People living in LA know. The residents here endure daily self-torture in this city.

Just dealing with rent and utilities tests your mental state every day.

While the piles of trash on the streets have decreased, homeless tents are still visible on every corner.

ATMs that were once commonly used are disappearing one by one, and we all know why they stop working at night.

And the rising cost of living... Now, maintaining a one-bedroom apartment and a car in LA drains a significant portion of your budget.

Yet, strangely, people don't leave.

Because there's nowhere else to go, and the thought that other cities are similarly expensive or lack job opportunities keeps them here.

This leads to a repeated self-hypnosis of "at least this place is better."

Many people consider moving to another state, but when a friend mentions that the cost of living is similar, they decide to stick it out in LA.

However, when you go grocery shopping and end up with an $80 receipt without buying anything, it's hard not to sigh.

Dining out for just one day can make your budget disappear, and when you meet a friend for a latte, you start questioning yourself.

"Was that really a necessary expense?" Ultimately, skills like eating from the fridge, buying sale items, and searching for coupons become more common.

People don't say it out loud, but they only go to fancy restaurants for special occasions, saving money with home-cooked meals and frozen foods.

Anyone can see that the residents here are fighting a daily battle against the rising cost of living while leaving behind joyful memories of the past.

Commuting is also torture. A 10-mile distance can take an hour with the 101, 10, and 5 freeways, which is not surprising at all.

If you've listened to three podcasts in the car and still haven't arrived, it's hard not to laugh.

"What am I doing this for?" But when it comes to moving, it feels boring, and there seem to be no job opportunities or cultural activities, so they can't leave.

Everywhere you go, there are performances, great restaurants, exhibitions, sports events, and the lively atmosphere of Latin music... The city's stimulation is so strong that the desire to leave is often pulled back.

It's a city that is both free and sensory, yet simultaneously drains your wallet and mental energy, creating a love-hate relationship.

Interestingly, people know about each other's struggles, yet no one shows it openly.

Instead, they speak of it with a strange sense of pride. "Rent is high? But I live in LA." "This level of cost is nothing. Just pack a lunch." They rationalize their situation this way.

Sometimes, even choices that seem to torture oneself are outweighed by the city's charm.

Just like people in Korea who want to leave Seoul but can't, here too, when considering marriage, jobs, kids' schools, transportation, and friendships, they end up not packing their bags.

So, people in LA endure another day. Burdened by rent, exhausted from traffic, and overwhelmed by grocery bills... It's a city where life isn't easy, but it feels too precious to give up. So, they ultimately hold on and endure.

In summary, those living in LA find it hard yet good, expensive yet reluctant to leave, tiring yet full of romance. Anyone who has survived in this city knows this well.

We endure another day like this. And tomorrow, we will say the same thing. "It's tough. But... I will keep enduring here."