New the Forum, few questions

[MattMKL]

Hey everyone, just thought I'd start by introducing myself. My name is Matt and I'm a medical student currently studying in Boston. I'm a socal native but I haven't lived in LA since I was about 2. Grew up around Hacienda Heights, so I've been living inland for most of my life.

I've been hearing lately about how there's been a lot of development in downtown LA. I've been out here on the east coast for about 5 years now. I really hate it here I'm hoping to come back to california for residency/fellowship, and I would actually prefer to live in a more dense/urban location. While the east coast sucks in general (I'm just going to be straightfoward with my opinions), I do enjoy living the more urban life it provides (public transport, mid rise condo units, etc.)

My question was this: I've been hearing a lot about the recent development in downtown LA, but I'm pretty out of the loop when it comes to LA news. Are these new projects just office buildings or are they mid/highrise residential units? Also, LA won the best public transportation award for 2006, which absolutely blew me away. Do they plan on extending the rail system to make transport around the LA area convenient? Is it realistic to see these types of changes occur in the next 10 years? Nothing would make me happier than living in a truly centralized, urban area with legitimate public transport.

Thanks for your help guys.

[solongfullerton]

Almost all the new development is residential downtown. As for public transit, our bus system is great and yes, the rail network is growing. Also, as im sure you know, we have some great hospitals out here. if you have more questions, feel free to ask, im sure atleast one of us here has the answer.

[godblessbotox]

a. read up on this page:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=406098

b. i think everyone of the projects currently running. sans police HQ. is a residental development. so you should be happy!

[Westsidelife]

Also check out my DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES: News and Updates thread to get more info on the current Downtown boom. Keep checking that thread for new news and updates! Welcome to the LA forum!

View the thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=402542

[MattMKL]

You guys respond very quickly, I appreciate it.

I did see that proposal for the railway extensions by Damien Goodman. I had no idea who he was or if those proposals were realistic.

Is there anywhere where I can see a list/drawings of the newer developments?

Edit: Just saw the above post, thanks for the links!

[Westsidelife]

In Highrise News and Developments:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=413014

In Los Angeles Downtown New Projects*:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=147965

*It's a sticky at the top of the LA forum.

[Westsidelife]

I also recommend skyscraperpage.com. The people there are more knowledgeable about DTLA in general and can really help you settle into a place. :)

BTW, when do you plan on moving back to California?

[MattMKL]

Well... honestly my dream is to go back but I don't know if it's going to happen. I get my MD in 2 and a half years but I'm not sure if I'll "match" at a Los Angeles hospital. Looking the specialty I'm interested in (ENT surgery) there are only 2 hospitals I believe in LA proper that offer it (UCLA and USC). I guess here's to hoping! If I do get either UCLA or USC, I'd like to buy a studio somewhere around there.

[Westsidelife]

The current boom in DTLA is mostly residential (as solongfullerton mentioned). It's not so much "booming" like other cities in terms of new construction but rather adaptive reuse projects, where many old and abandoned buildings have been restored and converted to lofts. We're also starting to have that mindset of actually having an urban city center. That in essence is the DTLA renaissance and those adaptive reuse projects form the backbone of this DTLA boom. New mega-projects like LA Live and Grand Avenue serve as catalysts and propel the Downtown boom. We need those type of projects to start off with. By 2010, we will have a much improved Downtown and a more functioning public transportation system.

[Westsidelife]

Well... honestly my dream is to go back but I don't know if it's going to happen. I get my MD in 2 and a half years but I'm not sure if I'll "match" at a Los Angeles hospital. Looking the specialty I'm interested in (ENT surgery) there are only 2 hospitals I believe in LA proper that offer it (UCLA and USC). I guess here's to hoping! If I do get either UCLA or USC, I'd like to buy a studio somewhere around there.

Perfect timing! Hopefully you'll be accepted at USC. Then you could live in DTLA and take the Expo Line to USC/Exposition Park. NO CAR NEEDED!

