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Known as the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is often at the top of the list when it comes to places where people want to move. Aside from the fame and fortune it’s famous for, LA also holds a diverse local culture, making it the perfect area to live and move to, especially for those who hope to achieve their dreams and success.
However, if there’s one thing you should never forget about LA is that it’s massive. The city of Los Angeles alone has almost 4 million residents. This figure doesn’t account for the residents living in what’s called the “Los Angeles County,” which includes the areas of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and more.
Still, if you’re already sure about moving to Los Angeles, here are some things that you should know if you want a less stressful transition when moving to the city.
1. The Cost of Living Is High
Living in Los Angeles is not easy, especially since it comes with the expensive cost of living. In fact, the cost of living in Los Angeles is 43% higher than the average cost of living in the entire state of California.
Although it’s not as high as what you’ll experience in San Francisco or New York, you’ll still need to have an average annual salary of at least $75,000 to live comfortably in the city. This also means that you’ll need an even higher salary if you have a family or want to save money.
Moving to this city without having some budget or money isn’t recommended. Having savings of at least $10,000 before moving will make it less stressful or worrisome if you need to pay for something.
Aside from that, you should also know that a one-bedroom apartment in LA has a median rent of around $1,511, while a two-bedroom is about $1,982. This is still higher than the national average of a two-bedroom rent of only $1,101.
However, suppose you are making less than the recommended average annual salary. In that case, you can still live in Los Angeles by looking for shared rooms, living a little farther from the city center, and utilizing public transport.
2. Job Hunting Is Tough
Another thing you should know about LA is that it has a very competitive job market. Finding one beforehand is more challenging than when you’re already in the city. While there are industries that can cater to video and phone interviews, being physically present still gives a considerable advantage to job seekers.
So, make sure to have concrete plans when you move to LA and enough savings to support your living expenses while still looking for a job since it can take a month, sometimes even more, before you find one. You can also accept internships in the meantime to gain work experience.
Aside from that, you should also know that LA’s technology industry is on the rise these days; hence, it’s becoming one of the most popular jobs together with the entertainment industry.
That’s why it can be a good idea to check out openings at several tech companies in the area, such as Google, Postmates, and ChowNow, which are just some of the 500 companies in LA’s tech industry.
Aside from these, you can also consider checking jobs in healthcare, tourism, construction, and manufacturing, which are all among the city’s top industries.
3. The Public Transportation
Another thing you should know about Los Angeles is that the traffic can be terrible. It’s even worse in the city, so it’s better to check travel times beforehand if you have an appointment in the city and make sure to avoid the rush hours if you don’t want to get stuck in traffic.
In this case, LA’s rush hours usually happen between 7 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm. Also, you should note that the freeways are generally congested at any time of the day. If getting stuck in traffic jams isn’t appealing, living near where you work can be advantageous.
That’s because the whole city of Los Angeles was created with cars in mind. In fact, so much so it became a “hardcore driving” city. However, if you work in the major job centers, it can be tricky since they’re considered some of the most expensive locations in the area.
That’s why if you can’t afford to live near your work, you should ready yourself to rely heavily on city buses.
4. Los Angeles Has the Perfect Weather
LA residents typically enjoy an all-year dry and mild to hot temperature weather. However, it’s not always sunny since there are rare times when the weather’s cloudy. Nevertheless, the perfect climate is one of the reasons people typically want to move to Los Angeles, along with experiencing a “cloud-free” and well-lit sky.
Aside from that, you should also know that Los Angeles has only two seasons: the wet season from November to March and the dry season from April to October. So, if you don’t like snow, you can consider moving to Los Angeles since it doesn’t snow in the area.
However, you should note that rainfall rarely happens in the city. In fact, only 15 inches of rain are expected each year, but this could also mean a lack of water in the area, so do your best to conserve water at home once you move.
5. Choosing Your Neighborhood Is Important
People living in LA say that choosing where to live is always a big deal. That’s because you can find a more affordable place to live than the others, mainly when you look for one in person.
Moreover, choosing a place near your workplace will give you a better quality of life because it gives you more free time for other tasks, like hobbies or family, instead of spending most of your time commuting.
Furthermore, you can also live near your friends, or somewhere you feel most welcome. With that said, you can choose from different neighborhoods such as Downtown Los Angeles, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, etc.
6. LA Is Home to Some of the Country’s Top Universities
Several post-academic institutions are also located in Los Angeles, so living there makes them more accessible for you. You should also know that most of the universities in the area are well-renowned worldwide, especially when it comes to academics and research.
On the other hand, if you have already received your college degree, you can opt to improve your curriculum vitae by earning your master’s or doctoral degree. Some of the top universities in LA are:
- University of Southern California (USC)
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- California State University
- Los Angeles City College
- Loyola Marymount University
7. LA Has a Different Work Culture
One thing that has always been noticeable in Los Angeles is the number of people inside cafés during business hours when you expect them to be at the office. The reason LA is different is because of its diverse career offerings.
Many jobs in the area don’t have the typical 9 am to 5 pm work hours. Some people also have seasonal jobs, such as those who work in theater, films, and some television shows.
Moreover, some occupations don’t require you to work at an office, such as writers, actors, etc. Some people who live in LA also work multiple jobs to earn enough money for rent and other necessities.
8. The Food!
If you love to eat or just want to explore different cuisines, don’t worry; various LA neighborhoods have several restaurants to cater to your craving. In fact, some areas have even become a focal point for immigrant delicacies, such as:
- Koreatown
- Little Ethiopia
- Thai Town
- Tehrangeles
- Little Tokyo
- Chinatown (Monterey Park)
Furthermore, you should also make sure to have a taste of LA’s burgers. In fact, your first stop after passing LAX or getting off of BUR should always be In-N-Out Burger!
9. Explore the Outdoors
If you love outdoor beauty, then Los Angeles would be the perfect place for you to move. With the ideal weather, you can go on beach trips during the weekends in Malibu, Catalina Island, or Playa Del Rey.
There are also green spaces open to the public, such as the most significant Griffith Park, which offers terrific views of the city. You can also score fresh produce in Santa Monica Farmers’ Market and have a taste of fruit and vegetable samples while filling your shopping bag. Then, you can go on a picnic at the beach while watching the sky and the sunset.
Moreover, hiking and waterfall trails are also available at Eaton Canyon if you want to be more adventurous. However, if you just want to enjoy casual outdoor fun, you can take a walk in the Venice Canals and might as well try watching in outdoor theaters.
10. Always Use the Crosswalks
Like any other city, you can’t jaywalk in Los Angeles. As much as it is nice to walk freely, it’s better to make sure you follow the pedestrian traffic laws and only use the crosswalks when there’s a green signal.
It doesn’t matter if there’s a car or none, jaywalking tickets are strictly given to violators in Los Angeles, and their price is not a joke. If you violated the jaywalking law, it could cost you up to $200, so it’s better to just follow the law and cross when the signal is green.
Final Thoughts
Of course, there’s still a lot that you should know when moving to Los Angeles. However, whether it’s for a job, the weather, or the fun, you will surely experience something new and wonderful in LA that will make you fall in love with the place.
