Those moving to California choose larger cities. Most often it turns out to be San-Francisco, San Diego or Los Angeles. The latter is the second largest in the United States and is the administrative center of the metropolitan area of the same name. Life in Los Angeles (hereinafter LA / English LA) cannot be called unequivocally good or unequivocally bad. The advantages and disadvantages were distributed almost evenly. Only one thing is clear: this city can either be loved or hated, it is impossible to remain indifferent to it.
The standard and living conditions of Los Angeles
When starting to assess whether it is good or bad to live in the City of Angels, it should be borne in mind that the view of a tourist and an emigrant is two completely different points of view. One cannot discount the fact that it is LA and San Francisco that lead their state in terms of the number of homeless people (as of the end of 2021 - 7,499 people in San Francisco and 53,000 in LA County). On some streets you can see whole tent cities in which people without a fixed abode have settled.
Living standards in Los Angeles are pretty high. With a salary of $ 15 per hour, a person will have to spend at least 70% of their income on paying for housing alone.
But even if those who decided to move here have money, life may not be as rosy as it is seen from Omsk, Minsk, Kiev or any other city in the CIS.
Wage level
To be able to get a job in a specialty, you will need to confirm your education, and this will take time and money. Many specialties will require additional training due to the difference in curriculum. This applies to architects, doctors, and show business workers. But finding unskilled work for those who are not afraid of it will be easier than in other American cities.
To say that Los Angeles has a high wage level would be correct when compared with other states or with what you received at home. But the high cost of living in the city will eat up most of what can be earned.
The minimum wage in LA is $ 13-15 per hour ($ 100-130 per day), the average salary reaches $ 150-200 for 1 working day. If we talk about monthly earnings, then on average it is $ 3,824 (247.2 thousand rubles) after taxes.
The least paid is for washing dishes, mowing lawns, cleaning pools and participating in the crowd. If you have a license to perform any type of work (for example, a hairdresser, a taxi driver, a truck driver), you can not only rent a normal apartment, but also postpone it for a rainy day.
The easiest way to live is for those who have a profitable business in their homeland and pay their bills with income from it. The highest salaries are for top managers, businessmen, IT specialists, doctors of some specializations. The average income in these areas is 90 thousand dollars a year (5.7 million rubles).
Social protection of LA residents
The Citizens' Welfare Act was signed back in 1935 by Franklin Roosevelt. The pension program provided for by this document is still considered one of the most successful in the world.
A pension system is formed from contributions that Americans pay. The rate is 7.65% (6.2 goes to the Pension Fund and 1.45% _ to the Health Insurance Fund). Both the employee and the employer are obliged to pay for it. In total, it turns out that the amount of deductions exceeds 15%.
The retirement age is 65 for both sexes. Those who wish can leave ahead of schedule (at 62) by writing an application and substantiating the reason. The size of the pension ranges from $ 300 to $ 3,000.
Persons without education and work experience receive the least pension. The highest payouts are for the military and war veterans. Poor pensioners receive subsidies from the state under various programs.
The authorities are providing support to the city's homeless residents. They are provided with food stamps and several hundred dollars in monthly expenses. There are special social centers in the city, where the homeless are provided with accommodation, food, laundry services and baths.
Medicine level
The costs of services in medical institutions of the city are covered by insurance. It is state policy that every California resident must be insured. There are several types of policies here, including free health care for the poor. The working population spends on average 7-10 thousand dollars on insurance payments annually.
The cost of treatment in the United States is very high. That is why, when buying a policy, you should carefully study the conditions and services that it covers. Paying them out of pocket will result in a considerable budget.
One visit to the doctor can cost about 350 dollars, and one day of stay in the clinic will cost 1500-2000 dollars (excluding procedures). Calling an ambulance without an insurance policy will require at least 10-12 thousand, and for insurance it will cost $ 500-1000.
The state invests significant funds in the development of medicine: 16% of the country's GDP is spent on servicing the medical sector. Injections into the industry allow medical institutions to hire highly qualified specialists, purchase expensive equipment and conduct scientific research, putting the results into practice.
