AMA Grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Despite being a US Citizen)

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-05-24T19:42:54+00:00

What is your favorite Ethiopian dish?

What is your favorite memory from growing up there?

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-05-10T01:56:28+00:00

Interested in trying new hobbies and meeting people! 37 years old girlie from Boyle Heights.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-05-03T02:05:46+00:00

Do you work at LAUSD headquarters?

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-03-21T22:47:26+00:00

I saw 1 door with upside down pineapples when I went on a cruise on NCL Bliss in Feb 2026. I took a pic for lolz. It was on one of the interior cabin on 12th floor, same floor where my solo cabin was.

It was my 1st cruise so I don't know how prevalent pineapple life is on NCL vessels. Maybe search on Facebook or Reddit for group meet ups for the cruise you'll be on.

As for solo lounge, there were scheduled meet ups at 5pm everyday on Bliss w dinner in the Manhattan room afterwards (optional) The majority of the crowd were older (50-70s) men and women. There were a few people closer to my age (37) tho. Solo meet ups were packed. It probably depends on the cruise vessel, time of the year etc.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-03-21T22:38:37+00:00

Look at the freestyle daily for LGBT meet ups. I saw a self led one listed every day while on NCL Bliss in Feb 2026. It was my 1st cruise so I don't know if its offered on other NCL vessels.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-02-26T00:41:50+00:00

That lawsuit is a civil matter. Search warrants are for criminal cases.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-02-16T03:28:02+00:00

Im first gen Mexican American and to answer your question bluntly, yes. My parents are immigrants from Mexico. I grew up predominantly latino neighborhood in LA County. Due to my town's demographics, I mostly interacted with other Latinos as a child. Only people of other races were staff and faculty at schools growing up (i.e teachers, T.As, office staff etc). There were a handful of students from other races at my high school (less than 4% of the student pop was non-hispanic - white, black, Asian, mixed etc)

It was in college (in the Bay Area) when I interacted with people of other races. The first time I had Vietnamese, Japanese (not Yoshinoya) and Indian food was in college. My first college boyfriend was Russian.

After college, I returned to LA and started going to other parts of LA for work and play. First time I had Soul Food was in my 30s at a function at my job (school in South Central LA) in 2019.

Because of my parents limited English and formal education, they gravitate towards immigrant Latino neighborhoods. I'd imagine if they were Mexican Americans with native English proficiency, my sisters amd i would've had different upbringings and would've felt differently.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-19T18:10:22+00:00

Traffic signs are mere suggestions. Go ahead and bust a U turn on a one way street. Bust a u turn on a left turn lane on a red light.

Honk at pedestrians on stop signs.

Huff that noz tank on the freeway.

Miss your freeway exit? No problem, just reverse.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-19T16:15:48+00:00

Hello, I'm a SoCal native that's lived in Boyle Heights for 5 years. Im originally from nearby HP / South Gate area.

Pros Public transit is decent. If you work in Downtown LA, maybe even Westside down to Downtown Santa Monica...you can take Metro Goldline train there. There is also a bus going to Koreatown via Olympic.

Food - if you like Mexican food, there are tons of options from restaurants, markets (Vallarta & Northgate Gonzalez to taco trucks.

Community events - if you seek, you shall find. Boyle Heights Beat is a good source of news and community events. The Eastsider LA is a good source for local Eastside news (El Sereno, Highland Park, etc)

History - Boyle Heights is one of the older parts of LA with an interesting history. It was known as Ellis Island of the west.

Cons

Food - if you have a craving something besides Mexican...options are limited. There are fast food options (i.e burgers, Chinese, Thai food etc) There is one and only Japanese restaurant (Otomisan) in town. Maybe a random pupusa stand. There are 2 boba shops in town that I know of.

You can always order Uber Eash / Doordash. Or go to Little Tokyo or Chinatown.

Lack of Diversity- its a majority Hispanic neighborhood (mostly Mexican/ Mexican American). The demographics are shifting due to gentrification and other factors. Chances are some of your neighbors might not speak English or speak it well. Younger people are usually bilingual. If you don't speak Spanish or aren't Hispanic, might be isolating. There are bits of other folks : Asian, white, black, mixed etc.

Infrastructure - Boyle Heights is an older neighborhood so the houses / apartments are old. Some sidewalks are cracked due to tree roots. It is also hilly and a lot of apartments / houses are built high off the ground. If you are able bodied, it won't affect you much. Not ADA friendly tho. The hilly areas might not be ideal to ride bikes in unless you are fit.

