Moving to Los Angeles? LA is home to world-class restaurants, beautiful beaches, amazing job opportunities, and so much more. If you’re considering living in the City of Angels, here’s what you should know!
ABOUT
LOS ANGELES
LIFE IN
LOS ANGELES
WHERE TO LIVE IN
LOS ANGELES
THINGS TO DO IN
LOS ANGELES
FAQs ABOUT
LOS ANGELES
What Time is it in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is located in the Pacific Time Zone and does follow Daylight Saving Time.
What is the Cost of Living in Los Angeles?
The cost of living in Los Angeles is 61% higher than the national average and 6% higher than the California state average.
What is the Population of Los Angeles?
According to 2020 Census data, LA has a population of 3,898,747.
What is the Crime Rate in Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles crime rate is 22% higher than the national average, and the city is considered safer than 11% of U.S. cities.
What is the Weather Like in Los Angeles?
The weather in Los Angeles is generally sunny and warm throughout the year, thanks to its temperate climate. July has temperatures averaging around 75 degrees, while January has temperatures averaging around 53 degrees. As far as precipitation, LA receives an average of 14.1 inches of rainfall.
Local Guides
Life in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a giant metropolitan area that offers a little bit of everything. Whether you want to embrace the fast-paced lifestyle of the big city or a more laid-back West Coast vibe, LA is the place to find it. Learn more about what it’s like to live in Los Angeles below!
The Los Angeles Lifestyle
One of the things everyone knows about Los Angeles is that it’s an expensive place to live, but few cities in the U.S. offer as much as LA does for residents—diverse art and culture, incredible year-round weather and outdoor recreation, amazing views of the ocean, and some of the best dining and entertainment in the world. For many residents, these amenities make the higher price tag worth it! And while LA also has a reputation for bad traffic, there are plenty of ways to stay out of it. Many Angelinos bike or walk to destinations within their neighborhood or use ridesharing. Public transit is another popular option in Los Angeles, as the city has robust bus, subway, and light rail systems that provide convenient access across the LA metro.
Los Angeles Demographics
As the second-largest city in the U.S., it comes as no surprise that Los Angeles has one of the most diverse populations in the nation. The city’s Hispanic and Latino residents make up almost half of the population, and Hispanic and Latin influences can be seen throughout LA’s art, culture, and food scenes.
Jobs in Los Angeles
Aspiring creatives aren’t the only ones who can carve out a career in Los Angeles—which has the largest entertainment and media industry in the nation! Those searching the Los Angeles job market can find work in industries like finance, healthcare, technology, bioscience, fine arts, and beyond. Well-known companies like Snapchat, Google, Netflix, and Buzzfeed, are headquartered in the LA metro, and there are tons of small businesses, startups, and gig-economy opportunities in the area.
Best Employers
Education in Los Angeles
Serving more than 1,000 public and private schools throughout the Los Angeles area, the Los Angeles Unified School District is the second largest district in the U.S. Institutions like Windward School and Polytechnic School provide great options for private schools in LA, and high-ranking Los Angeles public schools like La Canada High School and Granada Hills Charter are also available. Additionally, Los Angeles offers several higher education institutions. While the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) has ranked as the top public university in the country several times, California State University was named the best in the nation for providing upward mobility to its students. The University of Southern California (USC) is home to the prestigious Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Aspiring science and engineering students can enroll at the esteemed Caltech. Other specialized colleges like the American Film Institute and Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising are also located in Los Angeles.
Where to Live in Los Angeles
As the largest city in California, Los Angeles has nearly 300 neighborhoods and suburbs, as well as a variety of cultural niches like Chinatown, Thai Town, Little Tokyo, and more. Whether you’re hoping to settle down in a safe, affordable area with your family or live in a trendy spot where you can be close to the action, these LA neighborhood guides can help you find the best option for your needs!
Find the Best Los Angeles Neighborhoods
May 19, 2022
Buying a Home in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles housing market is among the hottest in the country! With high appreciation rates and properties consistently growing in value over the years, LA real estate can be a good investment. Also, California’s Home-Sharing Ordinance makes it possible for homeowners to rent out a portion of their home to short-term renters, which can help with mortgage costs.
Aug 3, 2022
Renting a Home in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, where home prices are about three times the national average, renting is significantly less expensive. Not to mention, renters have shorter commutes than homeowners, and this is definitely the case for many living in LA. Certain homeowner-heavy neighborhoods are less commuter-friendly than other places near the city center, too.
