I've lived in LA for 60 years and have had a successful career in the medical field. I plan to retire, however, in another state, where the cost of living is much less. I agree with all of your points but what keeps me focused and centered is my faith in Jesus Christ and my fellowship with members of my church. Church membership will necessarily change when I move (not sure to which state that will be) but Christ will always be in my heart wherever I go. My time on earth is limited at my age, but I look forward to spending my eternity with my Lord and Savior. Then, Los Angeles and the rest of the world will not really matter anymore, for heaven will be my new home forever.
Health professionals have a pretty structured lives. They are in a way insulated from the temptations of Hollywood. Because where do these drugged actors go? Eventually to the hospital. So if you're a doctor, nurse, PT, medtech, you need not worry. Your life is going to be autopilot. All the superficialities go away when you're sick and you're in a hospital.
I hung out in K-Town a lot. It's pretty much like a town within itself. No car needed and a quick Metro ride if you need to go downtown. I think she's talking more about those that want to be part of the Hollywood scene. Some gals in that case won't date you without a car. Plus if you're trying to go to the beach, like Santa Monica, for instance, I don't really want to rely on the 720 to get there....
Dumisa Tony Johnson Here's the DMV website. It'll give you all the info you need.... www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv Caveat: Prepare for a looooooooong wait in line when you go down to one of their offices. They'll pretty much have you down there all day trying to get a license.....
Hi everyone! I made a part 2 video of Negatives About Living In LA to address a lot of the things that you guys said I missed in this video. Visit my channel page to check out the part 2 video :)
Im so glad i got out of that depressing concrete jungle hell hole that is LA. I now live in Europe in an international city in Germany and my entire city is walkable, safe, and completely interconnected with subways, trains, streetcars and buses on every corner. And people are real here. I have never been happier and have no intention of ever returning to the US never mind L.A. I only regret that i didn't leave years ago.
I went to TX. I'm enjoying the the lower cost of living and expenses, no state income tax, California-type salaries, and close flights to Cancun and the Carribbean. It's awesome!
Camy Idi If you ever wanna see Drake, move to Toronto if you're a really big Drake fan. If you wanna see a lot of actors, youtubers stuff like that move to L.A, and if you really care about any, L.A has really good job opportunity for young people to start a good job. Toronto on the other hand, I can't really say the same.
Black Both cities have wonderful carrier prospects but I'd pick Toronto over L.A. If anything L.A is nice to visit during a vacation otherwise you'll burn a hole in your pocket if you want settle and live in La moreover i get pretentious/delusional vibes for LA.
So here's the thing, a lot of the things that are issues on this list are just general big city issues. One has to realize that LA city alone has upwards of 3 million people, and LA county has upwards of 10 million (more than quite a few US states). There are going to be creeps and assholes just mathematically speaking. But in speaking of the things that set LA apart, it mostly comes down to the culture and perceived superficiality of LA. As someone who was born in LA and is currently living out of state, I've seen that a great many of the people who get sucked into the superficiality or are disgusted by our overly health conscious spiritual scene are out-of-staters. People from there have a tendency to either fall into a crowd and/or just go with the flow. My point in saying that is this, if you let the culture shock get the better of you, it's gunna be bad. Be like a native and just take a step back and chill a little bit, it gets much better if you do.
I totally agree with you Esi. I really want to move to LA, so I'm working on it, like for about 4 years...This is why every time I take vacations I come to LA. Keep informing me.
I just moved here from northwest Indiana (near Chicago) and everything is not more expensive. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how cheap groceries are. There are a lot of thing that are much cheaper: avocados, pineapples, Asian food ingredients, fruits and veggies in general, everything else is pretty much the same or less.
Amazing video. I literally came back from LA yesterday after a short vacation and while I would live to move there, its definitely expensive, a car is absolutely needed unless you work and live in a place like Hollywood.
+soleil3gs As a person born and bred in Hollywood, I'd like to say Hollywood is a shithole. Unless your that .00001% that works in the film industry. Otherwise it's a working class town set next to some wealthy parts.....
This is a great video! Love it! I plan to move to LA in October of this year by myself so this video has helped a lot! Love your personality by the way. Most tip videos are pretty boring but you definitely make yours interesting.
Im a 17 year old guy and from NYC and I've lived here all my life I'm starting college and when i finish I'm planning to move to LA. Hearing this makes me laugh cause i deal with these things everyday in NYC (besides the getting robbed and grabbed) so I'm not intimidated. Great video! and id rather be in a car than on a delayed crowded train standing up
+K Will its not 8 people to a dorm. -.- i just graduated and at most its 3. only time its more than 3 is if you have a dorm suite, but even those are huge.
I live in new york so i understand how expensive and competitive the life can be. what'll really throw me off is the fact that i need a car. i'm really terrified of driving and im going to LA with nothing on my back- i'm not sure i'd be able to get a car
This was definitely a wakeup call, although I've gotten a lot of warnings from some friends since I'm being transferred to LA for advanced training. I actually plan on working in the Airlines Industry, so hopefully that will be enough to afford a room when it gets to that. Despite all the dangers, I would beat myself up if I didn't at least try to see if I can make a living in L.A., regardless of the bad rep. For better or worse, it will definitely be a learning experience.
I used to live there and live in Miami now. I don't like Miami and was considering moving back to La...for the 3rd time lol. And you just talked me right out of it. Thanks for savin me the trouble
+Bat Man I'm also from NYC & moved to LA 2 yrs ago. This place is so disgusting! Much worse than NYC. I was just arguing with my supervisors at work because I called the cops on a man who was shitting on the sidewalk. They said I'm the crazy one for calling the cops because that's what homeless people do in LA. I should just mind my own business. WTH?!
I've lived on the east coast all my life and I just went to LA for the first time! I felt like everything was slower and lazier than the east coast. People took their time... People drove slow, didn't weave through traffic, etc, etc. That's almost unheard of in Philadelphia, NYC, New Jersey! LA in general was more relaxed than the suburbs of Philadelphia in my opinion. I guess that's a good thing in its own way :) I just missed the east coast "busy" vibes/atmosphere
Screw that competition. I live in Northeast Pa. only 2 hours from philly, or new York city and I make $80,000 a year in a government job. Its cheap to live here so I can afford the new BMW or Mercedes if I want and my home is 3000 square feet. If I lived in LA i'd probably drive a ford and live in a studio apartment. I also have a good ability to read through fake people so i'd probably just find it amusing. I did however find this very informative and I actually have a childhood friend who's been living in LA for 20 years now. I would love to visit there someday but I definitely don't plan on moving there. Thanks for the video.. You did a great job!!
