People who come to Los Angeles with starry-eyed stereotypes in mind won't be disappointed. However, although Los Angeles certainly caters well to the rich and famous with sprawling mansions and power lunches, those new to LA will also find the city more down-to-earth than expected. New transplants to LA may be surprised to discover the many Los Angeles neighborhoods retaining a small-town feel in the shadow of skyscrapers, tightly knit ethnic communities, a thriving arts community and an unmatchable energetic vibe.
Everyone knows that Los Angeles is the center of the entertainment industries, but it is also a hub for banking, commerce, education, medicine, science and the arts. Although itís a relatively young city, Los Angeles preserves its past. Residents can catch a Broadway show at the elegant old Pantages Theater, and when it comes to movies, they have the choice between stadium seats in a multiplex or an old-style movie palace with one huge screen, balconies, and colored lights playing on a velvet curtain before the show.
Los Angeles offers all the attractions of a major city, but always with a SoCal twist. Lovers of the orchestra, for instance, can take a portable feast and listen outdoors at the Hollywood Bowl. There are typical big-city family activities such as the Zoo, but thereís also the Universal Studio tour and easy access to Disneyland. The old Farmerís Market in the Fairfax district is no simple collection of farm stands. Itís a maze that offers an amazing range of products, from fruits to meats to souvenirs to ethnic restaurants, and abuts the Grove, a sparkling collection of upscale shops and bistros that complement the funky Market atmosphere.
Real estate in Los Angeles is pricey, as it is in most of California. Offerings include multi-million-dollar mansions, cottages by the sea, glamorous high-rise condos, small Spanish-style detached houses and suburban duplexes. In the Valley, garden apartment complexes with a pool are everywhere, and available for reasonable rents. In West LA and Larchmont, there are many young families, while the Fairfax district attracts a more seasoned resident. House-hunters can find homes to match their personalities, whether they are seeking a poolside pad with sleek, modern amenities or a sprawling estate reminiscent of 1940s MGM glamour, complete with a sparkling view that seems to go on forever.
