Possibly moving to LA

[russ 1]

I forgot to mention the most important thing: In-N-Out burger. I'd move back to CA in a heartbeat if only for that reason.

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

In N Out is easily the best thing about LA. Traffic is crazy and prices are high, as everyone else said. I prefer further south - San Diego, which I think is much nicer.

The biggest issue for me is air quality. There is still a haze over much of the city that I don't like.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

When I drove through there on my way to S.D. I experienced major eye irritation. Geez, it was terrible I could barely see. My eyes were watering like you would'nt believe. Also the game of traffic combat can be quite bad. What the he!! is that black nasty stuff you find on your car in the morning? Oh, one more thing! that brownish blue sky.

No way.

[Scott & Lai 12]

I forgot to mention the most important thing: In-N-Out burger. I'd move back to CA in a heartbeat if only for that reason.

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

You and my wife!

There is a really good British pub in Fullerton and Santa Ana called the Olde Ship.

http://www.theoldeship.com/

I love the Olde Ship And In-N-Out is my favorite hamburger chain; their fries are the best anywhere...it is sacrelidge to put ketchup on them; they should offer sour cream and chives with them

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I recently got a job offer to move to LA, the money is considerably better, however I have never fancied moving to LA. I currently stay in Kansas City which I quite like as it has all the stuff you expect of a large city, but with a small town feel.

However my impression of LA is that it is a bit fake and all about the glam and Hollywood. I know this could be completely false so I want to know from some of my fellow immigrants (or USC) who have moved to LA what is it like. I do like the idea of being close to the seaside and all year round good weather.

My questions are:

1.What is LA or the surrounding area like for bringing up children. I dont want this move to negatively impact on my son.

2. What is the traffic like, especially around rush hour. If anyone if from the UK and can make a comparison with the traffic there that would be appreciated.

3. What are nice areas for houses and/or condos

I am sure I will have more questions, but these are the ones at the forefront of my mind. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Good for you on the job offer - the wife and I would like to move back west when money and circumstances allow. Liked CA a lot better than I do NJ/NY (even though it does have excellent winter weather).

Higher cost of living in CA of course, but not as ridiculous as it is in NJ/NY (our rent here is about 1/3 more than we used to pay in CA) - and smog aside the scenery is prettier.

[russ 1]

No way.

I know you mentioned an increase in salary. Cost of living is such that it should be almost double what you make now to be worth it to you. LA is as bad as Boston or San Fran for housing costs.

It made a huge difference to me moving to a low-cost place (Tampa Bay, FL) from Boston. Housing cost went down 70% for the same thing, car insurance - half, taxes (6-12% less, no state income/capital gains taxes), groceries (30% cheaper), tolls (almost none), even parking at the airport (75% cheaper). I also enjoy life here more, since I don't need to work as much. Property taxes are expensive here, but not worse than anywhere else.

[no name 1]

LA has it's perks. There's a lot of us VJers here already!

West Hollywood is tiny & cute & very expensive (think Paris Hilton, the Hollywood Hills, big gay area, clubs, etc). Traffic is HORRENDOUS. It sometimes takes me 30 minutes to go 4 miles. No lie.

I'm not sure where you could live within a 1/2 hour of Weho (Miracle Mile, Bevery Hills, Century City, Hollywood). If you'e buying around there expect to pay $1 mil+ for a tiny house. Not even sure if you can find a Weho home for $1 mil.

But we have a lot to offer as well.

Edited August 14, 2007 by devilette

[Marilyn. 340]

I forgot to mention the most important thing: In-N-Out burger. I'd move back to CA in a heartbeat if only for that reason.

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

I have heard about those fries but have yet to try them..... the In and Out burgers are really good though

oh and Carls Jr is great too.. I think. that is one of the best Fast food places in terms of quality of product .. besides In and Out of course...

as for the traffic, yeah it can get pretty bad.... my hubby got lucky in that we only lives about 10to 15 minutes away from his work and he doesn't have to take the freeways at all...

[no name 1]

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

I found this: http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

But an Animal Style burger is all that's listed, what are animal fries?

Never mind: http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out

"Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Edited August 14, 2007 by devilette

[Marilyn. 340]

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

I found this: http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

But an Animal Style burger is all that's listed, what are animal fries?

"Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).

http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out

Edited August 14, 2007 by MarilynP

[no name 1]

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

I found this: http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

But an Animal Style burger is all that's listed, what are animal fries?

the fries with chili on them...

see above.

[thesnowman 1]

I wont be buying a house when we first move out there, so we will just rent at first. Looking into the housing though is kind of scary, and after dealing with the M25 around London for a couple of years I am kind of upset to go back to it. Might have to speak to HP and see if I can work from a different office, they seem keen to get me so maybe I can go to somewhere in OC.

[Marilyn. 340]

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

I found this: http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

But an Animal Style burger is all that's listed, what are animal fries?

"Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).

http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

I found this: http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

But an Animal Style burger is all that's listed, what are animal fries?

the fries with chili on them...

see above...

see below ...

(and for those of you who In N Out a lot...I have one thing to say to you: Fries: Animal Style)

I found this: http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

But an Animal Style burger is all that's listed, what are animal fries?

"Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).

http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out

Edited August 14, 2007 by MarilynP

[no name 1]

see below ...

That link I posted above says what they are.....?

"Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).

No chili.

[Marilyn. 340]

see below ...

That link I posted above says what they are.....?

"Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).

No chili.

yes, but I edited my post after doing a quick search and I didn't notice your edit until after I had posted ....

Edited August 14, 2007 by MarilynP

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I wont be buying a house when we first move out there, so we will just rent at first. Looking into the housing though is kind of scary, and after dealing with the M25 around London for a couple of years I am kind of upset to go back to it. Might have to speak to HP and see if I can work from a different office, they seem keen to get me so maybe I can go to somewhere in OC.

If you are going to start out renting West Hollywood and environs is pretty reasonable (for a big city) and WeHo has rent control. Monthly rent in the area is way cheaper than a monthly mortgage (and it would probably be worth waiting to buy anyway - prices are going down).