What Is Life Like as a Climber in LA?

YES.  Live close to work.  DO NOT get into a commuter situation.  Your life will be hell.   LA is great when you don't need to commute.  Suggest you post again something like: We will be working in ___.  What are the best places to live near____.   Getting a survey of the locals is wize.

I live on the north edge of town with spectacular mountain views and quick access to both work an mountains.  No required freeway driving for me.  However, parts of my neighborhood are overrun with homeless and it is pretty much the white-trash district.  

Public transportation in LA is poor quality and slow.  Unles you live and or work near the new subway/train depots.  Some neighborhoods are a parking nightmare such as areas of Hollywood where housing density did not include sufficient car parking.  Doing a survey of that before you move in, wherever you go, is wise.

The biggest reason to live in LA is the food.  We have the best food in the world.  If you like variety, we have everything.   After that, weather, beach, climbing opportunities.

Mikey Wally wrote: LA does not have the best food in the world and the service suuuuuuuuuucks ass. Maybe if you're super rich the food in LA is good but even then, nah. Great food in LA, but saying LA has the best food in the world is a little much.

You must looking in the wrong places my friend. The great food is where the super rich people aren't.

Mikey Wally wrote: LA does not have the best food in the world and the service suuuuuuuuuucks ass. Maybe if you're super rich the food in LA is good but even then, nah. Great food in LA, but saying LA has the best food in the world is a little much.

I suppose THE best is debateable,  but you’d be hard pressed to find such a broad range of high quality cuisines, really in any other city. I believe it’s safe to say that the Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Armenian, Persian is as good as any place on the globe.  Then you get the great fusion of some of these cuisines.  Watch “City of Gold” and you’ll be very psyched on the LA food scene and its people.  

Spider Savage wrote: YES.  Live close to work.  DO NOT get into a commuter situation.  Your life will be hell.   LA is great when you don't need to commute.  Suggest you post again something like: We will be working in ___.  What are the best places to live near____.   Getting a survey of the locals is wize.

That's why it would be helpful to know what they can afford for housing.  Advising someone where to live without knowing their budget is shooting in the dark. Looking for a home or an apartment?

The amount of money one has can make a big difference in quality of life in SoCal.

Mikey Wally wrote:

is good sushi accessible for low prices?

What do you define as "low prices?" It's sushi after all. 

Lots of good advice here on where to live. Being a climber in LA is pretty good. I live in west LA and I can get to Jtree in 2.5 hrs, Bishop in 4 hrs, Yosemite in 6 hrs, Black/Idy in 2.5, Tram in 2. But it took some time to learn the traffic patterns to make those times achievable.

Oh, and there is some pretty good bouldering in LA county. A guidebook just came out last year that covers the more established areas. Tunnels and Purple Stones have some v-double-digit climbs that aren't on MP.

This is less than an hour from my door:

A Day at The Tunnels from Spencer Josif on Vimeo.

Mikey Wally wrote: 
can we turn this in to the LA food recommendation thread? i'm looking for persian restraunts myself.

The highest concentration of Persian places will be in Westwood, but I think the gems are in the Valley. Dizin in Reseda is good. Skaf's (which is Lebanese) in North Hollywood is excellent. If you're looking for a more fine-dining take on Persian flavors and ingredients, Kismet in Los Feliz is worth a visit.

Other favorites:
Thai - Luv2Eat, Sapp Coffee Shop (both in hollywood)
Tacos - the sidewalk stand at Venice & Centinela, Sonoratown (DTLA)

kmyee wrote:
Tacos - the sidewalk stand at Venice & Centinela, Sonoratown (DTLA)

You mean the big one in front of Mitsua (on Centinela) or the other one down by the auto parts place near Starbucks on Venice?

kmyee wrote: Lots of good advice here on where to live. Being a climber in LA is pretty good. I live in west LA and I can get to Jtree in 2.5 hrs, Bishop in 4 hrs, Yosemite in 6 hrs, Black/Idy in 2.5, Tram in 2. But it took some time to learn the traffic patterns to make those times achievable.

Oh, and there is some pretty good bouldering in LA county. A guidebook just came out last year that covers the more established areas. Tunnels and Purple Stones have some v-double-digit climbs that aren't on MP.

This is less than an hour from my door:

A Day at The Tunnels from Spencer Josif on Vimeo.

Great video! What's the crowd like at the Tunnels on the weekend? Does it get packed?