Sweet video. LA is one of my next international travel destinations. I live in Brazil and last year I've been to San Francisco and stayed in San Bruno and Sunnyvale. California is really fascinating, but I could feel some of the negative things that you've spotted in LA (for instance, I had to rent a car to travel all the way through Silicon Valley - getting bus there really sucked balls, unlike, for example, NYC public transport). I hope LA is cool as people say. I know some guys who live there who are very great - some of them are cartoonists and they gave me a really good impression about people from LA. Well, keep up the good work on your channel. Very fine videos!
Thanks for watching! You should definitely check out LA just for the experience. It's a great vacation spot too! There are definitely some great people here too, but you just have to find them, lol :)
Not having a car is the main reason I moved back from Florida to NY. NY is probably worse than L.A. as far as people, prices and temptations go, but you don't need a car to get anywhere. But I will admit, California is a beautiful state. I'd probably settle for San Francisco instead.
+Jeff Morin Yes, it was brutal for me when I didn't have a car at first. That's one of the reasons I almost moved to New York instead, so that I wouldn't have to worry about a car :)
if you want to live with 3 other roommates because you cant afford an apartment, always be broke. and what she said about bad people is very true. there are some of the worst people in LA OC they cant afford their mortgage payments and rent out rooms to you but make your life hell. if you want that then move to LA OC
i am an la native and this is all very accurate, especially the part about bringing out the bad side in people and the horrible shit they'll do. they say places like new york are tough and cut throat or whatever.. but no, people out here stoop so low and go behind your back like none other. tbh being an angeleno where people do really fake, dirty things will always be tougher than dealing with the blunt east coaster. bc at least they are real with you.. dont fall for the misconception that everyone is chill and laid back here
Good points! The closer you live in LA the higher the cost of living. I miss the east coast. The culture is very homogenized all cut from the same cookie cutter. Being different you will not stand out but be left out. Good luck trying to find a career out here, they rather hire you for minimum wage work. If you have aspirations of going higher you will be stifled. If you're looking to get a job in the entertainment industry this is the best place to be besides NYC.
I'm suffering right now no job no car just the roof and stress!!! its not just in LA on the outskirts too. just moved here in ca so not giving up yet!!
i left los angeles couple of years ago, way to expensive, filled with aholes lol, and over-hyped imho. Texas on the other hand is quite the opposite. It's just easier to live out here.
Im from NY and it honestly just sounds like you're talking about how it is over here. I don't think moving to LA would be too much of an adjustment for me lol
I thought you gave some very good advice here, and I enjoyed watching a couple of your other videos as well :) I have been planning a move to LA from Miami. Thank you for this video.
Esi Magic :) Hey, I hope this isn't weird, but would you be open to sharing your email so I can reach out out to you and ask some more important questions? I am really looking for some advice/help in regards to my move, and would prefer to talk to someone like you who seems to be down-to-earth, and who also made a huge move to LA, lol. :) I'm in Miami, FL btw.
+Erin Kristova Sure, my email is esi@esimagic.com :) You should also check my Q & A board in case someone else already asked a similar question: esimagic.com/asklaquestions/
I live in los Angeles and there are some bad things but there are good things about it. You don't need to be rich to live in L.A thats a big stereotype.
Don't ever think of bicycles? Like? It can get you pretty much everywhere? Of course if you're like 1 hour (or more) away from your job then i don't think a bike is ideal (although it depends). BUt seriously... There are bicycles out there people.
Lost angels. traffic is nightmare and too spread out. hard to make friends if a you and nerve breaking to self esteem. too stressful and parking space is stuffy and very very dirty. the smug is deadly deadly. not a eco friendly environment for pedestrian and cyclist alot of hit and run. destitute and homeless every where right in front of you. the filt and stinch is not taken care off. its a chaotic and disorganized place. they are still gulf of Mexico oil spill around the beach. the competition for jobs is always exams and best of best. if you come from a small state to LA might be a nightmare. too expensive average day parking cost $7 to $40 on events day.
This is crazy, you could actually copy paste this video and replace "LA" by "London" and it would work perfectly :D Thanks for all your tips, now I am ready, I know thaht moving to LA is not going to be worse than when I moved to London.
I grew up in LA--Westwood. The people you describe who are terrible in LA are really people who are not from LA. Most people who move to LA only meet other people who move to LA. I've met people who have lived for 5 years and said, "You're the first person I've ever met who is from LA." Funny: 90% of the people I know are from LA. We avoid newcomers because they act so horribly to each other...and most of them go back to where they come from after 2 years.
I disagree. You don't need a car in Los Angeles. But you must live by a Metro train station and get to and from work like that. On weekends and nights when you are going out (likely to drink) you should take Lyft or Uber. Cars cost extra money (on top of the $1400/mo+ you'll be paying for rent. I think once you get used to Santa Monica, you'll see. Only ppl who live far away in the Valley or the past 110 South Suburbs (like Carson) actually have to drive everywhere.
P. Fauntleroy As someone who likes to go to networking events and workshops, not having a car severely inhibited my ability to do this. A lot of these events are during the week, and you'll end up taking an uber several times a week to and from far locations. If you're someone who has moved to LA for career purposes (especially in the entertainment industry), not having a car is going to restrict your ability to network. A lot of jobs won't even hire you if you don't have a car. Perhaps if you're someone who wants to just go to work and come home straight every day, then this could work, but even still, living close to the metro train station is also not advisable for someone from out of town as most of these areas are not as safe/comfortable. On top of that, the amount of weirdos and I have seen on public transport is enough turn anyone off public transit for good. This is just based on personal experience though. I also live with roommates, so I don't pay anything even close to $1400 a month in rent, therefore a car is quite worth it for me and my lifestyle :)
That doesn't matter though because that still doesn't solve the problem of employers not willing to hire you without a car. Also, if you are using uber to go out nearly every night of the week, that money = the same amount as monthly car expense, so it would not make sense to keep ubering around when you can have a car and be free to do whatever you want several times a day in a city where everything can be so far away and where some parts are not even safe to walk around at night. Most people I have talked to have also said a car is really important and as I said in the video, they found it quite shocking that I didn't have a car because it it is common knowledge that it is very difficult to live without a car in LA. What you're saying really is a 1 in every 10 people experience, and I wouldn't want people to judge based on what you just said because the odds of them not needing a car is very low.
