Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the world's most famed and powerful draftsmen who said "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles."
And he was right.
Billed as the "Creative Capital of the World"-- one in every six residents works in a creative industry-- Los Angeles is a cultural mix of world-famous celebrities, statesmen, and scholars who color the Californian community with heritage, talent, leadership and wisdom.
If that wasn't enough, throw in top-notch education and a booming business industry and the L.A. locale just keeps getting better and better.
If you have ever considered becoming a household name with overnight stardom or are simply looking to reside on the beautiful West Coast, then Los Angeles may just be the sector to settle. Take a moment to read this guide that will help you decide if your future home sweet home is near Hollywood!
Los Angeles Climate
Temperatures range from the upper 60s in the winter, with January as the coldest month, to the 80's in the summer, with August as the warmest time of the year. The comfortable climate remains the rest of the year, but an overcast known as June Gloom depresses the area in late spring.
The other months of the year are made up of sunny skies with only 35 days of measurable precipitation a year, totaling approximately 15 inches. Though locals have to seek some shelter due to rainfall, they never have to fight the surge of a winter storm--the greatest recorded snowfall in Los Angeles was two inches in the 1930s.
Los Angeles Neighborhoods
According to the L.A. Times, there are 158 cities and 114 neighborhoods in the city that is noted as the most populated district in the country. Los Angeles is made up of many areas, including North Hollywood, Laurel Canyon, Harbor Area, Venice, Silver Lake, Bel Air, Brentwood, Century City, Westwood and Wilshire. In 1999, a city charter created the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners to oversee the dozens of neighborhood councils that govern the district.
Of course, Downtown L.A. is a happening district with so much taking place in the city center. Between comedy clubs, music venues and late night dining, there is never a dull moment in the municipality.
Registering Your Car
You have 10 days to obtain a California driver's license. To legally drive in the state, you must fill out an application, have your photo taken, provide a thumb print and take a vision, traffic laws and signs test. Along with providing your name, residence and Social Security number, you must pay a $39 fee to get your license.
Registering your vehicle and getting California license plates can also be done by filling out the necessary paperwork and proving your vehicle is insured. Vehicle registration fees begin at $46 in California and an additional fee for license plates is required. You must register your vehicle within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties, according to state laws. To find out all the rules and regulations regarding license and registration, visit the California Division of Motor Vehicles.
Los Angeles Schools
UCLA. The four letter acronym for the University of California Los Angeles is world-renowned. Students travel across the globe to attend the California school, leaving with one of the best educations in the world. Other area campuses within city limits are California State University, Northridge and Los Angeles. Other private institutions include the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and the American Film Institute Conservatory.
As for primary and secondary schools, local students attend the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is the second largest district in the country with almost 650,000 students in the system's 900 schools and 187 public charter schools. After graduating high school, area youth uninterested in a four-year curriculum attend one of nine campuses locally to receive a two-year degree.
Los Angeles Employment
Entertainment, international trade, technology, fashion and tourism are some of the leaders in the local Los Angeles economy. Home to Hollywood and one of the largest ports in the world, other strong industries in the sector include transportation, law and telecommunications.
Needless to say, acting is a full-time job for many Los Angeles locals who just so happen to be world-wide celebrities. If interested in acting, attaining an agent and finding out how to become part of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is the best way to go.
As for private sector businesses, the largest in the locale is the University of Southern California. As of 2010, some of the top area employers according to the city's Annual Financial Report included Los Angeles County, Fox Entertainment Group, Farmer's Insurance and Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. An area economy is also reflective of local commerce's dedication to the district. It is obvious that the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, advocating for approximately 250, 000 businesses, is on fire for financial success in the sector. Along with searching out the commerce for employment, locals and new residents seek out the L.A. Times classifieds for work.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in L.A. is equal to the state average and 31 percent greater than the American average, making the area very expensive to live if you are minus a good salary.
With a median family income of $36,687, Los Angeles is deceptively wealthy with so many world-wide celebrities living in the city. The region is actually quite poor compared to other areas, such as Burbank, with a median income of $47,467.
The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the area can be quite pricey with some studio units as much as $1,400 near downtown L.A. Of course, some complexes cost less for fewer amenities than other units priced higher for more deluxe accommodations. As for utilities, the cost of local services in Los Angeles greatly depends on family size and usage; however, the California community is noted for its low use of electricity due to the annual average temperature being so naturally comfortable.
Los Angles Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Los Angeles, whether you’re moving from out of state or from another county in California. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Los Angeles Transportation
Between a passenger and freight rail system, several bus lines, international airports, and major state, county and city freeways, it is quite easy to get around Los Angeles. As the third most-traveled airport in America, Los Angeles International Airport brings millions in and out of the region annually. As for traveling the tracks rather than the air, Los Angeles Union Station is where to catch a ride in Southern California.
When driving , motorists frequent heavily traveled roadways such as Interstates 5 and 10 and U.S. Route 1. The Los Angeles Mass Transit Authority includes the Metro Local, Rapid and Express bus lines throughout the city when locals are looking to pay for their ride.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Between Los Angeles beaches, parks, gardens, zoos and more, Mother Nature is a popular friend to most locals in L.A. Dozens of recreation centers, sporting activities and leagues, museums and exhibits keep locals loving L.A. all year long. While millions of visitors a year love to frequent more popular parts of the province like Universal Studios in Hollywood, locals look forward to staying away from congested sides of the sector.
Some spots residents ride to for decadent dining and upscale entertainment are Beverly Hills, the Valley and Santa Monica. Other areas and events residents enjoy frequenting for a fun time are the Grove/Farmer's Market, Santa Monica Pier, the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Bowl.
Local Comedian Bruce Fine, who knows the underworld of L.A. comedy, said the hottest new spot to get a laugh is at the Inside Jokes Comedy Club in the Chinese Theater. "In the first month since its opening, Chris Spencer has had David Chapelle, Dane Cook and Kevin Hart hit the stage," said Fine, who also performs at the theater when not taking the Laugh Pack around L.A. and other parts of Cali. When not performing, Fine, his lovely wife and children enjoy Koreatown, the Reel Inn located in Malibu and any Katsuya sushi restaurant in the region.
Los Angeles Relocation Tips
- If you are moving to the West Coast from the East Coast, it is imperative that you prepare for culture shock since each province is so far removed from the next. Needless to say such with such distance, there are going to be some slight and major differences between the two districts.
- Depending on where you will be living in the locale, parking on moving day may be a problem. Prepare to have plan B ready if your plan A to park is thwarted.
- After being shocked by a new society while possibly not finding parking on moving day, you will want your first day in your new home to be as relaxing as possible.