Estimated reading time: 7 mins
Did you know that nearly 4 million people live in Los Angeles?
Having so many people in one city can become overwhelming and you must be prepared.
If you are one of these people considering or planning to make the move, there are many things you should keep in mind so that the move isn’t a failure.
Continue reading to discover some of the best tips on moving to California, specifically on Los Angeles alone and successfully.
1. Land a Job
Keeping in mind that there are almost 4 million people residing in LA, finding a job before moving is one of the most important things to do.
Having so many people in one area, who have common goals, makes the work field extremely competitive. Giving yourself enough time to find a job and go through interviews and training may take you more time than you think, so be prepared.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, LABJ Top 100 Best Places to Work in Los Angeles is an excellent source to get you started and coming up with ideas.
Not only does finding a job become more challenging with such a large population, but finding apartments, dates, and roommates may also take more time than you are used to.
2. Figure out How Much It Will Cost
Whenever someone makes a big move, there are fees that you must consider.
Rental trucks, moving company costs, and the standard rate of living in your new neighborhood should all be calculated and considered before moving day. For most people, Los Angeles is more expensive, not to mention that just the sales tax is 9%.
Moving to Los Angeles alone means that you will have to pay for all of these expenses yourself, or find a roommate to help save some money. Having a roommate can help you lower costs and give you someone to get to know in the big city.
3. Find the Perfect Home
As mentioned above, the costs of renting and buying houses or apartments are typically higher than what you may be used to. Because of this, you might opt to rent or buy a smaller space, whether that be a small house or studio apartment, or, if you are a student or willing to share a space, one of these single rooms for rent in los angeles.
Saving up a good chunk of money can make it easier for when you begin looking at places to live, it will also help give you an idea of what to expect as well. There are many people trying to find the best place to stay in town so you will have to be patient, yet competitive during this process.
When finding your new home it is important to consider the parking situation, there is often a shortage of spots and you may have to park on the street or stay in a structure with expensive fees.
Utility bills may also run higher because LA does not get much rain. If you are looking for a place that allows dogs though, you are in luck. Many places will allow your furry loved one as long as they are under a certain weight.
4. How Are You Getting Around?
Although LA isn’t quite like New York City, it does have one big thing in common- bad traffic.
Having so many people in the same city leads to traffic backups and you should consider how you want to get around town. Public transportation is widely used in this area because it is reliable, often cheaper, and a whole lot easier to do.
Having a car in the big city is convenient for when you want to travel, but paying for gas, insurance, and all the other fees, on top of the high cost of living in LA can become too much.
Deciding on your mode of transportation will be easier to choose once you have a job lined up and know where you will be living.
5. Prepare for Diversity
Being in LA with 4 million other people will quickly make you realize how diverse the area is.
There are over 140 different cultures in Los Angeles and nearly 225 languages to experience. This city is a melting pot that will give you the opportunity to embrace other cultures and ways of life.
If you are from a small rural town, you may be a bit shocked at first because of the diversity, but as time goes on you will grow accustomed to other ways of life and may even pick up on their language!
Having so many cultures in one area makes it extremely important to do your research on businesses that will be helping you move, making sure that you can communicate is something to consider.
6. Hope for the Best and Plan for the Worst
Hoping for the best yet expecting the worst is one of the most useful tips when moving to a new place.
It is crucial that you are prepared for things to go wrong because more often than not— they will. Having a skill that is easily transferrable is recommended. This means that having bartending, serving, call centre, or reception experience is highly encouraged so that you have a job to fall back onto if you aren’t making enough money.
Another thing that you should learn is how to be alone and enjoy time to yourself. Everyone in LA is off pursuing their dreams, just like you, so expect that there will be a lot of time to yourself.
Injuries and job losses can happen and having plans for when things don’t go the way you expected may not always work but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
7. Check the Weather
When people think of LA they often picture a sunny beach with a perfect warm temperature but that isn’t always the case.
Pay attention to the areas you are looking to move to and even once you are there, it is important to keep track of the weather in your area. Carrying around sunscreen is recommended to avoid burns and keeping an umbrella in the car may be a good idea.
Within one day it may be hot and sunny at the beach, cold and snowy in the mountains, and have dry or flooded conditions in the valleys. Being prepared for any sort of weather is a good idea when you first move and as time goes on you will grow accustomed to their weather patterns.
How to Make Friends When Moving to Los Angeles Alone
Moving to an entirely new city with 4 million people can often make a person feel small and alone, even with that many people around them.
Making friends at the beginning of your move is highly recommended but after college, it may be intimidating to meet new people. Metting new people will give you someone to talk to, to help mentor you and show you the ropes of the city, and keep you busy.
If you aren’t sure where to find new friends you can begin your search on social media and at parties and comedy clubs. Most of these places can introduce you to new people and experiences.
There are many things that you can do in Los Angeles with friends so be sure to find some so that you don’t miss out! Many people also make friends when they have roommates or get a new job.
Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone, finding a friend can help get you through tough times and make living in a new area easier and a lot more fun!
Make Yourself at Home
Moving to Los Angeles alone can be one of the greatest things that you do in life and being prepared can help you make the most out of it.
LA is an impressive city that is extremely unique. In this area you are exposed to a little bit of everything, the people are extremely diverse and you will be able to try new foods all around the city.
If however, you are looking to kick back and not be in the chaos of town, there are plenty of beaches in the area to enjoy the sun and mountains to hike! Los Angeles is a city that can give you a little bit of everything, making it easy for anyone to find a home.
Utilizing the tips mentioned above can make your transition to LA much easier and prepare you for the reality of living there. Although the cost of living is much higher and there are a lot more people, you will have the chance to make Los Angeles home to you.
Be sure to keep browsing our blog for more articles, like this one, that helps make moving easier and life transitions smoother.
