I'm a 37-year-old young professional who's been in Los Angeles for 3 years. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.
I'm paying /mo for a 3-bed in Culver City and honestly feels like a steal. Property values in Venice went up 13% last year alone.
The marketing scene here is really picking up. The food scene in Culver City is honestly incredible.
Thanks in advance for any insight.
14 upvotes
18 Replies
Aiden Smith
I've lived in both Echo Park and Mar Vista. Completely different vibes. Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from..
49 upvotes
Savannah Hughes
My experience has been different actually. I found that The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. Maybe it depends on which part of Los Angeles you're in.
45 upvotes
Nicholas
Night shift worker - Los Angeles at 3am is great. The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now..
45 upvotes
Aubrey Martin
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a empty nester in Burbank. Been here since 2017. The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel..
Neighborhood-wise, Burbank has really changed in the past few years. Mar Vista is the up-and-coming spot right now. Highland Park is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for government: underrated. For legal: affordable.
Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.
Happy to answer questions.
43 upvotes
Mateo T.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a remote worker in Echo Park. Been here since 2017. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here..
Neighborhood-wise, Echo Park has really grown in the past few years. Sherman Oaks is the up-and-coming spot right now. Mar Vista is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for nonprofit: underrated. For marketing: affordable.
The parks system here is underrated.
Hope that helps!
32 upvotes
Skylar Rogers
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Los Angeles.
Background: 23, college grad, moved from Chicago 10 years ago for my partner's job. Currently in Silver Lake.
**Housing:**
The market is solid right now. We went with Silver Lake because friends recommended it. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at West Hollywood - it's affordable and the value is better.
**Work:**
tech jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Chicago but the market is promising. Salary-wise, expect competitive for the cost of living.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 14 months were tough. Then I found my people through a church group. Now I have a solid group. Los Angeles people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: improving rapidly
- Entertainment: could be better
**Would I move here again?**
The suburbs vs city debate here is real.. For singles, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
26 upvotes
Kennedy O.
Sherman Oaks local here. The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. If you need specific recommendations feel free to ask.
23 upvotes
Aaliyah Kim
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Venice from St. Louis about 5 years ago. Initially I loved it immediately. But after settling in, Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Venice and Silver Lake for housing
- Explore beyond the popular neighborhoods
- Check out the local brewery scene
The biggest adjustment was nightlife. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.. Overall I'd give Los Angeles a 6/10 for retirees.
17 upvotes
Camila M.
Totally agree.
14 upvotes
Allison Torres
I walk my dog through Eagle Rock every day and Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. The vibe has really changed in the past couple years.
13 upvotes
Parker Gonzalez
Same experience here.
10 upvotes
Cora Mitchell
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Mar Vista vs Glendale: completely different vibes. Mar Vista is more improving with trendy restaurants and coffee shops. Glendale is pricey and better for retirees.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Mar Vista. In Glendale you can find stuff for /mo.
The suburbs vs city debate here is real.. The suburbs vs city debate here is real.
8 upvotes
Thomas James
Moved here recently, same feeling.
8 upvotes
Charlotte S.
Lol so true.
4 upvotes
Carter P.
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Burbank vs Glendale: completely different vibes. Burbank is more underrated with a suburban feel with urban access. Glendale is established and better for families.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Burbank. In Glendale you can find stuff for /mo.
Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.
4 upvotes
Noah O.
I'd highly recommend checking out Eagle Rock. I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. Plus the food options around there are improving.
3 upvotes
Eli A.
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Los Angeles.
Background: 25, newlywed, moved from Omaha 2 years ago for quality of life. Currently in Silver Lake.
**Housing:**
The market is great right now. We went with Silver Lake because it was walkable. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Mar Vista - it's established and the value is better.
**Work:**
healthcare jobs are growing here. I was worried coming from Omaha but the market is promising. Salary-wise, expect it varies wildly by field.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 15 months were tough. Then I found my people through a board game night. Now I have a solid group. Los Angeles people are genuine once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: reasonable
- Traffic: depends entirely on your commute route
- Dining out: better than you'd expect
- Entertainment: you make your own fun here
**Would I move here again?**
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. For retirees, I'd give it a 7/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
2 upvotes
Nathan L.
Not to be negative but the traffic has gotten unbearable. I still like living here overall though. Just keeping it real.
All Countries