[Westsidelife]

The Los Angeles Metrorail in 2010:

http://sfcityscape.com/forum/transit_maps/LA/official/official.gif

[MattMKL]

People think I'm crazy for actually wanting to live in downtown. I mean, there's a lot that could be better but I personally still LOVE it. The burbs are just not for me.

[Fern~Fern*]

^ There you go..... Downtown would be a good choice for you*

[Elsongs]

Hey everyone, just thought I'd start by introducing myself. My name is Matt and I'm a medical student currently studying in Boston. I'm a socal native but I haven't lived in LA since I was about 2. Grew up around Hacienda Heights, so I've been living inland for most of my life.


Read the LA Times online and most importantly, the LA Downtown News: http://www.downtownnews.com you'll hear the latest developments on...well, developments.

The cities out East are more urbanized primarily because they're older, our city is a teenager compared to the senior cities of the East. Los Angeles is undergoing what NY had in the early 20th century: A city modernizing and densifying its urban core, also a city that attracts immigrants from around the world.

BTW, I *LOVE* it when California natives refer to the east coast as "Out here"! It's so subversive, anti-cliche and non-conformist to say that! When you come back I'm buying you a Tommy Burger/Double Double (your choice) and a burrito, dude!!!

[godblessbotox]

ha ha^^

[MattMKL]

Double double animal style is how I do it. :eat: Man I miss home...

The only really significant downside I see to living in LA is the lack of public transport. I'd imagine it would be frustrating living in a constant traffic jam. I used to scoff at the idea of public transport, but living out here has really changed my view a bit. Seeing people of all socioeconomic groups riding the bus/subway together really makes you appreciate how public transport draws a city together. LA could really benefit from it.

Regarding the extensions of the rail system, is it an ongoing project? Are there preset goals and dates by which they expect to have the extensions completed, or is it all just in it's proposal/planning stages right now?

[solongfullerton]

Beyond that map, the expo line (aqua) will be extended to santa monica probably around 2013-2014. The northern section of the gold line that goes to pasadena is due to be extended east through the san gabriel valley. also, there is huge support to extend the subway, where the current terminus is wilshire/western, to atleast fairfax (which is smack in the middle of the city) and eventually towards ucla and eventually the beach. being able to land the olympics again in 2016 may be a huge catalyst for this subway project.

[Westsidelife]

Even if LA were to land the Olympics, the extension of the Purple Line wouldn't be completed in time for the games.

[solongfullerton]

I also meant to mention that even if the rail network doesn't fit your commute in the city, most major thoroughfares in the city have Rapid Bus lines that use larger busses and only stop at major intersections about 1 mile apart each. these rapid busses also carry signal priority technology to easy their commute.

traffic is bad here, but it is avoidable. if you limit your commute and avoid leaving the city during rush hour, congestion is managable. i.e. i live in santa monica and commute to century city, about 6 or 7 miles away. the drive is 20-25 minutes each way. ive taken the bus and its close to an hour. but i also work with people who live in the valley, glendale, the south bay and as far away as irvine. these people are lucky to have a 1 way commute of 45 minutes. imho, its worth it to spend the extra bucks to live close to your work.

[Elsongs]

Double double animal style is how I do it. :eat: Man I miss home...

The only really significant downside I see to living in LA is the lack of public transport. I'd imagine it would be frustrating living in a constant traffic jam. I used to scoff at the idea of public transport, but living out here has really changed my view a bit. Seeing people of all socioeconomic groups riding the bus/subway together really makes you appreciate how public transport draws a city together. LA could really benefit from it.

Regarding the extensions of the rail system, is it an ongoing project? Are there preset goals and dates by which they expect to have the extensions completed, or is it all just in it's proposal/planning stages right now?

I'll quadruple deck your double double animal style!