Esi Magic I had a car when I moved, but I think with the high gas prices, parking tickets, risk of DUI it's just not worth it. Even if I have to end up paying the same per month as a car note in Uber fees, it still is less then racking up tickets, paying for parking, highest gas in the country, etc. I know your perspective is different, but as someone who also moved to the L.A. area from the East Coast where mass transit is prevalent, I have to say that for a lot of people moving here who are not rich off the bat...Metro + Uber + ZipCar + biking is a good option. I mean if we were all successful models, actors, producers, musicians, etc. it's good to know that having a car is non-essential. I have met people who live in LA from other countries and other States and they say they get around with no car, no problems. Plus since, so many other people around you have a car...you don't necessarily need to have one. And this, so you know is someone who moved with a car and also who has survived with no car....But aside from that. your sounding like you got a heavy dose of "Hollywood" folks out here when you first moved to WeHo. I been in the 'Monica and it's way more chill here and probably a quite different than your experience here. I been everywhere from South Cental to Crenshaw to Downtown to Hollywood to Culver, Venice and nothing happened to me, so being Canadian, maybe what you find scary and unsafe is based on your perception and not reality. Being an East Coaster, NYC is way more inherently dangerous than Los Angeles, but neither even make the top 20 most dangerous (www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/top100dangerous/) So maybe I could show you around Los Angeles neighborhood where you don't feel so threatened by the environment.
P. Fauntleroy Okay, we'll have to agree to disagree here because I think you are completely wrong.There are exceptions to everything, and in my opinion, you are an exception. You are also speaking from the perspective of a male, which can end up being a lot different than a female as we have a lot more to worry about in terms of safety, and even carrying heavy items when running errands/shopping. Have a nice night :)
there is a foot of snow on the ground in Brampton as of now. I have been to LA three times in the past year and I love it. Wish you all the best. Are you a York U grad?
FEARNONACHO I'm not surprised by this. The prices in England are generally always more expensive than other countries, especially when you convert the pound to dollars :)
All the out of town dreamers that move to LA live in the West side. Please stay out there in Hollywood, the Vally Santa Monic , etc. Ya'll don't even know about out east. Covina, Azusa, Pomona, Whittier, Montebello, East Los.
Any city with that much traffic congestion, 44,000 homeless, and that big of a shortage of decent housing should just put up their drawbridge and say "This city is far beyond capacity, we are no longer accepting residents that aren't formally required to live here by either job or other demanded profession!"
L.A county already has around 10 million people. So yeah living there you'll definately have a different attitude. Also to fit in U have to have many things. I live down in San Diego County and my NFL team the San Diego Chargers just moved up to L.A. I'm still a fan of them. I'm an asian guy I think you are beautiful.
Sounds like a great place to be. Of course, there are positives, but I think I'll stick to more smaller less crazy demanding places in the USA or even in SE Asia or Latin America, where there are also different problems, but more realistic people and much cheaper.to live and if you watch yourself you're much safer and better off.
if you go to Disneyland you have already spent over $500 and that's before getting into the park. And once inside tell me if that's the happiest place on earth
L.A. county goes even farther that those cities you mentioned, those are in the city, it goes all the way to the suburbs like longbeach,cerritos, all the way across angeles national forest to palmdale and lancaster!
So I can not afford to live in L.A. I already knew that. I will relocate as soon as I hit the million dollar lotto. I don't live with other grown people unless it is my hubby. Maybe when I was 18, I would have but not at 30, no way. Enjoy that beautiful city until I can get there.
I have never visited LA but I always dreamed of moving there I'm from Texas would you ever decide to move back to where you're orginally from? If so why or why not?
I live in SD, and honestly the only thing I love about LA is the Teams. Besides that, yes LA is a tough town. And it's somewhere you wouldn't want to get lost. Especially in LA. If you don't know your routes, better know them quick. But I enjoyed watching this video. All I got to say is I'm glad I live in San Diego lol.
nah the valley barely considered LA everyone considers it the county even the people living there, i know personally cause i live in central LA not the valley aka the county
I need advice. I'm from Georgia. Since you're from Toronto I was wondering which is better? I plan on going to college in Toronto, LA, or NY but I have no clue what to expect.
I want to be a surgeon and los Angeles is the city that pays a lot of money for that career and I want to save people live and love the weather los Angeles I hear it is nice
Vanity Williams There's so much to do in LA that sometimes it's tough just trying to narrow down options! People who say their life is boring in LA? - JUST AINT DOING IT RIGHT -Lol On any given weekend youve got all theseRd comedy shows, concerts that happen on the same day. Frustrating? HELLS YEAH, but in a good way! Lol If you know ppl in the music industry? They might even hook you up with free Tix. If you know ppl in the Fashion industry they'll invite you to all these Fashion/design Galas. If you know ppl in the movie industry? Free tixs to movies (or better yet watch movies at Paramount Studio's own theater on the studio lot -my sistinteresting aspects of LA's beach culture), there's alwar works there! Lol). Know ppl that work in Live Theatre Aka "Broadway"? Yup more Hookups! Haha Then you've got all these FREE events like Concerts on the Santa Monica Pier/beach, Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo, DTLA Artwalk, First Friday's on Abbott-Kinney , Koreatown Night Market, CicLAvia (largest open streets event in North America), Chinatown Summer Nights and Sunday Sessions at Grand Park (if you're down to dance/groove outdoors when Summer heats up!), Cinco De Mayo celebrations, etc. If you're a Foodie? There's food festivals every month it seems! Haha If you like hiking? There's all kinds of trails with spectacular ocean views near the Malibu Coast or if you prefer hiking near the Hollywood Hills, there's Runyon Canyon (You might even spot a celebrity w/out makeup! Lol). Want to go on a romantic date with city views? Try Griffith Observaty in Griffith Park! Free museums like the California Science Center, Getty Center (best gardens and panoramas on the Westside of the city) beckon you! Want to explore LA's beach cities? There's all kinds of sea life like Starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs in the tidepools along Abalone Cove. If you prefer the more zaney/crazy (yet Interesting aspects of LA's beach culture?), you can explore Venice Beach Boardwalk and all it's weird people/characters. If you just wann chill and get seafood? there's Manhattan and Redondo beaches. Wanna get fresh organic produce? Hollywood or DowntownnLA Farmers markets. I can go on and on and on...there's so much to do in the LA area..I aint even playing!! Lol p.s. check out JustKiddingFilms channel, they do alot of LA exploring with their JK Adventures videos. :)
The whole thing about not having a car, you're gonna be miserable anywhere in the USA without a car unless you live in manhattan or the city core which most people cant afford anyway. So the car problem is nothing you should hold against LA.
