Whether you’re exploring your theatrical talents, just got a job offer, or are just getting a new start, Los Angeles is probably one of the more challenging places to get settled into as a new resident. As one of the biggest cities in the world, even urbanites can get overwhelmed. If you’re not sure where to start, consider these few tips to get one step closer to the City of Angels.
Don’t be Scared of Apartment Renter Competition
About 12 million people call Los Angeles home, with closer to 18 million residents in the Greater Los Angeles area. With this in mind, finding the perfect apartment or job is not as easy as in other cities. Don’t let this scare you – if you get denied an apartment application, that’s okay. If you have three interviews in a week with no calls back, that’s okay too. Persistence is key – try, try again, and eventually you’ll find your niche in The Big Orange.
Los Angeles Traffic…
… is a nightmare, plain and simple. Once you get to the city, you’re going to want to avoid shopping for apartments in Los Angeles between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. Otherwise, you probably won’t get very far. You’ll want to keep this in mind when choosing the location of your L.A. apartment as well. L.A.’s propensity for gridlock also makes choosing your living location carefully even more important – be conscious of commuting to and from your next job or the area you would like to spend time in. Also check out if there are public transportation options for your route so you can sleep or read instead of drive on the cutthroat freeways. Check out the L.A. Metro site for more about Los Angeles buses and rail lines.
Know Your L.A. Jargon
When you meet new people, you don’t want to totally seem clueless to the SoCal area. Familiarize yourself with the areas around Los Angeles so when someone refers to a neighborhood, you’re not lost. “The Valley” is an important one – know what that means (the San Fernando Valley, including Burbank), and Valspeak. However, don’t worry if you don’t sound in-the-know right away. Even locals don’t always agree on which name belongs to which area. (Are you in Sycamore Square? The Miracle Mile? Mid-Wilshire? Depends on who you ask.) Highways also usually have local nicknames – when someone says “take the PCH,” know what that means instead of having a blank stare. (That’s the Pacific Coast Highway, by the way. It’s a stretch of State Route 1.)
One of the most famous cities in the world is in your horizon – find your piece of the pie and enjoy the beautiful weather. For help finding apartments or for more moving tips, follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
