Asian Life in Los Angeles | Asian American Poll

ASIAN LIFE IN LOS ANGELES
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:13:21 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

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WHAT YOU SAY

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LA Boy. Wow, how typical of you to start throwing out profanities just to prove your point. Just to let you know, my name, HK Boy, doesn't mean I live in HK. I am originally from HK, now living in the states. I have been to LA on numerous occasion. It's not that hard to learn about weather, man. Just look up weather.com or something. Anywhere on the west coast, it's not like New England at all. New England is very humid in the summer time, and the water is warm. Even in the northern west coast cities like Seattle and Vancouver, it doesn't snow that much, unlike a freezing cold city like Boston. In the Bay area, the temperature stays about the same year round. Today, it was about mid to high 60's where I'm at. In December or March, it will probably be the same, but maybe there will be more rain. Also, just to let you know, all you SoCali people claim to be the surfing capital of the mainland, but the first Hawaiians who came to the mainland surfed in Norcal, Santa Cruz to be exact. If you want proof, the surfing museum is located there.
HK Boy Monday, October 21, 2002 at 01:10:24 (PDT) [67.116.231.214]

Represent! Reckanize! West-Si-IDE!

I love LA.
OpOp Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 12:15:33 (PDT) [199.182.103.118]

HK Boy obviously doesn't know a damn thing about LA, especially the weather. Not surprising, considering his very appropriate moniker.

The weather in LA is NEVER humid. It's certainly hot as hell in some places, but rarely very humid. The whole coast of Southern California, stretching from San Diego to Santa Barbara is dry and cool year round. In fact, in the winter it gets downright chilly along the coast, esp. in SB. The desert and Inland Empire/Riverside counties can get really hot... routinely in the 90s and 100s in the summers. But it also get pretty cold (by cali standards) in the winter. Usually in the 40-50s, on occasion in the 30s. The coastal areas stay nice and temperate, usually 60s-low 80s in the summer, 40s to 60 in the winter. That is NICE, considering we're not on the equator. I ain't complaining. Right now, I live in NYC, and I must say the weather here is fucking disgusting. Hot and flypaper-sticky in the summer, cold as a biatch in the winter. Ugh.

The Bay Area definately has a different feel from LA or SD. It isn't cold, I know, but you don't get that Beachy-feel to it. It's different. Dare I say it feels more like the New England of the West Coast, albeit with a milder climate (this comparison gets more and more appropriate the further up you go the West Coast, until you reach Seattle).

So HK Boy, don't talk like you know SoCal. This is an LA BOY talking bout his own turf, biatch. =P
I'm on the East Coast rite now, but I'm still reppin' the Westside to the fullest!
LA Boy Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 18:05:48 (PDT) [128.253.186.46]

where are all the Asians located? ,

Yes, many ethnic/racial groups have beefs with Latino gangsters all over Southern California. It is just a sign of the times, as Latinos have been increasing in huge numbers all over southern california due to immigration and birth rates. Clashes are therefore inevitable. In parts of South Central L.A. (and many other places for that matter), Black gangs have beefs with Latino gangs over turf and other issues. As you mentioned, there's also been rivalries with Armenians and Latino's.

And in the past 7 years or so, there have been increasing beefs between asians and latinos, mostly due to gang conflicts. Most of this I believe started with the Tiny Rascal Gangsters (mostly Cambodian/Southeast Asian) feuding with the East Side Longos in Long Beach ( and other incidents involving Asian Boyz beefing with Latino gangsters in San Fernado Valley). It has been a very bloody conflict filled with racial hatred, and as more and more Latino gangsters have been dying at the hands of asian gangs and vice versa across So Cal, there's been increasing tensions. I read somewhere that this really pissed off the Mexican Mafia prison gang and now their "constitution" forbids their members from associating with Blacks and Asians in prisons.

That's not to say all the different gangs hate each other, some black gangs do get along with latino gangs, some asian gangs get along with latino gangs.

If any other gang experts out there want to correct me or offer better insights, please do so.
Fanatic Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 02:12:16 (PDT) [12.233.158.221]

"Not to engage in another LA/Bay Area fight but there are a host of other reasons to move down here, starting with the weather."

