Best Things About Living in LA (and a few not so favorite)
Best Things About Living in LA
(and a few not so favorite)
I’ve now lived in Los Angeles an incredible 16 years! I love LA and see a lot of positives. As many people continue to flock to LA (and many people leave too), I want to share my favorites. Read on for what has attracted and kept me in LA for more than a decade (does this make me a local?!?)
1) Weather
Photo by Kevin Bergen (Unsplash)
Everywhere I go, I still love SoCal weather. It’s Mediterranean (so similar to Italy). Generally a dry climate. The temperatures range from mild (winters as low as 40F) to hot, dry summers (90F in summer).
Overall, the days tend to be sunny and dry - which makes it great for outdoor activities year-round (no snow and no ice!). On average, Los Angeles only rains 30 days a year, so we plan any outdoor activity outside and have no fear of rain.
I love cycling to work, as the mornings are the perfect temperature to work out. The summers can get a bit sweltering for a few weeks, but being from the East Coast, it’s nothing we can’t handle. It’s way hotter, more humid and buggy where I’m from (100% humidity in Florida y’all). Compared to an average 20% humidity in LA; so I consider this a huge plus.
With climate change, LA has gotten significantly warmer in the last decade and humidity has spiked. An invasive mosquito species is flourishing, so now we can’t claim bug-free - but it’s still not as buggy as the East Coast so I remain grateful. I still remember several apartments didn’t even have screens in their windows and it was fine as no bugs came in (yay!).
I keep looking for more ideal weather and haven’t found it! If you like warm climates and want to enjoy the outdoors - LA is the spot!
2) The Beach and Nature
Photo by Rosalind Chang (Unsplash)
I love the diversity of the landscape and the microclimates. From the beach, you can see cliff drop-offs, and small mountain ranges that drop into the ocean. The elevation allows for an abundance of hiking trails going from a lush valley to a dry mountaintop — in the span of 1 hour. We like to say LA is the only place where you can ski in the morning, and swim in the ocean by evening . You literally can do it all in one day. It’s incredible.
Griffith Park - LA’s wilderness park is five times larger than Central Park in NYC! And yes, people have gotten lost and some have gotten seriously injured there - so respect nature! My point is, LA has wilderness. The northern edge is bordered by the San Gabriel Mountains, with the inland San Bernandino Mountains to the east - as in, lots of trails and wild areas.
To the south, we have miles of beaches including South Bay (Manhattan Beach, Redondo, Hermosa), Long Beach, and if you drive further to Orange County, Laguna Beach, Newport, and many-many more. Palos Verde has perhaps the most striking cliff views overlooking the ocean.
In addition to the geographical features, I love how Santa Monica can be 10 degrees cooler than Downtown LA. Inland people always forget to bring a sweater on their way to the Westside. And Westside peeps are forever surprised by how much warmer it is in Silverlake, Echo Park and Downtown. If you’re feeling hot/cold - you can head to another part of town to enjoy their microclimate (just dress appropriately)!
The coastal regions tend to have a marine layer in the morning, which keep it cooler and less sunny in the morning (especially during the annual June Gloom season). As you move east, the marine layer dissipates and it’s sunnier and warmer.
And the best part - all of these things: the beaches, the mountains are basically free. I love biking on the beach bike path, walking along the beach, and hiking. When I lost my job, that’s all I did, went to the beach (walked with my feet in the sand and the edge of the water) and go hiking! It’s not a bad way to live :)
3) Always Something Going On
Folks, Los Angeles is the second biggest city in the USA! I can’t tell you how many times people are surprised by this obvious fact, so I keep spreading the good word. This means it has a huge amount of diversity, options, and things to do. As of 2023, the LA metro area is home to over 12 million residents (wow right, that’s why driving from one end to the other is akin to driving thru several small countries).
Due to its layout, I find it’s best to do your research and identify the activities you find most interesting, as it can be easy to stay in your neighborhood bubble. Secondly, I recommend going early to things that are likely to become crowded - as the wait, crowds, and noise can get …. exhausting (perhaps that is just my introverted side coming out).
