Moving to Los Angeles: Everything You Need to Know
Many people move to Los Angeles, the famous City of Angels, without really knowing much about the it. According to Data USA, there are nearly 4 million people living in LA. Many come here expecting Hollywood glitz and glamour, complete with celebrities, directors, and agents. Others believe that moving to the city will inspire the next Great American novel while writing at a local coffee shop. Some people even think the city is all about surfing and living a laid-back beach lifestyle.
Even though LA can be all these things, there are many misconceptions about the city depicted by the media. It’s important to understand that LA is also a huge, culturally diverse city filled with both locals and transplants from all over the world. Below is everything you need to know about moving to Los Angeles.
The Traffic is Real
Seriously, traffic in the city is so bad, it’ll make you want to pull your hair out. According to LA Times, the traffic congestion in Los Angeles was ranked worst in the world for the sixth consecutive year as of 2018. While many believe that New York City had the worst traffic, the study showed that LA drivers spent an average of 102 hours in traffic, while New Yorkers spent 92 hours. For those living in the city, it’s fair to assume that unless it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the Superbowl, traffic will last most of the day starting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You’ll Feel an Earthquake
Although the city hasn’t experienced a major earthquake since Northridge in 1994, there are mini-earthquakes that happen nearly every week. The Department of Conservation reports that every year, California gets two to three earthquakes big enough to reap moderate destruction to structures, so for peace of mind, it’s best to have an Earthquake Survival Kit ready just in case the Big One comes one day.
The Weather is Amazing
It’s true that moving to LA means consistent sunshine almost every day. For many East Coasters who experience rain, snow, or other tumultuous weather, moving to the star-studded city might be a good change of pace. No need to wear rain boots anymore—the Mediterranean-like weather makes any day a great one to spend outdoors having a picnic, beach day, or going for a hiking.
Networking Can Happen at Any Time
While professional networking events are regularly held throughout the city, you should always be ready to deliver your elevator pitch. You never know who you’re going to meet, whether you’re at a café, a spin class, out at the bar, or quite literally in a building elevator.
There’s a Subway
Los Angeles is a city full of drivers, but that doesn’t mean that taking the train is obsolete. The Metro has a number of transit-oriented projects lined up in the city, and it has taken steps to create more stations, making the subway more accessible for everyone. The transit company’s new Expo Line, which was fully completed in 2016, now connects subway patrons traveling from the eastside of town to westside attractions, including Santa Monica and Venice beach.
Learn Celebrity Etiquette
Many of Hollywood’s biggest talent, directors, writers, and agents live in Los Angeles, so it’s normal to spot a celebrity no matter what neighborhood you’re in. However, there are a few ground rules to learn before approaching a celebrity. Are they with family or in the middle of an important meeting? Do they look like they don’t want to be disturbed? Even though restraint might be difficult, try your best to keep cool.
Know Your Compass Directions
This is how locals communicate with each other when they talk location. Do you live eastside or westside of LA? North of the 405 or south? Since Los Angeles is so large, people tend to speak in directions, commute time, and landmarks. For instance, if you’re explaining that you live somewhere in Downey to someone who isn’t familiar with the area, you would say you live about 10 minutes southeast of Downtown.
Create Your Group of Friends
The most valuable tip for newcomers moving to Los Angeles is to surround yourself with likeminded people you can regularly hang out with. If you’re a transplant who has a few friends living on the other side of town, expect to spend a lot of days alone. When moving to the city, it’s important to build a new social circle, whether it’s through a Meetup or a fitness group.