The Battle of the Coasts: New York City vs Los Angeles

Torn between the Big Apple and the City of Angels? The cost of living isn’t the only thing you have to consider. Both cities have an array of benefits to offer their residents, but there are also drawbacks you must consider.

If you are obsessed with fashion and can thrive in an area that never seems to slow down, New York City might be the place for you. But if you prefer a steady climate year round or dream of hanging out with your favorite celebrities, Los Angeles might be worth a shot (although the latter may never actually happen).

The Case for New York City

Scrumptious Cuisine

Both cities have a host of tasty restaurants to choose from, but what’s there not to love aboutNew York Style pizza? It’s certainly possible to find a reputable pizza parlor in Los Angeles, but its specialty happens to be Mexican food and chances are, its oversized pies can’t compare with what you’ll get in the Big Apple.

Public Transportation

If you choose to take the subway or put your two feet to work, you can say goodbye to the rush hour traffic and actually get to work or any other important activity on time. Not to mention get home in a flash after a night of partying without having to worry about traffic delays in the middle of the night. Your wallet will thank you too, since you’re not forced to shell out a hefty sum of cash each month on gasoline.

The Case for Los Angeles

Driving

Tired of being forced to wait at a red light to make a right turn, even if absolutely no cars are driving by? Well, it’s mandatory if you reside in New York City, unless you want to be slapped with a traffic citation. (In fact, NYC is the only city in the United States where you can’t make a right turn on red after coming to a complete stop, unless a street sign indicates otherwise). Public transportation isn’t as accessible in LA, so if you’re looking to live here, make sure you have your driver’s license. It’s nice to be independent with your own car.

Sunshine

Snowstorm, anyone? Not when you live in sunny LA. Residents can bask in the sun practically every single day of the year. This means more time at the beach for surfing or relaxation. It means outside lunches and daily strolls in the park without having to worry about bundling up. Check out this extensive list of outdoor activities to discover Los Angeles.

Time Zone

Do you conduct business with companies on the East coast? While the New Yorkers are up hammering away at their to-do lists, those in sunny Los Angeles are more than likely nestled in bed. And even if they’re awake, no one on the East coast expects them to actually respond to emails until 11ish when the West Cost workday officially starts, which leaves more time to sort things out prior to diving in head first. Best of all, those in Los Angeles can cruise through the latter hours of the workday once the New Yorkers have called it quits and the incoming correspondence comes to a screeching halt.