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Drew McWeeny
@drewmcweeny.com

LA is a hard city to live in. No doubt about it. I've been here since 1990, with about ten months off one time when I was working in NY. That's a lot of months of making rent, dealing with the particular demands of the city, and learning about the people I share the city with.

54 reposts326 likes

Matthew Triponey
@matthewtriponey.bsky.social

I visited LA for the first time last spring and was struck by how friendly everyone was. People just casually saying "good morning" as you passed them on the sidewalk. Don't think I had one negative encounter with another person the entire week I was there. Never been in another city like that.

Drew McWeeny
@drewmcweeny.com

And here's what I've learned in 35 years. LA's strength is its massive diversity. I have lived all over the city at different times, and the neighborhood I've been in for the last decade is the most diverse of all of them, and easily the best neighborhood I've found.

Drew McWeeny
@drewmcweeny.com

It is a largely pedestrian area tucked away right in the middle of Hollywood. Young families, old couples, every color and creed. We have a large Orthodox Jewish population, a large Indian population. Black, white, lots of Latino. And people talk to each other. We've made all kinds of friends here.

Drew McWeeny
@drewmcweeny.com

The city I see the media talk about doesn't exist. The city the right wing wants you to fear doesn't exist. LA is so big that it would be impossible to describe it as one thing and get it right. I've been here for the Rodney King verdict riots. I was here for the Northridge quake. I've seen a lot.

Drew McWeeny
@drewmcweeny.com

There are different cities here for the very rich and the very poor, definitely. LA has a lot of problems. The Olympics and the World Cup could well break us. But I have a hard time giving up on this place after thirty years because so much of what I've experienced here has been wonderful.

Jason Regan
@jasonregan.bsky.social

Sounds like London the way you’re describing it. Can be incredibly tough to live in at times for many reasons but when you hear right wingers say there are no-go areas, they’re talking utter nonsense. London’s diversity is absolutely successful and one of the best things about it.

Used Robot Salesman
@urs-annex.bsky.social

Too many things in the thread to comment on, but this one had the line "...it would be impossible to describe it as one thing and get it right." That almost perfectly nails it. It's a kaleidoscope of a city in a way that doesn't make sense. Then one day, it kinda' just does. ❤️

Gwionbach
@gwionbach.bsky.social

Grew up in LA and don't find it tough in any way.. It's a vibrant melting pot, full of culture, heritage and diversity. It is everything MAGA fears. A wondrous place where those aspects of life intermingle and thrive. It is why trump and Miller, who grew up here, want to kill it..