2 out of 3 ain't bad! there is nothing special about the "Hollywood area" Hollywood is a dingy neighborhood underneath the Hollywood sign, infested by transvestite prostitutes, homeless people, and drug addcits. there really is no glitz or glamour at all. the stretch of tourists traps along Hollywood Blvd. looks like Manhattan pre 90's when it was just a miserable place to be.
The interesting thing about my work is that I can live in any city in the world if I chose to. I could do rotations in Africa. One month on and one month off. The uplift would take care of increased cost of living compared to Houston. I have tons of family here so it's hard to do it.
For big cities it's difficult to decide between Chicago, San Diego, Boston or DC. They all have something different to offer. I have a feeling I would like Portland, OR and Seattle as well, but haven't been yet. As for mid-sized cities, I'm a big fan of New England (in the summer). Cities like Burlington, Vermont and Portland, Maine are nice and quaint and near the prettiest natural scenery on the east coast.
And the view you have of Hollywood is the old 1980s view. Hollywood isn't like that anymore. What you are talking about takes place only on Hollywood Blvd, and the prostitutes aren't even there, just the drug addicts and homeless enjoying the perfect weather. Get off Hollywood Blvd and go north or south and that entire area has been gentrifying for a while, especially north of the boulevard. Hollywood and Vine and Hollywood and Highland are happening places.
wrong. those are tourist traps, lol. sounds like you visited a couple times but have never lived in greater Los Angeles. I have worked in the Hollywood neighborhood in a non industry job for the last 8 years. I lived on a busy street between Hollywood and Franklin from 09 to 2011. you couldn't be more inaccurate about the prostitutes. ask any local here, that place is a crap hole as far as living goes.
I know locals there and outside of Hollywood blvd, that entire Hollywood area has been gentrifying. It's gone from Echo Park-Silver Lake on west to Hollywood. Even Koreatown south of there has been gentrifying a lot recently. Westlake is next, but we will see on that. The turn around in Los Feliz and West Hollywood has squeezed into Hollywood from both sides. The bad crap is in the Valley now.
moderately cool temps some warm water to swim in enough rain to keep it green non-stifling humidity low crime, no war Wellington N.Z. ?
Vancouver and Tokyo are two of my favorite world cities. They offer a lot of those outdoor things you like (within 30 minutes-2 hours), except for easy access to the desert.
Seattle Amsterdam In truth, I would like somewhere with a bit more full year sun and warm beach waters.... but I find those places to be way too crowded for my liking. Also, the "if you could live in" question is a little vague. If I was a billionaire and cost of living wasn't an issue, and far-awayness wasn't an issue. Then sure, Hawaii, or New Zealand.... or other places. I have not been to Asheville. While I expect I'd love it, is there much of a bible belt influence there?
