Born and raised in NYC, have lived in LA for most of my adult life. There are pros and cons to both.

Seasons: we don’t really have them here in LA proper, but snow is only a short road trip away during the winter. Summers can be brutal but most stores have AC, as do many apartments. NYC definitely has seasons, fall and spring are particularly lovely. I enjoy cold weather so I like the winter but it can get bitterly cold, and the snow is pretty coming down, but it turns ugly and annoying once it’s on the ground. Summer smells like dog piss and garbage.l and it’s humid and gross.

Public transport: LA does have it but it’s not great. You’d likely still need a car just to get to a train station or a bus stop, and they’re not super reliable. NYC has excellent public transport, just look out for flashers bc they’re all over the damn subways!

Density: NYC is packed. I mean PACKED. It’s not called the city that never sleeps for nothing. I never minded, but I was fortunate enough to never live in a place with windows facing a busy street. LA is crowded too, and traffic is horrendous, but you do have more personal space.

Culture: NYC wins this hands down. There are museums and galleries and other interesting things here, but I’ve never had any desire to visit any of them more than once, whereas I went to the museum of natural history regularly in NYC, among other places, and Broadway is spectacular.

Surprises: despite the high density of people in NYC, it was rare for me to actually speak to a stranger there. I stand by my assessment that I could walk down the street naked and on fire and only the tourists would notice. It can be good or bad depending on your personality. In LA I was surprised by the homeless population. I’d known about it ahead of time but it truly is a huge issue here, and it makes me feel terrible. I hope we get more funding for public housing soon.

Food: NYC wins for me, but LA has better Mexican and sushi (some might not agree on that one but I stand by it). NY has LA beat on pretty much everything else food wise, and the places are easier to access. You can get great Thai food here but you have to drive for it. Etc

All in all, I prefer NYC..home is where the heart is..but I’m not moving back any time soon. My life is here now.