Tale of Two Cities

The Big Apple or The City of Angels? The City So Nice, They Named It Twice or La-La Land? The City of Sunshine or The City That Never Sleeps? New York and Los Angeles are two of the most infamous cities in the world, the only problem is, their placement on opposite coasts makes it impossible to enjoy them at the same time. So, which is better? What are there differences? Which would you like better? WadidoLA explores.



Real estate in both LA and NY is among the most expensive in the country, and for good reason. Everyone wants to live in these cities because they're awesome, and because they're so densely populated, housing options are small, cramped together, and in high competition. The real difference, is that in LA, you have the option to live in an apartment or condo complex, or in a small, cute house on a street lined with hundreds of other houses that look just like yours. In New York, your options aren't quite as numerous. You live in an apartment. No question about it. The only decisions left to make are how big of an apartment complex, and whether you want to be on the fourth or the fortieth floor.


Another vital aspect of life: transportation. In New York, everybody walks or takes the subway. New York's grid of streets and fairly small area makes walking and public transportation super easy, quick, and convenient. Having a car in New York is suicide. With all the one way streets, crazed taxi drivers, and literally no parking, the annoyances of having a car quickly override the benefits. In LA, however, everyone has a car. The public transportation in LA is unreliable, slow, and sketchy at best. The sprawling spread of the city makes it impossible to walk anywhere. So, everyone hops into their cars for a drive, although often enough, you'll do more sitting in traffic than actual driving.

Now, perhaps the starkest difference is the weather. New York is on the East Coast, so it has seasons. Fall is cool and crisp with an average of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, spring is breezy and sunny with an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, summer is hot and muggy with an average of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter is bitingly cold and snowy, with an average of 25 degrees Fahrenheit. You get it all in New York, and you have to be prepared for everything. You must own sandals and snow boots, a swimsuit and a down parka, sunglasses and a fur-lined hat. LA, on the other hand, is a city of mild weather. It gets steamy in the summer, but it's almost never humid, and there's always a nice breeze when you're close enough to the ocean. Winters can be a bit rainy and chilly, but you never need more than a pair of jeans, boots, and a sweatshirt. LA weather is definitely lower maintenance, but NY has the variety if that's what you're seeking.


Both are fashion capitals of the world, but the typical style in both cities is very different. In New York, style is much crisper, cleaner, and business friendly. Think blazers, tailored skirts, high-end leather accessories, sleek lines, and styled hair. It's very business-ready. Los Angeles is a lot more casual, whimsical, and grungy. Black bandage skirts, chunky boots, statement jewelry, messed hair, and slouchy, unmatched layers rule in LA. In New York you're going to see Michael Kors and in LA you're going to see Alexander Wang.


New York and LA are typically the only cities where celebrities permanently reside. More often than not, they have homes in both cities that they jet-set in between. However, the reasons they reside in each city are very different. Celebrities live in New York to blend in. They walk out onto the street looking casual, tired, and pretty much like any other New Yorker. In LA, however, they're looking to be photographed. It's paparazzi central, so they're expecting that every move is going to be documented. So, they go out looking their best, to the most popular spots, like Rodeo Drive and The Ivy.


In New York, the shopping is everywhere. Walking down any street, you'll find boutiques, brand name stores, grocery stores, and a pharmacy. Certain parts of the city, like Soho, 5th Avenue, and Madison Avenue are best-known for their shopping and designer boutiques, but no matter what, you're shopping on the street, and not in a mall. In Los Angeles, however, the shopping is much more spread out. Chain grocery stores like Ralph's and Vons rule, and you need to drive to find a CVS. If you're looking to do some actual shopping, outdoor plazas like 3rd Street Promenade and The Grove are the place to go, or indoor malls like the Beverly Center. Some streets, like Rodeo Drive and Melrose, are popular, but not generally.

Next comes nightlife. The best nightlife in Los Angeles exists in Hollywood. From posh eateries like STK, to the best night clubs like Hyde Lounge, Hollywood is the spot to be. New York, however, is much more diverse. Whether you're in Soho, downtown, midtown, the west side, or uptown, you can find something. Intimate, hidden restaurants are typically where you'll find the best meals, and whether you're going to a bar or to see a show afterwards, you'll have a good time.

LA is the land of electronica. Dubstep and house have taken over here. Raves are numerous, and DeadMau5 and Skrillex shows are sold out. New York has slowly been adapting to the dubstep craze of the west coast, but back east, music festivals and little-known indie and reggae bands still rule.

Riley Stauffer (@riley__cyrus)