life difficulties in Los Angeles????

Question

so as a person who has never lived in LA and based on information I got these are the most difficult things about life in LA?1-traffic 2- air polution3- high cost of housing4- crime and safety5- racial conflict....Is that true? So how do you handle these difficulties ..../I want to work in LA for 2 years and my main concern is how I can afford a safe small place close to work and how I can make sure I will be safe and how I can find a nanny for my baby in this city....and if I needed to repair anything in side the house how safe or dangerouse it can be to ask someone to come into your house.....I just wanted to ask people who has been living there for many years to tell me their way of dealing with these problems.....For example....I know I should get a place as close to work as possible...I probably do not intend to have a car or if I get one I am not sure how safe it could be to just buying and selling a car in this city ...many people say it is full of gangs and has high crime rate.

Answer 1

3-high cost of living
1-traffic

You handle the cost of living by getting a second job or a better paying job. You also handle it by living in the less expensive parts of town. You handle the traffic by buying a Thomas Guide Map book (amazon.com) and learning all the surface street ways to get around town off of the freeways.

You get referrals for good repair people from friends or you could ask a local Realtor for referrals. If you really are that afraid of repair people then make sure someone is home with you when they come over.

You MUST get a car. You can try to live without one and try to live close to everything you need, but it's going to be very difficult. L.A. is a sprawling area and sometimes, you're going to want to go to the beach or a to a museum and you will need to drive there, especially if you have a young child.

If you buy a car here buy one from a dealer. You'll pay more, but the process will be easier.

Answer 2

LA is a city like any other city, there are good parts and there are bad parts. You just have to be careful about the place that you live. Research the area that you want to live in first. There are plenty of nanies out here. you can go through a nanny agency or look on Criagslist. I think getting a place close to your work is a good idea, however I think having a car in LA is a must. It is not a walking city. You need a car to live/work in this city. Nice areas to consider are Torrance, parts of Long Beach, both of these areas have lots to do and have reasonable housing (for california). I think LA is one of the most diverse places to live, there is a mix of so many different people, it is a great place to live.

Answer 3

high cost of living is true but your income makes up wit the rent traffic thats a big issue but once you have a long time living in LA you'll get use to it shoot you'll even find ways on how to avoid it by finding out the right time in which you leave the place you are in and the crime part its not the same anymore it has calmed down in the last 5 years LA didnt even make it to the top 25 most dangerous cities in the country
but LA is the best so no worries

Answer 4

You are over thinking this. LA is just like many other cities. Traffic is bad. Some areas have crime problems. There is smog, the occasional flood, earthquake or heat that is hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk. (really) You are going to need a car. Day care is not difficult to find but usually pricey. Find a handy man in the penny-saver and make sure he is licensed. Don't pay him till the job is finished to your satisfaction. Penny saver is a good place to find a nice used car as well and the penny-saver is delivered to your door every week. if you get lucky and find an apartment close to your work, good for you, but I wouldn't hold my breath! In short, you have your work cut out for you but don't worry about it so much. it will work out.

Answer 5

LA is a Huge place, with many neighborhoods. Your statements certainly apply to certain parts of the city but that should not scare you. Most of the city is pretty safe. One thing is definitely true, it is almost impossible to live in LA without a car.

Answer 6

Actually, here is the order:
1-High cost of living
2-Traffic

That's about it. Air pollution? Not that much of a day-to-day issue, unless you have severe allergies. Crime and safety? Really, it's not as bad as all that. Racial conflict? Not even on the radar.

The trick is to have marketable skills, so you can get a job. Once you have that, then you can concentrate on getting a place to live that's close to work, so you don't have to deal so much with traffic.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Traffic is really bad no matter WHAT FREEWAY U TAKE. Everyone wants to drive and look cool like the celebrities. There are many buses and the metro lines that get u around. As 4 people, u just need to keep aware who u invite like other cites. Your main concern is CRIME. L.A. has the most number of gang members in the county. Be careful of robberies, home invasions, freeway shootings, gang shootings, drive by shootings in certain areas, store robberies, bank robberies, home depot robberies, gas station robberies are big here etc etc....

Answer 8

Not you again? We all had to suffer through your repeated "Is Los Angeles a dangerous place" questions about 4 or 5 months ago. Don't start it again, please.

You seem to fear EVERYTHING so, and I don't often say this to any one, please just stay in Australia where you feel "safe" from the "running gun battles" in Los Angeles. The best way you can deal with the problems of living in our community is DON'T come here.

Answer 9

Congestion, high price of living are the top tow difficulties. Becareful of the neighborhood and you will be ok.