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LAist knows that if you live in Los Angeles (or its surrounding areas) and have a telephone, you have one of the following area codes: 310, 323, 213, 818, 805, 626 and/or 714/949. LAist also knows that if you don't have 310, 323, 213 or 818 — you might as well never give anyone your phone number because they're never going to call you, visit you or think about fostering a friendship with you.
Why? The LA area code class system.
Really, you're pushing it if you have the 818 area code (serving the Valley) — but anyone even on the cusp of Los Angeles county like our friends in 805 (Ventura/Thousand Oaks), 626 (Pasadena) and hour-long commuters from the O.C. (714/949) might as well hang out with their own kind (a.k.a. their neighbors) because more devastating than violence, bigotry or indifference, the area code class system has seemingly shaped the Los Angeles experience for longer than anyone has documented.
The reasons behind such a class system stems from the one thing Angelenos have had enough of: traffic. Traffic makes the driving experience hellish. The driving experience reduces the quality of one's life. Having to drive from one's own 310 area code to see a potential romantic interest or casual friend in the not-so-desireable area code regions, well, is an idea subconsciously quashed by local residents.
The activities and customs of local Angelenos, whether you like to hear it or not, is always motivated by travel time. It shapes one's weekend activities, place of employment, financial standing and current circle of friends. And with three simple digits, the telephone system has provided locals the quick-and-easy opportunity to gauge whether or not someone should be added to that list of "important folks."
We have been brainwashed, people. Can't you see that?
Personally, LAist is an equal opportunity subconscious area-code judger, and would be more than happy to foster friendships with people even from as far as Pasadena. That is, as long as you're willing to drive to the Westside.
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That was great Pauly! I remember when 323 was created and my area code was changed from 213 to the new 323. I was so upset. We really do become attached to those three numbers.
Personally, I know full well the truth of area code class. I moved to the Bay Area two years ago last Aug. and my cell phone area code is still (310) People will always know what's coming...
Ok, I admit it: I am area code prejudiced. But it's not my fault, really!
When I was a greenhorn here in LA, I had several friends in the 818. And over the first year or two, I discovered that I was always the one who would travel out to the valley to see them, and they had never once been to my apartment. We'd often eat out in some mediocre restaurant when there are plenty of fairly inexpensive, good options near me.
But the straw that broke the camel's back was when I had dinner reservations at Ciudad for my boyfriend's birthday, and several of his "valley" friends didn't show up and didn't even bother to call.
So now I think valley people are just as area code prejudiced. It's a sword; it cuts both ways.
Ha! This is very true and funny. Though i dont think i'm very prejudicd. I live in 626 (Pasadena) and work @ Westside. I guess i'm one of those commutors. A lot of my friends live in 818 (and at the northern tip too!) Lets just say that my car has more miles then the average 12k / year.
The funny thing is that i grew up in Hawaii, where the entire island has ONE area code. My teenage years and young adult life was focused on 7 digit phone numbers. And Oahu is small enough so that the first 3 digit prefix can actually determine the location on the island.
Area codes? thats something i had to pick up when i moved to the mainland (what hawaiians call the states). I was like what, why are u telling me soo many numbers?
And you didn't even mention the 909...
I moved from a 909-area-code city to Newport Beach and didn't bother to change my cell number - you wouldn't believe the looks you get from people in Orange County if you tell them that your phone number is in the 909.
Now I'm in Culver City, and I'm finally getting around to changing from my 909 number, since all of my other numbers are 310 now.
One small typo, the OC area codes are 714 and 949, not 715.
What the hell? Where is 562? How can you disregard the area code that covers the LBC? It's an abomination! Oh well I remember when there was only one area code for most of Los Angeles county and that was 213, oh the good ol' days.
Awesome story. I've been a Ventura County gal all my life (aside from college) and my cell phone has been an 805 for what seems forever. Growing up we always made fun of the valley and now, I know my area code would have the 818 if I changed my cell... the horror!
But what do you expect, that's socal for ya!
818, sure. Fire away. But 626? The area code with all the good Chinese restaurants, the great houses, the best hamburgers and a huge percentage of the culture? Oh, snap. You 310 snobs can keep your high rents, bad drivers and easy access to Marina fern bars. Really. Keep 'em. Far away from us.
I happily relinquished my 310 number in favor of the quieter, less crowded, and more affordable 626. Anyone who isn't willing to schlep out to Pasadena to see me doesn't have to be my friend, but most of my friends live in 323 or 626, so we're all good.
