Who hasn’t at least once dreamt of driving down the palm-lined boulevards and lying on sun-kissed beaches of LA? The City of Angels has so much to offer that it comes as no surprise that it’s one of the most popular moving destinations in the US.
But before you pack your bags and go chasing after the glamorous LA lifestyle, there are a few things you should know. Namely, moving to Los Angeles is different than moving to other places — even cities of similar size can hardly compare. We’ve asked a well-known LA moving company, Oz Moving, to explain exactly how it differs, and here is what they said.
Everything Is More Expensive, Including Moving
A metropolis like LA is bound to be more expensive than a smaller town simply because the standard of living is higher. Add to that the fact that it’s Los Angeles, the city of celebrities, sandy beaches, and exciting nightlife, and the cost grows higher. Even just finding a reasonably priced place to stay could prove a challenge.
But it’s not impossible. Los Angeles is a huge city, and as such, it has dozens of different neighborhoods. Some of those are quite expensive, particularly if they’re downtown or near the beaches. Others are more affordable, though — especially if you don’t mind living in the suburbs.
So, before you set out to LA, make sure you do thorough research on all the different neighborhoods and what they offer. You want something affordable, of course, but don’t settle for an area you know you won’t like. Many reasonably priced neighborhoods still come with all sorts of perks and hotspots.
And remember — moving has a price tag of its own. If you live in an area around LA, you’ll probably need to set aside a few hundred dollars for the move alone. But if you live elsewhere — for instance, on the East Coast — that sum can quickly reach a thousand. After all, you have to factor in travel fees, fuel, and plane tickets if you choose to fly. On top of that, you’ll need to pay the moving company to transport your belongings.
Traffic Can Be a Nightmare
Naturally, a city of LA’s size has subway lines which should, in theory, relieve the strain on the streets. Unfortunately, though, that’s hardly the case in Los Angeles. Most people still own and drive cars, so traffic jams are an everyday occurrence — yes, even on the weekends.
And as you can imagine, these traffic jams can seriously impact your moving experience. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a long column of cars and angry drivers on your first day in the new city! That wouldn’t quite be the good first impression you were hoping for.
So, is there any way to avoid this worst-case scenario? Well, while there are no guarantees, you could do a few things to at least minimize the possibility. You could, for instance, look up the city’s rush hours and try to organize your move accordingly. Also, you could check which highways and boulevards suffer from the worst congestions and make alternative travel routes to avoid them.
Simply put, it all comes down to proper planning. And even if you do get stuck in a traffic jam, don’t despair. It’s bound to happen at some point while you live in LA, so it’s better to get used to them as soon as possible.
The City Is Unlike Anything You’ve Experienced Before
As soon as you enter Los Angeles for the first time, you will notice how unique it is. The city is huge, full of all kinds of people, and brimming with exciting, contagious energy. Thanks to all the events, festivals, concerts, and shows, you’ll feel like you’re at the center of everything. And that can be quite overwhelming, both for you and your wallet.
So, we encourage you to explore as much as you can. Visit museums, take walks down the long boulevards, relax at a nearby beach. Try new foods and talk to people — it would be a shame not to experience LA’s diversity to its full extent. Don’t be afraid to go out of your neighborhood and see what the others have to offer.
But it might be wise to do all that once you’ve properly settled in. The first month of living in LA will most likely be more stressful than joyful. After all, you’ll have some pretty big moving expenses to take care of, as well as rent, bills, and food. That’s not to say you should just stay holed up in your room the whole month — but try not to splurge right away.
And don’t be disappointed if things don’t go the way you imagined them right away. Moving to LA is a big change, and it’s normal to go through an adjustment period. But before you know it, you’ll see LA as your new home!
In Conclusion
Moving to any big city can be challenging, but Los Angeles is a story of its own. Though usually thought of as the city where dreamers go, a successful move to LA requires a practical mind and lots of planning. Even then, there’s no guarantee everything will go smoothly.
Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy your move to LA. On the contrary, once you settle in and take in the city, you’re sure to love it. So if you’ve always wanted a taste of the Los Angeles lifestyle, don’t hesitate to come. It won’t disappoint you!
