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# Westsiders’ reasons for remaining AWOL
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/westsiders-reasons-for-remaining-awol/
- Published: 2005-12-05T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T01:20:42.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Pico, #archive-import

*By CAROLE ORLIN*

Instead of watching the traditional Thanksgiving Day football games, I found myself immersed with family in a conversation about people on the Westside, who typically like to stay AWOL (Always West of Lincoln.) How about those limousine liberals, the lack of diversity and the notion that Westside people don’t like leaving the rarefied Westside? After my family departed, I sat myself down to do some research about these stereotypes.

When I moved here from the East Coast I did not even know about the Westside stereotype. I just knew that after being landlocked for my whole life, I had to live near the water. Secondly, I knew that I did not want to have to use an air conditioner for eight months out of the year and the heater for the other four, like I had to do back East. Lastly, I had to find a place that allowed dogs.

After checking out various locations that ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime, Santa Monica seemed to be a wonderful choice. Of course, I had to compromise. I quickly realized that buying a house would not happen in the 310 area code. And having a yard, well, that would-n’t happen either. But life is about compromise, so after being a homeowner for most of my adult life, I entered the world of the renter. Renting does have its upside, especially when it comes to major repairs and maintenance. I have also learned to live without a yard. Thank heavens for the dog park.

I had to find out initially what geographically is the Westside. I found that it is generally considered to be the part of Los Angeles that is east of the Pacific Ocean, west of La Cienega, (although some consider the Westside to extend to Fairfax or La Brea), south of the Santa Monica Mountains and north of LAX. My research led me to call some of these stereotypes into question. First of all, I found that allegations that the Westside is not culturally diverse are not true at all. For example, on Sawtelle between Santa Monica and Pico is a large and thriving Japanese business and cultural area. Mar Vista and the Del Rey districts, while historically Latino, are now largely young Asian professionals and UCLA students. There are significant black populations in Santa Monica, Venice, Palms and Culver City. There also is a thriving Latino community in Culver City, Palms and the Del Rey districts. Palms also has a Brazilian and Pakistani community. Brentwood, Rancho Park, Westwood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are home to many Persians. Over one fifth of the population of Beverly Hills is Persian.

I furthered my “scientific” research about local cultural diversity by checking out my own street. On my block, we are among the few residents that have English as their first language. It is a fascinating mix of first generation Lithuanian, Bulgarian, Russian, Brazilian, Latino and Asian immigrants, to name a few. I have come to love foods that I have never even heard of before. Unfortunately, I have become too fond of cabbage perogis, and unbelievably, I now love borscht. I find myself waiting for the weekly truck delivery of specialized Eastern European foods just like I used to wait for the ice cream truck when I was a kid.

Next stereotype: The limousine liberals. I must admit that it is true, we do have many, but you would be amazed at the number of corporate-jet conservatives and evangelicals that reside in the Westside as well. I have taken part in many heated discussions about everything from intelligent design versus evolution, Bush versus anybody, to the war in Iraq, and pro versus anti-Arnold. More often than not, I find the discussions are not very politically correct. There is definitely a diversity of political views alive and well here in the 310 area code. Trust me on this one. Given the usual space constraints, I will address one last stereotype: Westsiders are too snobbish to leave the Westside. I think I can clear this one up quickly. We don’t leave because it’s rarefied — it’s strictly a matter of energy or lack of it. Why fight traffic for an hour or more to go to a movie or restaurant when we can go to one just a few minutes away? On weekends, after commuting all week, who wants to drive any further than necessary to do our errands? It really has nothing to do with snobbishness, it’s all about traffic and exhaustion.

We’re really no different from anyone else in LA. Bye for now. It’s time for my extreme yoga class. (Carole)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 5, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120505.pdf?ref=smdp.com)