Possible move to Los Angeles in a year--Pros and Cons? (crime rates, schools)

[Italian_Flower]

My company has locations around the country and I have the option of having a relative say in where I live out of their 48 options... one of them is LA. So... what is there to like and dislike about living in this area?

I'm trying to narrow down my options--I'm fresh out of college, ready to experience the world, and really open-minded so I'm letting every place be on the table. I am single, female, am not particularly needy at this point. I have a dog and like outdoorsy stuff but what's most important to me is having stuff to do (cultural events, places to go, trails to hike, classes to take, etc) and most most important is having the community be welcoming. I'm very social and make friends easily but I've lived in places where the culture encourages being more isolated--that is not for me!

SO... how does LA do in that regard? What are summers like? Anything else you can tell me that'll help me make or break this on my list? I have lived in very very poor areas of the country and very rich areas of the country--I'm adaptable. Like I said, the community is the most important, crime rates and quality of my living space is relative to what I can do and who I can do it with. I can always move again to a better area once I get a feel for the place. Thank you so much!

[Ceece]

Visit LA and see what you think of it. I can't imagine doing things any other way.

[mrsltd]

I'm trying to narrow down my options--I'm fresh out of college, ready to experience the world, and really open-minded so I'm letting every place be on the table. I am single, female, am not particularly needy at this point. I have a dog and like outdoorsy stuff but what's most important to me is having stuff to do (cultural events, places to go, trails to hike, classes to take, etc) and most most important is having the community be welcoming. I'm very social and make friends easily but I've lived in places where the culture encourages being more isolated--that is not for me!

Perhaps you need to think about the day-to-day stuff as well. At some point you will: do laundry, cook or prepare meals, pay utility bills, sit in traffic on the way to work, etc., etc. Granted that ANYWHERE you live you will face these things does not rule out living in LA at all.

[mrsltd]

One thing about the greater LA area....pretty much anything you could want is here somewhere, even if not in spades.

[Italian_Flower]

The day to day stuff is easy enough to figure out though. Like you said, that's something you have to do everywhere, and I can do anywhere. Never had trouble with the basics. What I'm trying to do is just get a feel for where I want to be in general, getting a top ten maybe, and then getting more into the nitty-gritty of it all. But if I have to worry about straight up not liking the community that's a bigger issue, you know? And Mrsltd has a good point--LA would have EVERYTHING.

[ccm123]

LA is really many smaller cities/districts in a big metropolitan area. Each of these smaller cities or districts has a specific feel and culture.

There's a heck of a lot to do in LA and a lot of diversity and culture. It's really spread out geographically, so many, many things to see and do and many experiences.

I think it's hard for anyone here to provide a full picture, what's probably good is for you to come out and visit. You will definitely get a better feel.

[Italian_Flower]

Thank you CCM. That sounds welcoming. I have a weird question for you guys... is LA ... pretty? Like do the cities/districts flow together at all in any meaningful way?

[ccm123]

LA has it's pretty areas (beaches, museums, universities and other areas, to name a few), and of course, it's not so pretty areas. This is like any other city in the world.

I would say that they do not flow together in any meaningful way, but are separated generally by social class, race and other demographic factors.

Good luck, I think you will enjoy LA. For the most part, I did when I lived there.

[Elle Oh Elle]

Originally Posted by Italian_Flower

Thank you CCM. That sounds welcoming. I have a weird question for you guys... is LA ... pretty? Like do the cities/districts flow together at all in any meaningful way?

Not the prettiest city, but you could find something for everyone. Depends on what you like. Unlike the other major cities, LA is quite spread out...

Also, I think it's even better that you're single. So many families come out here and complain about bad schools, crimes, and all this other stuff. Leaves you with more options, especially in urban areas.

[BRinSM]

from the street level, most of LA is not very pretty. however, get up into the hills or to the higher floors of a tall building and LA can be quite breath taking. we also have some great parks and amazing geography both in and near the city.