3 Ways to Adjust to Life in LA
Listen to this articleRegardless of where you’re moving from, adjusting to life in Los Angeles can be difficult. To make the transition to life as easy as possible and get settled in quickly, it’s necessary to prepare. In order to effectively acclimate to life in LA and enjoy all that the city has to offer, make sure to follow these tips.
Start saving up
Although it might sound obvious, saving money is imperative before making any big move. Not everyone can make it in LA, but having spare cash can help you make it through the tough times – especially in the beginning. Basically, the more money you have in savings, the better shot you’ll have at making it in LA.
To determine how much you should save before moving, you’ll need to take a few factors into account. First, you’ll need enough money to cover the initial cost of moving. Make sure to research the costs of driving, as well as renting a moving truck from your current location. If you’re making a cross-country trip, you’ll also want to factor in the cost of staying in hotels and eating out.
Once you make it to LA, you’ll need to have enough for a security deposit and rent (if you’re renting), groceries, gas, and bills. Since costs can add up quickly, save up for as long as you can to give yourself as much of a cushion as possible.
Choose whether to buy or rent
You’re moving to one of the most populated cities in the nation, so make sure you’re prepared to be caught off guard with housing availability and prices. Renting an apartment with roommates can be a preferable choice if you’re new to the city, especially since most apartments only require a one-year lease. Renting offers the freedom to move after a year, and is usually the cheaper option.
On the other hand, if you’re moving out of a house, you’ll probably want to relocate to another. If you’re moving from another city in California, Sell Quick California offers a convenient, low-cost way to sell your house in as-is condition. Plus, Sell Quick California pays cash, enabling you to close on your own schedule.
According to Zillow, the median home value in LA is $687,700, and the median list price for one square foot is higher than metro areas outside of the city. Meanwhile, the average price of rent is around $3,500. If these values are out of your price range, you might want to consider searching for houses or apartments outside of the city.
Immerse yourself in your surroundings
One of the greatest things about living in LA is that there’s always something to do. Whether you’re into art or partying, there’s always a museum opening or get together for you to check out. If you don’t want to break the bank after your move, don’t worry – LA also features a ton of free things to do. To stay up-to-date with what’s going on near you, check out your local newspaper or follow some online LA bloggers.
After you move to a new city, it can be difficult to find the best spots around you. However, searching on Google and talking to locals are great ways to find highly rated, high-quality service providers. For instance, if you’re looking for a good nail salon in your area, you can use Google to find the best nail salon near Granada Hills. If you know someone who lives in LA, ask for as many insights as you can about your neighborhood and the surrounding areas.
Although moving to LA can seem stressful, taking the steps to prepare and learn more about the city will make moving a breeze.
Claire Peters is a contributor to the Los Angeles Post-Examiner and Baltimore Post-Examiner.