My number one resource for finding activities and things to do: WeLikeLA. It’s started by a husband and wife team. They post weekly summaries of LA things to do including festivals, activities (like CicLAvia, free museum days), movie screenings, pop-up shops, etc — so I read their latest posts and make sure I hit up the activities that speak to me!
As an example of that big city magic — I share one anecdote. One night, I was grabbing drinks with my good friend. And he suggested we stop by a venue on the way back. Low and behold, we find ourselves stumbling into a dimly lit, classy, speakeasy with a very sophisticated jazz band playing and people wearing blazers and ties. I felt very special, like I walked into a fairy tale! Yes, sparkle like this exist. You’ll be having a very normal day and then an adventure will take unveil itself and you’ll end the night on a totally different note.
I know, LA is less spontaneous than other, compact, better-planned cities like NYC. The traffic, and the distance between neighborhoods - it’s a trek to go from A to Z. BUT, I still find that magic of living in a big, diverse city that I haven’t been able to replicate in smaller cities. It’s the idea that it’s always changing. Even if you know LA, it will change the next time you visit. It’s constantly reinventing itself. And that leaves room for adventure and exploration in its own right.
4) The Food
Eggslut (Image: Unsplash)
Did you notice that many of my LA posts are about….FOOD!! Yes people, I love food. But not just any food, I love all sorts of food. I love how LA has all these neighborhoods where the food is incredible, authentic, and just plain closer to godliness in its rich cultural history and diversity.
For example, LA has the biggest Korean population outside of Korea. And if you haven’t eaten in Koreatown - you are seriously missing out on one of the wonders of LA (the Asian food!).
It’s not just Koreatown. LA has Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Thai Town, and outside of these pockets - amazing restaurants (many casual, not just fancy). For example, my favorite Indian restaurants are surprisingly clustered in Palms and Culver City.
As an Asian American (Vietnamese born in America), I grew up in a world where there was Italian, Southern Food, and a lot of Hamburgers. There wasn’t much diversity in the population and/or the food. So when I moved to LA, it was like my worldview exploded— and many of it is so accessible in its food and restaurant scene.
So if there’s one thing to take away, do not miss out on the stunning Asian food in LA and SoCal in general (as the OC has epically good food as well). If you need more specifics check out any of my other food posts :)
5) Neighborhoods
Santa Monica pier and lifeguard station (Image: Unsplash)
I love exploring all LA neighborhoods. If I am feeling artsy, underground, yet on the cusp of greatness - I go to Silverlake, Echo Park - which always impresses me with its creative, eclectic stores, people, and food. If I want gritty, but old school — Downtown LA bars are the oldest in the city (like the Golden Gopher, or like the Crocker Club, in an old bank vault). When I want sunshine, the salty ocean, and want to pretend that I like tanning and volleyball - I go to Santa Monica. If I want the beachy vibes where everyone just lets it hang out — Venice.
My point is, LA neighborhoods are more like - what’s your flavor? That’s why it’s so hard for people to figure out the right place to live. The neighborhood is like your identity. When I first moved to LA, I didn’t know what was safe/not safe - so I went a bit overboard and rented a Marina Del Rey, high-end apartment which featured a bronze sculpture of a mermaid and a brick roundabout in the driveup. When people picked me up, they never failed to comment on the luxury (it was a tag jaw-dropping)! I was embarrassed, as it never felt like home. As soon as my lease ended, I found an 1950s built, cute apartment in Palms with wooden floors and a stucco exterior. It was simple, basic, and 100% me. I loved that apartment, where the neighbors knew everyone.
LA’s distinct neighborhoods make up the heart and soul of LA: many identities coming together as one. I like to think that people can find whatever they’re looking for in LA, you just gotta know what it is!
Not so favorite things
1) Expensive
LA is pretty much the top five most expensive cities in the country! California state taxes are amongst the highest in the nation. Rents are the highest in the nation. And with inflation, the cost to live here continues to climb.
