Climate is not the only thing that divides these two notable cities. The Los Angeles vs New York City debate has been going on for generations. People often ask which city is better, but the question is not always simple. The difference between these two cities is tremendous and they both provide unique opportunities.
Let’s first touch on some stereotypes often associated with these two notable cities. Everybody associates New York with the saying “the city that never sleeps.” Whether you are in the mood for morning coffee or a late-night snack, New York has you covered at all times of the day. New York is also known for its wide range of cultural foods and attractions. You can enjoy a classic slice of New York pizza, then head to Chinatown in lower Manhattan to get some of the best wonton soup. There is a constant around-the-clock hussle in New York that is hard to find elsewhere. This is what draws people to NYC and it can feel very motivating to be surrounded by people who are constantly on the go.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, LA is known for its constant sunny skies, laid back and relaxed atmosphere. As the entertainment industry’s capital, many people associate LA with being a hotspot for celebrities and influencers. Both Los Angeles and New York are central areas for in-depth culture, art and tourist attractions. They are also both great places to make connections for developing a successful career in the creative industry.
New York and Los Angeles are on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to climate, location and even size. These differences have a huge impact on people when they are deciding where would be the best place to move and start their career.
In New York City, you can successfully live your whole life and never need to own a vehicle. All your necessities and then some are within walking distance from your home. You can also take advantage of the city’s transportation system. This is a huge factor to what makes everything in the city so accessible. NYC has the lowest percentage of vehicle owning households at only 45.6%. On the other hand, not owning a vehicle in Los Angeles would be nearly impossible. People that live in the urban areas of LA are known for being attached to their cars and lose an average of 82 hours a year in traffic congestion. It can take much longer to get from one place to the next in LA, which could be a contributing factor to the leisure lifestyle there.
It’s hard to get a grasp on the differences and similarities of these two notable cities unless you’ve gotten to experience them first hand. Genny Hanna attends Purchase College right outside the city in upstate New York. She has gotten to familiarize herself with the area and learn how people interact with each other and the environment. She has also had the opportunity to visit her sister and influencer, Gabbie Hanna who lives in Los Angeles. Genny was originally drawn to live in New York to pursue a career in music.
“I do more indie and experimental stuff and knew that there was more of an underground scene in New York compared to LA, which is more commercial,” Genny said.
It is really hard to find free activities in either of these cities. From Genny’s experience with LA, there was more of a nature scene that created more opportunities to go out without spending money. For example, Genny did the iconic hike up to the Hollywood sign. However, she also has more opportunities for free events with her sister being an influencer.
“There was a free block party on the fourth of July. It was a big, wide-spread thing with games and music and food. It was a great sense of community that I do not get to experience much of in New York,” Genny said.
One of the most interesting differences between New York and Los Angeles is the opposing style. In LA people are either wearing swimsuits and heading to the beach or sporty attire with sneakers to go into the city. When you think of LA fashion, one of the first things that comes to mind is pops of color and a trendy casual look. On the other side of the spectrum is New York. If you are planning outfits for New York you are almost always going to incorporate blacks and darker tones. Most people in the city are dressed very business-like and chic.
“New York style is harder to pin down, but when you go to Grand Central, nobody is wearing colors.” Genny said.
In both locations, the fashion is very expressive and gives people the chance to dress in what makes them feel the most comfortable and confident.
Los Angeles and New York are both hot spots and central locations for fashion, culture, celebrities and art. Los Angeles and New York City always find themselves in constant comparison with each other. At the end of the day, the question is not which is better, but which is better for you.
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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.