You know, it's all relative here. I live in East Hollywood (by LA City College) and the nearest Red Line station is all but 3 blocks away. If I need to go anywhere within a 2 mile radius, I either walk or bike there. I also live close to a Rapid line. This past summer I've gone to the beach without using a car! Yes I own a car, but most people don't realize that short car trips are worse for your engine (and fuel economy) than longer ones (preferably at a more or less constant speed). Every bus sports a bike rack (the greatest urban invention of the 21st century so far) so things are very flexible. Of course, if you live in Granada Hills, transit will obviously suck.

By the time you're ready to move back west :) Downtown will be ready for you.

[klamedia]

Also, LA won the best public transportation award for 2006, which absolutely blew me away. Do they plan on extending the rail system to make transport around the LA area convenient? Is it realistic to see these types of changes occur in the next 10 years? Nothing would make me happier than living in a truly centralized, urban area with legitimate public transport.

.

Matt I previously wrote this in another thread but these are my findings:

For a city that is considered by many to be dominated by the car our transit agency comes in at about #3 in the nation in terms of usage.

NYC-8804.8
then a huge drop
Chicago-1918.1
should be much more for a city that is known for its transit system
LA-1803.5
Chi beats us by a nose because people really do patronize its METRA system, so by comparison I blame Metrolink.

Rail, trolley, busses, commuter rail all makeup a system, so I'm rightfully including every mode of transit here to come up with complete transit totals. We'll see after the Expo and E. Gold come on board how we're doing. Also more and more people are getting into riding the rapid busses, many more are planned to come online in the next 3 years.

Once again I'm open to discussion on this. The #'s are not saying that no one rides the bus(or train) here, yet the perception persists that everyone has a car here and drives everywhere.

[MattMKL]

That really is a surprise to me. My roommate is from the CHI so I'll be sure to educate his LA hating ass. I actually have quite a few friends that work and live in downtown LA but never take any sort of public transit. This is all pretty shocking to me.

[Elsongs]

Matt I previously wrote this in another thread but these are my findings:

Chi beats us by a nose because people really do patronize its METRA system, so by comparison I blame Metrolink.


Metra as an entity is 10 years older than Metrolink, but the actual commuter lines that Metra runs predate Metrolink by several more decades.

For a 14-year old commuter rail system, Metrolink is doing pretty damn good.

[klamedia]

Matt I will even go this far:

The MTA is primarily an LA county based operation so I'm taking the #'s for LA county only I will even subtract out Metrolink(commuter rail) for this system connects other counties and goes into other areas MSA's and we would also have to include their #'s as well and that gets complicated. So w/o Metrolink we are at about 1761.6 boardings per day. LA county or the metro area is say 12.9mil. 1761.6/12.9= and I get around 14%. And I won't even start to tally the interagency systems like Culver City or Santa Monica or Foothill which all have decent #'s and are included within the LA metro area #'s.

I choose to subtract out commuter rail because it flirts and many times intercourses with other MSA's. So if we subract out Chicago's Metra I'm getting 1605.4 daily boardings. 1605.4/9.5= I'm getting around 17%. And I could only wish that we had a completely grade seperated heavy rail system.

And yes I know these calculations are debateable but any way that I configure this, I'm not getting so bad #'s.

http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/riderep/documents/06q2rep.pdf

And since an overwhelming majority of transit riders in the county are glacierized on the bus, once just a few of these routes are "melted" by rail (EXPO, E. GOLD) the #'s hopefully will explode exponentially.

So perhaps LA doesn't technically have the best transit system in the US but perhaps the ATPA awarded the agency that because it has the most promising.

I think we can all feel it here. Their is a critical mass developing that is questioning and starting to demand better transit solutions. So many people are so sick of traffic. Over the last 15 years, LA has quietly built a 117 km rail system. This in a city with supposedly no center, no trip generators and where everyone drives.

Heavy Rail #'s-LA-#9
Light Rail #'s-LA-#3
Commuter Rail #'s-LA-#5
Bus #'s-LA-#2

So LA has developed a strong light rail and a very strong bus system. The only stick in the mud for me is that it is still a primarily at-grade system.

