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The more I think about it, the more LA seems like the most unique city in the world. What else is like it? A city of that size having a joke of downtown like LA. Not really super dense anywhere but so consistently not spread out over so a huge area that it is the densest metro in America, despite NYC having a place like Manhattan. A gorgeous yet killer smog making sunsets and sunrises just incredible. And it really is the biggest suburb the world has ever seen. My question is what place in America (outside of SoCal, lets say) that is most similar to it?
I just have nothing. Dallas/Fort Worth maybe? Long Island? South Florida?
Probably Houston, though Los Angeles seems to be far more mismanaged.
I mean, Los Angeles is the city that voluntarily ceded all of their most beautiful areas to homeless and drug addicts. Of all places in the 468 square miles, you let them take over Hollywood, Downtown LA, Venice, and Sunset Boulevard? You know, the areas that tourists flock to and contribute to your tax base? The areas that define your city's brand, desirability, and reputation?
I long had hopes Los Angeles would become an oversized San Diego, but it just never seems to get it right. Hopefully the mass exodus of people is a wake-up call that being unique - for all the wrong reasons - isn't something to aspire to.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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Miami/SoFla: glam, beaches, celebrities/athletes, strong Latin presence (though different origins), upscale shopping meccas, luxury real estate, urban areas along with suburban sprawl, both prone to natural (albeit different) natural disasters.
Probably Houston, though Los Angeles seems to be far more mismanaged.
I mean, Los Angeles is the city that voluntarily ceded all of their most beautiful areas to homeless and drug addicts. Of all places in the 468 square miles, you let them take over Hollywood, Downtown LA, Venice, and Sunset Boulevard? You know, the areas that tourists flock to and contribute to your tax base? The areas that define your city's brand, desirability, and reputation?
I long had hopes Los Angeles would become an oversized San Diego, but it just never seems to get it right. Hopefully the mass exodus of people is a wake-up call that being unique - for all the wrong reasons - isn't something to aspire to.
LA is just on another level - size, people, climate, topography, built environment.
I used to do semi-regular traveling between Houston and LA, and there is just too huge a contrast between the two cities. I lived in Houston, but when returning home it was still jolting how less crowded and dense Houston is than LA, it almost felt empty.
There is no other city like LA! LA, as you know, is a mega-metropolitan area of many cities and unincorporated cities, all mashed together.
I thought Houston reminded me of LA, primarily due to the urban sprawl and diversity. Not a close correlation, but similar.
I landed once at Hobby and had to drive, in rush hour traffic, across town to my hotel. It took roughly 70-90 minutes.
I was surprised at the sprawl. LA is far more congested though.
Phoenix does a little also.
Miami, in some respects too: prevalent Latin/Hispanic culture, glamorous lifestyle, car culture, beach culture, "beautiful people" mentality, etc
Miami/SoFla: glam, beaches, celebrities/athletes, strong Latin presence (though different origins), upscale shopping meccas, luxury real estate, urban areas along with suburban sprawl, both prone to natural (albeit different) natural disasters.
I agree with Miami, and no other city/metro even comes close.
Having lived in both, as well as greater NYC, the similarities between Los Angeles and Miami (and greater south Florida) are striking. Same architecture (Mediterranean right down to Art Deco), same materialism of residents (lots of plastic surgeons per capita where Miami ranks 1 and LA ranks 2), mild weather, wealth, palm trees, etc.
Phoenix, which has a lot of refugees from LA (especially after the Northridge earthquake). If it weren't for damned rivers, much more of the LA area would be much less green.
A combination of Houston + Miami would be similar to LA. Houston for the sprawl, traffic, good Asian food. Miami for the vain materialistic nature of the people, good Hispanic food. Both cities have coasts. The mountains of LA is one thing that will be lacking.
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