College student at the local college, graduating soon. The food scene in West Hollywood is honestly incredible.
Home prices averaging is {home_feel}. I saw that rent in West Hollywood is now /mo which is expected.
Cost of living is about the same compared to where I came from. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.
Talk me through this.
41 upvotes
26 Replies
Nova Mitchell
Glad someone said it.
48 upvotes
Isaiah Hughes
Weekend warrior here - Los Angeles is underrated for photography. I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.
46 upvotes
Randy R.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a single mom in Mar Vista. Been here since 2017. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}..
Neighborhood-wise, Mar Vista has really changed in the past few years. Echo Park is the up-and-coming spot right now. Venice is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for hospitality: pretty good. For legal: growing.
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.
44 upvotes
Luna F.
Appreciate the honesty.
41 upvotes
Timothy C.
Underrated comment.
40 upvotes
kinsley_chef
TIL.
39 upvotes
phoenixgirl2020
Noted.
38 upvotes
Avery Cruz
I've lived in both Silver Lake and Mar Vista. Completely different vibes. The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}..
35 upvotes
aaron_living
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If walkability matters most, then yeah Los Angeles is great. But if you need beach access, might want to look at Santa Monica instead.
33 upvotes
Audrey Edwards
Not to be negative but the schools are inconsistent. I still like living here overall though. Just keeping it real.
32 upvotes
Clara W.
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Los Angeles.
Background: 47, newlywed, moved from Raleigh 1 years ago for school. Currently in Koreatown.
**Housing:**
The market is improving right now. We went with Koreatown because close to work. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Highland Park - it's up-and-coming and the value is better.
**Work:**
hospitality jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Raleigh but the market is better than expected. Salary-wise, expect competitive for the cost of living.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 18 months were tough. Then I found my people through a local meetup group. Now I have a solid group. Los Angeles people are down-to-earth once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: pricey
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: better than you'd expect
- Entertainment: could be better
**Would I move here again?**
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. For students, I'd give it a 9/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
31 upvotes
jose_mind
TIL.
26 upvotes
Leah
My experience has been different actually. I found that Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. Maybe it depends on which part of Los Angeles you're in.
23 upvotes
raleigh_genesis
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Culver City, Silver Lake, and currently in Venice. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Culver City: /mo for a 1-bed
- Silver Lake: about /mo
- Venice: /mo but great
I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Los Angeles really clicks. Good luck!
18 upvotes
Owen Scott
Sherman Oaks local here. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. If you need specific recommendations feel free to ask.
18 upvotes
Brooks
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Santa Monica vs Burbank: completely different vibes. Santa Monica is more pretty good with trendy restaurants and coffee shops. Burbank is lively and better for remote workers.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Santa Monica. In Burbank you can find stuff for /mo.
I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.
17 upvotes
Caroline Walker
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Culver City vs Glendale: completely different vibes. Culver City is more underrated with artists and creative types. Glendale is growing and better for students.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Culver City. In Glendale you can find stuff for /mo.
The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.
17 upvotes
Gabriella E.
Word.
17 upvotes
Zoe Johnson
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Koreatown, Glendale, and currently in Pasadena. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Koreatown: /mo for a 1-bed
- Glendale: about /mo
- Pasadena: /mo but underrated
Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Los Angeles really clicks.
17 upvotes
Evelyn S.
Born here, left for 10 years, came back. The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. The city has evolved a lot.
16 upvotes
Katherine Gomez
Worked in marketing here for 11 years. The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. The market is solid right now if you're in that field.
15 upvotes
Lydia Clark
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Koreatown, Mar Vista, and currently in Glendale. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Koreatown: /mo for a 1-bed
- Mar Vista: about /mo
- Glendale: /mo but solid
Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Los Angeles really clicks.
10 upvotes
jaxmama2024
Parent of two in Eagle Rock. Schools are solid here. Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
8 upvotes
Everly Phillips
Just to add another data point - we moved from Raleigh about 12 years ago. Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.. No regrets so far.
6 upvotes
Lillian R.
We pay /mo in Los Feliz for a 3-bed and I could find cheaper but love the neighborhood. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.
1 upvotes
Christian Brown
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Echo Park, West Hollywood, and currently in Silver Lake. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Echo Park: /mo for a 3-bed
- West Hollywood: about /mo
- Silver Lake: /mo but pretty good
The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Los Angeles really clicks.
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