How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Very, very, very bad.
Apropos of Peter’s post below on the decline of California, I too fell for the hoax, albeit only until I came to the “STASI” reference, which should have been clue enough for the Dartmouth man. But this offers the opportunity to call my latest piece on PJ Media to the attention of the Ricochetti. In it, I lament the fallen state of Los Angeles, where I was born and raised, and where I once assumed I would always live. I don’t anymore, for reasons I explain in the piece. California’s downfall is but an echo of L.A.’s, or maybe it’s the other way around.
Some of the commenters on the PJM site made a good point, to wit, that in leaving Los Angeles for the suburbs the Dunphy family did not move far enough, and that L.A.’s Detroit-like death spiral will eventually claim the community I now call home. I fear that may be true.
And if we’re forced to flee California altogether, I ask you, the loyal Ricochetti, where should we go?
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Comments:
Feb '11
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
I second Joan's recommendation. NOT New York. But you knew that already....
Jun '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Louisiana. Good weather, good food, relatively low property tax and great music.
Feb '11
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
OK -- how did my post pop up ahead of Joan's?? She beat me by at least a minute -- I am totally weirded out. This is not the first time I have seen this.
Overlords? Have you noticed this too?
***Update: BSA is on the job fixing this! Thanks, BSA!
Edited on November 22, 2012 at 6:32amJun '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Mama Toad: OK -- how did my post pop up ahead of Joan's?? She beat me by at least a minute -- I am totally weirded out. This is not the first time I have seen this.
Overlords? Have you noticed this too? · 2 minutes ago
This has been happening. Probably an overload on the server. Not sure.
Jun '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
If you live north like us, it's only 3 hours drive to Dallas. We don't even go there anymore other than to buy seriously authentic Asian ingredients. We can get everything we need here. If you have kids, Benton Louisiana has the best schools and the local police force is like extended parents. No traffic jams. Rock star parking most of the year when you go out shopping or eat. Dirt cheap housing compared to LA but higher quality of life. Ok, I just read your occupation. We have several friends in law enforcement here. If you like, we can link you up. Just PM me or instugator, my husband. ( It's odd I mentioned the police dept off the bat).
Edited on November 22, 2012 at 6:09amOct '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Move to the South. I'd recommend Atlanta, GA. I'm completely biased because it's my hometown. For the price of a few miserable weeks of heat and humidity during the summer, you're close to the beach and the mountains, as much or little culture and arts as you like, and friendly people everywhere. Also, it's the home of Chick-fil-A, and having their Dwarf Houses nearby is a big plus.
It is more than simply a culture of friendliness, but a remnant of politeness and cultural reinforcement of gentlemanly behavior. I appreciate that attitude and miss it here in DC, where no adult or woman appears to expect my sons to hold doors open for them.
The best expression I've heard about the politics in Georgia is this: "The problem with most Democrats in the South is that they think they're Republicans". It was said with derision, but I view it as a plus.
Despite the many advantages, I should note if you're in Atlanta and driving the speed limit in the left lanes on the interstate, you're on your own--the hand gestures you see are not friendly waves.
Dec '10
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Come to Missouri!
We have concealed carry, castle doctrine, open carry, good hunting, good fishing, homes cost 1/5th to 1/10th what your house in Cali cost, we have 0°F winters, 110°F Summers (with 99.8% humidity), mosqitoes the size of small dogs, panthers, coyotes, bobcats, eagles, hawks, quail, deer, wild turkeys, dove, grouse, ducks, geese, sink holes, hills and valleys, ponds, rivers, creeks, springs, caves, tornadoes, rednecks, and just a smattering of liberal d-bags so that we can all remember what stupid looks like.
Up side, homes are cheaper and guns are plentiful and easy to own, and our state is red and getting redder every year.
Down side, it gets very cold and very hot and very very windy sometimes (via tornado), plus you won't make the same kind of money out here doing the same job (assuming that the same job is even available) as you did in LA. But since it's cheaper to live here overall, it all washes out to be the same or a little better standard of living wise.
May '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Until 2010 I used to think all California needed was to wall off LA and SF-Bay area and the rest of the state which tended to vote Republican could go its merry way. Now? If Californians are willing to vote for a guy who has already proven himself to be the worst governor in the history of California for a 3rd term as governor, then it's over for the state. That and my hometown of San Diego went even more blue.
Outside of my idea of red states creating a refugee program for the 4 million or so in California who reliably vote Republican my only other idea is for conservatives to swamp the states neighboring California to either turn them red or make them 'redder'. Arizona, Nevada, Oregon-ok, maybe not Oregon. Perhaps help turn Colorado back to a red state and even turn New Mexico into a red state.
Beyond that, I got bupkis...in fact, thanks to my fellow Californians I'll soon have less than bupkis...
Edited on November 22, 2012 at 6:50amOct '10
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
The current attractive locale is Texas. However, the refuge for truly independent minded folk is Alaska ( The home of folks that gave up on the lower states long ago).
Living conditions thare may be be a tad challenging, save folks tend to pull together for survival. Interesting and respectfull, that being a fact of life there.
Apr '11
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Austin or Nashville.
Dec '11
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Jack Dunphy:
And if we’re forced to flee California altogether, I ask you, the loyal Ricochetti, where should we go?
Nowhere! CA is too valuable a real estate property; business and property owners need to stop voting in state pols such as John Perez/Willie Brown/Jerry Brown and fight for what belongs to them.
Meg Whitman? Carly Fiorina? Anybody?
Edited on November 22, 2012 at 6:58amMay '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
May I suggest the mid-sized towns (ones where there is a hospital, and several supermarkets) in Colorado and Utah. Worked and lived just-outside Denver for 7 years. Two sets of kids live in Salt Lake 'burbs. Utah is more red overall. But towns outside major cities are red. Mild winters (the snow stays in the mountains) A jacket will do as most winter days are in the 40's or 50's. Summers are dry and mild (mid 80's), low humidity and few bugs. MUCH more reaasonable home prices. Clean air, clean water, and plenty of sunshine, good economy, good schools (OK the U of Colorado in Bolder is SUPER liberal).
In Utah, try Richfield, Cedar City, Ogden, Logan.
In Colorado try; Durango, Grand Junction, Colo Springs, Montrose, Glenwood Springs, Pagosa Springs
Apr '11
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
If you should listen to John, and decide on Colorado or Utah, might I suggest Colorado, a few more conservatives and we might just tip it back in the red direction...
May '10
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
I am seriously looking at Australia and New Zealand. I don't think anywhere in the US is safe from the Feds.
Oct '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
I left LA for Germany, but if plastic bag bans are a bane for you I wouldn't suggest it.
Trotzdem, I vote for sticking it out in California, because when it starts to fall apart it will need intelligent people who care about it to put it back together. It's too beautiful a state to be left to the wolves.
Edited on November 22, 2012 at 10:32amMay '11
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Well, I feel like the geeky guy asking the homecoming queen to the prom, but we'd love to have you in New Jersey.
Dec '10
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
All conservative Californians have a moral obligation -- a debt to pay -- to move to Colorado. Your state has been exporting liberals here so long, you owe us!
'Sides, wouldn't you like to live in a county through which the Ronald Reagan highway runs?
Apr '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida, of course.
You had to ask?
Nov '12
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
One of the most Conservative governors in America just lost re-election by a hair. It has the best weather and beaches in the country, incredibly friendly people and zero tolerance for complying with things they think are stupid or pointless. It's a different culture but that's part of its allure. I'm referring to Puerto Rico, particularly the more remote west coast.
Aug '10
Re: How Bad is it in Los Angeles?
Will the big studios start building soundstages in northern Mexico?