r/geography 2d ago

La is a wasted opportunity Discussion

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Imagine if Los Angeles was built like Barcelona. Dense 15 million people metropolis with great public transportation and walkability.

They wasted this perfect climate and perfect place for city by building a endless suburban sprawl.

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u/spaceenjoyer617 2d ago

I live in Boston and it’s pretty walkable

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u/occamai 2d ago

Arguably, Boston is truly more enjoyable without a car

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u/ReadinII 2d ago

New York is 100% more enjoyable without a car: nothing to argue about.

They need to start closing more streets to motor vehicles during certain parts of the week. Let service trucks make deliveries and pick up trash during the week and then close a bunch of street on the weekends.

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u/Just2LetYouKnow 2d ago

I don't live in NY so apply the tourist filter to this comment, but I have no idea how anyone drives in NY, that shit is insane.

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u/adultingftw 2d ago

I live in NYC and end up driving a lot (mostly in the outer boroughs). Cars and trucks park in the middle of major streets, so driving on "the wrong side" is common (and necessary). Cars don't for pedestrians at intersections, unmarked lanes, motorcycles and cars running red lights all the time ... it's really no surprise how many pedestrians die in car accidents here; safety just seems to be fairly low on the list of priorities when it comes to driving (behind aggressiveness, speed, etc.). New York could be a great city some day, but not if New Yorkers keep driving like this.

Sorry, rant over.

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u/scarredMontana 2d ago

It's literally a grid city so it's kinda super easy. Plus, during the day, most people are in the office so there's not insane crazy traffic. Now getting out of NYC...that's the horror.

In DC, they have diagonal roads crossing every which way and it gets confusing AF.

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u/Just2LetYouKnow 2d ago

Figuring out how to get around was simple, actually trying to drive anywhere was a madhouse.