David Castro I didn't mention traffic because I feel like it's not something big enough to deter someone from moving here, but yes, it can be a nightmare!
That music takes away from me trying to pay attention to what your saying 😒
I've lived in LA for 60 years and have had a successful career in the medical field. I plan to retire, however, in another state, where the cost of living is much less. I agree with all of your points but what keeps me focused and centered is my faith in Jesus Christ and my fellowship with members of my church. Church membership will necessarily change when I move (not sure to which state that will be) but Christ will always be in my heart wherever I go. My time on earth is limited at my age, but I look forward to spending my eternity with my Lord and Savior. Then, Los Angeles and the rest of the world will not really matter anymore, for heaven will be my new home forever.
My Savior John 3:16 GOD Bless You!
Health professionals have a pretty structured lives. They are in a way insulated from the temptations of Hollywood. Because where do these drugged actors go? Eventually to the hospital. So if you're a doctor, nurse, PT, medtech, you need not worry. Your life is going to be autopilot. All the superficialities go away when you're sick and you're in a hospital.
I don't have a car and I'm absolutely fine with that. I live in Ktown and I never have a problem getting around. AT ALL
Sofiya Hayes That's nice, most of us figured she was generalizing a bit. Nothing serious
Thats cuz in Ktown you have like everything in one street lmao
I hung out in K-Town a lot. It's pretty much like a town within itself. No car needed and a quick Metro ride if you need to go downtown. I think she's talking more about those that want to be part of the Hollywood scene. Some gals in that case won't date you without a car. Plus if you're trying to go to the beach, like Santa Monica, for instance, I don't really want to rely on the 720 to get there....
Rani Rose
how do you get a license in California?’
Dumisa Tony Johnson Here's the DMV website. It'll give you all the info you need....
www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv
Caveat: Prepare for a looooooooong wait in line when you go down to one of their offices. They'll pretty much have you down there all day trying to get a license.....
Hi everyone! I made a part 2 video of Negatives About Living In LA to address a lot of the things that you guys said I missed in this video. Visit my channel page to check out the part 2 video :)
Esi Magic TV
I wouldn't want to LIVE around a bunch of Mexican people..
Esi Magic TV ... How much money would be reasonable to come too L.A? I'm working 2 jobs right now
Esi Magic TV Cool
I like Los Angeles better than most cities such as N.Y. Los Angeles is a beautiful city that I fell in love with years ago. I'm staying here for good.
NY is more expensive. You can go to rural cities but that would be boring af.
Im so glad i got out of that depressing concrete jungle hell hole that is LA. I now live in Europe in an international city in Germany and my entire city is walkable, safe, and completely interconnected with subways, trains, streetcars and buses on every corner. And people are real here. I have never been happier and have no intention of ever returning to the US never mind L.A. I only regret that i didn't leave years ago.
That's such a huge jump! La to Germany? Props to you
+ladylaurenia Agreed, thats a big jump
I went to TX. I'm enjoying the the lower cost of living and expenses, no state income tax, California-type salaries, and close flights to Cancun and the Carribbean. It's awesome!
lordoftheflings what city in Germany?
i now live in barcelona spain :)
How about homeless people?? Thousands of them everywhere..
That's reality bud don't give them your stupid face
That’s every city
I'd rather live as a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a huge sea. Toronto here i come 🙋😍
I was born in Toronto but moved to different places in the world. I've lived in Miami and California. Really nice to visit/ live
Crazy, i've always hesitated between living in Toronto or LA..!! Don't know what to do still 😛
Camy Idi If you ever wanna see Drake, move to Toronto if you're a really big Drake fan. If you wanna see a lot of actors, youtubers stuff like that move to L.A, and if you really care about any, L.A has really good job opportunity for young people to start a good job. Toronto on the other hand, I can't really say the same.
catwalk33 L.A has a lot more career wise jobs, while Toronto is just a fun place to be.
Black Both cities have wonderful carrier prospects but I'd pick Toronto over L.A. If anything L.A is nice to visit during a vacation otherwise you'll burn a hole in your pocket if you want settle and live in La moreover i get pretentious/delusional vibes for LA.
compared to other cities such as New York, it really isn't that expensive. I think it just depends on the person tbh
So here's the thing, a lot of the things that are issues on this list are just general big city issues. One has to realize that LA city alone has upwards of 3 million people, and LA county has upwards of 10 million (more than quite a few US states). There are going to be creeps and assholes just mathematically speaking. But in speaking of the things that set LA apart, it mostly comes down to the culture and perceived superficiality of LA. As someone who was born in LA and is currently living out of state, I've seen that a great many of the people who get sucked into the superficiality or are disgusted by our overly health conscious spiritual scene are out-of-staters. People from there have a tendency to either fall into a crowd and/or just go with the flow. My point in saying that is this, if you let the culture shock get the better of you, it's gunna be bad. Be like a native and just take a step back and chill a little bit, it gets much better if you do.
my biggest mistake is moving to LA
thank you God I move back to New York
thank you for been honest about LA
Better!
