10 Things to Know Before Moving to Los Angeles

There are always people who are considering changing where they live. In 2020 alone, over 10 million people changed their addresses in the United States.

This change, of course, is due to many reasons, ranging from personal reasons like death or eviction to work-related reasons like promotions. These two groups of factors account for over 80% of all reasons why people move. The Military and the Federal Government is the reason for the remaining 18% of all moves.

When a person has decided to move to a place, the person either wants to go in blind as a form of adventure or wants to know all that they should expect.

People are always interested in moving to Los Angeles with the hopes of making it big there. Celebrities who have made their names somewhere else want to be where the action is as well so they move to the big city.

However, most people who move to Los Angeles are surprised by many things they wish they knew before they moved.

These things will kill false myths about the city. It will also arm you with the information you need to survive and then thrive in a city that is known to chew up its weak and strengthen its strong.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a very popular city. This is because of Hollywood. Many people who don’t live in the United States, know the city. They know it alongside other cities like New York and Chicago.

The city is the biggest in California. It is the second-largest city in the United States of America behind New York.

As of the year 2020, the population of the city was 3.9 million. This is counting of people who live in the city and not those who work in the city. Many suburbs feed economically from Los Angeles.

Economically, Los Angeles has a gross metropolitan product of $1 Trillion. Only Tokyo and New York have a larger GDP in the world.

However, with its diverse culture and unique weather, Los Angeles has more to offer than expected and there are things people should know before moving to this popular city.

Things to Consider Before Moving to Los Angeles

If you love the challenge of big-city living and desire sunny weather, you will be attracted to Los Angeles. If a multicultural setting is up your alley, you will feel at home here. Below are ten things you should know before taking the plunge.

1. The Traffic is as Advertised

None of the stories you have heard about Los Angeles traffic are hyperboles. Most of the stories are even underestimates of the real-life experience.

The city has few highways so most of the streets are always congested. Part of the contributing factor to this is that the city is spread out over a wide area, making getting around with bus stops difficult. This has led to a car driving culture.

Also, the influx of vehicles into the city from all the suburbs surrounding it daily worsens the already tight traffic.

Before you settle for a place consider the distance to work. The closer you are to work the easier your life will be.

2. The Hunt for an Apartment Will Be Intense

While moving around the city can be a pain, getting where to rest your head can feel like war.

Apartments are grabbed hours after being advertised. You have to know where you want to live and work to make the best of your apartment choice.

When you know this, you should contact multiple agencies to have options. Don’t sleep on a free apartment, spending time pondering on it. Make a quick decision on whether you would want to live there or not and if you can easily access work from there. Once you have that figured out, seal the deal before the chance is gone.

3. The Cost of Living is High

All the lovely things of Los Angeles come at a huge price. To summarize, the cost of living here is 43% higher than the national average.

This might sound back-breaking but the solace is that it is still cheaper than living in New York.

To comfortably settle into Los Angeles, you might need as much as $15000 to cover all your initial expenses. That is a lot of money but it's a testament to what living there will cost. To live in the city center comfortably you might need to earn an annual income of up to $75,000.

If you are earning $40,000 or less as a single person, you should consider having roommates and living away from the city center.

4. There is a lot of Los Angeles to Explore

Unlike New York that isn’t spread out, Los Angeles is wide. It is indeed a big city in both population and size.

You cannot get around the city in a few hours because of its size. Some people consider dating other people from another part of the city as a long-distance relationship. This is because they won’t have the luxury of time or distance to interact more than a few times a month.

The advantage of this size is that there is a lot of Los Angeles to explore and you will soon realize that each part has its unique characteristics.

5. The Weather Adds Character to The City

It is true what they say about the weather in the city. It is pleasant. Particularly for those who aren’t fans of cold snowy winters.

The city is warm all year round with summer tipping 70 degrees. Winter never goes below 40 degrees.

However, the city is known to suffer from drought so most people conserve water.

6. Finding A Job Might Be Difficult

The city is popular for its opportunities so many people take the plunge into the unknown and try to make it here with no prior knowledge of how they will survive.

There are opportunities but to get them, you will have to come to the city. People hardly succeed in getting jobs online before moving to the city. If you move to the city, however, opportunities will come more rapidly.

7. Los Angeles is more than Entertainment

The city is known for its robust entertainment industry. There are indeed a lot of jobs to be had in this industry but that isn’t all the city has to offer.

Due to the difficulty in breaking into the entertainment industry, you might feel like the city has little to offer. However, the technology industry is growing rapidly. Making the city a real tech hub worthy of consideration.

8. There is a lot of Beach

With 75 miles of coastline wrapping Los Angeles like a blanket, you can’t say you have explored the city without a visit to the beach.

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is right next to a beach.

Although getting to the beach from far inland can be a real pain due to the traffic, a trip to the beach will be worth it.

Los Angeles has everything to encourage you to soak yourself in the sun. It has white sand and pleasant weather.

9. Many Jobs in the City Aren’t Typical

You will be surprised by the sheer number of people in cafes during working hours. It might give you the impression that this is a city of unemployed people.

The reality however is quite different. Many jobs in Los Angeles aren’t typical. Many are seasonal as well.

Many people who work in the entertainment industry have long downtimes that might be as long as months.

Others work remotely, and with the pandemic reducing office interaction, more people are taking this route.

10. Everyone is Serious About Healthy Living

Los Angeles has a culture of healthy living. If you aren’t used to working out you might be surprised by the number of people who are striving to stay fit and trim.

If you are, on the other hand, interested in such a lifestyle you will feel right at home. Society will make even the most laid-back person get serious with his or her health.

Most of the city troop regularly to the gym, have yoga classes, go running and practice different sports.

Dieting is also important in the city with many fit eating programs to help people stay fit and trim.

The Roundup

Los Angeles is one of the most exciting cities on earth and that is an undeniable fact. There are so many opportunities for different types of lifestyles.

There are, however, challenges that have to be overcome like the stress of the traffic on your body and mental health, the high cost of living, and the difficulty in getting a suitable apartment.

If you are still set on moving to this great city, you will need a moving company that can help you make the transition smoother. Three Movers is one of your best options. We can move your stuff to any part of Los Angeles and settle you into your dream.