10 Pros and Cons of Living in Los Angeles

Last Updated on March 12, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev

Los Angeles city is a bunch of things to a lot of different people. It could be the City of Heaven, La-La Land or Lost Angeles according to your experience. Moving to Los Angeles can be thrilling, intimidating and at the same time challenging.

Living in Los Angeles — Photo by Owen Lystrup on Unsplash

Table of Contents

Living in Los Angeles
Pros of Living in Los Angeles
Cons of Living in Los Angeles
Read about other USA cities and states:

Living in Los Angeles

This relocation to LA spikes during the winter months is no urban myth. Those in the Midwest and East Coast who freeze are dreaming of warmer days. They may even experience the bright skies and 70-degree weather in LA during New Year’s Day ‘s annual televised Roses Parade Tournament.

Once you start having sand and beach fantasies, though, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of living in LA. Also, when deciding whether you want to stay and work in the second-largest city in the US, there are some economic and social aspects to remember.

Pros of Living in Los Angeles

1. Pleasant Climate

If you grew up in the 1980s, then the city’s smog tales might be enough to make you even think twice about living in Los Angeles. You will discover that this problem has changed significantly in the past few decades. The weather appears to be good throughout the year, with even the averages hitting 60F most days in the winter.

If you’re used to cold months and loads of snow in January, then this benefit will be a pleasant change. It also appears to remain at or below 90F in the summer, which is relatively tolerable if you can make your way to the beach where it seems to feel a lot cooler. The weather at LA is far from humid, so it still tends to be manageable even on hot days.

2. Plenty of Activities

One of the main reasons for moving to Los Angeles is that you’re never going to be short on things to see and do. Whether you’re out in sports, music, art, or outdoor exploration, LA always has something for you. You are just a spit away from the coast, where you can spend warm days soaking up the sun on the beach.

3. Job Opportunities

When you are searching for jobs right now, Los Angeles is a place of opportunity. That happens to be your speciality, you’ll find that there’s an open spot waiting for your application. For some industries, the number of vacancies, particularly for production and entertainment, is sufficient to help you break into whatever company you wish.

Startups, independent entrepreneurs and freelancers working in the gig economy are provided ample infrastructure support. Even if you are just beginning your career, in most situations the hospitality industry still pays well enough to get you into a home.

3. Sports

As of 2019, all five major professional sports leagues are in Los Angeles, with most sports giving you two teams to enjoy. Thanks to the Lakers and the Clippers, basketball is life in the town. The Galaxy and LAFC, you can enjoy some soccer.

Baseball with the Dodgers is around, or a short ride to Anaheim to see the Angels. The Kings will be your team to cheer for every season if you stick to hockey. For the Rams and the Clippers, the NFL has now returned to LA.

4. Lifestyle

The fact that Los Angeles is a highly competitive city is undeniable. If you want to be stressed out all the time, then LA will fulfil that need. You can also find that the constant sunshine, coastal access and the sometimes good weather all combine to create a comfortable lifestyle that can be a lot of fun if you bring those elements into your life.

The city’s size, along with its often hectic existence, can often wear down people. Even this rhythm could give you the strength you need to build the success you want in life.

5. Food

Although the spread-out nature of LA and the traffic issues may present some challenges, you will find that it is worth the effort to work for the experiences available in the city’s culinary world.

Every community tends to have a focal point of culture so after you start living here, you can choose from a variety of ethnic options. All is possible, from Ethiopian to Persian cuisine. Glendale provides Armenian influences while Sawtelle is the Japanese fare venue.

Cons of Living in Los Angeles

1. Transportation

One of the advantages of living in a town is using public transport and saving money on petrol and car repairs. You don’t get this luxury at LA. While the transport network has changed over the years, it is still far from being ideal.

So, unless you live right next to your workplace, you’ll probably have to make some kind of commute during your day, because the city is spreading out relatively. This means driving along the infamous LA highways, which are always full of traffic from bumper to bumper. At least on the way to work, you’ll have the chance to listen to your favourite podcast.

2. Competitive Job Market

Though the Los Angeles work market is thriving compared to the rest of California and the U.S., finding the right opportunity is difficult if you don’t know the best places to start looking. Many people in this city associate tourism and entertainment careers with life but it is also the country’s largest urban manufacturing centre.

When you come here, there are positions available in steel, car, clothing, and electronics. Technology positions are also rapidly rising, as are jobs in the public sector whether you are interested in being a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic.

3. Cost

Although it may not be as expensive as you think, living in LA is still relatively expensive, particularly if you come from a small suburban town. Start by doing some research about the cost of houses LA before selecting a neighbourhood to stay in, and see which sections look more affordable and within your price range.

There are several decently priced locations, such as Lakeview Terrace or Crenshaw, where you’ll save not only on the price of your living arrangements but also on grocery stores and your daily cup of coffee.

4. Crime

Once you decide to move to LA, it’s imperative you take a look at the local crime statistics of the place you ‘re thinking about moving in. In general, the areas to both the south and west of the city tend to be the scariest places to live, whereas the places along the coast and north tend to be considerably safer. If you’re trying to escape this problem entirely, you may want to think about living as far out as Calabasas and then commute to work in town.

5. Parking

The reason so many companies are providing valet parking in Los Angeles is that parking is overly burdensome for city drivers. Parking signals can be extremely tricky.

To ensure that you have permission to park at that spot at the time of your arrival, you must make sure you read each sign carefully. Parking regulations are often rigidly implemented, meaning you ‘re almost sure to obtain a ticket if you misread the directions that you were given.