Parent of two, been here since 2021. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.
I'm paying /mo for a 3-bed in Burbank and honestly makes me consider roommates. A friend just bought in Burbank for K and I'm not sure if that was smart.
What I like:
- Good schools in certain areas
- Easy to meet people
- Diverse neighborhoods
- Pet-friendly city
What I don't:
- Sprawl is real
- Road conditions
Cost of living is not as cheap as people think compared to where I came from. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.
Would love local perspectives.
111 upvotes
29 Replies
Vivian Diaz
Haven't experienced that personally.
49 upvotes
Santiago Castillo
Worked in hospitality here for 1 years. The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. The market is hit or miss right now if you're in that field.
46 upvotes
Gabriella A.
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Los Angeles.
Background: 29, empty nester, moved from Raleigh 1 years ago for work. Currently in Pasadena.
**Housing:**
The market is underrated right now. We went with Pasadena because close to work. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Burbank - it's lively and the value is better.
**Work:**
hospitality jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Raleigh but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect it varies wildly by field.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 12 months were tough. Then I found my people through a co-working space. Now I have a solid group. Los Angeles people are welcoming once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: decent but not world-class
- Entertainment: great if you like outdoor stuff
**Would I move here again?**
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. For remote workers, I'd give it a 9/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
46 upvotes
Cameron B.
Sherman Oaks local here. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. If you need specific recommendations feel free to ask.
44 upvotes
nola_abigail
Totally agree.
44 upvotes
Russell K.
As someone who lives in Sherman Oaks, I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. That said, it's not for everyone.
44 upvotes
Vivian Turner
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Los Angeles.
Background: 44, single guy, moved from New York 7 years ago for a fresh start. Currently in West Hollywood.
**Housing:**
The market is excellent right now. We went with West Hollywood because great school district. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Venice - it's lively and the value is better.
**Work:**
retail jobs are tough here. I was worried coming from New York but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 11 months were tough. Then I found my people through a dog park crew. Now I have a solid group. Los Angeles people are genuine once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: reasonable
- Traffic: honestly terrible
- Dining out: better than you'd expect
- Entertainment: could be better
**Would I move here again?**
People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.. For young professionals, I'd give it a 6/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
43 upvotes
Aiden Green
Just to add another data point - we moved from Dallas about 12 years ago. The parks system here is underrated.. No regrets so far.
42 upvotes
Grace Thompson
Homeowner in Silver Lake since 2021. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.. Property values have increased significantly which is great for equity.
41 upvotes
William M.
100%.
40 upvotes
Chloe
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Los Angeles.
Background: 30, single mom, moved from Boston 4 years ago for quality of life. Currently in Silver Lake.
**Housing:**
The market is solid right now. We went with Silver Lake because great school district. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Koreatown - it's lively and the value is better.
**Work:**
logistics jobs are stable here. I was worried coming from Boston but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 5 months were tough. Then I found my people through a kickball league. Now I have a solid group. Los Angeles people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: manageable
- Traffic: honestly terrible
- Dining out: amazing variety
- Entertainment: plenty to do on weekends
**Would I move here again?**
Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. For couples, I'd give it a 7/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
40 upvotes
Wesley J.
Great question. Here's my honest take after 6 years:
The good:
- Affordable compared to coastal cities
- Low commute times
- Good farmers markets
The not-so-good:
- Winters are harsh
- Hard to date here
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.. I'd say for families, Los Angeles is underrated. Hope that helps!
40 upvotes
Luna Anderson
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Los Angeles.
Background: 25, freelancer, moved from Pittsburgh 8 years ago for my partner's job. Currently in Glendale.
**Housing:**
The market is improving right now. We went with Glendale because close to work. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Silver Lake - it's established and the value is better.
**Work:**
nonprofit jobs are strong here. I was worried coming from Pittsburgh but the market is solid. Salary-wise, expect competitive for the cost of living.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 7 months were tough. Then I found my people through a kickball league. Now I have a solid group. Los Angeles people are down-to-earth once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: manageable
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: improving rapidly
- Entertainment: great if you like outdoor stuff
**Would I move here again?**
Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. For students, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
38 upvotes
Lucas D.
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Eagle Rock, Koreatown, and currently in West Hollywood. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Eagle Rock: /mo for a 3-bed
- Koreatown: about /mo
- West Hollywood: /mo but hit or miss
Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Los Angeles really clicks. Good luck!
33 upvotes
Grayson Hughes
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a single mom in Eagle Rock. Been here since 2017. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit..
Neighborhood-wise, Eagle Rock has really evolved in the past few years. West Hollywood is the up-and-coming spot right now. Silver Lake is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for education: hit or miss. For education: established.
People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.
Hope that helps!
31 upvotes
Matthew Hill
Great question. Here's my honest take after 4 years:
The good:
- Four seasons
- Diverse neighborhoods
- Good healthcare options
The not-so-good:
- Limited public transit
- Sprawl is real
The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. I'd say for families, Los Angeles is pretty good.
30 upvotes
Luca Price
100%.
27 upvotes
Evan Robinson
Born here, left for 10 years, came back. The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.. The city has shifted a lot.
25 upvotes
Ian
Appreciate the honesty.
23 upvotes
Caleb
Homeowner in Echo Park since 2019. I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.. Property values have gone up steadily which is surprising honestly.
18 upvotes
Bruce C.
Hard disagree.
16 upvotes
Eli Castillo
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive Los Angeles guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- West Hollywood: trendy, pricey, but worth it
- Eagle Rock: up-and-coming, artsy vibe
Tier 2 (best value):
- Echo Park: great community feel
- Glendale: newer development, modern amenities
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: underrated compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.. Los Angeles is growing but it's not for everyone. If you value community over career growth, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Tampa.
Good luck!
15 upvotes
Addison B.
Moved here from Minneapolis and I'd say The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. The cost of living here is great compared to what I'm used to.
11 upvotes
jonathan_mind
Moved here from New York and I'd say I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. The cost of living here is great compared to what I'm used to.
10 upvotes
Isaac Morales
Weekend warrior here - Los Angeles is pretty good for hiking. The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.
5 upvotes
Scarlett Perez
Needed to hear this.
5 upvotes
mountain_valentina3
Burbank local here. The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.. If you need specific recommendations feel free to ask.
3 upvotes
Katherine T.
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Mar Vista from Indianapolis about 10 years ago. Initially I missed home a lot. But after settling in, I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Mar Vista and Burbank for housing
- Join local Facebook/Reddit groups for your neighborhood
- Talk to your neighbors - people are friendlier than you'd expect
The biggest adjustment was transit. The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.. Overall I'd give Los Angeles a 7/10 for singles.
3 upvotes
Jace Y.
Great question. Here's my honest take after 10 years:
The good:
- Affordable compared to coastal cities
- Good airport
- Good healthcare options
The not-so-good:
- Nightlife is lacking
- Homelessness visible downtown
The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. I'd say for families, Los Angeles is underrated. DM me if you want more details.
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