There are many reasons people move to LA for. Some people go there to make it big in the music industry, some people go there to be actors, some people just go for a change of scenery. It’s not as easy as those movies and TV shows make it look. But before you come out there with stars in your eyes, here is what you need to know.
1. You should find a good neighborhood
LA is a big city, and it’s easy to get lost in. If you’re moving from a small town or your parent’s house, find the neighborhood that best suits you. If you’ve been wondering ”What LA neighborhood should I live in”, check out what’s available online and choose the best one for you. Do extensive research before you buy an apartment because you don’t want to end up somewhere sketchy if you can avoid it.
2. Jobs are hard to find out here
LA is a pretty expensive place to live. Most of the jobs are desk jobs at big companies in the center of the city. So if you’re moving there for a job, it might be worth looking into temporary housing first, so you have some time to look around and get settled before settling down in an apartment with your new job. Be prepared for some long hours, some people work 9-5, but others have to work longer hours because their company has more workload than they can handle on that kind of schedule. You should expect some weekend work as well—it’s just the way things go out here.
3. Traffic can be hellish
If you’re going to stay in LA for a while, it helps to know what you’re getting into or at least have an idea of how long your commute is going to take you in different circumstances. Whether you plan on living near where you work or commuting from one neighborhood to another, knowing what kind of options you have ahead of time makes the frustration less stressful when figuring out routes around town. You might think that living closer will help, but even then there are still major back-ups that come with having such a big city all in one place.
4. The weather can be wonderful
LA has a lot of rain in the winter and early spring, but it’s still great to get out and enjoy. You just want to be smart about what you do and when. Take an umbrella with you everywhere even if there isn’t a cloud in the sky because by the time you go somewhere you might end up needing it while parked on a Metro Rail or bus stop while waiting for your ride home. If it’s not raining, then it’s probably hot, so bring sunscreen with you at all times too—you don’t want to get burned.
5. The food can be amazing
LA has a lot to offer when it comes to restaurants and entertainment, you just have to know where to look. However, there are some things that people from other parts of the country should try if they get a chance while visiting the city— In-N-Out Burger for one. It’s not quite as good as up north, but still worth going out of your way for if you want a taste of home while on tour with the band. You’ll never go back once you’ve had California-style Mexican food, either!
6. You can find anything you want in LA
LA is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for anything. Not everything, but you can probably find it if you look hard enough. People come from all over the world to go to school, shop, live and work in LA, so don’t be surprised to see people from everywhere around the globe. You’ll run into people from France that moved out for a job opportunity or because they finally decided that LA is the place they want to call home. There’s a bit of everything here—which means there’s also a lot of everything, too.
Why do so many people move to LA?
There are some people who complain about the traffic, but it’s actually not too bad if you know your way around. Plus, there are lots of great neighborhoods to live in out here—you can find one that fits your needs and budget perfectly without any problem. It may take a little time though because LA is so big and has many options for new transplants coming into town. There are many reasons you should move to LA, so you can research some of them.
Living in LA might be the best decision you ever made for your lifestyle. There are so many opportunities to find jobs, find other people to have fun with, and have a good life all around. You can find anything you might want out there, so if there are some odd things that are on your list of ‘stuff to do for your next city—LA has it!
