It’s easy to see why Los Angeles is among the country’s most popular relocation destinations. In addition to being one of the foremost spots for career opportunities in creative fields, Dodger City is home to an abundance of one-of-a-kind local culture, agreeable weather conditions and recreational activities. However, if you’ll soon be calling the City of Angels home, there are a number of preparations you’ll need to attend to. While life in L.A. certainly has its perks, moving to Los Angeles unprepared is liable to prove both tremendously stressful and financially ruinous. In this article, you will get to know What it Takes to Comfortably Relocate to Los Angeles.
Sufficient Savings
Relocation is never inexpensive. Between moving costs, security deposits and other incidental expenses, moving to any new locale is liable to prove financially strenuous. Furthermore, it generally helps to have a small nest egg in the bank to cover cost of living while looking for a job. All of this is doubly true when it comes to relocating to Los Angeles. While not as prohibitively pricey as New York or San Francisco, L.A. is among the most expensive cities in the U.S. That being the case, it’s recommended that you have a comfortable amount saved up before charting a course for Dodger City.
The amount you’ll need in savings is dependent upon a number of factors. For example, do you have a decent job lined up? If so, you may only need enough to last you until your first paycheck. Conversely, if you don’t intend to start job hunting until arriving in L.A., you should have between $5,000 and $10,000 in the bank in advance of making your big move. This way, even if you’re unable to find a job immediately, you should be able to support yourself until you do.
A Working Vehicle
A working vehicle is a necessity for practically every Angelino. While it’s technically possible to live in L.A. without a car, you’re guaranteed to find getting around substantially easier if you have one. Whereas many other major U.S. cities – particularly NYC – are built to be traversed on foot, Los Angeles is designed to be driven. As any longtime resident can attest, the general layout of the city isn’t exactly walker-friendly. So, if you don’t have a working vehicle, this is liable to impact virtually every area of your life.
Unsurprisingly, whether or not you have a vehicle is another factor you’ll need to consider when hammering out moving costs. If you already have a car, this is one large expense you’ll be able to check off. However, if you don’t, the cost of a vehicle should be taken into account when determining how much money you’ll need at the time of your relocation.
Outside Storage Solutions
If you’re moving to Los Angeles without a small fortune in the bank or a high-paying job lined up, your housing options are likely to be limited – in both scope and space. Additionally, if financial constraints dictate that you settle for a small living space, you may not be able to comfortably store all of your possessions in your new residence. This where outside storage solutions can really come in handy. New L.A. residents on the hunt for affordable storage units should fire up their favorite browsers and do a search for “storage Los Angeles.”
The Ability to Stick to a Schedule
Since cars are essentially necessities in Dodger City, it’s hardly surprising that traffic in most areas of L.A. is perpetually congested. As such, you’ll need to begin your daily commute much earlier than you would in other parts of the country. Dawdling in the morning or sleeping in are far more likely to make you late for work in Los Angeles, so if you wish to remain employed, working out a manageable morning routine and sticking to it is an absolute must.
For people who work in certain creative fields, relocation to L.A. is a no-brainer. If you want to pursue a career in acting, filmmaking or screenwriting, there’s no better place than Los Angeles to get your foot in the door. Even if you aren’t interested in working in show business, the City of Angels has a wide range of enticements for new residents. However, if you haven’t spent much time – or any time – in L.A., relocating to Dodger City is liable to present a bevy of challenges. To ensure that you’re able to meet these challenges head-on, simply put the pointers discussed above to good use.
