The best major metro areas for outdoor life are SLC, Denver, and Seattle, not the Bay Area.
Replies
This. It’s really hard to beat “15 minute drive to the Rocky Mountain foothills.”
jul 25, 2025, 10:03 pm • 4 0 • view
I drove just as much to get to outdoor recreational areas living in Seattle as when living in LA. And LA actually kind of had a lot more options within an hour/couple hour drive. And, depending on where you live in LA, LA can have more outdoor biking rec opportunities from your doorstep.
jul 25, 2025, 11:29 pm • 1 0 • view
LA is majorly underrated here
jul 25, 2025, 11:13 pm • 8 0 • view
Criminally underrated almost, if we had reliable snow in the winter it would be off the charts.
jul 25, 2025, 11:19 pm • 3 0 • view
It's easy to live car-light in LA. I drove today, but really only drive 1-2 days a week. And I live in a suburb. My husband has been biking to work in LA (with bus backup) for 30+ years
jul 25, 2025, 11:48 pm • 3 0 • view
Only if you want to drive a lot.
jul 25, 2025, 11:23 pm • 2 0 • view
It's possible to live within walk/bike distance of great hiking in many parts of greater LA, and the beach is transit accessible. The mountains are less transitable, but the same can be said of any other "great outdoors" city in the west, and they are very close to the city.
jul 25, 2025, 11:27 pm • 2 0 • view
LA is a nightmare in many ways but there are great hills and trails all over. It depends on where you live. If you live in the middle of greater LA it’s a sad story. If you live near any of the mountains it’s good. I live in the burbs now and I have to drive a lot more than when in LA.
jul 25, 2025, 11:34 pm • 2 0 • view
But- I do not have to drive at all in order to access world class hiking/biking.
jul 25, 2025, 11:34 pm • 0 0 • view
In LA you don't just need a car to get to regional parks, you need a car to get to the corner store
jul 25, 2025, 11:17 pm • 0 0 • view
This is not true in many parts of the city. LA has higher transit mode share than SLC or Denver.
jul 25, 2025, 11:19 pm • 3 0 • view
Yeah LA has a lot of streetcar suburbs with great walkability. Single family wastelands filled in the space between those neighborhoods after the war, especially in the South Bay and the Valley.
jul 25, 2025, 11:27 pm • 2 0 • view
To be fair, living without a car in Denver can be pretty difficult. I know several people who do, but it requires careful planning and making friends who like you enough to give you rides.
jul 25, 2025, 11:59 pm • 1 0 • view
The most walkable neighborhood I ever lived in was in LA. It’s a thing that’s possible to have if it’s your priority.
jul 25, 2025, 11:23 pm • 2 0 • view
I agree, but that's cos I care more about mountains than beach
jul 25, 2025, 11:26 pm • 1 0 • view