I've lived in LA, San Francisco, NYC, and Chicago. I thought moving to LA would be easy, but there are 5 things I hate about living here.

Thu, 05/30/2024 - 05:02

Stevie Howell posing in front of a natural green leaf wall. — Stevie Howell says LA has many positives, but she doesn't feel an urban buzz or excitement in the city.
Courtesy Stevie Howell

Stevie Howell is an artist who has lived in LA for about five years.
She enjoys the city's creative scene and the many produce that can be grown in the area.
Howell says the isolation, dullness, traffic, and lack of green spaces and community is bad in LA.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Stevie Howell, an artist and business owner who lives in Los Angeles. It's been edited for length and clarity.