You Westsiders can keep your hip 310. I'll take not having to drive down Lincoln to get to work ever again.
I was a 310'er until just recently when I moved to the 818. My cell phone will remain 310 but my other numbers have now migrated. The thing I can't stand is having to dial 1-310 whenever I wanna call my buddies.
Arrrggggh.
Plus, I am slowly feeling the disinterest of driving over the hill to the Westside... It's starting to take over my body!
I must commend Sylvie for being the ONLY PERSON IN LA to actually drive to the Valley to visit friends. I lived in Sherman Oaks for years and used to invite people over ALL THE TIME...I had a big house and a POOL...you'd think that would be a draw...but NOOOOOOO...Westsiders are the worst when it comes to driving east of the 405...and don't even think about asking them on the weekends... "Come to the beach..." they whine....dude, you live in Palms, that ain't the beach...Now I'm a 323 (and was congratulated by all my friends when I finally changed to "a good area code") and those 310ers still look at me like I'm wearing white after Labor Day...
Do folks have friends who keep their New York 917/646 cell phone numbers forever after having moved to LA (or other places, for that matter)? The "Oh yeah, I plan to move back some day so I may as well keep the NYC celly" is a phenomenon I find very amusing. I suppose in this age of free long distance it makes a modicum of sense to not change #s, but there's some urban snobbery at work here. I wonder how often the reverse occurs, i.e. holders of 323/ 213/ 818/ 310/ 626 numbers who aren't current LA area residents.
Since going to school in the 310 for the past two years, and frequenting Hollywood, I have noticed a lot of animosity towards those in the 818. You even hint to the fact that you're from the valley, they treat you like you're from the ghetto (of course according to some people the hill, we are the ghetto). My favorite experience was from a guy at the tower on sunset, that when I mentioned living in Sherman Oaks, he asked where that was. Even my sister, who was born and raised in the 818, developed a hatred for the 818 once she moved to the 310. I of course am equal opportunity, living and working in the 818, going to school in the 310, and dating someone in the 562 (and we mostly hang in the 714).
people in the 818 *always* have to drive over the hill to visit loved ones. those 310 snobs are always whining, "buuut it's too hot in the valley!" they can't put up with a little heat and traffic.
worst are the people from 818 (or any other area code) who get a 310 area code for their cell phone. utterly pretentious. that'd be a good topic for another day.
The question is - why would anybody want to live outside the westside? Better temperatures, and close to the beach. Actually, why would anybody want to live outside Venice?
Ok - I lived in the dreaded 818 for 3 yrs. My folks live in 310 and all my freinds are 323. No one ever came to visit me and I bitched and moaned to no end about what snobby snobs they were. Then I moved into the 213 - and lemme tell you: the valley blows. There's a reason people don't want to drive there. It's not just the heat and the traffic - you can get that anywhere in LA. It's got ZERO personality. Eastside - respect!
Oh, but darling you're forgetting those of us living here who still have the 917/646 in the 310/213/323---the New Yorker transplants driving Sprint/Verizon etc. bonkers. EC in the OC and beyond, even after 6 years.
I've never hated on the 626 crowd, mainly because I remember back when they were still 818.
Anyway, the great thing about being 323 is that all the other cool area codes are only a few minutes away. It is truly first among equals.
Try living in 714 and having ALL your friends in 323, 626, 310 and 818. Pasadena to the Westside? If only I could be so lucky to have that short of a social commute. Try Orange to Van Nuys. Taking 11 different freeways!! ELEVEN!!!
I had a buddy that used to live in Van Nuys but had a 310 cell phone number. Even though he has since moved to Santa Monica and made an honest man out of himself, he has yet to live down the vitreous nickname of his past: 310 Joe!
Micktravis, to answer your question:
1,100 square feet, ceiling fans, hardwood floors, glass doorknobs, and french windows, all for $850 a month.
I live in K-town. And you bet I'm staying in my rent-controlled huge-ass apartment as long as I possibly can.
Barely anyone has mentioned the 323. I find the 323 to be more edgey and much cooler and urban chic than boring westside 310.
I did, in fact, keep the 213 cell number for the cell phone even as I moved to 212, then 718, then back to 626. The amazing thing was the high percentage of Angelenos who didn't recognize the area code. Almost all Westsiders, I don't have to tell you.