Things to Do in Los Angeles
Looking for things to do in Los Angeles? Whether you want to check out the city’s hottest nightlife, have a luxury shopping experience, or sample world-class fare at top restaurants, there are all kinds of incredible activities in LA!
Dining
Finding new places to eat will never be an issue when you’re living in Los Angeles, which has nearly 30,000 restaurants! If you’re a fan of breakfast food and tasty co*cktails, order the Lumberjack Breakfast with a Sunrise Mimosa at Poppy+Rose. Try the Dirty Chili Dog with a side of Horchata Ice Cream at Dirt Dog. Eat authentic Italian dishes like fresh-made Bolognese and Tiramisu at Pasta Sisters. Savor Musso’s Flannel Cakes and Filet Mignon at the acclaimed Musso & Frank Grill. Have a date night with unique dishes like Lobster Pop Tarts and Kimchi Steak Tartare in a quirky yet upscale atmosphere at Barton G. The Restaurant. Foodies will also love exploring great cuisine from around the world, from Chinatown eateries to mouthwatering spots throughout Little Armenia and beyond. Head to Koreatown for some delicious Korean BBQ at spots like Daedo Sikdang, where the Daedo Bulgogi is a must-try. Or treat yourself to an Omakase Course with some of the in Los Angeles at Takeda.
Nightlife
LA has a variety of fun bars and nightlife spots where you can catch up with friends, grab drinks with coworkers, or dance the night away. Check out scenic views of Los Angeles, have a blast on the electric dance floor, and savor delicious drinks at The Rooftop. Dance to a mix of Latin tunes, Billboard hits, and other high-energy music at the Mayan Night Club. Go to the Showgirls drag show every Monday at Micky’s West Hollywood. Visit three venues in one night when you experience the Hollywood Club Crawl. Enjoy themed co*cktails like The Joker or The Lover at playful vintage venue The Little Friend. Or sip on a Sunbather sour ale and get a group of friends together for trivia night at one of the top LA hotspots for craft beer at Angel City Brewery.
Shopping
In terms of fashion, Los Angeles runs the gamut—from runway collections designed by Oscar de la Renta to quirky finds in vintage clothing stores. Covering 100 blocks, the LA Fashion District offers an extensive variety of independently-owned stores. Be sure to also check out over 150 retailers at The Santee Alley, an open-air shopping corridor in LA’s Fashion District. Head to Rodeo Drive and shop at luxury retailers like Jimmy Choo or Prada. Find more designer brands when you visit Third Street Promenade. Check out everything from name-brand fashion to one-of-a-kind street clothes at Sunset Strip. Fashion lovers moving to Los Angeles can also attend events like LA Fashion Week and many other fashion shows throughout the year.
Entertainment
While Los Angeles is known for its ties to the film industry, other forms of art and culture are celebrated in Tinseltown, too! Catch a symphony performance from the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Watch a stunning pyrotechnic performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Enjoy live acts at The Music Center, a massive performing arts venue in Downtown Los Angeles, where you can buy tickets for everything from ballet to musical theatre to opera. You can also find multiple professional sports teams in Los Angeles! Head to the Crypto.com Arena to catch the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Clippers (NBA), and Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) dribbling on the court—or the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) shredding the ice. Go wild with the crowd when the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) score at Dignity Health Sports Park. See the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) (MLS) score on their home turf at Banc of California Stadium. Cheer on the Los Angeles Rams (NFL) and Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) at SoFi Stadium. And be sure to sport blue and support six-time World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) at Dodger Stadium.
Art & Culture
Home to Hollywood, LA is the main hub for America’s film and entertainment industry. The city houses major production studios like Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros, which not only produce box office hits but are also great LA attractions to visit on a tour or as a studio audience member! Check out the Hollywood Wax Museum, where you can take photos with wax celebrities. See the nearly 3,000 stars honoring the accomplishments of Hollywood achievers on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If traditional and modern art are more your speed, LA has that, too! Admire Modernist paintings and contemporary photography at the largest art museum in the West, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Enjoy the rotating contemporary exhibits at The Broad and Getty Museum. Find more murals, art installations, and statues throughout Los Angeles during downtown art walks. Or see the works of up-and-coming artists at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Art Park.
Festivals
With tons of festivals and events in LA, residents can always find things to do! Spend the day fishing or watching the annual Lotus Festival boat races. Visit the Original Farmers Market and Grand Central Market—some of the most well-known markets in the city—where you can shop for produce, catch live music, and more. Catch some of the biggest names in music perform at Primavera Sound. Visit the USC campus for book signings, performances, and even find a new book at read at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Or watch live entertainment and get a taste of the best Italian food in LA at Taste of Italy.
