re: Most Overrated Cities: US Edition

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Overall it might it not blow you away but it's one of the best cities in the country.

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This is key right here. Austin didn't blow me away with one specific quality, but it had enough variation to keep me interested during my visit. Los Angeles(while a completely different city than austin) is similar in such that it doesn't blow you away with one thing, but it does offer a little of something for everyone. From a tourism standpoint, you generally want to visit someplace that has one standout quality; so for big city feel you go to NY, beaches you do hawaii or caribbean, outdoors would be Yellowstone, etc. From the standpoint of finding a place to settle down and live, people are generally looking for variety, which is where a place like austin, or LA, or san diego are more suited.

I would never really recommend anyone choose los angeles as a vacation destination, but as a place to live its pretty damn good. I think thats why LA gets so much hate here, people who have only visited are turned off by how nasty hollywood and downtown are, but those who have lived here appreciate the fact that the beach is only a 15-20 mile drive, mountain trails are abundant, and world class dining and entertainment is abundant.