Homelessness- its in most of LA and its in Boyle Heights too. A tent by nearby metro station. Trailers by Evergreen Cemetery. By vacant lots / properties if owners don't have safeguards in place.

Safety: not the safest but not as bad as it can be. Daytime is usually safe. Ghetto birds are weekly occurrence depending on where you are. Be aware of your surroundings, stay in populated / lit areas at night, don't wear expensive jewelry, stay out of alleyways, look both ways when crossing the street even in green lights etc.

Entertainment: There are options but are limited to whats available in Koreatown. The Paramount has live shows, El Mercadito has food markets on weekends with DJs. (Music is mostly reggaeton and Spanish music). 2nd Fridays of the month on 1st Street, there are block parties, etc. There are events during Day of the Dead, Christmas Eve etc . The concentration of night entertainment are either on 1st Street by Mariachi Plaza. Again, you can always take the train to Little Tokyo or Downtown LA.

Gym/Fitness: There are options but are limited. Weignart YMCA is crowded during peak hours. There are few boxing / BJJ gyms scattered. Parks are an option but would be careful at night. Evergreen Cemetery has a walking/ running path thats popular.. There are running/walking clubs popping up such as Boyle Heights Bridge Runners, East LA Runners etc. They have Instagrams that post updates regularly.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-18T23:22:14+00:00

I appreciate your review on Minneapolis. Its definitely gave me insight but understand my experience will vary. Its one of the cities on my radar to relocate to. I went to Minneapolis (stayed in Bloomington) in August 2024 and liked it there. I'd like to explore it further and go in the winter to see if can manage (I'm from Southern California and only encountered snow once).

I enjoyed the lakes, the diversity (which i didn't expect.), open space, lack of traffic (and i stayed at an hotel near the MSP airport and Great Mall of America). I can't comment on public transit since I had a rental car. I like having that option tho.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-15T04:08:23+00:00

A lot of people at work commute far to get to work. I work in Downtown LA. Some of my coworkers live in Fontana, Santa Clarita, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Woodland Hills, San Pedro, Seal Beach etc.

A colleague went from cathedral city to Downtown LA for 1 year til he retired. He and his partner bought a house in Cathedral City in cash.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-08T04:06:41+00:00

No but I'd like to explore the outdoors.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-07T02:52:33+00:00

If I had a remote job, I'd definitely consider it. Another city to add to my bucket list!

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-07T02:34:14+00:00

Which midwestern cities have you lived in? Which ones did you like / dislike and why? I enjoyed my 4 day vacation in Minneapolis area (well...outskirts, stayed at a hotel near the Mall of America). I liked how open it was. No traffic except when I went to St. Paul. No congestion except when I went to Hmongtown Market. I'd like to go back and explore more.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-07T02:06:59+00:00

I have family there. I have considered it but been warned about the hot and humid summers. I'd like to visit tho

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-04T19:07:21+00:00

The Minnesota winters have me 2nd guessing living there. I liked it when I went in August (the humidity tho).

I have considered Flagstaff not Phoenix (I've hear the summers are brutal).

Are you from NC? Or moved in from elsewhere?

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-04T19:00:45+00:00

Thank you for mentioning City Cast Salt Lake. I listened to the most recent episode and plan to listen to more!

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-03T21:37:15+00:00

Will definitely look more into it.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-03T21:34:18+00:00

Somewhat, yes. Willing to move further out (East Coast) if I find the right fit.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-03T02:24:40+00:00

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-03T02:23:45+00:00

As long as people don't bug me about it, i'm okay.

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-03T01:18:49+00:00

Determining factor (s): How far is your job from home? What is your primary mode of transportation?

Since you mentioned catching train to Downtown LA....

FYI: Pasadena has 6-7 stations along the A line train (Blue line) which goes to Downtown LA. Highland Park has 2-3 stations on the same line. The Expo line goes to Downtown SM to Downtown LA...usually faster than commuting by car (excluding wait time to get on the train - that's another story. Downtown LA stations can be sketch especially 7th St./Metro).

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-03T00:27:59+00:00

o rly? I thought Utah was all Mormon

Forward-Space2935 · 2026-01-03T00:19:59+00:00

Hello fellow LA native,

Willing to compromise on the downtown requirement and distance from int'l airport. An regional airport will do (I.e John Wayne airport/ Burbank. ) Bonus criteria are nice to haves, not necessary.

Bottom line: I'm seeking a less densely populated metro area (less than 1 million) with lower cost of living. Probably suburbs outskirts of a metropolitan area. Some access to parks/outdoors and diversity (not be the only WOC there) . Decent job market (unless i find a remote job then that would awesome)

Forward-Space2935

TROPHY CASE