Moving to Los Angeles

Affectionately known as the ‘City of Angels’, Los Angeles is an extremely popular destination for thousands of people looking to live in the United States. With a population of 3,792,621 (Census 2010), it is the largest city in the state of California and is recognised as the most diverse metropolitan area in the country. LA is divided into a large number of communities, which can be a tad daunting when looking for somewhere to live in the city.

With around 80 neighbourhoods making up LA, it is important to consider which ones are best for your needs. Despite the excellent public transport network, the city can be a frustrating place for the car driver. With many areas lacking sufficient car parking facilities, it may be worth considering alternative modes of transport if you cannot find a place without a driveway. Also, getting from one side of the city to the other can be a frustrating experience by car, so if you know the district where you will be working or where friends live, it may be worth starting your search close by.

Read on for more information about six of the most popular districts to consider when moving to Los Angeles.

Beverly Hills
The world famous Beverly Hills has excellent schools and the neighbourhood prides itself on being a clean, highly regarded area to live in. Parking spaces are generally easy to find, apart from in the buzzing retail districts. Beverly Hill is known for being an incredibly expensive place to live and traffic can be horrific. If you are planning a move to this area, make sure your budget can accommodate the extra expense.

Miracle Mile
This probably the most family orientated district in LA. There are several great schools and activities for kids; the area is also blessed with many wide open spaces, a rarity in the city. The only drawback to Miracle Mile could be the lack of nightlife, but there are a few fantastic restaurants and bars around.

Hollywood
Needless to say, Hollywood is the most iconic part of Los Angeles. There are many old (for LA anyway), good looking houses in the area and comes with an excellent bar and club scene. The main drawback in living in Hollywood is the cost of accommodation, as it is expensive whether you buy or let. Despite traffic being a city-wide problem, Hollywood is one of the worst areas for road congestion, so be prepared for some serious jams.

Santa Monica
This beachside district is great for both families and singles alike. This is an ideal location for young professionals and is one of the quieter areas in the city. However, if you like to hit the tiles or fancy yourself as a bit of a party animal, be aware that the nightlife is mostly limited to pubs and Irish bars. Once again, traffic can be an issue.

West Hollywood
This densely populated central location has many retail outlets, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It is actually one of the cheaper areas to rent and buy in, but due to the high volume of people and the sheer amount of nightlife, it can be very loud at night. There are many low quality,“dingbat” style apartments with very thin walls, so avoid these if possible.

West LA and Culver City
This up and coming area is now one of the hotspots for nightlife in LA. It is suitable for both singles and families, and is rapidly becoming a sought after area in the city. It contains many villa-style houses and rents still haven’t reached the astronomical levels that have surfaced in other parts of the city.

Moving to Los Angeles should be the most exciting experience of your life. But be sure to do your own research and take all things into account before deciding your eventual destination. All the districts have both good points and drawbacks, but the main thing is choosing the one that’s right for you.


Submitted by Kirsty Collingwood, Marketing Manager at Crown Relocations. Crown Relocations is an international removals company and global mobility specialist that manages every step of the journey from visas to property management, finding schools to packing up.

More tips on moving to Chicago can be found at Crown's website, www.moveoverseas.co.uk.