Why I REALLY Left LA... 

take a shot for every time I say LA....

Being an Uber driver in LA will make you hate it on another level, because you have to deal with the traffic and the people.

Transplants hanging out with transplants living the MTV version of LA can make you bitter.

The only failure is to become something you’re not, staying true to yourself is the best choice you made...I love it 😊

I was born, raised, and currently live in LA & you’re right. There are people here that suck and it’s a shame that my city has a bad reputation because of people who aren’t even from LA have made it that way. In my experience, true angelenos are very very nice, laid back, and caring. In my experience, I come across maybe one rude person for every 100 people I come in contact with. I’ve met some of the nicest people ever here.

love the honesty - very relatable, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side

LA native by birth and bred here. Got an offer from Manhattan and will move to NYC in 3 months. I absolutely love living in LA but I can't wait to experience NYC.

The people born and raised in LA are great people BUT the people that keep moving there are FUCKED UP! #truth

"Hustle" is great until you're the one being hustled by other hustlers.

I missed this quality content! glad you're back

These things apply almost exclusively to the Westside/Hollywood/Downtown/Burbank areas. Between LAX and Long Beach there are plenty of normal neighborhoods and people, among other areas.

I love LA but I was born and raised here. It’s great! I love how different parts of the city are. You get DTLA, the beach, Hollywood, Pasadena, K-Town and there’s tons of events, premiers and concerts. Most of the people that I know that start to resent and dislike LA are people trying to get into the entertainment industry(which I’m not in). That’s the real problem. That’s when people confidence starts to drop and you see some of the crazy lengths people will go like plastic surgery and non stop “networking”. It’s a tough industry that some people are desperate to get into and there’s a lot of vultures hovering around that entry level.

Honestly I’m proud of you for realizing that LA isn’t good for your happiness and taking action on that. I hope Seattle treats you well! :)

You’re back. I’ve missed your videos

I moved to LA to be an editor and dang everything you’ve said is true. Makes me miss Chicagoland.

Struggled with these thoughts so much! Totally relate

Getting off the plane in LAX once, some dude said audibly, "Oh, L.A., you reality-checking b*tch." It was confirmed that I do not want to live in L.A.

Your editing is INCREDIBLE wow.

Your transparency is appreciated. Sometimes you have leave to find out where you really want to be.

"To be a storyteller, you have to be inspired by life" Amen, Monica! I love your genuine philosophy on life 😃 GREAT quote.

Been watching your videos for a while -- love your QUALITY content and creativity! You can definitely tell that you put forth effort and genuine care when you create your videos. And I can completely feel you on why you left -- the older I get, the more I realize there is value in simplicity and just doing you. Love that you add that it's not "failure" - it's just evolving, learning and growing.

As a 36 year old who only just a year ago found my perfect job... You've GOT this. Pursue what YOU want to do. I finally landed my dream job, and I couldn't be happier.

They mistakenly say LA when what they are experiencing is "Hollywood".

Thank you for making the realest video about Los Angeles.

Monica delivering the creative and quality content that we need on this platform

LA wouldn't be so terrible if it wasn't so congested

I currently live in LA, I’ve been here for 10 years now and i agree with your thoughts. I hope you find happiness wherever you go. ✌🏽 Enjoy your journey.

I love really real and honest videos like these

Great vid, Monica! Seriously. You have grown soo much and i'm proud of you!

Love this. This is so real. We appreciate your honesty Monica!

I like how the transitions you made in this video different places you filmed yourself but it felt continuous when you were sharing your story! We missed you Monica!😊

I love how you filmed in different locations, not only for the b-rolls but also when you were giving the reasons aaand the cinematic vibe you put into making these videos! Keep going Monica!!! :)

Monica, you're literally a model!! omg it made me so sad that LA made you feel anything less than that... glad you got out! keep crushing it!!

Love this video! All of your videos seem to have some kind of purpose/meaning behind them, and I love that! So many people can benefit from this video. Keep up the hard work

I LOVED this video! The editing was amazing, it just flowed well, and most importantly you said things that were true and unfiltered. You’re on the few “normal”, mature, “wise” RU-vidrs, and also one of the few who is genuinely good at cinematography❤️

I love the part where you say it's ok to change plans. Literally referenced this to my therapist last week when I was bawling about being unhappy with where I'm at. My original plans may get messed up, but that's ok! Glad you followed your

Yes to everything you said! It is so true. I currently live here- since 2014!...wow how time flies! It’s been the same experience and now I too crave deeper friendships and a relationship- which seems very, very rare to achieve here. It’s taken me a while as well to leave because of some of the same reasons you mentioned. My need for change has become much bigger than my want to live here. With that said, I will be making the move soon.

I love that you could've made this a simple sit down video but you used your amazing videography/editing skills to change up the locations and what not! Makes it so much more interesting for the viewer! :)

So I'm watching a day late....however I am so happy to see that you put out a video Monica. I've missed your vlogs/videos so much.

Such a well done video!

I didnt skip the ads for u monica and liked the video

Wonderful, perfectly told story. Sharp, clear edits.

I didn’t know Shelby has a twin and my mind was blowing so hard

You said EVERYTHING I’ve been feeling after almost 5 years here 💔 resonates so much, thank you.

