What Are the Best Downtowns Across the U.S.? (live, better, place)

[daortiz]

We shall descend upon the bowels of "THE OTHER LOS ANGELES!"
This is Los Angeles that you don't see in the glitzy magazine covers, but it is every bit as real
as The Other LA!


THE ALLEY
It all started very organically, many of the garment factories that use to be located here in this forgotten area
of downtown LA started bringing their over stacked or defective clothing in the alley area behind their buildings
it probably started in the early 80's by now is a Los Angeles institution! going to The Alley has become sort of
a tourist attraction where you can experience the bazaar like atmosphere you could find in in many other countries.

It now covers several city blocks in the old downtown Garment district.
It is by no means pretty and way the opposite of the glitz of Beverly Hills, this is the side of Los Angeles most
people don't get to see in thje glamorous magazine covers and movies, but it is a vital part of the city and full of energy
you will find people here shopping from all over California and beyond!







LOS ANGELES GARMENT DISTRICT- THE ALLEY


L.A. FASHION DISTRICT SANTEE ALLEY - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (http://www.flickr.com/photos/navymailman/3658672113/ - broken link) by Navymailman (http://www.flickr.com/people/navymailman/ - broken link), on Flickr


L.A. FASHION DISTRICT SANTEE ALLEY - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (http://www.flickr.com/photos/navymailman/3659475596/ - broken link) by Navymailman (http://www.flickr.com/people/navymailman/ - broken link), on Flickr



Santee Alley by TinyGlimpses, on Flickr





http://royaltinaaccessories.web.officelive.com/images/Alley,_Fashion_District.jpg (broken link)



L.A. FASHION DISTRICT SANTEE ALLEY - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (http://www.flickr.com/photos/navymailman/3658673659/ - broken link) by Navymailman (http://www.flickr.com/people/navymailman/ - broken link), on Flickr




LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT (LAPD) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/navymailman/3658648051/ - broken link) by Navymailman (http://www.flickr.com/people/navymailman/ - broken link), on Flickr




LA Fashion District with Meetup 029 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/photolarry/4431312830/ - broken link) by Photo Larry (http://www.flickr.com/people/photolarry/ - broken link), on Flickr




LA Fashion District with Meetup 024 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/photolarry/4430543839/ - broken link) by Photo Larry (http://www.flickr.com/people/photolarry/ - broken link), on Flickr





LA Fashion District with Meetup 018 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/photolarry/4430543055/ - broken link) by Photo Larry (http://www.flickr.com/people/photolarry/ - broken link), on Flickr



LA Fashion District with Meetup 016 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/photolarry/4431311142/ - broken link) by Photo Larry (http://www.flickr.com/people/photolarry/ - broken link), on Flickr



Santee Alley, Los Angeles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/xeni/4933226328/ - broken link) by xeni (http://www.flickr.com/people/xeni/ - broken link), on Flickr




Santee Alley, Los Angeles (http://www.flickr.com/photos/xeni/4932627719/ - broken link) by xeni (http://www.flickr.com/people/xeni/ - broken link), on Flickr



P1020463r1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43169389@N00/3903154683/ - broken link) by garywbecker (http://www.flickr.com/people/43169389@N00/ - broken link), on Flickr

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Downtown LA is 5 sq miles of insane potential.

[pwright1]

I love dt LA's Fashion District and Santee Alley. Thousands are there everyday. I love eating the halfsmokes with grilled onions on those makeshift grills while I'm walking around. Yesterday by accident I discovered the Toy District. I've heard of it but never been there until yesterday. Just like the Fashion District but blocks and blocks of businesses selling toys and sporting goods. Downtown LA is the most interesting downtown in America imo.

[nslander]

Downtown LA is intriguingly messed up. This can be interpreted many ways, but I haven’t encountered another downtown the in county in such as state of basic flux. I think this partly explains why some folks castigate LA as “third world” and attempt to discard it as a foreign country, even when they tout the diversity of their preferred cities at the same time. LA’s relative newness and lack of mega-corporate dominance over the landscape (and the familiarity it provides) can be frightening to those not prepared for it.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by nslander

Downtown LA is intriguingly messed up. This can be interpreted many ways, but I haven’t encountered another downtown the in county in such as state of basic flux. I think this partly explains why some folks castigate LA as “third world” and attempt to discard it as a foreign country, even when they tout the diversity of their preferred cities at the same time. LA’s relative newness and lack of mega-corporate dominance over the landscape (and the familiarity it provides) can be frightening to those not prepared for it.

In many ways this is a good thing. As DTs become too sterile they can lose a little edge and some vitality. LA though at some level could use some infusing of money into the nabes but hopefully a balance of all. The inverse may be why some people say MT Manhattan has become too disneyfied etc. Balance is always good though

[nslander]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

In many ways this is a good thing. As DTs become too sterile they can lose a little edge and some vitality. LA though at some level could use some infusing of money into the nabes but hopefully a balance of all. The inverse may be why some people say MT Manhattan has become too disneyfied etc. Balance is always good though

I agree completely.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by nslander

Downtown LA is intriguingly messed up. This can be interpreted many ways, but I haven’t encountered another downtown the in county in such as state of basic flux. I think this partly explains why some folks castigate LA as “third world” and attempt to discard it as a foreign country, even when they tout the diversity of their preferred cities at the same time. LA’s relative newness and lack of mega-corporate dominance over the landscape (and the familiarity it provides) can be frightening to those not prepared for it.

Yes my friend portion of DTLA are indeed messed up , but other section are in no way messied up as you put it , and let me add this " THIRD WORLD CITIES " are in no way the 3RD MOST POWERFUL ECONOMY IN THE WORLD GDP wise right behind TOKYO and NYC , so go and fiqure that out will you???

[nslander]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

Yes my friend portion of DTLA are indeed messed up , but other section are in no way messied up as you put it , and let me add this " THIRD WORLD CITIES " are in no way the 3RD MOST POWERFUL ECONOMY IN THE WORLD GDP wise right behind TOKYO and NYC , so go and fiqure that out will you???

Was this satire? Otherwise, you have no idea what I wrote was a credit to the unique character of LA, do you?

Get a grip.

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

Yes my friend portion of DTLA are indeed messed up , but other section are in no way messied up as you put it , and let me add this " THIRD WORLD CITIES " are in no way the 3RD MOST POWERFUL ECONOMY IN THE WORLD GDP wise right behind TOKYO and NYC , so go and fiqure that out will you???

Whoa! He was definitely complementing LA.

[City Dog]

I really like Downtown San Diego and Philadelphia. They sometimes can be considered the best when not looking at NY and SF or Chicago.