Chronicling the Big Chill in Los Angeles

Thank you for Paul Ciotti’s article, “Why Has L.A. Lost Its Sense of Community?” (Dec. 9). I come from Chicago, where you hear someone’s life story by sitting next to them on the bus. When my relatives visit me from Chicago, they see the house worth almost half a million dollars and the gorgeous weather. They’re jealous until they feel that coldness that makes you feel like you aren’t there. People just do not care to even know you here. When you’re used to friendly places like Chicago, living in L.A. is chilling to the soul.

For years I tried to fight it by being the “Kool-Aid” mother, hoping that at least the kids would keep me from being totally isolated, but even that didn’t work.

Being friendly is suspect in L.A. The only community here is on TV. If you’re “lucky” enough not to have to work when you have small kids at home, you are alone all day long. If you want to meet other anachronistic housewives, it costs money and then those “Mommy and Me” classes are over and you’re alone again.

Real cities have people walking on the street and mass transit. Towns are places where people know each other. L.A. is just a place. A very lonely place.

MARY JACOBS

Westlake Village