l.a. is a hellhole.

[FlyerInHi]

CAr, I agree about the distances in LA vs SD.

When my parents pass away I will move to LA. At that time, less reason to be in San Diego. Maybe I’ll buy a building and build a loft above the store.

LA is not very tourist friendly. They should have light rail/metro linking all the tourist sites. So many opportunities for the city to capitalize on tourism and improve its reputation.

[scaredyclassic]

The crush of humanity and concrete is powerful.

[The-Shoveler]

L.A. County is more about large City sized suburbs that surround the Main city.

The Main city has lost most of it’s influence and industry to the outlying suburbs (the only thing left of importance is the AirPort and the harbor).

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=The-Shoveler]L.A. County is more about large City sized suburbs that surround the Main city.

The Main city has lost most of it’s influence and industry to the outlying suburbs (the only thing left of importance is the AirPort and the harbor).[/quote]

Came back from LA yesterday evening.
I wouldn’t be so sure that LA has lost drawing power. Evidence is that real estate is a as expensive as ever with more people wanting to live there.
One example is playa vista, the former site of Hughes aircraft.

I’m betting that real estate appreciation in the next 30 years will be more than the suburbs.

LA is big. Driving through, you may not like it so much, but unless you know LA, then you’re missing a lot.

[The-Shoveler]

You can live in a nice (expensive) area of the city, but most likely you need to commute to the suburbs for your Job.

We have several people who commute in (I should say ‘out’) from Westwood even Beverly .

[FlyerInHi]

That was the point. A lot of people prefer to live in the city. So the city is more relevant to people’s lives., hence the pride premium.

[The-Shoveler]

A few I would say,

The people who commute in from the city we have were mostly originally from Europe so maybe a cultural thing.

I should add they are well off as well, not something most people would do (or could afford to do).

Anyway, Your Average L.A. area enginerd mostly will be found living in a exburb.

Doctor’s etc… maybe a few will live in Westwood.

[FlyerInHi]

Well, that underscores my point.
Back in the 70s, to the early 90s, people would gladly move to the suburbs.

Now. when someone moves out of LA “for their children”, people would think “yeah, I understand you have to do that. But I really pity you because you can’t afford to live in the city. Goodbye, but we don’t be visiting you out in the boonies.”

As you said, people who are well off prefer the city or only certain select suburbs.

There’s been a cultural/demographic shift that is reflected in the prices for what you get.

[The-Shoveler]

Well and to my point,

It is boutique City living, not main stream now days (nor could it ever be – not enough room).

maybe 1 or 2 out of 20 type of thing.

[FlyerInHi]

Boutique living. I like how you describe it.

But boutique is going mainstream. An analogy would be the boutique brands of the national hotel chains. The are pricing boutique at mainstream prices.

Boutique/artisanal, whatever you want to call is where the growth is. That’s where you want to be if you are to stay relevant and in touch with culture. Even Hagen dass has an artisanal line.

You see the change in lifestyle centers over enclosed malls, even in the suburbs.

Talking about LA, I know someone who bought a house in west Hollywood (not LA but Hillcrest of LA) for about $130k back in 1989. It’s now worth $2 million because an apartment/condo building could go there.

Back in the 80s, an old house in Hillcrest was the same price as a brand new house in Escondido. Look at the difference now. Same goes for house appreciation in North Park and South Park.

I can tell you that a couple moving to Temecula from North Park would be pitied by all their friends. Now, when you leave the city, you cannot afford to move back.

[The-Shoveler]

Maybe but they would be jealous if they were moving to Carlsbad or even San Marco’s

Temecula is not cheap these days BTW as well and getting more expensive everyday.

[FlyerInHi]

I don’t think that Carlsbad could make them jealous. The natural move up for North Park are Hillcrest and Mission Hills. Maybe a new house at Civita if they want new instead of old.

Maybe Carmel valley for the schools. But that would mean a big change in lifestyle.

Not to say that suburbs are dying. The ones closer to the city will remake themselves.

Btw lots of old people are retiring to the city. I was joking with a friend. Buy a building in Hollywood and run a b&b, She wants to open a bakery/cafe/art gallery all in one.

[The-Shoveler]

The SoCal exurbs are far from dying BTW

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-02/ten-cities-that-are-magnets-for-millennials?cmpid=yhoo

I don’t know the exact numbers but there are probably 3 homes being built in RSC for every 1 home being built in SDC.

I Think in SoCal at least, the suburb will stay the growth story over the next 20-30 years.

[FlyerInHi]

True enough, shoveler.
But it’s residence out of necessity rather than fulfillment of aspiration. The aspiration is to be in the city.

Vegas is actually pretty good if you want to be in the core. It’s cheap. I’m surprised people don’t save to buy… instead they seem to spend their money driving expensive cars. It’s the culture. There’s a Bentley and all sorts of nice cars in my building. People send their money at nightclubs and dayclubs — $ thousands in 1 night. I’d say most of them are renters.

My cap rates are good in Vegas. I’m not complaining. I also don’t mind being in Vegas taking care of my rentals. There’s lot of food and entertainment. I’m never bored because friends always want to visit Vegas, especially if you offer free accommodations.

[FlyerInHi]

Look at this cute street in Hollywood, right off of Highland and the 101, in the middle of all the action.

Is there anything cute like that in the suburbs?

https://goo.gl/maps/YBAZB

Or this neighborhood in Century City. There is mix of condos/apartments and single family houses.
I visited someone nearby and they had chic European style condo, right in the city.

https://goo.gl/maps/QbDDt

Infill condo development:
https://goo.gl/maps/VoGkc

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