Is the weather better down there? It's not like it snows or anything in the Bay, so the "too cold" excuse just doesn't fly. Summers in LA are too hot and sticky. Out on the bayfront, you get that cool ocean breeze. If you like similar weather to LA, you can always go to the inland areas like Sacramento or Stockton.
HK Boy Friday, October 11, 2002 at 01:23:10 (PDT) [67.116.231.242]

[Achtungbaby, your post has been moved to the Media Offenses against AA page. --Ed]

L.A. Chica

The good thing about LA is even with the Entertainment Industry, it's not a one-industry town. There are plenty of other opportunities.

Could you give some more detail on what type of opportunities are out there?
Just wondering.... Monday, October 07, 2002 at 23:48:40 (PDT) [198.81.26.235]

A 2 BR/2 BA apartment in a decent area of Santa Monica or Brentwood will run you between $1600-2000 for a place with no amenities (secure entry, parking, laundry). West Hollywood is only slightly cheaper.

The Westside is fine for Asians, but keep in mind it is mostly yuppies and UCLA students. If that is your scene you should be fine.

Just Wondering - I assume if you were working in the Silicon Valley you're in the Tech field? If you are, the job market stinks down here too - not a good time to be in the tech field, no matter where you are. The good thing about LA is even with the Entertainment Industry, it's not a one-industry town. There are plenty of other opportunities.

Not to engage in another LA/Bay Area fight but there are a host of other reasons to move down here, starting with the weather.
L.A. Chica Monday, October 07, 2002 at 17:57:52 (PDT) [4.46.131.230]

I'm orig from the South Bay area in LA, but I'm living in NY right now. I plan to move back there eventually, but I would like to relocate to the West Side (i.e. Santa Monica, West Hollywood, etc.). What is the rent for a 2-3 bedroom, 2 bath apartments like? Anyone have any idea? Also, is the area a nice/good place to live for an AAM in his 20s?
I gots ta know. Tuesday, October 01, 2002 at 18:23:50 (PDT) [128.253.186.46]

I was curious to know what the job market in LA is like right now. After college I was working for a high tech company in Silicon Valley. But as of last year I was laid off from my work. I have been unsuccessful in looking for employment here in the Bay Area.

Most of my friends in LA seem to be doing alright. Sometimes I feel as though I'm just wasting my time out here. I want to know if I would be better off moving to LA to find work or staying here in the Bay Area. If anyone can tell me how the job market is in LA it would really help out a lot!!

Thanks
Just wondering.... Saturday, September 21, 2002 at 23:57:28 (PDT) [198.81.16.181]

www.census200.com

this might help you out a little bit concerning where Asians reside in the LA metro area.

But here's a quick, but fairly accurate summary:

Cambodians = Long Beach

Chinese = Throughout the San Gabriel Valley (Monterry Park + Alhambra all the way to Rowland Heights/Diamond Bar.
OC (irvine)

Japanese = South Bay (Torrance, Gardena, etc)

Koreans = LA's Westside, East LA County (Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights), OC (fullerton, garden Grove)

Filipinos (the Valley, Glendale/Pasadena Area, West Covina)

Vietnamese = Little Saigon (Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster)
San Gabriel Valley (Alhambra, Rosemead, etc)

Large Concentration of Asians in LA

San Gabriel Valley (300,000 Chinese)
(Approx. 400,000 Total Asians)

Little Saigon (175,000 Vietnamese)
(Approx. 300,000 Total Asians
007 Wednesday, September 18, 2002 at 00:41:08 (PDT) [24.165.19.217]

L.A. Chica,

You're right. I have met quite a few Koreans and Japanese (the ones from Japan) in the San Gabriel Valley area. I don't know if they live there though? Maybe?

I had lived in Hollywood. My parents still live there. We are one of the few old time Chinese-Americans living there. Actually some Thais I encountered there are ethnic Chinese. They can speak one of the couple southern dialects.

