LA: the positives

• spacious and abundant grocery stores w/terrific local produce
• amazing farmers markets
• beautiful homes
• vegan and vegetarian restaurants everywhere and particularly the fast food spots are great
• the weather is always nice with warm nights (it's always pretty nice and the sunlight does make me feel happier)
• people are friendly and more personal space
• easy access out into nature and lots of trees & greenery in neighborhoods
• great huge flea markets
• malls are fun sometimes
• pick your seats online movie theaters
• beautiful beaches
• nice sunsets
• they're expanding and always working on their metro system
• the UC system
• great value & space for rent
• pace of life southern cal is famous for --laid back

LA: the negatives

• driving culture (traffic, bad drivers) --live where you work to avoid it
• smog (LA's two ports handle 40% of the country's foreign imports which brings the nation's trucks here)
• helicopters
• lacking seasons (though right now, i'm not interested in winter)

NY: the positives

• culture --art, theater, performances
• the mixture of people because of the density & public transportation
• the views (spectacular views in so many places: on the water front, in central park, times square, etc)
• density of neighborhood life (makes for good walks)
• character in architecture and the history
• shopping areas are fun to walk around
• warm summer nights (ugh these are the best)
• not needing to own a car
• subways
• how a day can take you to unexpected places because of easy access to anywhere in the city
• always something new to go explore in the city
• the city's investment in bike lanes (growing) & growth
• lots of independent businesses & restaurants
• all four seasons with beautiful transitions (though winter sucks)

NY: the negatives

• subways can wear down your humanity
• grime, trash and smell
• smog (only difficult in hot months)
• winters are two months too long
• customer service sucks a bit
• expensive
• depending where you live, you need a good local grocery store
• walls of concrete surround you & you disconnect with nature
• parts of the city are just ugly
• massive amounts of people

SF: the positives

• lots of trees & nature nearby
• great mexican food & fresh foods
• hippie vibe (which can also be a negative esp near haight st)
• clean air (bay blows smog elsewhere)
• easy access to the coast up north
• pretty houses

SF: the negatives

• chilly at night and foggy in the am
• my allergies are the worst here :(
• bart stops running at midnight & is expensive
• driving culture (less than LA though)
• gets small fast
• water at beaches is always too cold
• separation of cultures is strong
• expensive
• lived there almost 14 years