and double it.

[Narischkeiter Uebermensch]

Originally Posted by dOmInIX

Wow guys, this went way off topic!

Narischkeiter Uebermensch, no, I'm not sure I'd be happy there because I don't know how's the life there! You may say it sucks, Matt may say it's great, Osna something third...
It was maybe even an impetuous by me, saying I'd live there! Despite everything, thefts, criminal...I'd like to see California! But I'd sure come back here in my country!
These are all subjective thoughts, I think one should come there and see how it is, it is all a matter of an individual.

You're more then welcome to visit here,however,for your safety sake,be aware where you ngo,or travel so that you'll manage nto return home unharmed.And please don't be too naive when you meet the locals,and if anything you're told sound'' too good to be true,it's indeed so,and someone 'promise' you anything,be aware that such a person try to be 'polite',rarely you may be surprised that the promise is kept,but it is rare,and what ever you do,inquire nwell in advance about your itinerary,so that you'll not find yourself not only in ' Gangland'(gang infested area) but 'dodging bullets'.
We want you to survive!.

[Narischkeiter Uebermensch]

Originally Posted by Osnabrueck

I'll tell you what, it's pretty damn hard to buy yourself some good living in southern California.

I rent a 720sq. 1 bedroom apartment on the outskirts of Marina Del Rey. I pay $1,300 a month for the damn place in a neighborhood that's decent at first glance, and a little sketchy upon further scrutiny.

If you head twoards one end of my street, you're greeted with the 90 fwy and some nice surroundings, on the other end of my street is what looks for all the world to be the most butt-ugly corner of Culver City. There's all kinds of freakazoids creeping around at night and there's all manner of unwanted noise, car alarms and every other thing you think you wouldn't have to put up with at this price.

Add to that, the exposed power lines, the unkempt sidewalks and pavement, everything that belies the fact that you're living in one of the more exclusive areas in the country.

I'd gripe some more, but I'm heading down to the POS Mc Donalds to get some grub, since fast food is just about all I can afford in this area...

Youre very lucky,often local price for equivalent may be anywhere between U.S. $ 1400 to U.S. $ 2000 a month(There are no rent control),what's worse is that the law allow to the greedy landlord to evict tenant without reason,We tennants need to organize(just like the landlords) and fight back (politically).
Everyone is welcome to visit:
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
this website is under need for good English writers,as well as good in grammer,let's all try to improve this country (The U.S.A.)!.
(This way we could be not only patriotic,but instrumental activists.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Narischkeiter Uebermensch

You're more then welcome to visit here,however,for your safety sake,be aware where you ngo,or travel so that you'll manage nto return home unharmed.And please don't be too naive when you meet the locals,and if anything you're told sound'' too good to be true,it's indeed so,and someone 'promise' you anything,be aware that such a person try to be 'polite',rarely you may be surprised that the promise is kept,but it is rare,and what ever you do,inquire nwell in advance about your itinerary,so that you'll not find yourself not only in ' Gangland'(gang infested area) but 'dodging bullets'.
We want you to survive!.

You are blinded by your own extreme paranoia. THERE are bad areas where ever you go. New York, Detroit, Chicago, or anywhere. Wherever there are people, there is crime. Its a natural fact of life. I've lived in LA my whole life and have never seen nor heard any gun fights or even street fights. Just dont be stupid. Dont drive through compton or watts or anywhere that feels shady. If you use your head you'll be fine. Survival of the fitest. You wouldnt go to a Raiders game and openly root for the other team..Right? Then dont take a sunday drive through Compton...Its as simple as that.

[Narischkeiter Uebermensch]

Originally Posted by Matt

You are blinded by your own extreme paranoia. THERE are bad areas where ever you go. New York, Detroit, Chicago, or anywhere. Wherever there are people, there is crime. Its a natural fact of life. I've lived in LA my whole life and have never seen nor heard any gun fights or even street fights. Just dont be stupid. Dont drive through compton or watts or anywhere that feels shady. If you use your head you'll be fine. Survival of the fitest. You wouldnt go to a Raiders game and openly root for the other team..Right? Then dont take a sunday drive through Compton...Its as simple as that.

I'm not paranoid,nor neurotic like most of this country folks,what you suggested is what I also suggested to any visitor to the USA,to be realistic,and be aware prior to their going to most places,about their safety.
Frankly almost most of my life I've been in many countries around the world,and it's sad to compare the USA to the Middle East.