Maybe you’re moving to the LA area for college, graduate school, a new job, or just because you love the big-city excitement and nearby nature excursions that Los Angeles combines like few other places do.
Whatever the case, you want to ensure your new life in L.A. is all that you envision it will be. That will take a little forethought and advance planning. But all of the elements are there for an exciting, upscale, unforgettable experience, if you just take the time to find them.
Here are five key elements to include in your scheme for an amazing new life in or around Los Angeles:
1. Find the Perfect Apartment
LA neighborhoods and LA apartments vary immensely, and you’ll have to be a smart apartment hunter to find the best. You’ll also have to prepare a month or more in advance and then sit poised to move quickly when you find the perfect fit.
One great option right now, for example, is the all-new residential neighborhood of Solimar in the beautiful South Bay region of Los Angeles. It combines spaciousness, fully stocked amenities, up to date decor, and a location that is both peaceful and not far from all the action.
2. Target the Best Shopping & Dining
The two most stand-out upscale dining neighborhoods in LA are Hollywood and Downtown LA. But don’t overlook Koreatown, Chinatown, and Little Tokyo for great oriental food. And don’t neglect In-N-Out Burger and LA’s plethora of taco trucks for great fast food.
The Farmer’s Market is more than a produce hub; it’s also a shopping, restaurant, and social hub. Hollywood & Highland is the single most notable place to shop, and Beverly Center is arguably the number one high-end mall, full of designer shops.
And do check out the new Hinoki & The Bird restaurant in a condo tower on Avenue of the Stars. It’s great for star-gazing, as well as for excellent cuisine.
3. Get Out On the Sand
It would be a shame to live in Los Angeles and barely ever get out to experience its many beaches. A day at Santa Monica Pier combines ocean views, unforgettable sunsets, and an iconic Ferris wheel and carnival-style games.
The Venice Boardwalk is both a swimming hole and a place to see things like paintings of local artists, magicians, and muscle-bound weight lifters out on the sand.
Rent a bike or in-line skates, and you can travel The Strand for up to 22 miles of scenic beauty, between Santa Monica and Venice. And of course, there are numerous other great beaches in the area as well.
4. See the Top Tourist Hotspots
Besides beaches, food, and shopping centers, you want to hit at least the highlights of LA tourism, even if you technically aren’t a tourist.
For starters, put Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, and Downtown Disney on your itinerary. Then add TLC (originally Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the list. After all, who can resist footprints and handprints of the stars set in cement, the hoof prints of Trigger the horse, or the nose print of Jimmy Durante?
5. Retreat and Relax Amid Nature
Yes, there really are green spots and nature reserves in and around LA; in fact, there are many of them. Griffith Park offers over 50 miles of nature trails and horse riding paths. It lets you climb up Mount Hollywood for an excellent view of the city below, including the famed Hollywood Sign.
And just north of LA lies Angeles National Forest, a vast nature reserve that will take many visits to adequately explore. And finally, we mention PCH, the scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway that so many Los Angeles residents take for the mere pleasure of it.
