Newly Californicated

NEIGHBORS: Some people can live a lifetime in L.A. and miss the details of community that newbies see. Documenting the arrival of Gareth and Danya fresh from Winnipeg, Manitoba (that's in Canada, link is of a summer view), is the We's in California blog:

When we came we were expecting nothing but big box stores and fast food chains with little or no sense of community. It turns out that on every corner is at lesat 3 or 4 family owned businesses. Whenever we drive somewhere we notice an old breakfast joint or an independant donut shop that we simply must try out. It's actually quite encouraging. I think this is because a large part of the population here is second or even first generation immigrants and they are more imaginative and willing to take risks. I love it.

But they've already found the key to making L.A. workable-- Lessen your commute:

The company is growing like crazy and they're actually moving closer to where we live so it will only be about 20 minutes to work! That's unheard of by LA standards. Which are pretty low standards. For commuting.

Begun in November, it has the promise of acuity, found via Here in Van Nuys blog.