Moving to another city is quite stressful. You need to organize and prepare everything. It is understandable that people are moving to bigger cities to have a fresh start or for bigger job opportunities. But it is a big change and it can be very challenging if you are moving to LA alone. Here are some tips for your relocation and how to cope with moving alone.
Make a plan
Making a plan is very important especially if you are moving alone. Start by making a list of tasks, put on paper your budget, and it would be good to start this preparation at least a few weeks in advance. Here are some things you should think about:
- find an apartment and maybe a roommate if you are moving to LA alone
- plan your relocation in details
- find a job in advance
- check the costs of living
- rent a storage
Costs of living
Living in LA is quite expensive, the costs of living are very high. So, in the first place, you should start searching for a job in LA in advance. Living only on your salary will be very difficult. So it would be a smart move to start searching for a job before moving to Los Angeles. If you have that possibility it would be good to find some additional job you can do in your free time.
One more advice when relocating to LA is to start saving money, you will be needing a lot of money to organize relocation, find an apartment, and for some additional expenses until you settle down. It is necessary to prepare for relocation and have some funds in-store. Put on paper all the expenses you have. Living in LA can be really difficult so planning your budget thoroughly can help you to meet the ends. You can compare the prices in LA and your current city but also the expenses you have, so you can conclude if you can make it in LA. Or to have a clear picture of how much money you have to earn in LA so you can cover buying groceries, clothing, paying transportation, utilities, healthcare, etc.
Also, if you have a car, think it through if you should transport it to LA. Have in mind that you will need to pay for gas, car registration, and insurance. Despite the fact that public transportation is very developed here too, LA is a bike-friendly and walkable city. So, if you avoid using a car and paying for public transportation you can end up saving some money. If you decide to use a car make sure you develop a high level of patience while being stuck in traffic during the rush hours
Prepare for the relocation
Whenever you are moving alone or with your family you should prepare everything for your relocation, packing your stuff, find a moving company. Contact several moving companies to get a free estimate and then choose the moving company that suits your needs and budget. Professional movers will help you with your relocation.
Decluttering your home is one of the things you must do before you start packing your belongings. There must be some things that you were not using for a while and that you don’t need anymore, so you should get rid of them instead of paying for the relocation of the unnecessary items. You can sell those items, give them to some friends or family, or you can donate them if they are in good condition. In the end, if there are some things you don’t want to throw away or you don’t have enough place in your new home, you should rent a storage unit. Depending on the items you are about to store you should look for the climate-controlled storage Los Angeles has to offer. Place your items until you find a permanent home.
In order to prepare and pack your items, you should provide enough packing supplies. Pack everything properly so you don’t damage your belongings. People usually avoid hiring a moving company in order to save some money, but if you don’t pack your items properly you might end up breaking something or with some injuries while carrying the boxes. So you will have additional expenses and spend much more money than you have planned. Make sure you choose some of the moving companies Orange County residents have recommended. They will provide you with stress-free relocation.
Find an apartment when moving to LA alone
Whether you are moving to LA or any other city, you need to find an apartment. The cost of living in LA can vary, and it depends mostly on the location you choose. The City of Angels gives you the opportunity to choose from many diverse areas. Not all of the areas have the same renting prices, downtown and locations closer to the center tend to be more expensive. So, you should find an area that is close to the office but at the same time affordable. One of the ways to save some money is to find a roommate so you can share the rent and the bills. At least for a certain period until you find your permanent home.
You should prioritize your expenses, so maybe at first, you will not be able to lead the life you are used to. But you don’t need to isolate. You should explore your new city, so you can get to know and meet some new people. You can find some free entertainment. Take a walk outside, sit by the beach, you can explore Downtown and enjoy Art Deco Union Station. Museums such as the California Science Center, the Getty Center, and Getty Villa are admission free.
Moving to LA alone
Here are some tips for moving to LA alone. Make a plan, and it will be just fine. Good luck!