Is moving to Los Angeles on the table for you in the near future? Are you considering settling down in a place where you can chase your big-city dreams? If the answer is yes, then before making a decision, you definitely need to know a few things to see what the beautiful city of flowers and sunshine has in store for you.
With a booming population of nearly 4 million people, the city has got everything, including an astounding natural landscape, bright sunny weather, diverse cultural composition, and a world of opportunities. However, life in LA might take an entirely different turn because of all the right reasons for you, so read this exclusive moving to LA guide to find out what it means to live in Los Angeles!
1. You’ll Love the Weather
Its perfectly warm and sunny weather is among the top reasons why people consider relocating to Los Angeles.
While the city may face some gray days when it rains, the Los Angeles, CA, weather year-round is generally very comfortable, with bright sunshine and close to zero humidity.
Throughout the year, the average temperature ranges between the upper 60s to the lower 70s, with August being the hottest month.
We suggest that the best time for moving to LA is between September and November or March and May – Oh, and if you’re moving there in hopes of finding snowy weather, ditch that hope entirely because the city has more sunny days than you can count.
2. The City Is Really Huge
If you have been questioning whether Los Angeles is a big city or not, you’ll be glad to know that it is known as one of the largest cities in the United States.
Sprawling over a total of 469 square miles, the Southern California city is the home to multiple culturally diverse backgrounds. Its unique experiences make moving to LA a definite choice because there is always something to do that will keep you engaged.
Living in Los Angeles means you can always visit well-known attractions but make sure to get yourself a car because you’ll surely lose track of directions if you’ve just landed in this city. Some of the most classic attraction sites to see in LA are:
- Venice Beach
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Warner Bros. Studios
- Rodeo Drive
3. Your Neighborhood Is Your Life
The first step to surviving in Los Angeles is choosing a neighborhood to settle in. The city has a realm of ethnically diverse people from different cultural backgrounds, which means that your next-door neighbors may be from the neighboring state or even from halfway across the world.
The best tip for moving to LA is that if you have friends in the city, consider staying with them for a while until you find a neighborhood that goes well with your preferences.
While you’re in the phase of adjusting to the reality of living in Los Angeles, you may have to move more than once to find the right place that feels like home. From Hollywood to Los Feliz and Silver Lake to Downtown LA, each neighborhood in the city of angels is a unique place to live in!
4. It Is Hard to Find an Apartment
Among the top things to know before moving to Los Angeles is that finding the right apartment can be tricky. Rent varies widely depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in, and renting blindly in LA might eat up a huge chunk of your finances.
The city has a hot rental market which means that good apartments don’t stay on the listing for long. So, if you’re looking for that one great tip on how to move to LA, we would advise that you explore your shortlisted apartments in person first and then make the final decision.
5. Expensive City to Live In
Living in Los Angeles comes with a high price tag, so if you’re moving to the city without a job or proper savings, you must think twice before making the big move.
The overall cost of living in the city is 43% above the usual national average, so it means that moving with no money is a big NO. To live in Los Angeles without any financial burden, you must make nearly $75,000 a year in salary, and if you have a big family, consider an even higher income bracket than this.
If you’re relocating to LA on a budget, make sure to minimize your moving cost to use those savings to cover the initial expenses for surviving in LA.
6. Hard to Get a Job
The job market in Los Angeles is highly competitive mainly because of its massive population.
Applying for jobs and being present in-person for interviews might give you an advantage in your job hunt. If you’re looking to establish your career in the entertainment industry or fashion – LA may be the best place for you, although you would have to try a little harder to land a job in one of these industries.
Over 500 booming technology companies are present in LA, which means that if you have a shining resume and are willing to work extra hard in the job hunt phase, you may be able to get the job of your dreams.
If you’re moving to LA while being unemployed, make sure to accurately calculate the cost of moving in Los Angeles before taking the leap.
7. Expect Lots of Traffic
Traffic might be one of the most unfortunate parts of moving to LA.
The bustling city always has hundreds of cars on the roads, and if you’re unlucky, you may spend hours stuck in rush hour traffic between 7 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm.
Since the city is spread over a wide area and with overly crowded public transportation, it is almost impossible to navigate without owning a car.
If you’re looking to move to LA, make sure to find an apartment closer to your work and all other possible amenities to avoid the displeasure caused by living in one of the most traffic-clogged cities in the United States.
8. Parking Is a Science
Finding the right parking spot is often a miserable experience in LA, and even if you’re lucky enough to have found one, the charges could be an absolute nightmare.
The city has a very high vehicle density, which makes it difficult to find safe garage spaces. For this reason, we suggest you equip yourself with all important principles of finding a parking spot before moving to LA.
Relocating comes with a lot of challenges, but it can be relatively easy if you have it all planned ahead of time. If you’re considering moving to LA, you must weigh the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles, from finding the right apartment and job to the cost of living and even the gruesome traffic situation of the city.
The cost of moving to Los Angeles may be higher than other states in the US, but it is definitely on the lower side compared to the cost of moving to San Francisco from LA. Once you’ve decided to call the city of angels your new home, we hope that this guide on how to move to LA will help you with settling in your dream home.
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Relocating comes with a lot of challenges, but it can be relatively easy if you have it all planned ahead of time. If you’re considering moving to LA, you must weigh the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles, from finding the right apartment and job to the cost of living and even the gruesome traffic situation of the city.
The cost of moving to Los Angeles may be higher than other states in the US, but it is definitely on the lower side compared to the cost of moving to San Francisco from LA. Once you’ve decided to call the city of angels your new home, we hope that this guide on how to move to LA will help you with settling in your dream home.