Does Los Angeles have the greatest location of any city in the world?

[PragmaticIdealist]

Skin cancer is a challenge in southern California, particularly among people of northern European descent. I, myself, have to be very careful. My father, aunt, and cousin have all had melanoma, but the latter two spent their lives in Manhattan, New York; Stamford, Connecticut; and, Wyckoff, New Jersey. So, there's only so much a person can do.

I, personally, would prefer a little more moisture, myself. I absolutely love rainy days, and we really don't get as many as I'd like here. The West coast, in general, appeals to me in that regard, though. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver all have interesting siting.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Only the eastern Inland Empire is a desert...


From Wikipedia

Thank you for the information. So the area between this and the sea doesn't have water supply issues or is it just less pronounced than points further east?

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

You say Vancouver has the best location of any city in the world, yet it doesn't have 4 distinct seasons, either.

Yeah, I've always been blown away by Vancouver's stunning natural beauty, especially after the Winter Olympics. Vancouver has much better access to winter sports; I'm sure skiing/snowboarding in Whistler is much better than it is in Big Bear.

Vancouver's geography does have a few drawbacks (IMO). It's not known at all for its beach culture, although there are some beautiful beaches. But my biggest complaint, and it's a general one, is that it and other cities are too isolated. Cities like Sydney and Cape Town, especially, are located in the most remote corners of the earth. A large part of the reason why I think LA has the greatest location is because of the numerous world class destinations that are just a stone's throw away. There's the outrageous fantasyland known as Las Vegas, the incredibly urban and sophisticated San Francisco, the relaxing resort getaway of Santa Barbara, and LA's more family-friendly sister named San Diego, among others. If none of those amazing destinations do it for you, well, heck, there are amazing destinations within Greater LA itself!

You're somewhat right about Vancouver not having 4 proper seasons, but you can ski and sail there the same day. Do Angelinos (do I have that right?) consider Cascadia isolated? I've never thought of it that way. I suppose it has far fewer people than southern California, but at 15 million people it's not that isolated. (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, BC)

I agree with you that Los Angeles has many more cultural delights, if you will. It's a common complaint in central Canada that Vancouver may be beautiful, but it just doesn't have that big city feel yet. Having said that, Van is developing so quickly. I doubt easterners will be singing the same tune 20 years from now.

Side question: Am I correct in saying that Los Angeles and San Diego aren't growing very fast any more and that population growth is far higher in San Bernardino-Ontario? Is that mainly due to real estate prices or is it far more complex than that?

[PragmaticIdealist]

Originally Posted by isaidso

Thank you for the information. So the area between this and the sea doesn't have water supply issues or is it just less pronounced than points further east?

Side question: Am I correct in saying that Los Angeles and San Diego aren't growing very fast any more and that population growth is far higher in San Bernardino-Ontario? Is that mainly due to real estate prices or is it far more complex than that?

Southern California has wet winters in every place but the low desert (Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, etc.) and the high desert (Palmdale, Victorville, etc.). So, the mountains largely determine rainfall and groundwater supplies.

As to your side question, it's more complex. Population has been growing throughout southern California, and demand for housing kept pushing people into greenfield areas because of a lack of interest on the part of developers to do infill and to actually fix established cities with older housing stock. That process is almost entirely due to our damnable freeway system and to a relative lack of transit options, but, thankfully, the Obama Administration, the State government, and local leaders seem to understand the errors of the past and have jumped on the smart-growth bandwagon.

[Son Thuy Villa]

Can you guys follow this link and leave some comments for the pictures? Thank you very much.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1052601

[croyboy]

Originally Posted by isaidso

You're somewhat right about Vancouver not having 4 proper seasons, but you can ski and sail there the same day. Do Angelinos (do I have that right?)

yes. you can ski, surf and sail in the same day here in L.A.. and see a hollywood movie premiere, then stop by a little tokyo arcade, pick up some chinese or mexican food in chinatown or olvera street after the laker or dodger game... then top it all off by getting shot at jack-in-the-box under the 110/105 interchange... all in a day.

[klamedia]

Originally Posted by isaidso

Side question: Am I correct in saying that Los Angeles and San Diego aren't growing very fast any more and that population growth is far higher in San Bernardino-Ontario? Is that mainly due to real estate prices or is it far more complex than that?

The estimates are coming in that the LA MSA grew by 4.12%. That's actually pretty healthy growth with a metro this large. And that's the population that is above ground. We probably really grew by 7-8%% if you'd really want to be honest.

[PragmaticIdealist]

1n 2008, SCAG actually projected that illegal immigration to California would plateau by 2010, even though such activity was predicted to increase in other states.

[klamedia]

Yeah I've read that data as well but I still think that they are missing a significant underground population that is already here.

[Kenny]

Originally Posted by PragmaticIdealist

Skin cancer is a challenge in southern California, particularly among people of northern European descent. I, myself, have to be very careful. My father, aunt, and cousin have all had melanoma, but the latter two spent their lives in Manhattan, New York; Stamford, Connecticut; and, Wyckoff, New Jersey. So, there's only so much a person can do.

I, personally, would prefer a little more moisture, myself. I absolutely love rainy days, and we really don't get as many as I'd like here. The West coast, in general, appeals to me in that regard, though. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver all have interesting siting.

I've never really heard that skin cancer is a challenge in Southern California, hum, I think in general where ever you live if you are northern european you have to take precautions, as you detailed, all those family members of yours have had melanoma and look where they live.

[klamedia]

Originally Posted by Kenni

I've never really heard that skin cancer is a challenge in Southern California, hum, I think in general where ever you live if you are northern european you have to take precautions, as you detailed, all those family members of yours have had melanoma and look where they live.

SoCal probably has more intensely sunny days than let's say Seattle, so yeah it would be more of a challenge in this locale as opposed to some others that we could think of. Interestingly enough a friend of mine who is Ethiopian was adopted by a Swiss family and he had to supplement his skin's need for more Vitamin D because of the lack of sunlight.

[Pegasusbsb27]

The location is, indeed, awsome, but not the most beautiful or best...I think the best and beautiful are that of Rio, Cape Town and Sidney. They are more "dramatic"...

[Westsidelife]

^ It's not a question of whether or not LA's location is the most beautiful, because there are admittedly many locales with far more beautiful natural settings. And the best location, if there is any, isn't necessarily the most beautiful.

[TonyAnderson]

I always love me a good 'mocha chimichanga latte'

[milquetoast]

I've noticed this thread is attracting more than its fair share of "outsider attention!"

All with their own special brand of assumptions and such.

Kuddos to whoever came up with this.

(Ooooo, Westy. Oh well, kudos to you, Westerfield! )

[pesto]

Even the trolls seem to be somewhat respectful on this thread. The seem to know they don't have a leg to stand on when criticizing LA for its combination of geography, climate and breadth and depth of cultural offerrings.

In the same spirit, I won't criticize any cities offerred as "better" or "just as good" although it is puzzling on what theory some of them are mentioned.

[philip]

YES!! And anyone who thought otherwise is just jealous

[Westsidelife]

Fishing in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area...

image hosted on flickr

From Flickr, by Mike Cohn

[KIWIKAAS]

LA's location offers a uniquely diverse array of climates and landscapes within a couple of hours drive.
Wonderful location.

[Westsidelife]

Point Vicente Lighthouse with Catalina Island in the distance...

image hosted on flickr

From Flickr, by jandmfoto

[Westsidelife]

The view from Angels Gate Park...

image hosted on flickr

From Flickr, by ChrisVill