Education system
The education of children in the States is multi-stage. The optional stages include preschool and higher education. Every child is obliged to graduate from high school.
Higher education can be obtained at universities and colleges. There are about 40 educational institutions of this type in Los Angeles.
For those planning to move and get a diploma here, information about which Los Angeles universities are popular will come in handy:
- The University of California is a public institution with 13 Nobel laureates alumni. It offers about 300 specialties in the field of architecture, art, literature, foreign languages, medicine, engineering and applied sciences.
- The University of Southern California is one of the oldest private universities in the country. Graduates specialists in the field of law, technology, art, international business. The pride of the university is a huge film studio, in which famous American filmmakers, such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, invest.
- California Technological University is one of the leading educational institutions in the country, specializing in the exact sciences and engineering. It houses a jet propulsion laboratory that launches most of NASA's spacecraft.
Quality education is also offered by Loyola Marymount University, California State University, Los Angeles and Occidental College, Otis College of Art and Design and many others.
Climatic and weather conditions
Los Angeles is located on the Pacific Ocean in southern California. The city is surrounded by several mountain ranges: Santa Ana, Santa Monica, San Gabriel. Los Angeles has a subtropical climate with hot summers and dry and mild winters.
This region is located on the fault of tectonic plates, and therefore there is always a threat of earthquakes. The proximity of the ocean is constantly threatened by tsunamis, hurricanes and frequent changes of cyclones.
Summer is characterized by a large run-up in temperatures: during the day + 30 ° C, at night + 17 ° C.
Autumn and spring in Los Angeles are poorly expressed. Usually they are a continuation of summer and winter and are very similar to each other.
Those who live on the coast need to be especially careful: thanks to the strong piercing wind from the ocean at + 40 ° C, you may not notice how you have already burned out, and in the shade at + 25 ° C you do not get tooth to tooth.
Summer heat can be very difficult to survive: the air can stand still for several days, which contributes to the accumulation of smog.The situation is aggravated by asphalt, concrete and marble, from which city streets and buildings are laid.
There are practically no frosts and snow here.
In terms of ecology, the City of Angels ranks among the most polluted cities in the United States. Oil rigs located in the ocean relatively close to the city and the ubiquitous desire of Americans to treat everything with chemicals, from lawns to carpets, contribute to the overall situation.
Crime level
If you dream of leaving Russia for permanent residence in California, it will not be superfluous to find out how safe it is to live in this part of the country. Once upon a time, Indian tribes lived in this place. In the 18th century, the first missionaries from Europe appeared here. The village that they organized was initially under the jurisdiction of Mexico, and only in 1848 did it become part of America.
The city includes over 80 districts in which citizens of 140 countries of the world of different faiths, wealth, and level of upbringing live. On the streets of the city, there are about 700 gangs operating, each of which has its own symbols, and the territories under their control are marked with special graffiti.
The most powerful are the Latin American groups. They control the supply of weapons, drugs, illegal migration.
All this leads to constant showdown between gangs and suggests that crime in Los Angeles is one of the first places in the whole country.
How much does life cost in Los Angeles
Immigration to the City of Angels will not disappoint those who will clearly understand that the picture they saw in a beautiful Hollywood movie, and the one that actually turns out to be different. How much life in Los Angeles costs depends on many factors.
Housing issue
Many people moving to this part of America dream of settling near the ocean. But, faced with a financial issue, they understand that this pleasure will result in a decent amount. There are several reasons for this:
- the coastline is not very rich in residential buildings, it is mostly dotted with hotels;
- insurance premiums are extremely high, which is associated with the risk of property destruction by natural disasters;
- most of the houses are individually designed buildings, there are no standard buildings here;
- the prestige of housing on the coast.
