Why Stay in L.A.? : Voices . . .

Living in Los Angeles is like being on a roller coaster. I came here from Philadelphia when I was 25 years old. I had two suitcases, $100, a 5-year-old child and a lot of dreams. And I didn’t know where I would go when I got off the plane.

Now I wouldn’t want to leave, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. People who come here are innovators, risk-takers, pioneers. They’re interesting people. And I’ve found so many people here who care very deeply about others.

I love the people. I love my partners. And I enjoy practicing law here. My daughter and my grandchildren are here. My daughter’s practicing law with me. Of course, we have many challenges for the future. But I think we still set the trends; we are still leaders in the nation. It’s just an exciting place to be. And I don’t worry about the future of Los Angeles. I think it’s going to be a good one. I think we are the future. I would never in a million years think of leaving L.A.

--Gloria Allred, attorney

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Developers have taken the gut and the heart of Los Angeles (architecture). But the Witches House in Beverly Hills remains. It is so distinct. It speaks of the period of Los Angeles that speaks to architecture and creativity. It’s brilliant. There’s nothing like it.

--Carlita Manson, Coronado writer

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You’re right in the center of everything. Within an hour and a half you can get to the surf and the snow.

We’d like to have a baby in a year or so. But there’s some concern with my wife. She’s talked about moving north to San Luis (Obispo). But I don’t have a problem with raising kids here.

--Ted Robinson, professional surfer

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A lot of great things have happened to me here. This is where I met my wife. (And this is where they are raising their 15-month-old son, Kyle, who walks along Venice Beach with his father each morning.)

When my son was born, he was sick. I was soothing him at the hospital--singing Beach Boys songs to him, telling him about the ocean, saying to him, “Wait until you see where I’m taking you.”

--Robert Schwan, general manager of 72 Market Street