Comparing and Contrasting Two Cities

New York City and Los Angeles are two of the largest and most vibrant cities in the United States. While both cities share certain similarities, such as their size and diversity, they also have distinct differences. The following is a point-by-point comparison of New York City and Los Angeles.

Firstly, although New York City and Los Angeles are two of the biggest cities in the US with cosmopolitan characteristics, diverse populations, and lots to do, there are some big differences between themand one major difference between New York City and Los Angeles is their climate. While climate might not seem like a big deal on the face of it, the weather in each of these cities actually creates an immensely different and unique experience for the people in there. Because of where it lies in relation to the jet stream, New York City experiences cold winters and hot summers, while Los Angelesdue to its coastal climate on the Pacifichas a mild, Mediterranean feel with warm temperatures year-round. New Yorkers are used to heat waves in August and blizzards in January (Best Places). They know the extremes of weather conditions and feel them every year. This might even account for the toughness New Yorkers are known for: they are typically bold, direct, unapologetic, and upfront with their feelings, voices, and attitudes. Like their climate, they do not sit back but rather go hard all year round. So, surely, this difference in climate affects the lifestyle of the residents of each city. Angelenos, on the other hand, have a nice steady climate all year round, which might account for their laid-back California style and attitude. They tend to be more relaxed in their tones and easy-going in their deportment. LAs climate and New Yorks climate are considerably differentand even though both cities have huge, diverse populationsone sees snow and heat waves, and the other sees steady, mild weather month after month. That likely has a big impact on the attitudes and feelings of the people in each.

Secondly, another significant difference between the two cities is their geography. New York City is located on the east coast of the United States, while Los Angeles is on the west coast. This geographic difference has led to different cultural influences in each city. For example, New York City has a strong European influence, while Los Angeles has a more diverse, multicultural influence from Latin America and Asia (Foner; Tierney et al.). This makes sense as New York City was the first stopping place of immigrants coming over to America from Europe. People did not start making their way to California until much later, and Los Angeles (its very name has a Latin feel to it) was the prime destination for migrants coming to the US from Asia and Central America. Geography thus had a big part to play in the establishment of the diversity of these two cities. Their populations even today represent this geographical influence, with LA having more of a Latino influence...…less reliable and less convenient. This difference in transportation systems has a significant impact on the lifestyle of the residents of each city. In New York City, walking and using public transportation are the norm, and many New Yorkers prefer not to own a car due to the high cost of parking and the traffic congestion in the city. This lifestyle encourages physical activity and is generally more environmentally friendly than the car-centric lifestyle in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, owning a car is considered essential, and many people spend a significant amount of time in their cars commuting to work or running errands (Kuchar). This lifestyle can be less healthy and more sedentary than the lifestyle in New York City, and it contributes to the air pollution and traffic congestion that are major problems in Los Angeles. Another difference between the transportation systems in the two cities is the cost. While the subway and bus system in New York City are relatively affordable, owning a car in Los Angeles can be expensive due to the high cost of gas, insurance, and maintenance.

In conclusion, New York City and Los Angeles are two very different cities with unique cultural identities, transportation systems, and lifestyles. New York City is known as the cultural capital of the United States, with its renowned museums, theaters, and art galleries, while Los Angeles is the center of the entertainment industry, with Hollywood being the hub of the movie and television industry. Both cities have their own unique charm and attract people from…