New York City and Los Angeles are two of the United States’ most iconic cities, with each offering its own distinct blend of culture and charm. But while they each hold a unique place in our nation’s culture, they also share some striking similarities. As the years go by, it’s become easier and easier to notice a few trends that hint that these two metropoles are closer today than ever before. Could New York really be turning into Los Angeles?
What’s the Same?
When comparing the similarities between New York City and Los Angeles, there are a few more obvious changes that have taken place over the years.
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Denser Population – Both cities have a population density that is much higher than the rest of the United States, due to the fact that they are both situated in heavily urbanized areas.
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Traffic Congestion – Both cities have witnessed a major increase in traffic over the years as they have become denser and more populated.
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Food Trends – It’s no surprise that both cities are home to some of the most inventive and creative meals in the nation. From LA’s interesting tacos and New York’s world famous pizza, both cities compete in the culinary arena.
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Movies & TV Shows – Los Angeles has long been home to the world’s biggest movie stars, but that doesn’t mean that New York City has been left behind. In recent years, the city streets of New York have been filled with cast and crew shooting movies and TV shows.
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Art & Culture – With both cities being a hotbed for art and culture, it has become more and more difficult to tell the difference between the two cities. Performances, museums, galleries, and all other sorts of creativity can be found throughout both metropoles.
What’s Changed?
Certain aspects of New York City and Los Angeles have shifted over the years, hinting that the two cities may be more similar than ever before.
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Business & Technology – Los Angeles is quickly becoming a hub for the business world, offering more and more jobs for the tech industry and other service providers. New York City is following suit, with many new businesses and tech startups being situated in the city.
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Real Estate – Real estate prices have skyrocketed in both cities over the last decade or so, making it nearly impossible to afford to own a home in either location.
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Homelessness & Poverty – The cities are both seeing an increase in homelessness, poverty, and crime rates, as the population of both cities continues to rise.
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Celebrity Culture – Both cities are known for their celebrity culture, but that doesn’t mean it’s limited to Los Angeles. In recent years, you can often find famous actors, musicians, and other celebrities around the streets of New York City.
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Economics – The economies of both cities are closely intertwined, as they both depend heavily on tourism and foreign investments.
It’s difficult to say whether or not New York City is actually turning into Los Angeles, but it’s clear that the two cities are more closely connected today than ever before. From the influx of businesses and technology to the increasing amount of homeless individuals, the cities are growing more similar every day. Of course, there will always be aspects that make both cities unique and special, but it’s hard to deny that certain changes have been occurring that draw each city closer together.
Only time will tell if New York will actually become “the next Los Angeles,” but one thing is for certain – the two cities are now more closely intertwined than ever before.
