Moving can be an incredibly exciting process, especially if you’re making the move to a totally different part of the country. And if you’re moving to Los Angeles, the area very well might throw you for a loop. Whether you’re among the ranks of most American homeowners who move every five to seven years or this is your first big transplant, here are a few ways to get adjusted to LA life once you’ve moved to the city of angels.
Ask a Friend to Show You Around
If you’re fortunate enough to have a friend or two already living in LA, don’t hesitate to ask them to show you around! Not only is this a great way to learn where the best spots are, but it’s an excellent opportunity to spend time with one of the few people you might actually know when you first move to the city. Capitalizing on your friends’ knowledge of LA and the surrounding areas is going to make your transition to LA life much easier than it otherwise would have been. Once you know the area a little bit better, you’ll be able to develop favorite spots of your own and navigate to new places without the fear of getting lost. Think of your initial tour as a blueprint (though not necessarily a two-dimensional drawing on paper) for how and where you’re going to spend the first few months of your time in LA. And as your friends discover new places, you’ll be able to accompany them and see for yourself just how much there is to discover in sunny Los Angeles.
Have Some Free/Inexpensive Activities On Standby
When you’re living in LA, saving money is incredibly important. So when you’re looking for something to do on the weekend, it helps to have a list of free or inexpensive activities at the ready to choose from. In addition to giving you something to do, it just might open up your eyes to new places that you haven’t visited yet. And that means this is another excellent way to adjust to your surroundings and get a better feel for different parts of the city. If you haven’t quite built up your list of places/activities yet, here are a few to choose from:
- Griffith Observatory
- Local Libraries
- Getty Museum
- Beaches
- Hiking Trails
- New Beverly Cinema
- Melrose Trading Post
- Greystone Mansion
While there are plenty more activities and places you could add to this list, the options here might give you a good jumping-off point. If the beach isn’t your thing and you prefer perfectly chlorinated pool water (pH balance of 7.4 to 7.6), a community pool or athletic center nearby might also be able to get you your fix for waterworks.
Get Outside the City, Too
Moving to a big city can be incredibly exciting. Unfortunately, it can also be totally consuming if you’ve never lived in a city as big as Los Angeles before. While it’s tempting to spend all of your time in the city lights, make a point to spend time outside of urban areas, too. There’s plenty of natural beauty just outside the city, so make a point to go see it! Whether you take a trip to the beach or you want to see a bit of desert, there’s truly some outdoorsy fun for everyone who lives in LA. Part of living so close to a giant city is learning what’s around it. Not only will nature trips be a little less expensive than a trip to the city, but they’ll also give you a whole new lease on why living in LA is so great.
Moving to Los Angeles definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you’re committed to owning it in the LA lights and you take these tips to heart, you’ll be living like a true Angeleno in no time at all.
