Relocating to Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest city in the U.S. Los Angeles has a population of 3.8 million people and covers an area of nearly 500 square miles in Southern California. The metropolitan area is home to over 12 million residents from all over the world who speak over 200 different languages. Los Angeles is of the most populated and diverse counties in the U.S.

Climate

Los Angeles has an ideal climate of 263 days of sunshine a year with only 35 days of rain. From May through October it is warm to hot, with an average temperature of 74°F–84°F and lows of 58°F–66°F, but can get hotter. From November through April the climate is mild, with high temperatures averaging form 68°F to 73°F. However the temperature in Los Angeles area could drop to the low 40's or rise as high as 80°F in the winter months.

Demographics

Economy

The economy of Los Angeles is driven by international trade, the entertainment industry, aerospace, technology, petroleum, fashion, apparel, and tourism. Los Angeles is the largest manufacturing center in the western United States. Other industries include media production, finance, healthcare, telecommunications, law, and transportation. After New York City, Los Angeles is the second largest economic center in the Western Hemisphere. If Los Angeles were a country, it would rank 17th in the world of gross domestic product. (California ranks 8th).

Housing

If you want to live in the City of Angels, you have to pay a premium. The overall cost of living here is 33% above the national average, with housing costs tending to be among the most expensive in the nation. In the city of Los Angeles, the median cost for apartment rentals is $735 per month. You can pay less in areas such as Glendale, Long Beach and the San Fernando Valley, all of which have a median rent for apartments at $600 per month. Expect to pay even more for apartments in places like Santa Monica, Malibu and other upscale communities.

Housing costs vary greatly throughout the Los Angeles area, depending on the specific neighborhood in question. Beautiful beachside areas such as Santa Monica and Malibu boast some of the most expensive housing costs in the area along with their ocean views. Other posh neighborhoods include Brentwood, Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills area, where housing costs can easily run into the tens of millions.

While housing costs have risen significantly all over the Los Angeles area, there are still many affordable options in both condos and family homes. As a general rule, housing costs in East and North Los Angeles are cheaper than the Westside, for both purchases and rentals. Many Los Angeles neighborhoods such as Santa Monica and West Hollywood protect their tenants with strict rent control laws.

Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $2,350
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $435

Taxes

Education

Some highlights:

• Racially diverse — population is 40.9% foreign born
• Ratio of 21 students per teacher
• Large selection of colleges & universities in area
• Number of libraries is 3 times higher than national average
• Median age is 31.6 years
• Area has lots of recreational and cultural things to do
• Climate is known for being temperate
• Residents over 25 years with high school education or more: 66.6%
• Ratio of females to males = 50:50 split
• Excellent job market offers many internship opportunities

There are countless private colleges, public universities and community colleges in the Los Angeles area. For more information on specific institutions, start with: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_angeles.

Relocations services such as real estate and mortgage.