So, you have decided to leave New York and make a fresh start in the sunny city of Los Angeles. You are very excited thinking about the beaches and the proximity to Hollywood that Los Angeles offers. However, before making the major move from the Big Apple to the City of Angels, you need to know some facts. Read on to find out seven things to know before you move to LA from NYC.

1. Climate

The climate of Los Angeles, and in fact, all Southern California, resembles that of Mediterranean countries. According to Wikipedia, a Mediterranean climate means dry weather in summer and mild rainy weather in winter. There are mild changes in the temperatures during different seasons. LA summers are generally hot and dry, while winters are moderate with almost no snow. However, LA does witness a few nights in winters when the temperature falls below the freezing point. LA winters also have the Santa Ana winds, which are strong, hot and arid that blow from east to west. They usually last for a week.

Overall, the weather in LA is sunnier when compared to NY, with less rainfall and warmer winters.

2. Taxes & Income

Although the taxes in California and New York are similar, there is no individual income tax for living in LA. On the other hand, the sales tax rate in LA is higher when compared to the rest of California. Studies reveal that the household income in NY is 6% higher than that of Los Angeles. These are some big factors to think about when moving to LA from NYC.

3. Employment

Research indicates that the unemployment rate of Los Angeles is higher than that of New York. Los Angeles gets the bulk of its popularity due to its entertainment industry, which dominates its economy as well. Numerous residents of LA work full time or part-time in the local theaters, museums, or work in broadcasting or fashion industries. Many people move to LA because they want to explore their creativity and make a living working in these creative fields.

The reason for job saturation in the LA entertainment industry is that artists from all over the USA, and the rest of the world are trying to make their bog breaks. There are other sectors in LA, such as finance, aerospace, and engineering that offer various job opportunities to people.

4.  Cost of Living

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The average income in Los Angeles lies in the mid $50,000 range. The rent for a luxury apartment is well over $2000 while regular double bedrooms come with a rent of $1700. Keeping the high taxes of LA in mind while calculating the cost of living as well. Also, remember that you might have to purchase a vehicle in LA. It is more common to drive yourself when living in LA than it is in NYC.

Don’t get discouraged by these facts though. If you have a job in LA that pays well, you can certainly live quite comfortably.

5. Driving

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New York and Los Angeles are two of the largest cities in the USA. Both cities also have the worst traffic when compared to the rest of the country. While most New Yorkers prefer to take the subway, residents of Los Angeles prefer moving around in their vehicles. LA does have a metro system, but it is not very well-developed. Therefore, people don’t use it as much. California also doesn’t enforce freeway taxes to demotivate excess utilization of freeways.

California does, on the other hand, charge a high gasoline price. Fuel taxes are how the state gets income for infrastructure. So, brace yourself to pay high fuel prices when you move to LA.

6. Real Estate

The prices of houses in Los Angeles are almost the same as those in New York City. If you are buying a home for the first time, it may be particularly difficult for you to do so. You must show a six-figure income to lenders in order to be eligible. The average price of a house in Los Angeles exceeds $600,000.

Los Angeles beats New York in the range of housing alternatives. LA offers homes in residential areas and townhomes as well as high rise apartments and luxury condos.

7. Sports & Entertainment

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Los Angeles has eight professional sports teams playing the four most popular leagues. Downtown LA houses the convention center that hosts special occasions and concerts. LA also boasts of chic clubs and nightlife hubs that celebrities visit as well.

It would be unfair to leave out the amazing theme parks that Los Angeles has. Theme parks in and near LA include Disneyland, Universal Studios, among others. They have a great atmosphere and fun for the whole family.

Los Angeles also has some fabulous beaches such as Santa Monica Bay, Venice Beach, etc. You can bask in the sun and waves as much as you wish. If you are in search of man-made beauty, LA has great museums like the Museum of Contemporary Art or Getty Center.