The best part about LA is undoubtedly its food culture, which is highly democratic: In other cities, you have to go to high-end restaurants to experience the best the area has to offer, but here, the best food may well come from a taco truck or a small mom-and-pop shop tucked away in a shopping center. You can even eat at imported chain restaurants like Jollibee, which reminds me of traveling abroad and seeing KFCs.
The other thing I love about LA is that we are a city of transplants, so everyone belongs — you can always find your niche. Since I arrived, I’ve been going to one particular bar to cheer on the Redskins. We’re East Coasters who have all found each other here in LA, and now these people are some of my closest friends. Once you get past the stereotypes of showbiz, you’ll find genuine people all across the city who embrace you, no matter where you come from.