Real estate prices in Los Angeles today look like this (data as of March 2021):
| Housing type | Price in $ |
|---|---|
| Rent an apartment with 1 bedroom in the city center | 1,600-2,600 in 1 month |
| Rent an apartment with 1 bedroom on the periphery | 1,250-1,900 in 1 month |
| Rent an apartment with 3 bedrooms in the city center | 3,000-5,500 for 1 month |
| Rent an apartment with 3 bedrooms on the periphery | 2 300–4 000 |
| Buying a home in the city center | 5 381-9 687 per 1 sq. m. |
| Buying a home in remote areas | 3 659–6 458 per sq. m. |
Property maintenance and utility bills will form a separate expense item:
- electricity, heating, water, garbage disposal for an apartment of 85 sq. m - $ 75-240 per month;
- 1 minute of prepaid mobile communication - $ 0.07–0.23;
- Internet - $ 40-80.
Food basket
LA grocery stores cater to every taste and every budget. Americans don't tend to go shopping every day. You can always buy something "on trifles" in a shop located next to the house. Trips to supermarkets in order to buy thoroughly are made 2-3 times a month. Vons and Walmart can be preferred from budget chain options.
The prices for products are given in the table (March 2021 9 years):
| Name | Cost in dollars per 1 kg or liter |
|---|---|
| Milk | 0,76–1,32 |
| Loaf of white bread (500 g) | 2,20–4,29 |
| Rice | 2,20–6,37 |
| Eggs (12 pcs.) | 2,25–4,50 |
| Local cheese | 6,61–15,43 |
| Chicken breast | 6,59–17,61 |
| Apples | 2,20–6,61 |
| Bananas | 1,30–4,39 |
| Oranges | 2,18–6,59 |
| Tomatoes | 1,96–6,61 |
| Potato | 1,3–5,51 |
| Onion | 1,10–4,41 |
| Water, 1.5 l | 1,0–2,99 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 1,00–3,00 |
| Malboro cigarettes, 1 pack | 7,00–10,00 |
Very often, Los Angeles residents have to eat out. Numerous cafes and fast foods contribute to this. This will also have to set aside a separate budget:
- lunch at an expensive restaurant for one person - $ 10-20;
- three-course lunch in a middle-class restaurant for two - $ 50-85;
- MacMeal - $ 6.00-10.00;
- cappuccino - $ 3.50-5.28;
- can of Pepsi 0.33 l - $ 1.5-3.25.
On average, food for one person per day will need at least $ 20-30.
Transportation costs
The most convenient means of transportation around the city is a car. The Los Angeles metro is underdeveloped, but this is compensated by the large number of bus routes. Although here you can find a drawback - many of them do not drive into the interior of the districts, plying only along the central streets. To get from one area to another, you need to spend at least 1.5-2 hours.
Many families living in LA have two or three cars. But the amount of transport on the streets of the city does not interfere with free travel (except for traffic jams in the morning and evening hours in some areas), and the traffic cannot be called intense.
The item of expenses for transport services today looks like this:
- one way public transport ticket - $ 1.75;
- travel pass for 1 month - $ 99–122;
- taxi call - $ 2.85–5;
- 1 km in a taxi - $ 1.24–3.11;
- 1 hour of waiting - $ 25–40;
- gasoline - $ 0.90-1.05 per 1 liter;
- purchase of a Volkswagen Golf car - $ 20,000– $ 27,600;
- purchase of a Toyota Corolla Comfort car - $ 17,000-25,000.
Renting a car for one week will cost $ 200-300.
Other expenses
Living in one of the most popular cities in the United States offers many leisure options. In addition, money will be needed to buy clothes, shoes, and pay for education for children.
There are many shopping centers and brand shops in the city. But thrifty city dwellers prefer to shop at outlets that are located outside of Los Angeles.
The cost of clothing varies depending on the place of sale, manufacturer and product quality. You can buy a T-shirt, for example, for $ 1 at a sale in an outlet, or for $ 200 in a branded boutique.
Approximate prices for basic goods are shown in the table:
| Name | Price for 1 unit in USD |
|---|---|
| Levi's jeans | 35–70 |
| Summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M) | 20–60 |
| Sneakers by Nike | 60–100 |
| Mens leather shoes | 75–150 |
Additional costs include paying for kindergarten for a child or school fees. So, for attending a preparatory class for school in a private institution, you will have to pay $ 855-1,500 for 1 month (full-day attendance). And tuition in a private international primary school will cost 15-30 thousand dollars.