Moved from LA to the Bay for school and I HATE it here! Can't wait to move back to So. Cal!
Elizabeth Nieto what do you hate about the Bay?
I like you because you are real.You have personality.Now you have a new subscriber.
Thanks!
I totally agree with you Esi. I really want to move to LA, so I'm working on it, like for about 4 years...This is why every time I take vacations I come to LA. Keep informing me.
Thanks! i'm glad you agree with me. Vacations in LA are fun too :)
I just moved here from northwest Indiana (near Chicago) and everything is not more expensive. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how cheap groceries are. There are a lot of thing that are much cheaper: avocados, pineapples, Asian food ingredients, fruits and veggies in general, everything else is pretty much the same or less.
LA is not for me. you just made that decision so easy. thanks girl
Amazing video. I literally came back from LA yesterday after a short vacation and while I would live to move there, its definitely expensive, a car is absolutely needed unless you work and live in a place like Hollywood.
soleil3gs I'm glad you enjoyed it here :D
+soleil3gs As a person born and bred in Hollywood, I'd like to say Hollywood is a shithole. Unless your that .00001% that works in the film industry. Otherwise it's a working class town set next to some wealthy parts.....
I move to LA from Birmingham, Alabama. Major culture shock!!!
RIley Freeman Trussville
I'm still stuck here in Tuscaloosa Alabama you are lucky it's so hot down here
Mpthegreat War Eagle!
This is a great video! Love it! I plan to move to LA in October of this year by myself so this video has helped a lot! Love your personality by the way. Most tip videos are pretty boring but you definitely make yours interesting.
Shakayla Rainey Thanks!! I'm glad you liked it and that you felt it was helpful! Good luck with your move :)
Im a 17 year old guy and from NYC and I've lived here all my life I'm starting college and when i finish I'm planning to move to LA. Hearing this makes me laugh cause i deal with these things everyday in NYC (besides the getting robbed and grabbed) so I'm not intimidated. Great video! and id rather be in a car than on a delayed crowded train standing up
ben smith I'm glad you liked the video! To be honest, with the traffic here in LA, a train actually sounds pretty good, lol ;)
I'm starting college at UCLA this fall. I'm coming all the way from Georgia. I really needed this, I had no clue what to expect.
Skylynn Jae I'm glad it helped! I wish you all the best :D
+K Will its not 8 people to a dorm. -.- i just graduated and at most its 3. only time its more than 3 is if you have a dorm suite, but even those are huge.
I live in new york so i understand how expensive and competitive the life can be. what'll really throw me off is the fact that i need a car. i'm really terrified of driving and im going to LA with nothing on my back- i'm not sure i'd be able to get a car
This was definitely a wakeup call, although I've gotten a lot of warnings from some friends since I'm being transferred to LA for advanced training. I actually plan on working in the Airlines Industry, so hopefully that will be enough to afford a room when it gets to that. Despite all the dangers, I would beat myself up if I didn't at least try to see if I can make a living in L.A., regardless of the bad rep. For better or worse, it will definitely be a learning experience.
Agreed. It's better to at least try or else you'll always be wondering what could have happened :)
This is why I picked Chicago
Cole Boerst which part of Chicago you live in? I'm from Chicago
My hometown. Chicago is great, gets such a bad rap, though.
I'm just sick of the brutal winters but I'll take Chicago over most other places.
Elick Boerst where u from
I used to live there and live in Miami now. I don't like Miami and was considering moving back to La...for the 3rd time lol. And you just talked me right out of it. Thanks for savin me the trouble
Good tips. Way to avoid drugs/trouble and focus on your career - you go!
I'm originally from NYC, and I still want to live in California................................
Same! I'm hopefully moving there in a few years. I'm still working out my plan.
Sittipong Khochit Yes!!!!
SalvaPride Yes!!!! Save enough to last 8
months unemployed.!!!!!
+august moon same
+Bat Man I'm also from NYC & moved to LA 2 yrs ago. This place is so disgusting! Much worse than NYC. I was just arguing with my supervisors at work because I called the cops on a man who was shitting on the sidewalk. They said I'm the crazy one for calling the cops because that's what homeless people do in LA. I should just mind my own business. WTH?!
Omg your video is spot on. These are all the things I noticed my first year of living in LA too.
I've lived on the east coast all my life and I just went to LA for the first time! I felt like everything was slower and lazier than the east coast. People took their time... People drove slow, didn't weave through traffic, etc, etc. That's almost unheard of in Philadelphia, NYC, New Jersey!
LA in general was more relaxed than the suburbs of Philadelphia in my opinion. I guess that's a good thing in its own way :)
I just missed the east coast "busy" vibes/atmosphere
+lovin f30 Interestingly, another person from the East coast told me the same thing. They were from New York :)
all of california is basically competitive... u cant even get a job at mcdonalds without putting effort lol
wow that's crazy
Anallely Patlan yea it's so hard to get a job
Here in Idaho its super easy
Anallely Patlan lucky
Thanks girl for keeping it real great video!!!
Thanks for watching :D
Screw that competition. I live in Northeast Pa. only 2 hours from philly, or new York city and I make $80,000 a year in a government job. Its cheap to live here so I can afford the new BMW or Mercedes if I want and my home is 3000 square feet. If I lived in LA i'd probably drive a ford and live in a studio apartment. I also have a good ability to read through fake people so i'd probably just find it amusing. I did however find this very informative and I actually have a childhood friend who's been living in LA for 20 years now. I would love to visit there someday but I definitely don't plan on moving there. Thanks for the video.. You did a great job!!
Sweet video. LA is one of my next international travel destinations. I live in Brazil and last year I've been to San Francisco and stayed in San Bruno and Sunnyvale. California is really fascinating, but I could feel some of the negative things that you've spotted in LA (for instance, I had to rent a car to travel all the way through Silicon Valley - getting bus there really sucked balls, unlike, for example, NYC public transport). I hope LA is cool as people say. I know some guys who live there who are very great - some of them are cartoonists and they gave me a really good impression about people from LA. Well, keep up the good work on your channel. Very fine videos!
