Trading Sunsets for Sunrises

Contributing Writer David Grinsfelder Reports on Some of the Differences He’s Noticed Living in New York vs. Los Angeles

By DAVID GRINSFELDER | Contributing Writer

I’ve been a Palisadian my whole life, and I know that Southern California is (and hopefully always will be) my ultimate home. But now that I’m a New York State ID-carrying 20-something with a knack for adventure, I’m trading sunset for sunrise. At least for now.

I decided in September 2023 to make my temporary move to New York a little more permanent by signing a year-long lease on New York’s Upper West Side. It’s quiet, safe and one of the few places where you can still find reasonable rents in this city.

I’ve learned enough in my short time living here that I feel confident giving a synopsis of the unique differences between Los Angeles and New York to my Palisades community.

For those who have not actually lived in the city that never sleeps, these go beyond the basic differences in weather, transportation and population density. Instead, I want to highlight some of the more subtle, yet distinctive, contrasts between America’s first and second most populous cities. And maybe share a few fun anecdotes along the way.

So, without further ado, please enjoy my breakdown of three of the main differences between Los Angeles and New York. Three additional differences—apartment hunting, population densities and late-night life—were published in the February 22 edition of the Palisadian-Post.

Apparel

LA has a reputation for dressing down. New York picks up the slack.

One of the most stark differences I noticed immediately upon arriving to New York was in clothing choices. Los Angeles is dominated by athleisure brands like alo, lululemon and Athleta. New Yorkers dress to impress, and their apparel choices balance competing needs for practicality and fashion.

Because New York is always on the go, with no car in which to keep outfit changes, I find that whatever I’m wearing needs to work for a morning coffee meeting, as well as evening drinks or a party.

Within a few months of moving, my wardrobe evolved from a lot of sweatpants and T-shirts to leather jackets and black jeans. An unexpected side effect was that my attire also went colorblind—it is now almost exclusively black, white and grey.

Transportation

Car vs. subway: A tale as old as time.

In LA, to not have a car is to subject yourself to skyrocketing Uber charges and constant inquiries from people asking if you need a ride, when really you’re just out for a morning stroll.

In New York, the inverse is almost true. Owning a car in New York, particularly Manhattan, is likely to make people give you a sideways glance incredulous stares. I have friends who pay $500 per month to garage their car.

In all honesty, however, I didn’t recognize the benefits of owning a car until I started commuting regularly via subway. There are small luxuries in driving your own car that you don’t fully appreciate until they’re gone. Climate control. Comfortable seats. Endless compartments for the weird little things that make you happy.

Sure, you have to sit in mind-numbing traffic on a daily basis. But the truth is, a subway system has its own version traffic. Track maintenance, weather delays (in November 2023, there was so much flooding that they shut down much of the subway system for several days) and the dreaded “12-9” (transit code for a passenger under a train) all wreak havoc on commuter schedules. I’ve taken advantage of New York’s unspoken 15-minute grace period more times than I can count.

Drinking Culture

LA likes alcohol. New York loves it.

Angelenos are no strangers to crafty cocktails. In general, though, I think that the access to outdoor activities year-round, plus the general calm of the drinking scene on most weekday nights, creates less emphasis on alcohol as a vehicle of social interaction.

If I do go out drinking with friends, it’s less about where we are and more about the quality of the drinks in hand. A few of my closest buddies swear by their favorite microbrews. One heated debate about the ultimate California beer (Modelo or Corona?) almost caused an all-out brawl at The Waterfront in Venice one sunny summer day.

New York, on the other hand, is a city that revolves around its alcohol. Much to my chagrin, I quickly realized upon arrival that booze is the lifeblood of the city.

Every new person with whom I’ve interacted has ended our initial conversation with “Let’s grab a drink sometime,” and it’s infuriating. Alcohol permeates every layer of social interaction, and it can be hard to avoid liquid calories if you are to have any kind of social life.

I attempted “dry January” this year, and after two sober weekends filled with questions about my health from concerned friends, I relented and ordered a glass of white wine while on a date in Brooklyn. The new trend, by the way, is known as “damp January,” a semi-dry ritual that is more virtue-signaling than anything else.

David Grinsfelder is a graduate of Palisades Charter High School (2015) and UC Berkeley (2019). He currently lives in New York and is writing a series of travel stories for the Palisadian-Post. The Grinsfelders have been Highlands residents since 1989.