It has been the dream of millions of people for decades. People have wanted to up sticks and move to Los Angeles ever since the first settlements sprung up there. The California gold rush started it all off but the rise of the Hollywood movie studios really put this place on the map.
The promise of warm weather all year round, beaches within easy reach, and the best online sports betting in California, are more than enough to convince a lot of people that the West Coast is the best coast. But if you are seriously thinking of making the move, what kind of things should you really know?
There are obvious things like realizing that it is very unlikely that you will become the next big movie star, no matter how good your high school drama teacher thought you were. But we mean the kind of information that will really help you make the most of living in the City of Angels. Here are some things we think you should know about before moving to LA.
Los Angeles County is Not the City of Los Angeles
One of the “facts” about Los Angeles that you think you probably know is that it is a city that is really spread out. But that’s not strictly true. Los Angeles County is though – and you should really find out which bit is the city and which is the county. Beverley Hills is not in the city, for example.
Now, it is true that the city of Los Angeles does cover a lot of land. At 502.7 miles, that is more than one and a half times bigger than New York, and over ten times the size of San Francisco. But the county is made up of all the other cities, making getting to know your way around a task in itself.
There is Public Transportation
Another “fact” about Los Angeles is that everybody drives a car. Well, it is true that having a car to traverse such a large city does make things much easier. But the problem is that there are a lot of other people who will be thinking the same thing. That’s why it could be useful to discover LA’s public transportation.
Parts of the city are actually very walkable but that won’t help if you need to commute for your work. The Metro system consists of a ton of bus routes, four light rail lines, and two subway lines. Delays are frequent though – and you may have to include driving as part of your commute. The system is improving – but it has a way to go.
Locals Like to Hike (Not Walk)
You will not find the sidewalks as busy as in places like New York – and many people are quite happy (ish) to spend hours in their cars getting from A to B. But if Angelinos don’t like walking too much, it is not true to say that they don’t like spending time in the outdoors.
With a climate that demands you crank up the AC or spend as much time outside as possible, it is not surprising that locals do enjoy the sun on their faces. Mere walking might not be a thing but hiking is big here. The trails of Runyan Canyon Park and Griffith Park are always busy, with city dwellers heading for the hills at any given opportunity.
The Street Food is Amazing
The diversity of Los Angeles guarantees that you will find incredible food wherever you look in the city. There are enough Michelin-starred restaurants to keep any gourmet diner happy but you can also find amazing meals to fit any budget. In fact, the street food scene is one of the best in the country.
Street vendors were not even legal until 2018 but there was plenty of choice way before then – and there is even more now if you crisscross LA and sample the delights of the different neighborhoods. The diversity of the place really helps here and produces dishes that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
Figure 2 You could eat a different dish every week of the year in LA
The Cost of Living is High
We’re not going to sugarcoat it – Los Angeles is expensive. Rent might be higher in other Californian cities, such as San Francisco and San Jose, but Los Angeles is still higher than most places. The cost of housing will take up a big chunk of your paycheck – and the high state income taxes will further deplete your disposable funds.
Everyday items, such as your morning coffee, will also cost a lot more than in other places. But you will have some of the freshest food available on your doorstep and a work/life balance that beats many of the cities on the East Coast. It pays to shop around too. Even rental prices can differ wildly from neighborhood to neighborhood. But when it comes down to it, that’s the kind of thing you balance, as Los Angeles will always be one of the most exciting places you could ever live.