My Notes and Impressions in the U.S.

1. Industry Structure

Los Angeles

When I look at LA, the big industries here are basically entertainment — movies, TV, media, all that video-related stuff. On top of that, there’s also logistics, transportation, cross-border e-commerce, and trade. The reason is pretty obvious: LA has the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, two of the biggest ports in the U.S., and they pretty much shape the whole West Coast industry landscape.

Silicon Valley

Now, if you go up north to Silicon Valley, the main focus is tech — software, AI, startups, all kinds of innovation. Together with that comes finance and investment, since VCs are everywhere here. So yeah, LA = ports + entertainment + trade, while the Bay Area = high-tech + money.

⸻

2. Nature and Climate • LA: Dry weather, not so many trees, lots of dry grass on the hillsides. The water here is pretty “hard.” You feel it when washing hands or shampoo — the soap just doesn’t rinse off easily. • Bay Area: Much greener. But it’s often foggy, especially in San Francisco and the west side of the Bay. • Cupertino: The water actually comes from melted snow in the mountains, and it literally tastes a bit sweet. Compared to LA water, it’s just better.

⸻

3. Business Opportunities & Tech Scene

When I first came here, I checked Meetup.com for AI or tech events, and honestly, I didn’t find much. Then I came across Luma, and wow — it’s like every single day there are tons of startup and AI events. If you’re trying to keep up with AI trends, meet founders, or even talk to investors, the Bay Area is just the place. The density of events here might be the highest in the world.

⸻

4. Transportation and Order

One thing I noticed: traffic rules here are much clearer. For example, left turns have their own signals, so cars don’t pile up like in China. I also tried Tesla’s autopilot — and honestly, it works really well in the U.S. Why? Because the traffic is less chaotic, and population density is way lower. That being said, once I got into San Francisco, I also saw some “bad driving habits.” So it’s not about nationality, it’s just population density — more people, more chaos.

⸻

5. Living Environment & Cost of Living • Living style: U.S. cities feel cleaner overall. Most people live in houses with cars. • Prices: • Groceries are cheap. Strawberries for about $1.75 a box, 40 bottles of water for $5-6, meat just a few bucks. • Eating out is more expensive — $12-15 per meal — because labor costs are high. • My impression: goods are cheaper, but labor is precious. Overall, living standards feel higher.

⸻

6. Chinese Communities

In LA

Most Chinese people live in the San Gabriel Valley — places like Alhambra, Monterey Park, Arcadia, San Gabriel, Rowland Heights, etc. These areas usually mean good schools, safer neighborhoods, and cleaner environments.

In the Bay Area

You’ll find Chinese communities in Cupertino, Fremont, San Jose, and San Francisco. Cupertino in particular has the best schools, sweet water, and — not surprisingly — the highest housing prices.

⸻

7. Personal Reflection

For me, coming from a software background, it’s tough right now — job hunting in tech isn’t easy, especially with the language barrier. But the Bay Area’s startup vibe really impressed me. My biggest takeaway so far: if you want to stay on top of AI, connect with other builders, and maybe even talk to investors, the Bay Area is the best place to be.

⸻

8. Data & Table

LA:

SF(Bay Area):