[Westsidelife]

^Expect the Heavy Rail and Light Rail numbers to move up the list in the next few years (especially the Heavy Rail if the Purple Line is extended). My biggest concern though is whether or not the thought of NOT having to sit in traffic for hours is a big enough incentive for one to completely detach themselves from the car. Most would only take public transportation if it was rush our and or to get across the city. Other than that, they'd probably use their cars if they were to do their errands.

[archd1]

MattMKL:

Can't you just fly over here for a few days or a week and see all the new developments for yourself? just asking....and the weather is great this time of the year! lol....:)

[MattMKL]

Yeah I plan on checking it all out when I get come back to LA in a few weeks. Just was just horribly lacking in information and I appreciate you guys helping me out.

[klamedia]

^Expect the Heavy Rail and Light Rail numbers to move up the list in the next few years (especially the Heavy Rail if the Purple Line is extended). My biggest concern though is whether or not the thought of NOT having to sit in traffic for hours is a big enough incentive for one to completely detach themselves from the car. Most would only take public transportation if it was rush our and or to get across the city. Other than that, they'd probably use their cars if they were to do their errands.

Call me a traitor but I don't mind transit and private auto co-existing. Now that I think about it when I was living back east, I sure would have enjoyed having a car sometimes, if not just to get out of the city. Also, I would have liked to have had a car when going out late nights clubbing in Manhattan. Maybe it has changed but when I would go out, you were hard pressed to get a cab to take you into the depths of Brooklyn or the Bronx at 4 in the morning.

[MattMKL]

I feel really shitty that despite being from California I really know very little about LA. I was shipped out to the east coast for college when I was 17, so I never really had a chance to learn/live the city of LA. Pretty much the only thing I know about LA is where the clubs are at, but that's obviously only a tiny bit of what LA has to offer. Seeing how all my friends went to school in LA, I've been tryign to make up for it during breaks and such.

My girlfriend is going to be visiting LA over New Years. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions of places I should take her? Stuff that would be conducive to walking around and seeing things. I've never really done the touristy stuff in LA.

[solongfullerton]

For New Years, theres the Giant Village party downtown that draws some 40,000 people or something like that ($80 entry). as for the rest of the touristy stuff, theres hollywood, beverly hills, venice, and santa monica. i highly recommend renting a car for all of this, especially for someone not very familiar with the city. all those places are very walkable, its just not easy to get between the locations (save santa monica and venice, which are neighboring communities). Busses are an option and a great way to see parts of the city you otherwise wouldnt see, but theyre busses and you have know what times they run and youre most likely going to have to tranfer lines, which can get confusing if youve never used the system before.

[MattMKL]

I actually have a car, I live about 25 miles east of LA. I'm just asking because I have no idea how to play tour guide. I've never done any of that touristy type stuff.

[Fern~Fern*]

Why don't you guys camp out for the Rose Parade in Pasadena. Then take a drive up Pacific Coast Hwy and enjoy the breath taking scenary (Romantic). Stop and grab a bite in Malibu then make a right turn up to Malibu Canyon road to the 101. It's a great drive and adventures, you might feel your not in the city. Take your girl bar/club hoping on the Sunset Strip. You guys will have a blast, guarantee..... Well hope this helps out!!!!

[Elsongs]

I feel really shitty that despite being from California I really know very little about LA. I was shipped out to the east coast for college when I was 17, so I never really had a chance to learn/live the city of LA. Pretty much the only thing I know about LA is where the clubs are at, but that's obviously only a tiny bit of what LA has to offer. Seeing how all my friends went to school in LA, I've been tryign to make up for it during breaks and such.

My girlfriend is going to be visiting LA over New Years. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions of places I should take her? Stuff that would be conducive to walking around and seeing things. I've never really done the touristy stuff in LA.

