The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Los Angeles
The City of Angels is a world destination that’s enshrined in popular culture the world over, meaning and representing different things to different people.
For some, it’s the pinnacle of southern California living, epitomizing that sort of life-by-the-beach lifestyle that many people aspire to have. For others, it’s the capital of entertainment, a place where aspiring influencers and actors alike congregate and come together for their chance to make it big.
No matter what your reason for moving to Los Angeles is, whether it be aspirational, career-oriented, education-oriented, family-motivated, or otherwise, the process of actually getting here comes with a host of its own challenges. From finding a place to getting your furniture and other valuables to your new place, there’s a lot you have to figure out.
But thankfully, you don’t have to go at it alone—this guide is here to help you with some key tips and advice to keep in mind when moving to La-La Land. Whether you’re moving from the middle of the country or relocating from somewhere closer by, we have you covered. Keep reading to learn more about how to make your Los Angeles move as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Choosing Where to Live
Before choosing a place to move into, you’ll want to find the right neighborhood to live in. There’s plenty to choose from, each with advantages and drawbacks, along with their own culture and vibes. What you’re ultimately looking for out of your LA experience will help guide which neighborhood you should move to.
The city comprises over a half dozen regions, and each of these regions contains its own cities and smaller neighborhoods within them. There are areas like downtown that are more of a business district than a living area, places like the Eastside that thrive as a cultural hotbed, and Hollywood, where much of the entertainment we enjoy is created. Within these regions, there are about 470 different neighborhoods scattered throughout them, and this is debatable when you consider how informal some of these borders can be.
When choosing where to settle down, opt for an area that’s closer to where you’re going to work and do things. Getting around the city can already be enough of a nightmare, you don’t want to make it worse by creating a ridiculous commute for yourself just to earn enough money to sustain living in one of the country’s most expensive cities.
Finding the Right Place
Once you decide on the area you want to live in, you’re going to have to secure the place you want to move into. Here we’ll largely focus on renters, as navigating the complexities of home ownership in LA is its own series of articles.
Choosing the perfect place to move into is going to depend on a compromise of several factors, and you’re going to have to weigh what’s most important to you and your particular situation. For instance, if the cost of rent is your biggest concern, you’re going to be making several tradeoffs in terms of location, amenities, and the potential stability of the neighborhood overall.
Places like West Hollywood and Downtown Santa Monica are going to be more expensive due to their rate of development and overall high cost of living. Meanwhile, you can save a bit of money by opting for places like Jefferson Park, Long Beach, or places that exist toward the periphery of the city. When you go to sign a lease, you’re going to need to ensure you have the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit to get those keys.
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the public transit lines that serve your neighborhood so you can easily get around. If you plan on driving, which you may well have to, ensure you familiarize yourself with LA”s complicated and expansive freeway system.
Planning Your Move
Once you have where you’re trying to live mapped out and you’ve secured a place to stay, it’s time to get started planning your actual moving process. Start by figuring out how you intend on getting yourself and your possessions to the city.
Are you planning on securing the services of experienced movers to get your stuff where you’re trying to go? This is a great way to take some of the hassle out of moving, essentially making it so you only have to worry about just getting to your new place and setting it up. However, this can also come with a hefty price tag depending on how much you’re trying to move and how far you’re trying to move it, so be sure to reach out to different companies to see what their rates are.
If you plan on moving everything yourself, you’re going to need to plan your trip out well in advance, depending on the distance, so that you give yourself as much breathing room as possible. Regardless of whether you choose a moving company or to do it yourself, book your preferred method out as far as possible to secure the best rate and your preferred moving date.
Ensuring a Seamless Los Angeles Relocation
Los Angeles, the gleaming jewel of Southern California, beckons many with its sun-soaked streets, iconic landmarks, and vibrant diversity. Whether you envision sunbathing by Venice Beach or rubbing elbows with the stars in Hollywood, the move to the City of Angels is not without its complexities.
The variety of neighborhoods, from business-centric downtown to the cultural hub of Eastside, offers a home for every dreamer. Yet, practical considerations like commute times, rent costs, and the intricacies of LA’s sprawling freeway system are essential to ponder. And while the idea of relocating might seem daunting, remember that every choice, from your future locale to how you plan your move, shapes your unique LA narrative.
This guide was curated to illuminate your path to LA, ensuring that your story in this captivating city begins on a positive, well-informed note. No matter where you choose to move to, with this guide behind you, you’re set to have a move day that’s as seamless and stress-free as possible.