Thanks for watching! You should definitely check out LA just for the experience. It's a great vacation spot too! There are definitely some great people here too, but you just have to find them, lol :)
Not having a car is the main reason I moved back from Florida to NY. NY is probably worse than L.A. as far as people, prices and temptations go, but you don't need a car to get anywhere. But I will admit, California is a beautiful state. I'd probably settle for San Francisco instead.
+Jeff Morin Yes, it was brutal for me when I didn't have a car at first. That's one of the reasons I almost moved to New York instead, so that I wouldn't have to worry about a car :)
if you want to live with 3 other roommates because you cant afford an apartment, always be broke. and what she said about bad people is very true. there are some of the worst people in LA OC they cant afford their mortgage payments and rent out rooms to you but make your life hell. if you want that then move to LA OC
+roberto castro Yup, I've definitely experienced my fair share of bad roommates :(
Esi Magic TV I know Im 2 years late but could you make a storytime video about them?
i am an la native and this is all very accurate, especially the part about bringing out the bad side in people and the horrible shit they'll do. they say places like new york are tough and cut throat or whatever.. but no, people out here stoop so low and go behind your back like none other. tbh being an angeleno where people do really fake, dirty things will always be tougher than dealing with the blunt east coaster. bc at least they are real with you.. dont fall for the misconception that everyone is chill and laid back here
+redsharpiemarker That is so true...I think it's more harmful when shady things happen behind your back, and you don't see it coming.
Good points! The closer you live in LA the higher the cost of living. I miss the east coast. The culture is very homogenized all cut from the same cookie cutter. Being different you will not stand out but be left out. Good luck trying to find a career out here, they rather hire you for minimum wage work. If you have aspirations of going higher you will be stifled. If you're looking to get a job in the entertainment industry this is the best place to be besides NYC.
Roz Roberts I definitely can see that happening unfortunately for some people :(
I'm suffering right now no job no car just the roof and stress!!! its not just in LA on the outskirts too. just moved here in ca so not giving up yet!!
i left los angeles couple of years ago, way to expensive, filled with aholes lol, and over-hyped imho. Texas on the other hand is quite the opposite. It's just easier to live out here.
Amen to that brother,I'm in Texas to and Cali in general is jus a hell hole
Thanks for making this! I'm glad you're doing well there!
Im from NY and it honestly just sounds like you're talking about how it is over here. I don't think moving to LA would be too much of an adjustment for me lol
You just described the entire Westside. Nothing like that here in beautiful, suburban and family-friendly Redondo Beach.
I thought you gave some very good advice here, and I enjoyed watching a couple of your other videos as well :) I have been planning a move to LA from Miami. Thank you for this video.
+Erin Kristova Thanks for your support! I'm glad you liked it and I hope your move to LA is everything you hope for :D
Esi Magic :) Hey, I hope this isn't weird, but would you be open to sharing your email so I can reach out out to you and ask some more important questions? I am really looking for some advice/help in regards to my move, and would prefer to talk to someone like you who seems to be down-to-earth, and who also made a huge move to LA, lol. :) I'm in Miami, FL btw.
+Erin Kristova Sure, my email is esi@esimagic.com :) You should also check my Q & A board in case someone else already asked a similar question: esimagic.com/asklaquestions/
I live in los Angeles and there are some bad things but there are good things about it. You don't need to be rich to live in L.A thats a big stereotype.
I like your video. I've heard some of these same negative things, on other videos. Thanks for being honest. You have a very likable personality.
Don't ever think of bicycles? Like? It can get you pretty much everywhere? Of course if you're like 1 hour (or more) away from your job then i don't think a bike is ideal (although it depends). BUt seriously... There are bicycles out there people.
Lost angels. traffic is nightmare and too spread out. hard to make friends if a you and nerve breaking to self esteem. too stressful and parking space is stuffy and very very dirty. the smug is deadly deadly. not a eco friendly environment for pedestrian and cyclist alot of hit and run. destitute and homeless every where right in front of you. the filt and stinch is not taken care off. its a chaotic and disorganized place. they are still gulf of Mexico oil spill around the beach. the competition for jobs is always exams and best of best. if you come from a small state to LA might be a nightmare. too expensive average day parking cost $7 to $40 on events day.
+Fatty Jinudu Yes, you are right on a lot of those points :)
This is crazy, you could actually copy paste this video and replace "LA" by "London" and it would work perfectly :D Thanks for all your tips, now I am ready, I know thaht moving to LA is not going to be worse than when I moved to London.
Hahaha, that's an interesting comparison. Maybe I'll spend some time in London too :)
Negatives outway the positives :/ Good video!
Shobby Fernandez I'm sorry you feel that way :( Thanks for watching though ;)
accurate. I lived in thousand oaks for a year before moving back to NorCal... which to most NorCal people is still L.A ... ;)
I grew up in LA--Westwood. The people you describe who are terrible in LA are really people who are not from LA. Most people who move to LA only meet other people who move to LA. I've met people who have lived for 5 years and said, "You're the first person I've ever met who is from LA." Funny: 90% of the people I know are from LA. We avoid newcomers because they act so horribly to each other...and most of them go back to where they come from after 2 years.
Esi!! Heyyy! Glad you're back xo
Thanks girl!
Lol yeah I've noticed that. The bar I went to in LA was ten dollars for just one drink.
Great list girl, loved this. Actually encourages me to get there! :)
I disagree. You don't need a car in Los Angeles. But you must live by a Metro train station and get to and from work like that. On weekends and nights when you are going out (likely to drink) you should take Lyft or Uber. Cars cost extra money (on top of the $1400/mo+ you'll be paying for rent. I think once you get used to Santa Monica, you'll see. Only ppl who live far away in the Valley or the past 110 South Suburbs (like Carson) actually have to drive everywhere.
P. Fauntleroy As someone who likes to go to networking events and workshops, not having a car severely inhibited my ability to do this. A lot of these events are during the week, and you'll end up taking an uber several times a week to and from far locations. If you're someone who has moved to LA for career purposes (especially in the entertainment industry), not having a car is going to restrict your ability to network. A lot of jobs won't even hire you if you don't have a car. Perhaps if you're someone who wants to just go to work and come home straight every day, then this could work, but even still, living close to the metro train station is also not advisable for someone from out of town as most of these areas are not as safe/comfortable. On top of that, the amount of weirdos and I have seen on public transport is enough turn anyone off public transit for good. This is just based on personal experience though. I also live with roommates, so I don't pay anything even close to $1400 a month in rent, therefore a car is quite worth it for me and my lifestyle :)
I go out to events nearly every night of the week and Uber.
