It’s hard to explain to car people just how much I don’t like cars. If I have to go in a car to get somewhere it better be a pretty darn special place or I’m not going.

Where I live in Sydney not only do I not need a car, I barely need public transport. Shank’s pony wherever I go. The pleasure of a city for me is the pleasure of being able to walk wherever I go. With public transport and taxis as back up only.

a couple of points. first, to orient the view, we live an hour north of manhatten (by car, sorry) and get into the city several times a month, and (being ancient) use the mta at half fare. you really should –

(i’m beginning to feel like a reincarnation of e e cummings!)

— add boston to your lists of citys with reasonable public transportation.

as to the sydney melbourne thingy, on our two (maybe another next year) trips to oz we spent a bit of time in each city — as well as a number of others.

confesion time — how can you do anything in australia without a car? I can’t count the miles we put on our poor little rentals. sidney to canbarra to wagga wagga to melbourne via omeo and the prom then west to eucla and cockalbiddy (sp?) and on to perth and exmouth and back the first time (didn’t notice the fine print in the rental agreement). up the middle and out to broome, then back across to cairns via back roads (i should say backer road up there) and down to brisbaine.

i don’t think anyone bad-mouthed other cities to us, and we talk to lots of locals. REL suppers were great, and everyone chats.

so, i liked all the cities — in fact i’m not sure i can think of a city i really dislike anywhere in the world. — a few small towns now –

anyway, keep up the wonderful blog, and i’m going to have to look at your books — b&n at lincoln center didn’t have any when i checked yesterday, but i’ll check around here in the burbs. can a 70+ guy read ya? better, cause i will.

Scalzi: Did you not read the FAQ? Singing is forbidden on this blog!

Rachel: That is very kind of you, but does not change the fact that in L.A. and cities like L.A. cars are necessary. I am against cars. They are erky perky. Prefer me the shank’s pony, I do.

Thanks to everyone for your lively responses.

Oh, yes. LA.

but it goes down to such a micro level… in melbourne, north-of-the-river people hate south-of-the-river people. in the city, east-of-elizabeth-street people feel sneered at by west-of-elizabeth-street people. i’m not too crazy about the other people in my apartment block… and the spider living in my bathroom is SOOOO much cooler than the spider living in the kitchen.

You can do the comparison thing very easily though. Dame Edna comes from Melbourne and Sir Les Paterson comes from Sydney. Nuff said.

Otherwise, Sydney’s just fine. Good comic shops.

I think L.A. has this rare beauty, like a subtle smudge.

I hate driving. But I love my L.A.

Los angeles is also home to lots of amazing and inexpensive food (PINKS! TOMMY BURGER! APPLE PAN! EVERY TAQUERIA! mmmmmm…), an extremely diverse population (great ethnic food) and a plethora of cafes that have atmosphere to burn. plus it has a MILLION great movie theatres, killer shopping (from vintage to haute) and extremely pleasant weather (though admittedly freezing ocean.)

(full disclosure: i was born there, so i am biased …but i still love l.a.!)

When Sydney is mentioned, most Melbournians say they find Sydney too brash, up itself, lacking in culture, but they visit it at least once a year.

When Melbourne is mentioned, most Sydneysiders say “oh yeah, melbourne…. i should visit there one of these years…”