Not meant as an insult but most people who are native to the SoCal suburbs know very little about Los Angeles proper. They definitely know and are familiar with its mass media (LA Times, TV stations, radio stations), sports teams (I'm sure you've gone to a Dodger or Laker game at least once) and regional culture, but hardly anything about the city itself. In fact, their parents most likely moved there to *avoid* the city.

Actually the third largest demographic of gentros in Los Angeles, aside from tranplants from the East Coast and SF, are people who were raised in the local suburbs, so that's at least a sign that a good number of them are more curious about the city.

[Elsongs]

Yeah I plan on checking it all out when I get come back to LA in a few weeks. Just was just horribly lacking in information and I appreciate you guys helping me out.

Let's have our meet as a "welcome home" party for Matt :)

[LA-dude]

^^.....totally agree....i live in Downey and spend much of my time in the OC and when i mentioned to my friends i wanted to move to downtown LA after college....they were like "Why do you want to live with the homeless".......if they were to go into LA city many would be acting just like a tourist would from across the world.........except for sports or music venues most of the "suburbanites" are clueless when it comes to LA city...when my relatives came over from NYC a couple of years ago....many of the places we were taking them to in LA....were places we had never been before ourselves:|...despite living so close

[ChrisLA]

^^.....totally agree....i live in Downey and spend much of my time in the OC and when i mentioned to my friends i wanted to move to downtown LA after college....they were like "Why do you want to live with the homeless".......if they were to go into LA city many would be acting just like a tourist would from across the world.........except for sports or music venues most of the "suburbanites" are clueless when it comes to LA city...when my relatives came over from NYC a couple of years ago....many of the places we were taking them to in LA....were places we had never been before ourselves:|...despite living so close


Its like that with suburbanites in NYC, and Chicago too. A friend of who lives in the burbs of New York know very little about the city. In fact when I visit NY, I have to tell him how to get around the city. I was in NYC a in late October and he told me that was only the 2nd time this year he had come into the city. Also I remember once he and his cousin drove me back into the city from Long Island. The were acting more like a tourist than myself. Both had cameras, it was hilarious.

Now I've also had the same thing happen with friends here in the LA area. One friend who grew up Long Beach had never been downtown. Another had only been as far at the Fashion District. Anyway I set up a trip to theater at the Music Center. As we drove downtown through the Financial District to have dinner first. They were acting like tourist staring into the sky fascinated by how tall the buildings are. It was all sort of strange to hear about locals who never been to downtown LA and has very little knowledge even about the city. For me because I grew up in the city of LA, and it was less than 10 miles from my home so we visited the area a lot. In fact I was downtown everyday of the week as a teenager in high school. I had to transfer buses there to get to a school I choose to go to out of neighborhood.

[klamedia]

Not meant as an insult but most people who are native to the SoCal suburbs know very little about Los Angeles proper. They definitely know and are familiar with its mass media (LA Times, TV stations, radio stations), sports teams (I'm sure you've gone to a Dodger or Laker game at least once) and regional culture, but hardly anything about the city itself. In fact, their parents most likely moved there to *avoid* the city.

Actually the third largest demographic of gentros in Los Angeles, aside from tranplants from the East Coast and SF, are people who were raised in the local suburbs, so that's at least a sign that a good number of them are more curious about the city.


"El" where are those #'s? I would love to see by comparison how many East Coasters move to the LA area as opposed to Angelenos moving to the East Coast.

[Fern~Fern*]

Its like that with suburbanites in NYC, and Chicago too. A friend of who lives in the burbs of New York know very little about the city. In fact when I visit NY, I have to tell him how to get around the city. I was in NYC a in late October and he told me that was only the 2nd time this year he had come into the city. Also I remember once he and his cousin drove me back into the city from Long Island. The were acting more like a tourist than myself. Both had cameras, it was hilarious.