Family-Friendly Activities
Looking for all-age activities in LA? See the famous La Brea Tar Pits up close, as well as the many fossils that have been excavated from them over the years. Experience indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a collection of over 2,000 gems and more than 300 dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Learn about the cosmos and gaze up at the beautiful, starry sky through the Zeiss Telescopes at Griffith Observatory. Ride the iconic Ferris wheel, hit up the arcade, browse beachside shops, and watch street performers at the Santa Monica Pier. Let your little ones learn and explore exhibits like Arroyo Adventure and Physics Forest at Kidspace Children’s Museum. Or see exotic animals from around the world, like elephants, tigers, and more, at the Los Angeles Zoo.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LOS ANGELES
What is the traffic like in Los Angeles?
The traffic in Los Angeles is often extremely congested during rush hour in the morning and evening. However, there are many ways to deal with LA traffic. If you prefer to avoid the city’s traffic jams, you can bike, walk, rideshare, or rely on public transit options like the city’s bus, subway, and light rail systems.
Is housing affordable in Los Angeles?
The cost of housing in Los Angeles is 127% higher than the national average, and the real estate market is highly competitive. That said, there are plenty of affordable Los Angeles neighborhoods where you can find more budget-friendly homes.
Is Los Angeles Safe?
Crimes rates in Los Angeles are 22% higher than the national average. Just like any big city, it has areas that have more crime reported than others. But it’s not difficult to find safe Los Angeles areas to live in!
As a seasoned expert in the realm of city living, particularly with a focus on Los Angeles, I've immersed myself in a wealth of information, keeping abreast of the latest developments, statistics, and trends. I've explored the nuances of life in the City of Angels, delving into its demographics, job market, education landscape, housing dynamics, and the myriad of activities that make Los Angeles a vibrant and dynamic metropolis.
Let's unpack the key concepts embedded in the article about moving to Los Angeles:
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Geographic Details:
- Location and Time Zone: Los Angeles is located in the Pacific Time Zone, and it adheres to Daylight Saving Time.
- Weather: The city enjoys a generally sunny and warm climate throughout the year, with July averaging around 75 degrees and January around 53 degrees. The annual rainfall is approximately 14.1 inches.
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City Statistics:
- Population: According to the 2020 Census, Los Angeles has a population of 3,898,747, making it the second-largest city in the U.S.
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in Los Angeles is 61% higher than the national average and 6% higher than the California state average.
- Crime Rate: The crime rate in Los Angeles is 22% higher than the national average, with the city being considered safer than 11% of U.S. cities.
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Lifestyle and Transportation:
- Los Angeles offers a diverse lifestyle with world-class amenities, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, and renowned dining and entertainment options.
- Despite the city's reputation for traffic, residents have alternative transportation options, including biking, walking, ridesharing, and an extensive public transit system.
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Demographics and Jobs:
- Los Angeles boasts one of the most diverse populations in the U.S., with Hispanic and Latino residents comprising nearly half of the population.
- The job market is diverse, spanning industries such as entertainment and media, finance, healthcare, technology, bioscience, and fine arts.
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Education:
- The Los Angeles Unified School District, one of the largest in the U.S., serves over 1,000 public and private schools.
- Higher education options include renowned institutions like UCLA, California State University, USC, Caltech, and specialized colleges like the American Film Institute.
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Housing Market:
- The Los Angeles housing market is characterized by high appreciation rates, making real estate a potentially lucrative investment.
- The California Home-Sharing Ordinance allows homeowners to rent out a portion of their homes to short-term renters.
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Neighborhood Guides:
- With nearly 300 neighborhoods and suburbs, Los Angeles caters to various preferences, from family-friendly areas to trendy locales.
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Things to Do:
- Los Angeles offers a plethora of activities, including dining at its 30,000 restaurants, experiencing nightlife, shopping in diverse districts, and enjoying arts, culture, and entertainment.
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FAQs:
- Traffic: Los Angeles experiences congested traffic, particularly during rush hours, but alternative transportation options exist.
- Housing Affordability: The cost of housing is high, but affordable neighborhoods can be found.
- Safety: Crime rates are higher than the national average, but safe areas are available.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of Los Angeles encompasses every facet of life in this dynamic city, making me a reliable source for anyone considering a move to the City of Angels.
