Essential Tips for Moving to LA: Cost, Traffic, and More

Before moving to Los Angeles it is vital that you invest time in research, planning, and preparation. LA offers many diverse neighborhoods from which you can choose your new home.

Our checklist features seven of the most essential factors when moving to Los Angeles. 

1. Cost of Living

Los Angeles is well known for its expensive cost of living, housing costs being one of the major expenses. Researching various neighborhoods will enable you to better determine buying or renting costs. Similarly, everyday items like food and transportation expenses could add significantly to the total expense bill.

2. Traffic and Commuting Times

LA is known for its heavy traffic congestion. Commute times tend to be long during rush hour; so when selecting an LA neighborhood as your new home, be mindful of how long your daily commute is; this will save both time and money by choosing one closer to where you work.

3. Climate Change

LA is famously blessed with its Mediterranean climate and abundant sunshine year-round, but occasionally heat waves or natural disasters like wildfires or earthquakes may occur here - be prepared and take precautionary steps against such risks!

4. Location

First things first: location, location, location. To help you choose, consider what type of environment you prefer to live in, where your school or work will be, and what the transportation is like in that area. 

If you are someone who likes to live in the center of the action, look to buzzy areas like Downtown LA and Koreatown. However, if you prefer a bit more peace and quiet, being a little bit further out in neighborhoods like Echo Park or Los Feliz might be more your speed. 

5. Job Market

Los Angeles offers many industries to work in such as healthcare, technology and entertainment - it is wise to research employment markets prior to moving here.

6. Schools

Consideration must be given to the quality of local schools when considering having children in Los Angeles, both public and independent alike, because each has unique benefits to offer.

7. Culture and Entertainment

LA is known for its vibrant cultural scene and abundant entertainment options. From museums and art galleries to sports and music events, there is always something to do in the city.

Moving to LA can be a challenging and exciting experience. By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision that will help ensure a smooth transition.

8. Other Options to Consider 

Cleanliness

One of the most basic things that you want your home to be is clean, right? A messy apartment is not only unsanitary, it’s distracting and bad for productivity. Particularly during this era of taking extra precautions for cleanliness, you will want an apartment that is well managed and regularly cleaned. While you can tidy your own apartment, it’s a huge bonus to have an included cleaning service in the cost of your rent.

Security and Safety

Los Angeles is like any big city when it comes to safety, that is to say, while you will mainly feel safe, you should definitely take precautions for protection. You’ll not only want to find an apartment in a safe area but also have some type of security system in place for peace of mind. When looking for an apartment, check to see if they have security cameras, an alarm system, or gates for the protection of residents.

Furnishings

If you are looking to save on expenses in LA, there’s no question that you should rent an apartment that is already furnished. Nice furnishings can be expensive, so it’s best not to have to buy them yourself, especially when you may only live in the apartment for a few years or less. Furniture depreciates in value very quickly, so don’t count on the fact that you can sell it later and get your money back.

Utilities Included in the Rent Price

Just when you think you’ve found the apartment of your dreams at a price point within your budget, the inevitable happens. You realize no utilities are included and they are way over what you expected them to be. Unfortunately, you’ll find most apartment complexes leave utilities out of the rent price, partly because they can often fluctuate by usage and also to make the rent price seem lower than it actually is.

To avoid falling into this trap, make a list of utilities and be sure to ask before you visit the apartment what the average utility costs are. Of course, if you do find a rare jewel that has included utilities in the rent, hold on tight! They don’t come around often.

Amenities

The amenities at every apartment will be different, so make a list at each place you visit of what they offer. Some apartments for rent will be sparse, without even the basics like a laundry unit, dishwasher, and air conditioner, while others will have everything under the sun. Some popular amenities that attract young people are fitness centers, a pool, a parking garage, package lockers, and high-speed internet.

Complimentary Maintenance

One of the main benefits of renting, rather than owning a property is that when something breaks, you can call your landlord to fix it without charge. While you will take care of your space, things happen and ultimately it should be up to your building manager or landlord to take care of repairs. When looking for an apartment, make sure any maintenance, from plumbing to checking smoke detectors is included during your period of lease.

Conclusion

Moving to Los Angeles might appear to be daunting at first, but with proper research and careful planning, you can turn it into an enjoyable experience. Factors to keep in mind include cost, commute times, area demographics (ie schools), job market (including schools) culture entertainment amenities available within each city, etc so as to make informed choices that fit with your requirements for living there.

Be certain to conduct sufficient research prior to making any definitive decisions.

FAQs

1. Is it expensive to live in LA?

Yes, LA has a high cost of living, particularly in terms of housing, but everyday items like groceries and transportation can also be costly.

2. How bad is the traffic in LA?

LA is well known for having heavy traffic at rush hour; when choosing where to live, take this into consideration when considering commute times.

3. What climate conditions exist in Los Angeles?

LA is known for its Mediterranean climate and plenty of sunshine all year round, but does occasionally experience heat waves and natural disasters.

4. What are some of the top neighborhoods to live in Los Angeles?

What constitutes an ideal neighborhood for you depends entirely upon your personal requirements and lifestyle preferences. Before making any major decisions in relation to that location, conducting extensive research should be performed beforehand.

5. What Does LA's Job Market Look Like?

Los Angeles (LA) is home to many industries - entertainment, technology and healthcare are just three. Before moving to any new city it is wise to conduct some research regarding available job positions within your field of choice.