I was born and raised in California, Highland Park area to be more specific, moved to Phoenix 5-6 years ago and I do not even like to visit L.A. except for Tommy's. I Such a difference. I regret not going to Oregon as oppose to Phoenix but ex-wife got what she wanted.
I was born here and live in Culver City. I probably would move away rather than live in Los Angeles City. Culver City is centrally located to just about everything by freeway and has so much to offer an adventurer. If I moved, it would be to a rural, quiet and lush area (maybe Napa!) I like to visit the snow, but I wouldn't want to live there!
I grew up here and have family here, but the lifestyle is much more relaxed than where I was living before: New York City. I want to be in a city center, but without the crowded-in feeling of a metropolis.
Long story short: I like it here, plain and simple. Family, friends, and a good lifestyle. What more could I desire?
The subject asks a question, and though the OP seems to simply want a bashing fest against L.A., I'll answer it.
Actually, I left L.A. for the first time at age 25 for school in Palo Alto, and now I'm in New Jersey for a woman. And guess what.. I can't WAIT to get back to L.A. (already scoping out housing in Pasadena in fact).
Why? Duh....
The Sushi!
Really, though, people bash L.A. for a lot of legitimate reasons. Heck, I didn't look back at first when I left. But the beauty of L.A. is that you can carve out any kind of lifestyle you want, in any kind of subculture. The wannabe hollywood thing is pesky, but it only really gets in the way of life if you are distracted by it... you know... if you are jealous of all the bozos who "know people." Really, it's exactly the same in this regard as Miami or New York except for the AWESOME weather and all the natural beauty CA has to offer, as mentioned previously.
If you care about safe neighborhoods, great food, beer/wine, culture, outdoor recreation, and diversity, then there's no reason to hate L.A. unless you fail to understand it. If all you care about is guns, hunting, and colonial battlegrounds, then sure, get out!
One thing keeps me in LA: Gravity.
...and inertia.
Ok, TWO things keep me in LA: Gravity and Inertia.
...and apathy.
Amongst the various things that keep me in LA are Gravity, Inertia and Apathy.
...and this chair.
Oh, wait, different skit. NEVERMIND!
Access to everything ... LA is like Waterdeep (if you are a gaming geek you know what I am talking about).
Parties, all-night restaurants and something happening ALL THE TIME!
A very wide selection of great restaurants.
Things I do NOT miss about LA:
Traffic and general over-crowded-ness
The smog and breathing conditions
The heat in summer - yep I am not an excessive heat kinda guy. Nor do I like the smell of urine on the city streets during summer. And nope I wasn't living in a ghetto.