Cost of Living
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9/5/2012
I moved to LA 24 years ago, from the Northeast. It was the best thing I have ever done in my life. That being said, Los Angeles has a lot to offer, but it comes at a high price. Los Angeles is a massive suburban area with more developed cities scattered from place to place. There is more diversity here than anywhere else I have seen in the US, Though places like NY are probably pretty comparable. I have found over the years, with downturns in the economy, LA is usually among the last to be impacted, but once it is, it is also among the last to recover. With the high average cost of a home here(around 1/2 million), only about 10-15% of the population can afford to buy here. Most rent and currently, I rent a 1 bedroom, 800 sq.ft., 2 stall garage, on a busy street, in the southbay area for $1400. And that's a deal. A lot of studios are going for $1000 and up. Employment is down, There's always work, but it's gotten a lot tougher to find it over the last few years. Everyone wants to pay very little, but are very demanding and expect your life to revolve around your work. You swim with the sharks here, so either learn to bite back or get eaten. Many come and turn tail and run within 1-5 years. And it's only getting worse, but people keep coming, traffic gets more congested. So if you're thinking of moving here better grow a thick skin and sharp teeth and persistance should be you're middle name.
Chris | Redondo Beach, CA