That doesn't matter though because that still doesn't solve the problem of employers not willing to hire you without a car. Also, if you are using uber to go out nearly every night of the week, that money = the same amount as monthly car expense, so it would not make sense to keep ubering around when you can have a car and be free to do whatever you want several times a day in a city where everything can be so far away and where some parts are not even safe to walk around at night. Most people I have talked to have also said a car is really important and as I said in the video, they found it quite shocking that I didn't have a car because it it is common knowledge that it is very difficult to live without a car in LA. What you're saying really is a 1 in every 10 people experience, and I wouldn't want people to judge based on what you just said because the odds of them not needing a car is very low.
Esi Magic I had a car when I moved, but I think with the high gas prices, parking tickets, risk of DUI it's just not worth it. Even if I have to end up paying the same per month as a car note in Uber fees, it still is less then racking up tickets, paying for parking, highest gas in the country, etc. I know your perspective is different, but as someone who also moved to the L.A. area from the East Coast where mass transit is prevalent, I have to say that for a lot of people moving here who are not rich off the bat...Metro + Uber + ZipCar + biking is a good option. I mean if we were all successful models, actors, producers, musicians, etc. it's good to know that having a car is non-essential. I have met people who live in LA from other countries and other States and they say they get around with no car, no problems. Plus since, so many other people around you have a car...you don't necessarily need to have one. And this, so you know is someone who moved with a car and also who has survived with no car....But aside from that. your sounding like you got a heavy dose of "Hollywood" folks out here when you first moved to WeHo. I been in the 'Monica and it's way more chill here and probably a quite different than your experience here. I been everywhere from South Cental to Crenshaw to Downtown to Hollywood to Culver, Venice and nothing happened to me, so being Canadian, maybe what you find scary and unsafe is based on your perception and not reality. Being an East Coaster, NYC is way more inherently dangerous than Los Angeles, but neither even make the top 20 most dangerous (www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/top100dangerous/) So maybe I could show you around Los Angeles neighborhood where you don't feel so threatened by the environment.
P. Fauntleroy Okay, we'll have to agree to disagree here because I think you are completely wrong.There are exceptions to everything, and in my opinion, you are an exception. You are also speaking from the perspective of a male, which can end up being a lot different than a female as we have a lot more to worry about in terms of safety, and even carrying heavy items when running errands/shopping. Have a nice night :)
there is a foot of snow on the ground in Brampton as of now. I have been to LA three times in the past year and I love it. Wish you all the best. Are you a York U grad?
Other than that, your commentary is interesting and helpful. You're very articulate. And funny.
I'm a LA native.. you nailed it lol.. After visiting other cities im ready to relocate
+Baldwin Villager I know what you mean, I'll probably eventually live somewhere else when I get older (like when I'm raising a family) :)
i live in England where it is about £12 for alcoholic drinks which is currently $18.
FEARNONACHO I'm not surprised by this. The prices in England are generally always more expensive than other countries, especially when you convert the pound to dollars :)
Esi Magic Depends. Salary seems ok here, Might move to LA in the future.
Whoops forget England for high prices ...u ain't lived in Sydney to experience really ridiculous prices
All the out of town dreamers that move to LA live in the West side. Please stay out there in Hollywood, the Vally Santa Monic , etc. Ya'll don't even know about out east. Covina, Azusa, Pomona, Whittier, Montebello, East Los.
P R E A C H. PUT DAT
ON MY MAMA, DA SGV & MT BALDY! THERES MORE TO LA THAN JUST LA. KEEP IT SO CAL! GET OUT N EXPLORE!!
Any city with that much traffic congestion, 44,000 homeless, and that big of a shortage of decent housing should just put up their drawbridge and say "This city is far beyond capacity, we are no longer accepting residents that aren't formally required to live here by either job or other demanded profession!"
@TristinWebster, I have not yet seen any gangs :S But it's probably because of the area that I live in. It really depends where you live.
i wont move to la
2015 you so nice.
What area do you live in
Esi Magic TV if you by south central or westlake area is dangerous
Esi Magic TV how do you get a drivers license 🚗 in Los Angeles
L.A county already has around 10 million people. So yeah living there you'll definately have a different attitude. Also to fit in U have to have many things. I live down in San Diego County and my NFL team the San Diego Chargers just moved up to L.A. I'm still a fan of them. I'm an asian guy I think you are beautiful.
Sounds like a great place to be. Of course, there are positives, but I think I'll stick to more smaller less crazy demanding places in the USA or even in SE Asia or Latin America, where there are also different problems, but more realistic people and much cheaper.to live and if you watch yourself you're much safer and better off.
this place looks a lot like hell, damn it :/ (I'm from Europe)
+Esi Magic you are forgetting about the low water supply that's the worst
this is great advice for ppl to stop moving out here. we are full at the moment. listen to her pls
if you go to Disneyland you have already spent over $500 and that's before getting into the park. And once inside tell me if that's the happiest place on earth
Also you'll spend most your day in the park waiting in line for stupid ride for 5 hours
+Kobie Cabral if you have ADHD it's not the place to be
How did the bar prices go from 12-20$ to being free in the end?
L.A. county goes even farther that those cities you mentioned, those are in the city, it goes all the way to the suburbs like longbeach,cerritos, all the way across angeles national forest to palmdale and lancaster!
+Maren Akiyama If I'm being honest, I don't know the exact cut off ;) Thanks for the info!
+Esi Magic yeah its really cool seeing all the different areas!
So I can not afford to live in L.A. I already knew that. I will relocate as soon as I hit the million dollar lotto. I don't live with other grown people unless it is my hubby. Maybe when I was 18, I would have but not at 30, no way. Enjoy that beautiful city until I can get there.
Tama Forney In LA, it's actually really common for older people to have roommates. People in their 40s even have roommates :)
my teacher used to live in LA and he said he's seen a lot of people getting killed and stuff like that. Does this stuff really happen often?
