Ireland or Los Angeles? Cost of living in LA?

Hi friends, I have 2 questions
1. If you had the optionto move either to Ireland or Los Angeles, which one would you choose and why. Please keep in mind that the job in LA would be paying much more than that of Ireland (say 鈧?0k v/s. $240k). Although $ is going down, I would still feel it would be a good deal. What do you think about it and any other factors.
2. Any idea of cost of living in LA and what about people there (a friend is of the view that i would be a fool to choose LA).

I wonder if there can be a big city in USA which doesnt have proper roads, bad law and order situation, bad public service, housing and schools. Is that correct? Why is the govt. not spending money, if i recall correctly, this place has hosted 1984 olympics friends.

Los Angeles: the air pollution alone is not worth it...There's good neighborhoods and bad...traffic is horrible...the roads are in poor condition...hostility is rampant, and mostly race-based, pre-college education is in shambles...

I wouldn't be caught dead in LA, Been there done that, traffic is bad, housing is bad, public services are bad, schools are bad. Chicks are hotter than most places but they are 20% plastic. It is not fit for human habitation.

ummm, You better visit Ireland in the winter before you decide this question..L.A. does not have twice the cost of living of Ireland, except possibly for housing....

If you're making $240k/yr in L.A., you shouldn't be so worried about cost of living. Sure housing is expensive, but you'd be able to afford a 5k/mo rent, and this gets you an awesome place.
I've lived here 7+ years and love it. The weather is absolutely gorgeous and you have beach, forest, mountain and cultural life all near you.
I recommend the reading of the following blogs:
www.laist.com
http://blogging.la/
Good luck!