Expert: Steve Summers - 1/28/2003

Question
Hi, I am a huge fan of Los Angeles, which probably sounds quite weird hehe but it's true.  I'm 18 years old and I live in Scotland in the United Kingdom and I really, really want to move to LA.  I am doing a work experience course at University which means I get a 20week course anywhere in the world and I am choosing Los Angeles.  What I am really asking is just a quick bit information on LA.  I have heard so many rumours about how bad the pollution is, the crime and that kind of thing.  And I am really just looking for a personal opinion on Los Angeles.  What do you think of it?  What's Los Angeles like?  Most of what I have read is great, and I can't wait to visit but I would like an opinion from someone who lives there!  Also which tourist attractions would you reccommend?

I hope you can help!  Thanx

Jennifer x

Answer
Here's the real scoop on LA:

LA is not only big, it's HUGE. San Francisco is only a couple of miles square, but LA is about 20 miles north to south, and about 30 miles east to west. That's why we have to have freeways, because everything is so spread out.

Pollution: Can be bad in the summer, but not bad the rest of the year and virtually nonexistant in winter.

Crime: Oh, if I only had a dime for every time they showed a major crime on TV linked to LA, I would be richer than Bill Gates. Yes, there are high crime areas (just like in every large city). But I don't go there. When I do go into a potentially hiergher-crime area (like downtown or Hollywood), I just keep my eyes open and stay alert. In the 40+ years I've lived in LA, I have never seen a shooting, drug deal, or anything like that. In a word, the crime in LA is grossly overrated. Just be aware and alert in certain areas, and you will be fine.

Personal feelings about LA: First of all, you cannot beat the weather here. Sunday we had the Super Bowl, which is equivalent to the World Cup for us Americans. In Chicago, it was about 20 degrees. On our patio, it was 90. Normally, it is about 60 or 70, but we had a bit of a heat wave. The weather is VERY mild here compared to the rest of the country. However, we put up with the long drives and the traffic, and an occasional earthquake, in order to enjoy the weather. I think it's worth it. If not, I would have moved long ago.

Los Angeles is unlike any other city. It's really a large collection of smaller areas, each with it's own character. The climate is very nice, and there is SO much to do here. Anybody who is bored here is just not trying very hard. People in LA like to do a lot of outdoor sports, since there is very little rain (only a few days a year) and the temperatures are mild. Sometimes people keep to themselves, mainly because they are busy "doing their own thing".

For tourist attractions, there are so many, I don't see how you will get any work done. There's Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Mann's Chinese theater, CBS Studios, Farmer's Market (next to CBS), Olvera Street, San Diego's Sea World, Catalina Island, the Kodak Theater, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk, the El Capitan Theater, any Orange County Beach, Redondo/Hermosa/Manhattan Beach, and Old Town Pasadena. That's all I can think of off the top of my head without knowing your preferences.

I hope this helps,

Steve