+Emmy Bug It really depends which area you live in :)
I have never visited LA but I always dreamed of moving there I'm from Texas would you ever decide to move back to where you're orginally from? If so why or why not?
Nope, I'm in LA for the long haul. I just felt so uninspired back home, and being in LA gives me some sort of new energy and new motivation :)
Yes that's very understandable, but anyways I love your vlogs. :-)
I live in SD, and honestly the only thing I love about LA is the Teams. Besides that, yes LA is a tough town. And it's somewhere you wouldn't want to get lost. Especially in LA. If you don't know your routes, better know them quick. But I enjoyed watching this video. All I got to say is I'm glad I live in San Diego lol.
Andy Jimenez hahaha, I know what you mean :)
Esi Magic yup haha. Hope you have a great day. Dream up ;)
For the record, Hollywood and The Valley are part of LA city
Face palm
nah the valley barely considered LA everyone considers it the county even the people living there, i know personally cause i live in central LA not the valley aka the county
Let's not forget the fact it's always too sunny
I'm pretty sure that's a good thing.
I need advice. I'm from Georgia. Since you're from Toronto I was wondering which is better? I plan on going to college in Toronto, LA, or NY but I have no clue what to expect.
Aiyana Garmon I'd choose New York over Toronto, but I'm biased ;)
It takes a half an hour to get to a 7-Eleven due to traffic. With no traffic 2 minutes
I want to be a surgeon and los Angeles is the city that pays a lot of money for that career and I want to save people live and love the weather los Angeles I hear it is nice
NYC is better....I'd rather live in NYC and just vacation in LA
Cool :)
Thx. Coming from Chicago!
LaGreenEyes8575 which part I'm from Chicago
Can you do a video on things to do in LA, I love watching your channel you give off good information on LA
You mean things to do for fun? Like as a tourist? Or as if you live here?
Exactly, like the top best places to go to in LA that are fun and exciting...
Vanity Williams Okay, I'll try, it might be hard to narrow down, but I'll see what I can do :)
Vanity Williams There's so much to do in LA that sometimes it's tough just trying to narrow down options! People who say their life is boring in LA? - JUST AINT DOING IT RIGHT -Lol On any given weekend youve got all theseRd comedy shows, concerts that happen on the same day. Frustrating? HELLS YEAH, but in a good way! Lol If you know ppl in the music industry? They might even hook you up with free Tix. If you know ppl in the Fashion industry they'll invite you to all these Fashion/design Galas. If you know ppl in the movie industry? Free tixs to movies (or better yet watch movies at Paramount Studio's own theater on the studio lot -my sistinteresting aspects of LA's beach culture), there's alwar works there! Lol). Know ppl that work in Live Theatre Aka "Broadway"? Yup more Hookups! Haha Then you've got all these FREE events like Concerts on the Santa Monica Pier/beach, Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo, DTLA Artwalk, First Friday's on Abbott-Kinney , Koreatown Night Market, CicLAvia (largest open streets event in North America), Chinatown Summer Nights and Sunday Sessions at Grand Park (if you're down to dance/groove outdoors when Summer heats up!), Cinco De Mayo celebrations, etc. If you're a Foodie? There's food festivals every month it seems! Haha If you like hiking? There's all kinds of trails with spectacular ocean views near the Malibu Coast or if you prefer hiking near the Hollywood Hills, there's Runyon Canyon (You might even spot a celebrity w/out makeup! Lol). Want to go on a romantic date with city views? Try Griffith Observaty in Griffith Park! Free museums like the California Science Center, Getty Center (best gardens and panoramas on the Westside of the city) beckon you! Want to explore LA's beach cities? There's all kinds of sea life like Starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs in the tidepools along Abalone Cove. If you prefer the more zaney/crazy (yet Interesting aspects of LA's beach culture?), you can explore Venice Beach Boardwalk and all it's weird people/characters. If you just wann chill and get seafood? there's Manhattan and Redondo beaches. Wanna get fresh organic produce? Hollywood or DowntownnLA Farmers markets. I can go on and on and on...there's so much to do in the LA area..I aint even playing!! Lol
p.s. check out JustKiddingFilms channel, they do alot of LA exploring with their JK Adventures videos. :)
yes thanks for uploading it!
No probs :)
good thing I have a car, I don't drink and I'm a bodybuilder. I feel like these are just excuses for people to not follow their dreams
I really needed to know this! What advice do you have about someone going to cal state? Is the area safe? Ect?
***** The one in Long Beach? I've never been there before :S
The whole thing about not having a car, you're gonna be miserable anywhere in the USA without a car unless you live in manhattan or the city core which most people cant afford anyway. So the car problem is nothing you should hold against LA.
Nope, it's different. Other cities have much better subway/transit systems.
Oh yeah! The temptations alone in LA well I just want to say Holy Cow! I did not expect that at all! And that was only my first time there too.
I’ve done everything in LA I’m just bored of it no one likes to talk to each other unless they are at a game release lol
Somebody must of dipped this girl in some sweet chocolate right after she was born :)
Mynamenotimportant hahaha, thanks!
Pasadena ,Ca . is great and very safe. and is 10 mins. on 110 fwy to L.A.
LA is for people who enjoy living among homeless,and to be part of this Skid Row city
DC, NY, Philly, Bmore, Jersey, you don't need a car
True.
All spot on! Truth!
Im working to be a big youtuber and when i turn 18 im going to do all it takes to move to L.A
Wishing you all the best :)
the SOAD song lost in hollywood makes alot of sense now...
Thanks for your stories. i never talking with Black friend good English.People yelling me here because their colours Malaysia.100% Grateful
You should be the next Oprah. Your personality was made for communication. Thanks for sharing. LA is not what it should be.
You forgot to mention traffic. 405 and 101 are nightmares.
David Castro I didn't mention traffic because I feel like it's not something big enough to deter someone from moving here, but yes, it can be a nightmare!
well its good because Jesus doesnt want you to drink alcohol, so dont buy alcohol!
jesus literally made alcohol so...
***** yeah but getting drunk is a sin
AriMichel98 idk
you know what you're talking about with the drugs it's crazy there