Sunday, November 06, 2005
Why I like Los Angeles
Those of you who know me, know very well that I am not much of an entertainment/art buff. For anything of that sort, I'm more of a cheerleader than a player i.e. I take interest, enjoy and encourage but do not generally like to be a part of it.
Even then, I am arguing here that LA - the entertainment capital of the world - is the place to be, as it is great even for people like me. Here is why:
1) Beaches - Any place you are in LA, you can drive to the beach within half hour. If you are too inland, it takes 45 min - 1 hour, but that is it. You do not need to "plan a vacation" if you want to hit the beach - just decide on a whim and push off. Not many places can boast of that.
2) Movie theatres - you do not need to repeat a movie theatre for months together. There are just so many of them. You can even find an offbeat movie within 20 miles of wherever you are.
3) Restaurants - It is the best part of being in LA. The community is so diverse, that you can get ANY kind of ethnic food you imagine. I stopped counting after I reached some 17 types of food I've tasted. You don't need to repeat a restaurant for months either.
4) Driving - I love driving and the freeway system is great. No connections are as confusing as you would find in some places on the east and even in South Bay Area. Traffic is very fast (people honk at you if you are driving on 80), but people largely follow rules, which takes the psychological burden out of driving.
5) Spending time - Unlike many other places, there are plenty of things to do in a group, with kids or just as a couple. Themeparks - Universal Studios, Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Knottsberry farm, Seaworld - are the best places to have some ravaging fun for the whole day. Malls like the Beverly hills or South Coast plaza are unique and fun to hang out.
6) Weather - pleasant all year round. No need to shovel the snow off the driveway, no need to be a couched potato, no disruptions due to drenching rains, no panting due to excessive heat.
The whole city is very lively and has a charm, day or night. Yes it is expensive, crowded and dangerous but if you want, you CAN find pockets within the city and the peripheri which are quite affordable, quiet and safe.
LA rules! :-)
Even then, I am arguing here that LA - the entertainment capital of the world - is the place to be, as it is great even for people like me. Here is why:
1) Beaches - Any place you are in LA, you can drive to the beach within half hour. If you are too inland, it takes 45 min - 1 hour, but that is it. You do not need to "plan a vacation" if you want to hit the beach - just decide on a whim and push off. Not many places can boast of that.
2) Movie theatres - you do not need to repeat a movie theatre for months together. There are just so many of them. You can even find an offbeat movie within 20 miles of wherever you are.
3) Restaurants - It is the best part of being in LA. The community is so diverse, that you can get ANY kind of ethnic food you imagine. I stopped counting after I reached some 17 types of food I've tasted. You don't need to repeat a restaurant for months either.
4) Driving - I love driving and the freeway system is great. No connections are as confusing as you would find in some places on the east and even in South Bay Area. Traffic is very fast (people honk at you if you are driving on 80), but people largely follow rules, which takes the psychological burden out of driving.
5) Spending time - Unlike many other places, there are plenty of things to do in a group, with kids or just as a couple. Themeparks - Universal Studios, Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Knottsberry farm, Seaworld - are the best places to have some ravaging fun for the whole day. Malls like the Beverly hills or South Coast plaza are unique and fun to hang out.
6) Weather - pleasant all year round. No need to shovel the snow off the driveway, no need to be a couched potato, no disruptions due to drenching rains, no panting due to excessive heat.
The whole city is very lively and has a charm, day or night. Yes it is expensive, crowded and dangerous but if you want, you CAN find pockets within the city and the peripheri which are quite affordable, quiet and safe.
LA rules! :-)
U-haul... tips
So here is a quick list of things you must check/consider before/during/after you want to rent a truck to move. UHaul turned out to be best for me and so I would write with that in mind:
1) The truck company you are pschologically attached to, might not be the best for you. Cross country/mid-country moves are much cheaper when done with Penske and not UHual. UHual works better for local moves or short one-way moves. And if you have a lot of delicate and/or heavy stuff, professional movers are better. Shop for movers/trucks.
2) When renting from UHual, first find out your nearest UHual center - if possible, don't rent from a UHaul "dealer". That's because dealers typically don't have a wide choice of trucks. And trucks are NOT always in great condition. Read on.
3) When you are taking the truck, make it clear that you would like to check it out first before accepting it. Remember, when you are at the place, that is your only chance to change the truck if you don't like. Afterwards when it is loaded or when you are half way, it is practically too late to change your mind.
