Los Angeles provides a great cultural experience but it does so at a price. The price is over population which converts to over-packed streets. A commute from the South Bay to The Valley ten years ago used to take thirty minutes. Today the same trip takes about an hour.
Anyone who is contemplating moving to Los Angeles must be a patient person. That said, there are many good things about the city.
Los Angeles is a Combination of Cultures and Has a Variety of Residential Neighborhoods
First of all, any perspective resident must decide in which area he/she wants to live. Los Angeles is a conglomerate of small communities, most of which are part of the city of L.A. There are several independent cities which are considered part of Los Angeles, but are their own municipalities.
Cultural areas dot Los Angeles, like the community of “Little Ethiopia,” “Chinatown,” “Japan Town,” and others. Besides these cultural communities, Los Angeles consists of many diverse residential areas. The San Fernando Valley is a populous location filled with a variety of residential neighborhoods and plenty of great shopping. The West Side, Hollywood, South LA, Brentwood, Venice, and others are also areas which offer residents various styles of living. Beverly Hills, which is its own municipality, has world famous shopping and a famous zip code.
Events and Activities are Abundant in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a cornucopia of cultural events which makes the city a crown jewel for the arts. The Hollywood Bowl offers great concerts under the stars in the summer and Disney Hall is the indoor location for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Music Center and several wonderful and historic theaters host concerts, plays, and other events.
The city embraces its sports teams – The Dodgers, The Lakers, The Clippers and The Kings. Currently there is no NFL team in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles offers a variety of activities besides those pertaining to the arts. The mountains surround the metropolis and provide nearby skiing opportunities as well as hiking prospects. And the Pacific Ocean offers many water activities. Several marinas house the thousands of sailboats that dot the water during good weather. When it’s hot inland, residents flock to the beaches to benefit from the ocean breeze.
The Tribulations of Living in a Large City
Los Angeles is basically a desert, and speaking of weather, Los Angeles is currently experiencing a drought, and residents are asked to conserve water. During peak heat days, rolling blackouts often affect the city, but when the population conserves energy the outcome is favorable.
All residents of California are urged to keep an emergency kit in their homes and cars in the case of earthquakes, which regularly hit the state. The people are continually reminded that a big quake could hit at any time. However in these times, emergency kits are recommended for the entire country in case of an attack or natural disaster.
The Metro trains provide transportation to several areas of the city, however it does not yet cover the entire city. Los Angeles is spread out and covers almost 500 square miles. People moving to the city should keep that in mind when they select a residential area.
With the film industry based in Southern California, the ratio of celebrities to non celebrities is high, yet this is not a place where residents fawn over celebrities. “The industry” is what drives the city. During the writers strike in 2007-2008, the city took an enormous economic hit.
The Cost of Living is High in Los Angeles
The cost of living in Los Angeles is higher than the country’s average. According to FinFacts.com, Los Angeles ranks 23rd on the global cost of living index.
Anyone considering a move to Los Angeles should inspect the city, drive through the various areas, and get a feeling for a specific area before making the final decision. There are so many different areas that make up the city that if one is not right for someone, another is just a couple miles away.
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