Is LA a lonely city?

Los Angeles is often described as a lonely city by some residents and observers. The geographic spread and the car-dependent culture make socializing and forming tight-knit communities challenging. Rich Roll mentions that LA lacks the vitality and spontaneity found in more densely populated cities like New York, making it hard to find one's "tribe" or community without considerable effort. Additionally, since the city is so spread out, there is no central gathering spot where people can regularly meet, further complicating the creation of spontaneous social interactions 1.

Another angle on this loneliness is provided by Toby Morse, who contrasts his experiences in New York with those in LA. He notes that in New York, friends would routinely meet up casually, whereas in LA, plans are often made but seldom materialize. This kind of social structure can contribute to feelings of isolation 2.

Finally, the phenomenon of 'paid cuddling' in LA underscores the extent of loneliness some individuals feel. Paid cuddling, growing as part of the 'loneliness economy', is particularly used by people who crave human connection and intimacy, highlighting an acute sense of isolation among certain residents 3.