Adivice
I have lived in NC I went to school in Elizabeth City for a while. I visited Rally, thought it was a cool town. I thought people out there were great, really nice, very welcoming and relaxed. I grew up in San Diego and I have lived in LA too. LA is more liberal than SD and has more options for nightlife, people aren't as reserved as they are in SD. SD is a military town, very much like the Virginia and Virginia Bch type of scene. In recent years it has become more liberal but not like LA. Where your work is located is probobly the best part of LA, West LA is close and it's nice, Santa Monica is really nice. I went to school there at Santa Monica College. SD does have less of a social scene than LA, unless you live downtown. I am currently in SD, it's much cleaner than LA, but the part of town that you are considering in LA is pretty clean.
There is not allot of smog because of it's close proximity to the bch (santa monica, west LA). Traffic is insane in LA and even though you will be in a good part of town, there will be several smoggy days, so bad for your health. I think it's funny when people say that they are health conscious in LA, what could be less healthy than breathing bad air every day of your life. It's like a fish living in polluted water, personally I detested LA, but I am a wilderness type of person (not into Hollywood scene at all). San Diego is not much better for the air situation, check out the EPA websites on air quality. Also be prepared for materialistic attitudes and fake people. Other than that you can have fun there, it really depends on who you are.
Based upon where you currently live and the way you described yourself, I think SoCal in general will be major culture shock for you. I am also 30yr's old. I think you will either love it or you will hate it...that simple. I would get a short lease just in case you hate it. Personally I found LA extremely hectic, major grind, didn't think people were friendly. But I have heard many say they love it. I like the tree's the NW is where I am going.
Good Luck....It's worth a try, at least it's a change!
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