Real estate blogger leaves Times

First the Los Angeles Times lays off its real estate editor and reporter, and now blogger Peter Viles posts that he is moving on to a corporate job. L.A. Land has been one of the success stories among the paper's 3,000 blogs, and he says it will continue.

No, this is not a sign that the housing market has reached a bottom in Los Angeles.

Seriously, it's hard to leave. I like doing this. I've enjoyed writing this blog, hearing from so many of you and helping to build a kind of community together. It has been one of the best assignments I've had in 21 years as a journalist. Thanks for reading, commenting and helping to shape the blog....As much as I love newsrooms and newspapers, life is short, and change is good.

Good news: The higher-ups here have been big fans of L.A. Land, and they intend to continue it. One high-ranking editor once told me the comments are the best reading on the blog. After I got over my initial hurt (journalists are thin-skinned), I agreed. The comments rock, and I hope you will continue to support the blog.

Unrelated to this week's cuts, far as I know.