Westwood is boring ““ there’s very little to do in
this neighborhood. I find myself walking to the same news stand,
again and again, because I don’t know what else to do.
Storefronts such as Urban Outfitters and Ann Taylor remain
humdrum ““ and overpriced. Restaurants such as California
Pizza Kitchen are equally uninspiring.
Aside from a select few attractions such as the Hammer Museum,
Westwood’s really just milk-and-water. In the nearly two
years I’ve lived here, I’ve felt barely any community
spirit, much less a distinct “village” energy.
So I’m giving up. I’m moving out. Next year, my
friends and I plan to live somewhere ““ anywhere ““ but
Westwood.
I may seem disenchanted, but I wasn’t always so. When I
started UCLA, I actually assumed Westwood was
“cutting-edge,” as my father described it.
Small cafes and rowdy bars colored the area with vitality.
People strolled through the streets at night. There was a scene, a
larger sense of community. And like the neighborhoods I so
cherished in San Francisco (my hometown), Westwood held an
idiosyncratic identity all its own.
At least that’s what I thought.
But upon my arrival in the fall of 2003, I was sadly
disappointed. This wasn’t the Westwood Village of the
mid-1970s. Instead, the institutions my father so completely
praised ““ cafes, bars, bookstores and clubs ““ were
virtually extinct.
Only one independent coffee shop was in place. And most students
exclusively visited Starbucks and Coffee Bean, of which there were
two Westwood locations each.
As for bookstores, only one was visible ““ and it was a
science fiction bookstore. Sure, I could trek to the Borders down
Westwood Boulevard, but it’s not close, nor is it
independent.
As for fashion, the one vintage-clothing store in the
neighborhood recently closed down. There are no clubs, and the bars
don’t particularly appeal to me.
Since my father’s time, the Village has changed
dramatically ““ perhaps for the worse. Today, we’ve got
Victoria’s Secret, Starbucks and Blockbuster. These are big
stores, chain stores, boring stores.
In fact, Westwood is so full of this kind of store that it seems
devoid of personality. I wonder, is this Westwood or Starbucks?
Westwood or Victoria’s Secret? Westwood or Bebe? I
wouldn’t mind if some of our stores were big chain stores
““ but almost all the major stores seem to be.
Ironically, when “alternative” chain stores such as
Urban Outfitters move into the neighborhood, it’s cause for
celebration. I suppose that’s the most alternative
we’ll ever get.
Culturally, Westwood baffles me, but this isn’t my only
qualm with the area. It’s also much too expensive. Students
pay large sums of money for mediocre apartments. They could find
much better deals outside Westwood.
That’s why Woodstock Tom, a third-year microbiology
student, lives in West Hollywood. “I’m paying $500 a
month for a big house with a big lawn and a garage. And I can play
my drums without complaints,” Tom said. “I don’t
go to clubs, but all the clubs are in my area.”
Tom’s deal sounds good. So I’ve started
investigating neighborhoods myself. Right now, I’m most
interested in Melrose, Hollywood, Venice, Los Feliz and Silverlake.
They vary in price, but they’re all charming in their own
ways. They have galleries and small coffee shops. Independent
record, book and clothing stores. Local bars and clubs.
Best of all, these neighborhoods seem like cohesive community
settings. I could take walks and meet new people. The neighborhood
could mean something to me, aside from a place to take trips to
Starbucks and the ATM.
But this isn’t to say that Westwood is without its
advantages. Some people genuinely like the area. Others enjoy the
convenience.
For example, it takes Tom about 25 minutes to bike to school
every day. A bus ride is even worse ““ it takes a full hour,
including his walk to and wait for the bus.
If he lived in Westwood, this wouldn’t be an issue.
“The distance is a problem, especially because I’m
taking a lot of morning classes,” he said. For these reasons,
Tom is actually considering moving back to Westwood.
Tom’s dilemma is a common one: nicer home or convenient
distance? Some might choose the latter, and that’s a totally
acceptable decision.
But personally, I need the former. My life in Westwood has grown
all the more hackneyed. I’m tired of the same old routine,
and I need a change.
To be honest, my friends and I don’t even know where
we’ll live next year. But we’re beginning to plan
““ and we’re open to new experiences. I just need to get
away from Westwood.
Fried is a second-year history student. E-mail her at
ifried@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.