AKSClimbs wrote:

Great video! What's the crowd like at the Tunnels on the weekend? Does it get packed?

Glad you liked it! It's not a very popular spot as most of the easier climbs have bad landings. I rarely see other groups when I go. There are a core group of locals that frequent the area but its never crowded.

Here's another video that gives a better feel of the overall area:

The Tunnels from Joshua Brandon Roth on Vimeo.

AKSClimbs wrote:

Great video! What's the crowd like at the Tunnels on the weekend? Does it get packed?

No not at all. None of the spots I know of are really crowded. And the people are friendly to boot! Those well honed kids even give good spotting to this old man! 

And the real beauty of LA are the micro climates- Tunnels can be 60 on a hot summer day when it’s 103 just 10 miles away. 

Señor Arroz wrote:

You mean the big one in front of Mitsua (on Centinela) or the other one down by the auto parts place near Starbucks on Venice?

Yeah, the one that sets up in front of Mitsuwa in the evenings. I haven't been to the other one you mentioned! I'll get on that soon. While we're at it, the one on Lincoln in front of the Ralphs is good too.

Also here's some more LA bouldering videos from my friends:

Purple Stones Bouldering from scientia on Vimeo.

LA County Bouldering from scientia on Vimeo.

And one of the most classic boulders in LA (A John Long FA):

Muscle Beach from scientia on Vimeo.

Here are a few shots of the other Tunnels climbing area.

Working on the 3rd pitch of a new 5.12.  It’s steep.  

Can you tele-commute? This is the future. My wife's offices are in downtown L.A. and we live in Monrovia (east of Pasadena.) When she has to be physically present it's at least an hour each way, but more and more she works from home. It's a good balance, and we're strategically positioned for quick escapes from the city.

Kristian Solem wrote: Can you tele-commute? This is the future. My wife's offices are in downtown L.A. and we live in Monrovia (east of Pasadena.) When she has to be physically present it's at least an hour each way, but more and more she works from home. It's a good balance, and we're strategically positioned for quick escapes from the city.

My wife will probably be able to remotely sometimes during the week. As for me, it is unclear yet. At least for the first year or so, it will be like 50/50.

Hey everyone! Thank you for all your feedback! I truly appreciate all of your time and energy. You all have provided the most help thus far from all the channels we have reached out to.

LA is sounding more and more appealing with each additional post. Our other options are in Michigan and Iowa (not climbing destinations, but solid outdoor activities and ease of getting to outdoors), so we're balancing the pros and cons of each location.

Side questions - What's the mountain biking like in and near LA? How are the slopes in the winter nearest to LA?

If any of you stop in Dubai between now and May, hit me up! We have a decent growing bouldering scene.

Thank you all once again!

The mountain biking near LA is fantastic, San gabriels and San Bernardinos have a bunch. There is essentially none in LA. Similar story to climbing in that living NE puts you closest.

For snowboarding, big bear and the others are ok at best but pretty close. Mammoth is good and 6 hours away. 

most do the long drive up to Mammoth, for better snow and bigger runs.  massive wknd crowds tho, of course. UCLA might already have organized trips, or via the wife's workplace.  not so much for others to hit slopes with, but to take advantage of group transport and lodging

Big Bear not as good but closer for times when you just want a daytrip snow fix.  there's smaller Mtn High too, but most go once to check out and rarely again

btw, UCLA does have a its own bike shop and bouldering wall.  no obvious link for snow stuff, surprising, or maybe they do but is well hidden

LOTS of quality biking all over the city.  On the westside there’s the Santa Monicas.  Climbs up to about 1,500’ with lots of loops popular to make for much longer rides, all with ocean views.

On the other side of town near Pasadena/La Canada you have the San Gabriels, which are a big range and over big climbs with 4,500’ of climbing.  Some epics rides there and usually not very crowded either.  

Further you have the San Bernadinos, the McGill Trail near Mt. Pinos.  Lots of good riding near the Needles too,  where you can ride your bike through the middle of a giant sequoia. I can post a pic of that but I’ll have to dig.

The Santa Monica Mountains have good mountain biking.
Mammoth is worth the drive. If you can get there in the middle of the week it's great. June mountain is only 20 minutes from there.

You will never have to deal with real cold.

If you listen to audiobooks the drive times don't matter as much.
If you drive for a living L.A. can be a great place. I know that sounds crazy, but it's not.
Different great food every day. Great music everywhere.

It can totally suck if you let it get to you & you don't take advantage of the things SoCal has to offer.