I know many wonderful people who moved here, but then had to leave as the cost is very-very high. When I lost my job, I worked 60+ hours/week on menial jobs, minimum wage and was constantly struggling. It is literally impossible to live in LA city proper on a minimum wage salary.
2) Crime
During covid times, crime shot up to levels it hasn’t seen in decades, and it has remained that way as we moved into 2022-2023. I, myself, have felt this directly.
I used to work in West Hollywood/Melrose area - which is a cute area with its high-end, expensive boutiques (and many overpriced coffee shops that I frequent). So one would think, it’s a safe neighborhood, right? Not really. While at the office, one of my coworkers was harassed by a mentally ill individual (my coworker is fine by the way). It was incredibly traumatic for the entire office. After that, they locked the office's front doors, hired a security guard and the guard to walk us to the car if we worked late.
I tell these stories not to scare you, but so you can keep in mind that it’s a big city, and there are a lot of people (many good and some not so good). So be aware and be safe. As a female who walks alone, I carry pepper spray. It’s not the greatest, but it sure beats not leaving the house.
If you’re curious about LA crime, this Crime Map helps put into perspective where crime occurs (everywhere). And this one has a visual heat map by color,
3) Pollution
Good news: LA air quality has improved significantly since laws were put in place in the 80s! But in today’s time… during the summer, when it’s very dry and there may or may not be wildfires raging nearby — the air quality peaks into the terrible level (yes we have the worst air quality in the USA).
Did you know bad air quality (even at mild levels) can shorten your lifespan (see article here). Yikes!
The bad air quality is most obvious in contrast to cleaner days. It’s after a rainy day, and I’m on top of a hill seeing LA from the distance — it’s like someone took a handkerchief and cleaned the glass. Wow, never knew LA could be so clear! That’s how you can see the difference with your own eyes. During the hottest days, a smoggy blanket hovers at the horizon and late into the day — take a look and you’ll see it (sadly). When the air quality is really bad, recommend limiting your time outdoors and using your AC / indoor air filters to help keep your own air quality high.
Another problem, there’s a lot of pollution and trash flowing into the ocean. After a rain, it’s advised not to swim near the drain-off areas as all the pollution/trash washes out to the ocean (it’s not healthy). Before I go swimming, I check the Heal the Bay’s water quality score to make sure it’s at a safe level.
So yeah, not the best but there are ways to work around it to still enjoy LA.
4) Socioeconomic divide
LA has the worst housing crisis in the US. The number of unhoused individuals is the highest ever, and even with billions of government dollars allocated to housing, the city and local government fail to provide housing, and support fast enough and/or in a sustainable way. This system is broken.
I can say that 5 years ago, the homeless encampments did not exist in the sheer number and size that I am seeing today. It is heartbreaking to see large populations, our most vulnerable not cared for, and our city failing its citizens. Public places become encampments..but does it still mean they are public and for the people? It’s complicated.
The USA is a fiercely independent culture, so we oftentimes value the individual over the collective. This plays itself out as, if you’re homeless it’s your fault. But did you know that 50% of the homeless were in the foster care system? These are individuals who already had a weak support structure, so when times became tough, there was no fallback, no one to help them until get back on their feet. On top of that, add on the layer of mental illness (and the failings of our health care system), along with health insurance problems in this country…you get a city with amplified problems.
It’s a complicated cauldron of problems…it’s a tough spot for all.
LA Love
In spite of all its challenges, flaws, and issues (many of which are just amplified in this city of stars) - I still love LA. The positives like the weather, the lifestyle, the food, the diversity…the endless summers. It’s still worth it.
It may not always be, as my life situation and values continue to evolve. Maybe one day I’ll leave LA, but for now - no such thing!! Inspite of all its flaws LA is still my favorite US city to live in.
I hope you found this honest LA summary of pros and cons helpful! Let me know what else you want to know. linhdy@outlook.com
