TD;LR: Los Angeles is expensive, but delivers an exceptional quality of life for those who love entertainment, world-class amenities, and outdoors adventures. But take care with neighborhoods.
Everybody wants to visit Los Angeles at least once in their lifetime. However, living in a city is a completely different matter. Whether you’re a prospective renter or landlord, knowing whether Los Angeles is a good place to live will help guide your next decisions.
This guide to Los Angeles County and the city as a whole will delve into the costs, different neighborhoods, career opportunities, and lifestyle opportunities.
Quick Snapshot of Living in Los Angeles
- The Good: An iconic destination. Low crime rates. Great career earning potential. Beautiful backdrops and a pleasing climate. A rich culture of food, music, art, and more.
- The Bad: Potential natural dangers due to climate change. Traffic congestion. High living costs. Very high property costs and rentals.
- Appeals To: Affluent families, students, and career-driven people who also love a slice of the good life and a slice of the great outdoors.
Housing Costs and Affordability
Los Angeles is one of the most sought-after and iconic cities in the world. It is synonymous with high-class living and affluence. This is reflected by the housing market. While the average housing costs across the United States are a little higher than $360,000, L.A.’s median prices are around three times that figure. In some luxury neighborhoods, values can be close to 10 times the national average.
Despite the high costs, rental competition in the City of Angels is fierce. It is an iconic location viewed by many as the place to live for its lifestyle and career prospects. The high demand has often caused bidding dynamics where renters offer higher security deposits or pay several months in advance. However, the market has become more renter-friendly thanks to build-to-rent projects throughout the city.
When looking for affordable Los Angeles rentals and using tools to find the perfect house or apartment for rent, renters may:
- Opt for affordable neighborhoods like Pedro or San Fernando Valley.
- Work with a rental listings platform that has a diverse range of options.
- Look for properties that have rental control in place.
- Talk to the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) about housing programs.
- Share the property with housemates including friends or colleagues.
Job Market and Career Opportunities
Career opportunities play a key role in finding a place to live. Los Angeles is known as the epicenter of the movie and entertainment industry with many people flocking to the city wanting to succeed in Hollywood.
However, residents can also enjoy thriving careers in other industries, including but not limited to;
- Digital media and marketing
- Healthcare and telehealth,
- Tech,
- Aerospace,
- Manufacturing,
- Trade and logistics.
A senior healthcare consultant can expect a salary upwards of $70,000 and potentially double that amount. While the competition for entry level roles in a range of sectors is fierce, there are usually thousands of positions available across different businesses and industries, even for those who are apartment hunting when you’re unemployed.
Neighborhoods and Best Places To Live In Los Angeles
Los Angeles offers a range of diverse cities, making it an attractive place for people from a variety of backgrounds. When looking for places to rent, though, tenants need to find neighborhoods matched to their budgets and lifestyles in mind. This includes considerations into commuting, school opportunities, and which attractions are in close proximity – as well as the costs involved.
Here are some of the most popular neighborhoods and what they have to offer:
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills stands out as arguably the most luxurious neighborhood in the entire country. Architecturally stunning mansions and beautiful backdrops are underpinned by a sense of exclusivity. The fact that many of the world’s biggest stars choose to live here explains it all.
Luxury homes are supported by tree-lined streets and world-class amenities like the boutiques of Rodeo Drive, beautiful parks, and incredible spa facilities. The quality of living and housing is reflected by the high rental costs, which stand at around $3,000 per month for a one-bed apartment and an estimated $9,000 – $18,000 for a 3-bed house.
Santa Monica
Another very popular neighborhood is Santa Monica, which is arguably best known for Santa Monica Beach on California’s South Coast. Close proximity to the beach is certainly a selling point, but it is also known for its thriving business sector as many companies have HQs here.
The combination of career options and leisure activities mean it has one of the highest demands for both homeowners and renters alike. This is reflected by rental costs of around $2,500 per month for a 1-bed property and upwards of $7,000 per month for a 3-bed property. Due to the high demand, it is a great investment opportunity for landlords.
Pasadena
Pasadena is one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Los Angeles thanks to a wide range of amenities aimed at all the family. It also boasts a good selection of educational institutions including public schools and private boarding schools.
Job opportunities in technology, research, and healthcare are pretty strong while also offering suburban commute benefits to downtown, Burbank, and Glendale for anyone with a car. A 3-bed home is typically around $4,000 – $6,000 to rent monthly. While far higher than the national average, it’s cheaper than many L.A. neighborhoods.
Venice and Silver Lake
Both Venice and Silver Lake can be considered trendy neighborhoods that embrace the cultural vibrancy of the city, making them particularly popular choices for young professionals. Silver Lake has a thriving music scene while Venice is synonymous with its artistic scene.
The quality of life for creatives is ideal while the two spaces offer a choice of beaches of hilly backdrops. Rentals in Venice are significantly higher, but both neighborhoods are in high demand as they also offer good job opportunities, especially when nearby neighborhoods are taken into account. Landlords can expect very healthy ROIs.
Culture: A Melting Pot and the Food Scene
Los Angeles is a vibrant and diverse city that boasts many successes. The epic food scene is one of its greatest triumphs.
While L.A. is regarded for world-class fine dining experiences, it is also blessed with a large selection of affordable eateries alongside delicious street food. Some of the most notable neighborhoods and notable cuisines include;
- Sushi in Little Tokyo,
- Mexican tacos,
- Korean BBQs,
- French dip sandwiches,
- Cobb salads,
- Fusion foods like Korean-Mexican,
- Chinese food in San Gabriel Valley.
