Like the majority of the posts this is a 5 point breakdown of the differences of living in LA v. Visiting LA. Posts like this really help me break down what people envision, and create more of a realistic expectation. Like past traveling posts of how long the flight is and how to get past the inevitable time change effects. Lets look into the first big difference.
Traffic while visiting vs traffic daily.
Okay. We all know LA is iconic for its traffic issues. So how come they don’t seem to bother your vacation as much as people who live here are complaining about? Are we a bunch of pissed of traffic haters? Let’s talk about timing. When you’re on vacation you are on a very different timeline then when traveling to work. You can’t get fired from being late on your vacation. You also can sleep in past the traffic or wake up earlier before traffic. As for the rest of us. One accident can set you back an hour and a half on the notorious 405. I have also noticed there are over 130,000 Waze drivers every time I log in. I have lived in towns with less people then that. So you can only imagine my shock of how many people are allowed to have their license to drive in LA. Yes we have a bus system. That is under construction and has limited stops. There are carpooling apps and uber pools. Yet the LA community still loves the freedom a car can give you. Freedom to be dead stop on a 16 lane highway.
La food while visiting v. LA food while living
Let’s put this in perspective. My grocery bill was $1000 last month. That is a very well planned out meal prep, cheap meal replacements and free lunches at work. When you are here for a weekend spending $20 a plate seems worthy because the food is “so much different then (place home town here).” I promise you that ¢69 apple you see at the supermarket is the same $1.45 apple at my supermarket. The food is not that different. The chefs are, Forsure, LA has chefs that are superseding the best chefs in New York and Paris. But it is also 6 month reservation wait list, and a sacrifice of your first born child to get a chance to sit at the resteraunt. So the places you are eating at while visiting for $20+ a plate aren’t even the best of the best. They are the mediocre. Living in LA I have become aware of mediocre knockoffs and know to save my money for things that are worth it. This includes spending $600-$1000 in food every month instead of $1200-$2000 on mediocre food that is Instagram worthy.
Budgeting for a trip v budgeting to live in LA
Budgeting for a trip is a lot different then budgeting for daily life to begin with. You have very few fixed costs while traveling. Except maybe transportation and lodging but even then you have a choice of spending limit. As for budgeting to live in LA you need to be extremely disciplined and thrifty. I have learned from natives that you go to different grocery stores for different things. Trader Joe’s for sauces salsas and smoked fish. Go to Ralph’s (cheaper store) for produce and daily things. Costco for nuts and almond milk/eggs and meat. Go to vons when they have deals on canned goods because they go on sale in bulk. Little tricks like this were told to me sporadically. Did you know the majority of LA citizens don’t shop in north Hollywood boutiques? Instead I have been advised to shop outside of LA in *whisper* outlet malls. How could these glamorous LA natives shop discount? Because we are all fake rich.
Budgeting in LA also means going to Canoga park for Gas because it’s 50 cents cheaper. It means having a few side hustles just to make rent and to accept the fact your rent will go up $200 a year. I have also learned from living in LA, budget ALL your money. Even the amount you are saving. I also learned this in Highschool from a Dave Ramsey class. Budgeting a trip to LA includes calling me to coach surf for free, eat my groceries, and go to the beach for free. It’s a different type of budgeting.
Looking at LA on a map v living there.
Looking at LA on the map it seems that everything is close-ish. 17 miles in Idaho takes maybe 20 minutes. 17 miles in St. Louis maybe 25 minutes. 17 miles in LA is a solid 90 minute trip. So from Woodland Hills to Long Beach could take two hours even though it is only 30 miles apart. From my apartment to my job is 23 miles. It takes an hour and a half with no traffic. From Santa Monica to my house takes 45 minutes at midnight. So what we need to learn from this paragraph, is the map of LA lies. It lies to you. When you come visit here it will sneak up on you fast! When you live here you will still be amazed the last 2 miles home
Took 35 minutes. Just ask a native how long a drive will take but tell them the time too they will be honest with you. Waze. Will. Not. It will get you there ASAP but not in the time it tells you.
Finally, weather in LA all year v when you come visit.
If you have made it this far in this informational post about living in LA. I’m so proud😭. As for the weather in LA v when come visit. It’s the same beautiful, sunny, non humid, some rain showers in the winter months. It is a beautiful state to hike, beach, shop, eat, and walk around. It is honestly one of the best places I’ve lived. And the true LA natives are super relaxed chill people who are willing to help you with the best LA experience they can offer. Yes you can go to the pool or beach all year long. There is not snow here except in the mountains. The weather makes everyone’s mood better I swear.
Message me if you are thinking of moving here I’ll help you(:
Visiting LA is fun but I would not want to live there!