< sorry for my vagueness-
i don't take taxi's here in la- done that once or twice- was referencing the nyc mode>

ah. thanks for clearing that up. usually, i take the train when i'm in nyc--unless i need to get somewhere quick.

<will take your advice on the backstreets.....even though when i am the DD i tend not to over indulge >

nice to know you're responsible. :) the other advantage of backstreets is you don't deal with as many f'ed up drivers (there's fewer cars) so you're less likely to get in an accident w/someone who WASN'T responsible about their drinking.

<the whole meeting people thang is different here...maybe i just don't get out enough, my first year and a half here i was with an athelete boyfriend who lived an athelete's lifestyle-in bed by 9:30 and up by 6.....which kept me pretty isolated -my fault >

ok, so you're just talking about people to hang with. actually, if you'd been in a place like venice, there's more of a day culture there--lots of cafes and places to hang w/the locals. l.a. can be so situational in terms of where you are/go.

<but i would like to comment on throwing parties here as opposed to nyc
it's much easier to rally a huge crowd there by calling out the short address of say, 48 carmine street by bleeker....everybody knows and can subway it there>

everyone knows the cross-streets, you remember the number so you know which door to knock on. one of the things that threw me about addies in manhattan is that the number doesn't give you ANY idea of where it is.

<here i've put together some parties, but had addresses with at least 4 or 5 numbers, directions to deal with, parking etc......more obstacles to make the party super fly>

the addresses are longer, but they give you an indication of where something is. ex: 800 s. la brea is at 8th st. south of beverly (wilshire subs for 7th so it's a block south of wilshire.) 1650 n. schrader is just south of hollywood bl.--1750 n. schrader would be a block up on the other side of hollywood bl.

directions? haven't these people heard of MAPQUEST?? and for the web-challenged, there's always the thomas guide. they should really give those out at the airport... :)

parking is a hassle--no argument there.

<well lets just say as a new yorker, social life here is more of a challenge, but not horrible-i'm just learning the ropes>

just a completely different culture. you'll get it, though--the good folk do. :)

<what has you wanting to leave so cal?>

needing a change after 37 years. i love driving, i hate HAVING to drive. i'm tired of feeling like i'm bucking against the flow by being nocturnal, but NOT a druggie. i want to experience more of the world, and the people in it. i'm tired of being in a place that seems so far away from every other place (except oc and sd, but don't get me started on THOSE places...)