Transportation, Close Proximity, and Green Space
Most residents in Los Angeles will find that car ownership is essential for daily life. While public transit systems including the L.A. metro exist, road travel is the fastest and most convenient solution. Aside from commuting and school runs, driving opens the door to nearby amenities and outdoors activities at various beautiful beaches, mountains, and parks. However, you can expect heavy traffic at rush hour and other peak times.
L.A. is blessed with warm weather and clear skies for most of the year. When living in Los Angeles, some of the most popular spots include;
- Malibu Beach,
- Santa Monica Beach,
- Venice Beach,
- Griffith Park,
- Gloria Molina Grand Park,
- Exposition Park,
- California Aquadect,
- Angeles Crest Highway,
- Hollywood Reservoir,
- Melrose Place.
Health and Environment: Air Pollution and Natural Risks
Environmental problems in California are arguably greater than in many other states. Air pollution is a particularly noteworthy issue with L.A. experiencing a worse air quality than any other city. This is largely due to the heavy traffic, climate change, and wildfires.
Wildfire season typically lasts from April to October. It also suggested that up to 10,000 earthquakes hit the city annually, although only a handful are felt by people. Still, residents must be prepared for all situations by;
- Securing heavy furniture and appliances,
- Completing regular structural inspections,
- Having an emergency kit ready for all situations,
- Downloading safety Apps to your smartphone,
- Create a wildfire action plan and evacuation strategy,
- Know to close doors and windows without locking them.
Quality of Life: Is Los Angeles a Good Place?
Is Los Angeles California a good place to live? As long as you have the necessary funds, it can provide an exceptional quality of life for many types of people. Creatives will love the energy of the city as well as the thriving digital media and entertainment sectors. Meanwhile, students can shine at the University of Southern California, California State University, or University of California while entry level job opportunities are pleasing.
Los Angeles is also a family-friendly place to live. Before moving to Los Angeles County, though, it’s important to weigh us the pros and cons. The following table should help:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great earning potential | Rentals are expensive |
| Warm summers and mild winters | Threat of natural disasters |
| Excellent schooling | Public transportation could be better |
| Beaches and green spaces galore | Traffic congestion |
| World-class shopping opportunities | High percentage of homeless people |
| Incredible dining experiences | High living costs for lifestyle luxuries |
| A diverse culture | Air pollution |
| Low violent crime rates | Population density in some neighborhoods |
While diversity is a strength of the city, it does mean there are huge contrasts from one neighborhood to the next. Prospective renters should prioritize their top living criteria before they search rental listings in the city. It will help streamline the process regardless of whether outside support is used or not.
For Landlords and Property Managers in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County is one of the most in-demand markets in the country, not least for tenants. Unsurprisingly, it delivers fantastic opportunities for landlords and property managers alike. Monthly rental incomes are far higher than the national average while real estate assets appreciate too.
To get the most out of this opportunity, both in terms of ROI and stress-free management, partnering with Rentler is the ideal solution. Suitable services that can support you include;
- Online rent collection with secure online rent payments,
- Tenant screening tools like credit and background check services,
- Syndicate listings.
Smoother landlord duties, underpinned by faster unit filling and convenient management supported by longer tenancy agreements, await.
Practical Moving Tips and Next Steps
Los Angeles is an attractive city to live in. Whether planning to spend a year exploring everything the destination has to offer or wanting to settle for life, you need to plan for the move, including preparing one online rental application you can reuse.
Firstly, the city boasts over 200 neighborhoods. You’ll need to consider which type aligns with your lifestyle needs;
- Central neighborhoods like Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles,
- Beach neighborhoods like Santa Monica and Playa del Rey,
- Upscale neighborhoods like Bel Air and Westwood,
- North neighborhoods like Highland Park and Laurel Canyon,
- West neighborhoods like West Adams and Playa Vista.
If you have a job lined up, you’ll need to take commutes into account. Meanwhile, a realistic moving budget and a clear understanding of the anticipated moving costs is advised. When also aligned with your lifestyle preferences, such as whether you prioritize the artistic scene or a friendly community, calculated choices can be made.
FAQ
Is Los Angeles an expensive place to live?
Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities to live in, carrying a premium of over 130% compared to the national average for median prices of above $900,000. However, average earnings are also far higher than the national average while the quality of life is very high.
How competitive is the Los Angeles job market?
The Los Angeles job market is highly competitive with over 70 applicants per opening. The city does boast several thriving sectors including entertainment, tech, healthcare, financial services, and aerospace. Employees in these fields can command lucrative salaries.
Is Los Angeles a safe city for families?
L.A. is generally a very safe city for families as violent crimes are fairly rare. Petty theft can be an issue in areas that attract tourists, but locals are typically safe. One downside, however, is that the air quality is low in several neighborhoods.
Conclusion
Los Angeles is an idyllic place to live and currently home to over 3.88 million people. It isn’t perfect for everyone, which is why prospective tenants must access their personal priorities. Still, those who do love it will find it is the perfect backdrop for a lifetime of happiness.
If you’re an individual looking to move to Los Angeles, be sure to research neighborhoods and property options first. And if you’re a landlord, post your listing on Rentler to reach the best tenant candidates now.
