Originally posted by @Brian Ploszay:
@Francis A.
It is a preference, but after I left California for New York, I realize I like urbanism. Los Angeles and its connected cities feels like one big suburb, dominated by the automobile. You're right, there is more to do in parts of Los Angeles. If I returned, I would have little interest in living in the Beach communities and more toward downtown/Hollywood.
Glendale/Santa Monica was an example of time consumption of travelling. I now fly into Burbank because the commute to LAX takes too long.
@Brian Ploszay
I don't want to say that downtown LA was a shanty town when I moved here from the big apple. That's too strong a word but BOY was it scruffy. I give a metric TON+ of credit to Mr Anschutz for building the Staples Center. He was way way way ahead of his time on that score. That building alone and the entertainment draw that it is and still continues to be, has single handedly led the transformation of downtown here. The building boom has caught on so much that you're seeing it spread to Chinatown.
You should see the place now. You want Urbanism? You got urban but the price I'm afraid has steeped up sharply. Funnily enough, we now rent to relocated folks from your adopted town. I don't know if you're aware, but your town kicked the new George Lucas museum out of town. That structure is now above ground (so to speak) in the construction phase.
For some reason, it garnered a lot of ill will in your town. I was kind of shocked. One particular article was needlessly taunting in tone. Blew my mind. I have a certain family member who lived in Chi town for decades. He's still scratching his head at this. Meanwhile over here, I've taken pictures at each stage of the construction to document this. Once again, movement is afoot here. Downtown LA Honda has built a $30 million building a mere 3 blocks away in anticipation of future growth. New train stations are popping up in strategic locations which all but makes sure to enhance living (in terms of public transportation) here. As you know transportation and the 405 freeway alone can be a deal breaker.
USC ain't doing badly either. (We'll try to forget the recent news about overzealous parents "trying" to make sure that their babies have diplomas from that famous school).
Pick your choice and from the following headlines and Google this museum topic. I'm still shaking my head.
“Let’s celebrate the loss of the Lucas Museum”
“Editorial: Ugly parking lot victorious over Lucas Museum”
“Lucas Museum Chicago: Losing the Museum Would be Bad for Chicago”
"Lucas Museum drops plan to build in Chicago"
"Here's what you could have won: Lucas Museum breaks ground in LA"
"George Lucas Strikes Back: Inside the Fight to Build the Lucas Museum"
A while ago when the downtown transformation was taking place (and it still is) we almost rented an apartment above the Ralphs grocery store on the corner of Hope Street and 9th. I first saw that kind of mixed use building in Georgetown, DC. Shopping, restaurants, cinema and grocery shopping in one building? I was hooked.
Check out "Curbed LA". Specifically, LA Development. You won't recognize it anymore. My folks down in MN and WI are still dealing with the winter. How's it where you are?
