Living in Los Angeles
Unlike other major metropolitan cities, Los Angeles is spread out across 500 square miles. This explains why the city isn’t exactly walkable. Los Angeles County comprises 88 cities, including Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, San Fernando Valley, and outlying areas such as Orange County. Consider the fact there are so many areas, and each area contains many smaller neighborhoods. Each area has its own distinct culture, terrain, and sometimes even weather. Choosing the right neighborhood will depend on a number of factors, including where you work, access to public transportation, proximity to the beach, and your personal hobbies and lifestyle. You should also keep in mind that Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities to live in the nation, with housing being the biggest contributor to the high costs. Some of LA’s most popular neighborhoods include:
Eastside:
- Downtown LA
- Hollywood
- Silver Lake
- Echo Park
- Highland Park
Westside
- Venice
- Santa Monica
- Brentwood
- Culver City
- Marina del Rey
San Fernando Valley (The Valley)
- Northridge
- Van Nuys
- Studio City
- Toluca Lake
- Encino
How to Choose the Right Neighborhood
Los Angeles is such a large city with so many neighborhoods to choose from. When deciding on a neighborhood, there are several factors to consider, including the cost of housing, transportation, commute to work or school, and desirable amenities. If you desire to live near the beach, you may want to consider Pasadena, Culver City, Echo Park, Pacific Palisades, or Santa Monica. These neighborhoods offer convenient access to the beach but also come at a hefty price. If you prefer great restaurants and cool museums, you may choose The Valley, which is known as an area where you can get more space for your money. If you want to be right in the heart of it all, consider downtown LA. This area has a bustling nightlife and is also more walkable than other areas.
Getting Around in Los Angeles
Navigating a city as big as Los Angeles is one of the biggest challenges of moving here. There are a number of different transportation options, though most residents prefer to drive their own car.
Public Transportation
LA is known for having a poorly run public transportation system, though things are beginning to change as the Metro System continues to grow and expand. There is a light rail system, city buses, and mini shuttles that operate in certain areas.
Ride-Share
Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are very popular for people who are running errands or getting to and from a social outing.
Bikes and Scooters
LA’s metro bike share system offers shared bikes at hubs throughout the city. You can purchase a day pass for $5 and enjoy unlimited rides for 24 hours. Bird scooters are also available and very popular.
Driving Your Own Car
Most residents do prefer to drive their own car, though the LA Freeway can be quite daunting for newcomers. Drivers can expect erratic drivers, lots of traffic, and sometimes commute times of well over an hour, depending on where you live. Newcomers, beware…in LA, every hour is rush hour!
Land of Opportunity
It’s no secret that LA is the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” but there are plenty of other industries to find employment in the area. These include aerospace, tourism, tech, bioscience, and fashion. If you want to work in the entertainment industry, many of the industry's top employers are located here, including 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros Pictures, Dreamworks, Amazon Studios, Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube Studios. Top aerospace and defense employers include Northrop, Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic. Los Angeles County is also home to 22 Fortune 500 companies, meaning there are plenty of career opportunities in the City of Angels.
Perfect for Outdoor Lovers
If you love spending time outdoors, there’s no better place to live than Los Angeles. Most days are sunny, with average temperatures around 74 degrees. This near-perfect weather makes it possible to enjoy outdoor activities all year round. With more than 75 miles of coastline and nearly a dozen beaches, there are plenty of ways to soak up the sun and have fun on the water. You may also enjoy walking, biking, or rollerblading along the boardwalk at Venice Beach. Surrounded by the Santa Monica, San Gabriel, and San Bernardino Mountains, there are also plenty of hiking trails and parks to explore.
There’s Always Something to Do
There is more than enough to keep you busy when you live in Los Angeles. The city has more than 105 museums, and more than a dozen professional and collegiate sports teams, and it is also home to Universal Studios amusement park, while Disneyland is just a short drive away. Of course, there are always premiere concerts and theatrical performances, as well as loads of outdoor music throughout the year. Living in LA also means getting your chance to attend a live taping of a TB show, encounters with celebrities, and world-class shopping on Rodeo Drive. In addition, Los Angeles has arguably the best dining scene in the country!
Helpful guides
We have put together several guides on moving to Los Angeles from some popular cities. Read these for more information:
Ready to Move to Los Angeles? Allied Van Lines Can Help!
Living in Los Angeles can be an exciting opportunity, but it can also be overwhelming. That’s why it is helpful to call in the professionals at Allied Van Lines. As a leader in the moving industry for more than 95 years, our knowledgeable and highly experienced specialists can guide you through the moving process. With the help of our team, you can save time, money, and a tremendous amount of stress. We know exactly what it takes to plan and execute a seamless move. Call Allied today for more information about our moving services, and let us help with your relocation to Los Angeles!