Now I've also had the same thing happen with friends here in the LA area. One friend who grew up Long Beach had never been downtown. Another had only been as far at the Fashion District. Anyway I set up a trip to theater at the Music Center. As we drove downtown through the Financial District to have dinner first. They were acting like tourist staring into the sky fascinated by how tall the buildings are. It was all sort of strange to hear about locals who never been to downtown LA and has very little knowledge even about the city. For me because I grew up in the city of LA, and it was less than 10 miles from my home so we visited the area a lot. In fact I was downtown everyday of the week as a teenager in high school. I had to transfer buses there to get to a school I choose to go to out of neighborhood.



^^ Funny you mentioned not knowing your own city. I still get confused when peeps say let's go to the Wholesale District vs Back side of Downtown. Where the Flower DIstrict and parts of Alameda to buy fresh fish and fruits.

[Elsongs]

"El" where are those #'s? I would love to see by comparison how many East Coasters move to the LA area as opposed to Angelenos moving to the East Coast.

I don't have the numbers but from my knowledge, most Angelenos stay in Southern CA and if they do move, it's primarily to nearby western states -- Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Oregon or Northern CA. Most people who move to Las Vegas are former Southern Californians. The few who do move to the East Coast move there because they went to college there and developed ties that made them stay there (i.e. got married out there). At my 10-year high school reunion, less than 15% moved out of state. Many did move to the suburbs though.

When I visit NY I don't even have to say a word and I stick out -- I don't have many articles of clothing that are colored black -- it seems everyone in NYC wears black (or other dark colors!)

[Fern~Fern*]

When I visit NY I don't even have to say a word and I stick out -- I don't have many articles of clothing that are colored black -- it seems everyone in NYC wears black (or other dark colors!)


^ You might want to stay away from pastel colored clothing and you'll be alright...:pet:

[Elsongs]

^ You might want to stay away from pastel colored clothing and you'll be alright...:pet:

Even when I wear black in NYC, it's not as dark as the black the NYers wear!

[Fern~Fern*]

[QUOTE=Elsongs;10824117]Even when I wear black in NYC, it's not as dark as the black the NYers wear![/QUOTE

^ Then I don't know what to to tell ya!

[svs]

"El" where are those #'s? I would love to see by comparison how many East Coasters move to the LA area as opposed to Angelenos moving to the East Coast.

I can't give you numbers, but in my rather large extended family which basically originates from Chicago, almost everyone who came out here for training or school has managed to stay here, although I have at least one cousin who ended up in Portland. No one who went to Illinois for school or training stayed there. The largest part of my family is now in LA.

Interestingly my relatives that went to the SF Bay area for training mostly moved back to Chicago.

[svs]

^^ Funny you mentioned not knowing your own city. I still get confused when peeps say let's go to the Wholesale District vs Back side of Downtown. Where the Flower DIstrict and parts of Alameda to buy fresh fish and fruits.

Very few people know the whole metro area. Traffic is just too annoying to spend a lot of time cruising. Maybe some of the forum members who are good with cameras could post tours of their local communities.

[Fern~Fern*]

Very few people know the whole metro area. Traffic is just too annoying to spend a lot of time cruising. Maybe some of the forum members who are good with cameras could post tours of their local communities.


That seems like an excellent idea.....:banana:

[Elsongs]

Very few people know the whole metro area. Traffic is just too annoying to spend a lot of time cruising. Maybe some of the forum members who are good with cameras could post tours of their local communities.

I didn't start driving until I was 20. Until then I took the bus and train (all we had was the Blue Line back then) all over the city. I'd even go far as Brea in OC on the old RTD. So I knew my streets. I was also well-acquainted with DTLA because for the first 2 years of college I attended Cal State LA, which required a bus transfer where the Gehry Grand Avenue development is now planned. I also read the Downtown News a lot.

When I finally did learn how to drive, I'd cruise around town to practice my driving. There's barely any places left in the Los Angeles region where I've never been. The only places that come to mind are the Santa Monica Mountains/Topanga area north of Malibu and Redlands out in the IE.

[godblessbotox]

ooow. you may have missed out on some of the best drivers roads la has to offer!

hell ive crused those hills in my elantra!