Do not forget about leisure, which in Los Angeles, judging by the feedback from local residents, is very diverse:
- monthly gym membership for 1 adult - $ 29-75;
- 1 hour of playing tennis on weekends - up to $ 25;
- a ticket to the cinema for the world premiere - $ 12-17;
- concert ticket - $ 50 -100.
In addition to club parties, a lot of parties are held here in private houses. But for this you need to move in certain circles and know the people who will help you get to such events.
There is a Russian House in Los Angeles, which often hosts concerts and lectures. Payment here is made in the form of a charitable voluntary contribution. Typically, visitors leave $ 20-30.
Free entertainment includes yoga and dance master classes. On certain days, city museums hold open houses and do not charge a visit.
Those who wish can spend time on the beach, go hiking, skiing near the city, surf in Malibu, relax in Griffith Park.
Russian community in Los Angeles
Russians in Los Angeles are the entire number of immigrants who moved here at different times, as well as their descendants. The total number of Russians in the Los Angeles metropolitan area is about 600 thousand people. Among them there are many Jews who migrated here in the 70-80s of the last century, and Armenians (the community of representatives of this nationality is the most numerous in comparison with other countries). Today the metropolis is one of the largest settlements of people from the Soviet and post-Soviet past.
The Russian community is active, which is manifested in the publication of newspapers and magazines, the organization of various events, the creation of Internet resources for Russians (for example, Russian Los-Angeles).
In this city you can often meet Russian stars. Some of them come here with concerts, others have already acquired real estate.
A large number of Russian restaurants and shops are represented in the City of Angels. The Russian Theater named after Chekhov also operates here.
Most of our compatriots live in West Hollywood, or rather, on Santa Monica Boulevard. How Russians live in Los Angeles depends on how quickly they have been able to adapt and accept local rules.
The easiest way to go is the path of integration into American life for children. The younger they move, the less difficulties they encounter.
Experienced migrants recommend adults to take more money with them and communicate less with compatriots in their new place of residence.
Choosing the best place to stay in LA
The best place to live in Los Angeles should be chosen based on your budget. It is better to avoid the popular tourist areas - Santa Monica, Malibu, Venice Beach, where you can pay twice as much for an ordinary apartment. And in Beverly Hills, you have a triple rate.
If the desire to live by the ocean is irresistible, the best choice is Hermosa Beach, Redondo. Although the prices in these areas will not seem low to you, they will be the best areas to live in both in terms of finances and in terms of livability. Budget options ($ 1,400-1,600) can be found in the San Fernando Valley or in the quarters along the Sierra Madre mountain range: Arcadia, Pasadena, Monrovio.
The area of Glendale is considered to be prosperous. But the closer your home is to Hollywood, the more expensive housing will be.
An apartment in the most remote areas will be even cheaper: Northridge, Silmar, Canoga Park. But such savings will affect the time that will be spent on the road to the center.
Outcomes
You need to make a decision about moving only after all the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles have been compared:
| Advantages | disadvantages |
|---|---|
| the city is ideal for those who love a large number of sunny days a year, mild winters, lack of snow and the proximity of the ocean; | high prices for housing and its maintenance; |
| good place for surf lovers; | difficulties in finding a qualified job and the need to confirm a diploma; |
| Los Angeles is a city of legend, well known to Russian migrants from the TV series Beverly Hills and Rescuers Malibu; | too hot summer and dry winds blowing from the desert adjacent to the city; |
| high level of remuneration; | a large number of homeless people and garbage on the streets; |
| low unemployment rate; | insufficient development of public transport; |
| those who want to appear in the crowd or build a film career have every chance here for this, but mostly they will have to rely on luck; | expensive medicine; |
| the opportunity to study at universities that are included in the list of rating educational institutions in the United States; | high tuition fees; |
| quality medical care; | not too favorable ecological situation. |
| high quality of life; | |
| Los Angeles is the cultural and economic center of the region. There are a lot of opportunities for high-class specialists to realize themselves here. | |
| an ideal place for those who intend to devote themselves to the IT field or study a profession in the field of cinematography. | |
| food prices are relatively low. |
