Los Angeles is one of the most famous cities in the world and, as the home of Hollywood, it is also a hugely symbolic place for American culture. LA is also widely regarded as being amongst the most livable cities in the world. Coupled with the allure of Hollywood, there are lots of reasons to want to live and work in LA.

But LA is a very unique and individual city. While this is part of the attraction, it also makes moving there quite a daunting prospect. Here are 5 things that anyone thinking about moving to LA needs to know before they take that step.

Food, Glorious Food

Los Angeles is home to a diverse range of different people; it is a truly cosmopolitan city. As a result, it is overflowing with incredible culinary experiences and these go far beyond expensive restaurants and eateries. For example, LA is also famous for its street food and you will find no shortage of food trucks, pop ups such as Bartz Barbecue and other street food vendors.

With cultural eateries from around the world including India, Thailand and Mexico, as well as themed establishments that serve exclusively one style of cooking or dish, such as S’mores restaurants and burger joints, residents of LA are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing what to eat. If you are passionate about the food that you eat and eager to experience other types of cuisine, LA is one of the best cities that you could possibly choose to live in.

Staying Safe

As with most major cities, Los Angeles is generally a very safe place to visit, but there are some areas in the city center and on the periphery that you should stay well away from unless you have reason to be there. You should also keep a close eye on your belongings in the more touristy areas. Any city that is popular with tourists is going to be a magnet for pickpockets and scammers. New and inexperienced residents are just as vulnerable targets as visitors to the city are.

As mentioned, Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, meaning that there are plenty of movie executives and other people in the industry wandering the city. However, there are also a large number of scams that involve people pretending to be from a production studio or agency and offering life-changing opportunities to unsuspecting victims. If you find yourself in such a situation, then don’t be afraid to ask for credentials or proof of identification.

Finding Accommodation

Finding somewhere suitable to live in Los Angeles can be difficult, especially if you are going to be moving to the city having never visited before. While all major American cities contain more affluent and more impoverished areas, the disparity between rich and poor in LA is particularly striking. This is partly due to the fact that LA contains renowned hotspots such as La Costa, Malibu Colony Beach and Beverly Hills, which are among the most affluent places to live in the world and skew the averages somewhat.

However, there are also plenty of more affordable places to live in LA. This is a big city with neighborhoods of every size, description, and economic status. Finding a new place to live should ultimately be a positive experience for you, but it can also be a difficult and daunting experience if you don’t know where to begin. Looking at potential apartments online from afar will never be the same as visiting the city yourself and seeing first-hand what it has to offer.

A great way of getting a feel for life in LA without having to make a long-term commitment is to look at serviced apartments. Blueground has serviced apartments to rent throughout Los Angeles, with a minimum lease term of 1 month. Guests can manage their rentals online, giving them the ability to change the duration of their stay, whether that means extending their stay or cutting it short. With locations throughout the city, Blueground has some of the best serviced apartments Los Angeles has to offer.

Navigating Public Transport

The public transport system in LA makes getting around the city easy for the most part, although it can be confusing if you are new to it. There are six Metro lines that run beneath the city, so you can quickly get to where you need to go. If you plan on getting the train, you will also need to get yourself a reloadable TAP card, which you can then use to pay for your fare.

Like any major city, LA has numerous bus services operating throughout the city. However, Los Angeles is notorious for its traffic jams, which can turn even short journeys into long expeditions during rush hour. Buses are generally not a very efficient way of getting around LA and most experienced travelers will advise you to avoid them.

LA is one of the most populous cities in the US and the largest city in the state of California. It is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world and is home to a very diverse range of neighborhoods. Whatever kind of place you are looking for, LA is certain to have somewhere suitable for you.