Moving to Los Angeles

For those considering moving to Los Angeles, CA, this article is a must-read. Los Angeles has always been, and still remains, a top relocation destination. People love living in LA for many reasons. We’ve put together a lot of what you’re going to need to know.

If you're interested in living in Los Angeles, explore the many available properties for sale in Los Angeles and certainly get in touch with us if you're thinking about relocating! Our team can provide you with personalized assistance based on our up-to-the-minute knowledge of the area. We understand that every situation is different, and that's where the expertise of a local Los Angeles agent can be invaluable, especially when you’re relocating to LA. 

Before you pack your bags, here are 35 things you should know about living in Los Angeles!

1. Traffic in LA can be very congested, so it’s important to plan ahead and be patient. This may involve checking traffic reports or using GPS navigation tools to find the most efficient routes to your destination. 
2. It’s a sprawling city, so, in general, it can take some time to get from one place to another. Due to the aforementioned traffic, that travel time can vary a great deal depending on time of day. 
3. The cost of living in LA is higher than the national average. While Los Angeles can be an expensive place to live, there are also many affordable housing options throughout the city. 
4. There’s Earthquakes. Not very often, but they do happen from time to time. Knowing what to do when one occurs is important. Earthquake safety not only involves having a preparedness plan, in addition to knowing what to do during an earthquake, it's important to have an emergency kit with supplies such as food, water, and first aid items. When you buy a home, it’s recommended to get earthquake insurance. Even though, for whatever reason, mortgage lenders don’t actually require you to have the coverage. 
5. The beaches in LA are popular destinations, but they can get crowded during peak season. These, though, are some of the most famous beaches in the world, including Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, and Malibu Beach. 
6. The city is relatively safe, but like any large urban area, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions. 
7. The public transportation system is extensive, but, still, many Angelenos prefer to drive.  
8. The city has a rich history, including a connection to the movie industry and the birth of skateboarding. 
9. The entertainment industry is a major part of LA’s economy, but there are also many other industries and job opportunities. This makes Los Angeles a great place to find career opportunities in numerous industries, including entertainment, healthcare, and finance. LA also has a thriving tech and startup scene, offering a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs and innovators. 
10. The city is not only prone to traffic, but also parking tickets. Be sure to read and obey signs carefully. https://ladot.lacity.org/projects/parking-la
11. The city has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, with many events and organizations. LA is an inclusive city that values and celebrates its LGBTQ+ community. 
12. The city has a large homeless population, and it’s important to be respectful and compassionate towards those in need. Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass is leading an effort with a plan to remove 17,000 of the city’s unhoused from the streets within a year. The project is underway. https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-signs-executive-directive-launching-inside-safe-changing-citys-encampment-approach
13. It’s important to be aware of the risk of car theft as well as catalytic converter theft and to take precautions. https://xtown.la/2023/01/30/los-angeles-car-thefts-increase-in-2022/
14. LA has a strong environmental movement, with many organizations and initiatives promoting sustainability. 
15. It’s important to be aware of the risk of brush fires and to take precautions to prevent them. https://www.lafd.org/fire-prevention/brush/brush-clearance-requirements
16. Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate, which means mild temperatures throughout the year with plenty of sunshine. It’s known for its sunny and mild weather throughout the year. Temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 
17. With its mild climate, and proximity to the ocean, Mountains and desert, Los Angeles is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, surfing, and skiing. 
18. Los Angeles is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, with a rich mix of cultures and languages. Each diverse neighborhood has its own unique culture and vibe. The city has an international flair, with numerous ethnic neighborhoods such as Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and Koreatown. 
19. Los Angeles has a vibrant and diverse food scene, with a variety of cuisines and dining options ranging from street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants. The restaurants and food trucks offer cuisine from all over the world. As of 2021, the city had a whopping 30,800 restaurants according to http://www.worldcitiescultureforum.com/data/number-of-restaurants
20. Los Angeles has a lively nightlife scene with numerous bars, clubs, and music venues offering entertainment well into the wee hours of each and every night. 
21. Los Angeles has a thriving art and cultural scene, with world-class museums, galleries, and performing arts centers, not to mention street art all around the city. Museums include the Getty Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and the Natural History Museum.  
22. Los Angeles is home to numerous professional sports teams, including the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Rams, LA Galaxy and Kings. 
23. Shop till you drop! Los Angeles has some of the best shopping in the world, with numerous luxury shopping destinations from high-end boutiques to vintage shops. 
24. Los Angeles is centrally located in Southern California, making it easy to travel to other destinations such as San Diego, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas. 
25. Los Angeles has many prestigious universities and colleges, including University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and California Institute of Technology (Caltech). A great place to pursue higher education and research opportunities.  
26. Los Angeles is known for its health and wellness industry, with many health food stores, yoga studios, fitness centers, and vegan restaurants. 
27. Los Angeles has many notable buildings and architectural landmarks, including the Getty Center and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It’s a city that is known for its innovative architecture and design including Googie Architecture. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googie_architecture 
28. Los Angeles has the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains as well as many parks and green spaces, including Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon, that offer stunning views of the city. Beautiful sunsets and vistas. 
29. It’s a festival! The city hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, including the famous Coachella Music Festival, LA Pride, and the LA Film Festival. 
30. Access to multiple airports for travel including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and smaller regional airports like Santa Monica Airport (SMO), Compton Woodley Airport (CPM), San Gabriel Valley Airport (EMT) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Van Nuys Airport is incredibly popular with Hollywood Elite and Ultra high net worth individuals.
31. Los Angeles is known for its laid-back and trendy fashion, with many high-end boutiques and trendy streetwear shops. 
32. A city with a rich history and landmarks, such as the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame 
33. The opportunity to attend major events, such as the Academy Awards, The Rose Parade and the Los Angeles County Fair. 
34. Home to the 4th largest public library system in the United States in terms of total collection. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_libraries_in_the_United_States
35. A city that is constantly evolving and growing 

Relocating to Los Angeles

Over the past few years, Ken Sisson (and the team of professionals) have helped many people relocate to Los Angeles and buy their homes. Ken moved to LA from New York City in 1999, himself. 

Touring Virtually

At the beginning of the pandemic, we invested in 360° cameras and other tools to create high quality virtual tours. Some of these can be created in a matter of the same amount of time it takes to physically tour a property in person. These tools have turned out to be really helpful when assisting people that are relocating to the area and are not currently local. Virtual touring as a first phase, or even second phase of narrowing down property selection is an amazing innovation!

Other Tools and Resources

Using our website and our advanced, hyper-local search features you can narrow down your search whether it's searching by Zip Code in the Los Angeles area or by the school district. Additionally, we have some great resources that we don't always share online, which we will share with you if you would like to work with us on purchasing a home! You can start looking into further details into particular neighborhoods in Los Angeles here. Please feel free to reach out to us directly here.

Hopefully, you enjoyed reading the 35 Things to Know Before Moving to Los Angeles! If so, share it with friends!

Considering a move to Los Angeles?

Our team of top local Real Estate Agents love to help folks make the move and relocate to LA - We also have one of the most extensive networks of local agents and service providers throughout the country that can help you prepare to leave and sell your current home while we prepare you for your arrival in Los Angeles. Contact us to help with your relocation OR with any questions you may have!