4) In the truck, check the following:
a) That you can move the mirrors flexibly enough. Remember, driving a truck is different from driving your compact or SUV. You need to be more aware of sizes and surroundings.
b) Mileage: I didn't realize this for the truck I brought home - it had 165K miles. That is TOO MUCH. It rattled and rattled and would burn a lot of gas. My intuition says, go for something less than 100K.
c) A/C: Especially if you are going for a "long drive".
d) Size and Capacity: For anything more than 1 bed-room, you must go for something more than a 10ft truck.
e) Categorization: Make note of the height (clearance) and weight (in tonnes). UHual is NOT typically categorized as a "truck" for highway rules, but if you are driving their biggest one, there is a chance that an officer might question you on the way.
f) Mileage: Most trucks do not give more than 15mpg even in best conditions. Mine gave 8 mpg and I spent $160 simply in gas for a one-way drive from LA to SJC. Be prepared for the shock of your lifetime after you have seen your compacts give 30+.
g) Noise: Trucks are not quiet beings. They rattle. And they keep doing that. Forever. Yes, it is annoying. Make sure the rattling is within your limits of tolerance.
5) While driving, be prepared to drive at less than 80 MPH. 60 is optimal. UHaul trucks do not go too fast and 80 is actually the max they show in the speedometer. Factor for more time. It took me 9 hours in total to drive one way from LA to SJC (400 miles), including an hour of break.
6) When you return the truck, don't forget to fill up the tank (or leave it at the level they gave you). Otherwise, they will slap you with $6 per gallon. Don't waste your money - please.
7) Do Loading/Unloading carefully. Things tend to move around a LOT when you are driving. Keep heavier, more flat things more towards the shutter. Also remember that unloading takes about 3 times less time than loading.
Moving itself is painful. Don't let the truck add to it. It is the focal point of your move. If the trucking goes bad, there is hardly anything worse that can happen in the experience. Hope these tips help.
1) The truck company you are pschologically attached to, might not be the best for you. Cross country/mid-country moves are much cheaper when done with Penske and not UHual. UHual works better for local moves or short one-way moves. And if you have a lot of delicate and/or heavy stuff, professional movers are better. Shop for movers/trucks.
2) When renting from UHual, first find out your nearest UHual center - if possible, don't rent from a UHaul "dealer". That's because dealers typically don't have a wide choice of trucks. And trucks are NOT always in great condition. Read on.
3) When you are taking the truck, make it clear that you would like to check it out first before accepting it. Remember, when you are at the place, that is your only chance to change the truck if you don't like. Afterwards when it is loaded or when you are half way, it is practically too late to change your mind.
4) In the truck, check the following:
a) That you can move the mirrors flexibly enough. Remember, driving a truck is different from driving your compact or SUV. You need to be more aware of sizes and surroundings.
b) Mileage: I didn't realize this for the truck I brought home - it had 165K miles. That is TOO MUCH. It rattled and rattled and would burn a lot of gas. My intuition says, go for something less than 100K.
c) A/C: Especially if you are going for a "long drive".
d) Size and Capacity: For anything more than 1 bed-room, you must go for something more than a 10ft truck.
e) Categorization: Make note of the height (clearance) and weight (in tonnes). UHual is NOT typically categorized as a "truck" for highway rules, but if you are driving their biggest one, there is a chance that an officer might question you on the way.
f) Mileage: Most trucks do not give more than 15mpg even in best conditions. Mine gave 8 mpg and I spent $160 simply in gas for a one-way drive from LA to SJC. Be prepared for the shock of your lifetime after you have seen your compacts give 30+.
g) Noise: Trucks are not quiet beings. They rattle. And they keep doing that. Forever. Yes, it is annoying. Make sure the rattling is within your limits of tolerance.
5) While driving, be prepared to drive at less than 80 MPH. 60 is optimal. UHaul trucks do not go too fast and 80 is actually the max they show in the speedometer. Factor for more time. It took me 9 hours in total to drive one way from LA to SJC (400 miles), including an hour of break.
6) When you return the truck, don't forget to fill up the tank (or leave it at the level they gave you). Otherwise, they will slap you with $6 per gallon. Don't waste your money - please.
7) Do Loading/Unloading carefully. Things tend to move around a LOT when you are driving. Keep heavier, more flat things more towards the shutter. Also remember that unloading takes about 3 times less time than loading.
Moving itself is painful. Don't let the truck add to it. It is the focal point of your move. If the trucking goes bad, there is hardly anything worse that can happen in the experience. Hope these tips help.
