Whether the harsh winter, over-ambitious people, a new job, love interest or other things have pushed you into moving from New York to Los Angeles, it makes sense to know what to expect in a different city. Even though Los Angeles is half the size of New York, several factors including pleasant weather and career opportunities attract people towards the west coast. So, here are a few things you need to know before switching your life to Los Angeles.
- Warmer Weather
If you have spent a large part of your life battling the freezing conditions in New York, you will be pleasantly surprised and happy with the warm weather in Los Angeles. LA gets a Mediterranean climate, and the air is hot and dry with mild winters. The cool breeze keeps everything pleasant in the coastal region. Although temperatures can peak up to 100 degrees, the average temperature in summer stays about 80-85 degrees. The rainy season usually extends from February to April, and the city receives only 12 to 15 inches of rain.
- Driving And Traffic
Although the highways and road connectivity in Los Angeles is pretty robust, the traffic is really bad when compared to New York. The roads are big and you will also find multi-lane highways that are jam-packed with drivers at any time of the day. Most people prefer to have their own transportation and you can expect people to lose their cool while driving due to the maddening crowd. Unlike New York, public transportation in LA is underdeveloped and underutilized.
- Real Estate Scene
You cannot expect to find a cozy beach-facing house in Los Angeles. They are extremely expensive and mostly reserved for the rich and famous. The house rent in Los Angeles is pretty much the same as New York City. The cost of an average home in the LA is more than $600,000.
However, it’s important to know that the real estate market in Los Angeles tends to be hard on first-time buyers. Most lenders would require you to have a six-figure income figure in order to qualify. The good news is that you can find a variety of price options in LA, which is difficult to find in NYC. From high rise apartments and luxury condos to townhouses, there’s something for everyone.
- Cost Of Living
In Los Angeles, the cost of living is slightly higher than what you can expect in New York and the median income is close to mid $50K. Add high taxes and the average rent for a luxury apartment may be more than $2000. A modest two-bedroom apartment can be found for $1700 rent.
Another factor that increases the cost of living is the expense of owning and maintaining a vehicle because the public transportation system is not as solid as in NYC. So, you will find yourself depending more on a personal vehicle, adding up your expenses.
- Job Opportunities
When we say Los Angeles, the first thing that comes to the mind is Hollywood. All over the place, you are likely to come across filmmakers, agencies, actors, and other people associated with the entertainment industry. It’s the creative industry that dominates the state’s economy.
You can find many people who work as contractors or freelancers in theatres, local museums, fashion and broadcasting industries. Also considered as the main hub of commerce, the financial sector is strong and the city employs many service providers and professionals in the insurance, banking, and investment sector.
These are only a few of the differences you will notice when moving from New York to Los Angeles. There are many more you will discover after you have transitioned to the new place.
