If you’re looking to live in a bustling, vibrant city that’s still close to nature and the ocean, L.A. is just the place for you. Here’s everything you need to know before moving to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles overview
As expected, Los Angeles has an exciting history. El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles, The Town of the Queen of Angels, as it was originally known, was founded in 1781 by Spanish settlers. As time went on and the population continued to grow, Los Angeles was sought after by many for its almost eternal sunshine.
People searching for their own California Dream came from far and wide to settle in L.A. Over time, the entertainment industry settled in L.A. and Tinsel Town was born. Since then many people have moved to Los Angeles seeking out dreams in Hollywood.
Here is some data to better understand Los Angeles demographics.
- Population: 3,979,576
- Population density: 8,092.3
- Median income: $62,474
- Average studio rent: $2,461
- Average one-bedroom rent: $3,132
- Average two-bedroom rent: $4,507
- Cost of living index: 146.6
Popular neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Like every other city, Los Angeles is composed of unique, fun neighborhoods. Each one offers something different depending on what you’re looking for — whether it be more family-oriented, in the center of the nightlife or a mix of both — there’s a neighborhood in L.A. perfect for you.
- Hollywood: If you’re looking to be right in the center of it all, Hollywood is the place for you. It has everything a city center should offer — great restaurants, nightlife and live entertainment — and it’s a pretty walkable area. But, be prepared to pay higher rent to be in the middle of the infamous entertainment capital.
- Park Le Brea: If you’re moving to Los Angeles with your family, Park Le Brea is a great option. Nestled in Mid City, Park Le Brea is a quiet escape from the city. The large apartment and townhome complexes are their own community that hosts many families giving it more of a neighborhood feel. Another perk is it’s right next to The Grove Mall and the famous Farmer’s Market, so with just a short walk you can shop, eat or see movies any day of the week.
- Downtown L.A.: Downtown L.A. has everything you could ask for — 24/7 diners, shopping centers, historic food markets and so much more. It provides a big city feel while still being close enough to the beach and other areas of LA you might want to explore.
- Silver Lake: Known as one of the most hipster neighborhoods in the country, Silver Lake is a great place to settle. The neighborhood has lots of fun boutiques, coffee shops and comedy clubs. If you’re looking for locally owned stores to hang out, work remotely and enjoy an easy-going afternoon, this is the neighborhood for you.
- Palms: Palms is rated as one of the best places to live in California for millennials because it has a large population of young, diverse people. It’s a quick drive from Culver City, where you can find delicious food and more.
The pros of moving to Los Angeles
L.A. has so much more to offer than people realize. Here are some pros for moving to Los Angeles.
The weather is perfect
It’s no surprise that people move to Los Angeles for the weather. The almost constant sunshine is a huge draw when deciding where to live. If you like outdoor activities, such as hiking, surfing, walking and want to do it year-round, this factor is definitely something to consider.
It’s the entertainment capital of the world
Los Angeles offers some of the best entertainment around. You’ll never have a boring night in this city. There’s every form of entertainment you can think of. Spend a night at a live comedy show at the world-famous Comedy Store or Laugh Factory. Go see a live concert at The Greek or watch a movie in the park.
No matter what you decide to do, you’ll have a blast. And, you don’t have to be pursuing a career in entertainment to enjoy the perks.
A melting pot of cultures
When moving to a new city, it can be intimidating to find your people. Luckily, L.A. has a unique, diverse culture. You can find every type of person in this city. While it’s true that many people in L.A. are into health and wellness, there are plenty of other communities. The biggest thing about L.A. culture is the sense of happiness and optimism the people have.
The cons of moving to Los Angeles
While there are many pros to living in L.A., there are obviously some cons, as well. Here are some cons to consider before moving to Los Angeles.
Traffic is no joke
It’s no secret that L.A. is known for its bad traffic and unfortunately, everything you’ve heard is true. The traffic can be truly crazy in this city. If you don’t like sitting in your car or leaving an hour early to get anywhere, L.A. might not be the place for you.
Parking is just as bad
Parking in L.A. isn’t any easier than the traffic. Street signs are difficult to read and sometimes even harder to understand. There’s always the risk of getting ticketed or worse, towed. The other con about parking is the price. Very rarely will you find a free parking lot in Los Angeles.
It’s very expensive
Another con to consider is the price of L.A. as it’s not the cheapest city to live in. Everything from rent to food costs more. This is something you should really think about and consider before making the move to Los Angeles.
Make sure your wallet can afford it and think beyond the common sense expenses like rent and utilities. As mentioned earlier, parking is expensive and when even if you don’t drive, Lyfts and Ubers add up.
How to get started on your move to Los Angeles
Ready to move to Los Angeles? It doesn’t matter where you end up in the city, you’ll fall in love with it just the same due to the city’s vibrant nature. Don’t forget to use Rent.’s Moving Center to help you with all your moving needs.