Your videos are so aesthetically pleasing to watch 😍

You're not a potato, you're really beautiful :-)

This video is soo cool, especially as you're filming in different locations.

really cool editing and really enjoyed the video!

totally relate to the “I’m a potato” part

I’m glad you’re better. I’ve been watching you since you’ve lived back in LA. You’re my fav RU-vidr Monica

I LOVE that even fairly mundane videos like this are still BEAUTIFUL FILMS 😍😍 your content inspires me so much. Also, I don't blaming you for leaving LA, it sounds quite hellish tbh

Monica, I've been watching you and Shelby since we were all literal children haha. I still get just as excited to see a new video from you as I did in middle school. Thank you for sticking with us all these years. Now that I make videos myself, I really respect how much work you put into your videos. 💕

To me this is oh so ironic because the vibe you got from LA was my impression of Seattle.

Thank god you're making new videos!! My RU-vid sessions have been getting dull

Appreciate your honesty and thanks for sharing your thought

Loved this!

such a great video! so happy you made the right decision for you of moving and being much happier now in seattle 💕

Glad you discovered that you prioritized your development as a storyteller.

Wow...at 4:30 very insightful stuff. Glad you shared this and are confident in yourself. Awesome stuff.

In a way you directed and acted in a film here that I found more entertaining and educational than any film I have seen in a long time.

Yes sis, trash talk this city so people can get tf out lmaooo

Really appreciate and love this video

Great storytelling, great editing! I was very engaged and you are just so charming. I'm so glad you followed your heart.

I couldn't imagine living in LA it honestly seems really intimidating. We've missed your videos Monica! Hope your doing well :)

Great video! I've heard all this about LA from my brother lol. Glad you got out!

Great editing and great ending message! 😊

Wow. Wow. Wow. Your videos are incredible. Storylines/editing/persona. Yasss girl

I agree with this so much! there's something about the pacific north west that's so calming, even if you live in a city! I'm from Vancouver, but frequently travel to Seattle and the people are down to earth, genuine, and friendly :)

Thank you for this currently trying to figure out where it feels like home!

Everyone has a place that they call home in their heart. For me it was the exact opposite. I lived in LA most of my life. I left LA for Dallas, but never really became comfortable there & moved back home to LA.

I appreciate your honesty so much!

Did you ever consider moving to another part of Southern California like San Diego or OC?

Dating in LA is the worse. Seriously agree.

Your chat at the end... ♥️ that was so me!! I finished a *masters degree* based on what I had wanted to do since I was 9... then I felt like such a failure when I realized that it was totally the wrong fit for me. I *totally* get that. Luckily, we both found what really fits!

I have been really caught up too the past few years with the idea of being in LA but watching videos like this reminds me I should be content with where I am (currently NC) ❤️

I’m from Seattle and moved to LA last year!! I like LA more though. My career is here and the churches have a LOT more people my age

Yo! I recently moved from LA to Warsaw Poland LOL. Your stated reasons resonated with my feelings upon leaving LA as well! I 100% can relate!

I love watching your videos!! I love ones like this where you go over some of your life decisions.. I can definitely relate

Great honesty, thank you.

I’m so glad you made this video. I was the exact same way when I left Dallas to live in San Francisco in my early 20s. This was 10 years ago when the economy crashed, hard to believe its already been that long! I went with the goal of becoming a photographer while finishing art school there. But I felt the same way after 3 years, wanted deeper friendships and found dating very difficult and shallow. So I moved back to Dallas, which has changed a lot over the years! This is now a booming city where it wasn’t really before and I love it. I’m 36 now, married and planning for a family. But I’m very thankful for the opportunity to experience SF, it just wasn’t for me long term.

I LOVE THIS video so much! I lived in LA for 6 months and it was EXACTLY how you described. It is so glamorized but nobody talks about how sad and fake it really is.

i loved ur talk at the end, it hit me hard

I love ur ending msg its good u realized whats really important

Hi Monica! I know this is an older video but can you share details on your white t-shirt? I’ve been looking for one cut like that!

That is why Axl Rose said on the song "welcome to the jungle" : you can take anything you want but you better not take it from me" ...you will be taken advantage of if you are not careful.

You actually formulate my thoughts. It's great to know that I am not alone in such considerations. Thanks!

first vid. very impressed of how the story was told and how the video was made. you go girl. great style. lots of work!

I'm not even kidding when I tell you this morning I had a break down, tears and all because I'm a junior in college and realized I didn't like my major. And am so back and forth between trying to decide what to do. Then I watch this video where you literally say it's ok not to know whether it's your major... like wow. I think I needed this video and somehow it fell in my lap at the perfect time.

This was an experience and lesson learned and now you know what you want for yourself ❣️☺️ Making great decisions. 💖

Just saying I really appreciate this video-from the extra effort put into the shots and the realistic content- its just a really good video :)

Your such an inspiration, always love your vids!

LA's loss was our gain! Love it here in Seattle.

Love your hair😍

This turned into such a motivational video - thank you for sharing! I have seen you become so much happier and more content with life after moving out of LA so I know it was the right choice for you.

I love that you prioritised your mental health xx

I moved here from Chicago almost 2 years ago and I can relate to all of this. I totally agree but the beaches and nature are keeping me here for now.

this was so relatable . . . I'm also from Seattle and have been living in LA for the past 4 years while I attend school, but I'm moving right on back up to the PNW when I'm done here. For all the reasons you said in this video haha

I came down here from Seattle, too, and honestly can't wait to move back.

Girl I so deeply resonate with this!

you're definitely not a failure, you're super talented!!!