I didn't like to see the hate going on there between the Armenians and Latinos. I have respect for Armenians, because they are in so many ways similar to Chinese in characteristics. But, they can be rude at times too. Their younger generations are more civilized (like Asian-Americans). They generally are cool with Asians.

All ethnic groups throughout L.A. seem to have beef with Latinos in certain areas and enclaves. It might be due to gangs.
where are all the Asians located? Monday, September 02, 2002 at 03:01:43 (PDT)

JA's did indeed live in South Central Los Angeles. The Crenshaw District used to be a Japanese neighborhood, as was Mar Vista on the West side of Los Angeles (near Culver City). You will still find some old-time JAs in these neighborhoods.

The Vietnamese I know are mostly from North OC and Long Beach, unless they come to UCLA or USC to go to school Then they seem to stay on the Westside :).

Don't forget Thais, they are all over the South Bay, though Thai Town is up in Hollywood near Little Armenia.

I've noticed a lot of Koreans in the San Fernando Valley over the past 10 years - there are strip malls in Reseda where the signs are in Korean. And Filipinos, well, most of the ones I know are from OC, but they spread themselves out!

What I've observed about LA is that any area that is "known" to have Asian neighborhoods, you will find Asians of various nationalities, I don't think even Alhambra is exclusively Chinese anymore. The largest concentration of Asians is probably anywhere around a University.

I think we Angelenos need to realize how lucky we are to be surrounded by so many other Asians of various nationalities. The rest of America (except maybe SF, NY and Seattle) is not like this!
L.A. Chica Friday, August 30, 2002 at 22:22:49 (PDT)

"I also haven't seen any in Long Beach which was rated as the most ethnically diverse city in the US. Long Beach is also home to Little Phnom Penh."

Which poll was this? Just curious. I read on other reports that Oakland was the most diverse city in the US. It figures, huh? They send all the refugees to the ghetto areas. Biggety biggety O and the LBC!
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Friday, August 30, 2002 at 11:24:54 (PDT)

There is a large concentration of Chinese in the San Gabriel Valley (Alhambra, Monterey Park area) with smaller concentrations in Irvine, Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights. There is also a considerable population in the Cerritos area as well. Many younger Chinese live all over LA.

Most Koreans do not live in Koreatown which is mostly Korean businesses. A large concentration live in the Cerritos, Fullerton area as well as Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights. There is also a smaller Koreatown in Garden Grove in Orange County where a large number of Koreans reside. Irvine also is home to a sizable Korean population. Basically, Koreans are scattered all over LA county including the valley, Glendale, Burbank and areas slightly west of Koreatown (Miracle Mile area and Hancock Park).

Most Japanese-Americans and Japanese ex-pats reside in the south bay area which includes Torrance and Gardena. Gardena has a large number of JAs who are 3rd, 4th and 5th generation. Torrance tends to have more Japanese nationals here for work or school along with recent immigrants. Most JAs are also fairly scattered all over LA and Orange County with a somewhat sizable community in Monterey Park.

Not sure about Vietnamese community except that Little Saigon in Westminster is fairly big. I haven't seen too many Vietnamese enclaves outside of Westminster area. I also haven't seen any in Long Beach which was rated as the most ethnically diverse city in the US. Long Beach is also home to Little Phnom Penh.

Not sure about CAs and JAs living in south central, but Little Tokyo and the historic Chinatown are located just east of downtown LA. Little Tokyo is actually just on the outskirts of downtown. I know many older generation JAs lived in Boyle Heights which is not a very good neighborhood these days (East LA).

Although there are large ethnic enclave all over the LA area, many younger AAs live in affluent areas such as Santa Monica, Westwood, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, etc.

Hope this helps.
LAKA Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:22:51 (PDT)

I was just wondering, which Asian group in L.A. live mostly scattered throughout the entire basin?

Do Koreans really mostly live in Koreatown area? Do Chinese mostly live in San Gabriel Valley? Do Vietnamese live mostly in Westminster and Long Beach? Do Japanese live mostly in Torrance and Gardena?

Did the Japanese and Chinese at one time used to live in South Central L.A. and East L.A. as well?
where are all the Asians located? Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 18:10:20 (PDT)

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