Los Angeles, CA

The boundaries of the city of Los Angeles extend about 50 miles from San Fernando to San Pedro, and about 25 miles from Pacific Palisades to Highland Park. The city, however, is just a small part of the entire County of Los Angeles, which encompasses more than 80 cities, many of which are surrounded by the city itself.

Climate
California is renowned for its warm climate, and in most regions, lives up to the common perception of a sun-drenched paradise. California generally has a subtropical climate, characterized by sunny summers and mild winters with a moderate amount of rainfall. Temperatures frequently reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) in the summer months, but the relative humidity assures a comfortable environment. The climate is technically characterized as Mediterranean, and so even the fall and spring seasons remain inviting with temperatures ranging from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius). Winter months are not relentless. In fact, the average temperature in the coldest months is 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Weather will vary, however, depending upon the elevation of the land and its distance from the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean.

An important thing to note is that Los Angeles has a problem with smog. The eastern areas of Los Angeles tend to be smoggier, with the worst pollution occurring in the summer months.

The Culture
Even within the fast-paced, ever-changing society of the United States, Californians are generally regarded as the trend-setters of the United States. The creativity and energy found in the diverse population results in an interestingly colorful society. Californians can be characterized as individualistic, and you will find most of them friendly and easygoing. Above all, Californians are respectful when it concerns the rights of others, and you will see free-spirited individuals doing whatever pleases them most. This diverse culture attracts a unique blend of professional, well-educated people who have an eye towards a balanced life filled with creativity and rich expressionism.

The Los Angeles Area is the perfect place to live and work as it offers a wide variety of experiences and opportunities for all people. Los Angeles is a multiethnic and multicultural city, with a population of 3.8 million, which makes it the second most populated city in the US. And the range of ethnic groups living in Los Angeles makes it as diverse as any city in the United States. In addition, a large concentration of foreign nationals adds to this kaleidoscope of ethnicity. Foreign nationals from more than 140 countries currently live in Los Angeles. It has the largest populations in the world of people of Mexican, Armenian, Korean, Filipino, Salvadoran and Guatemalan ethnicity, living outside of their home countries.
In addition to being a culturally diverse city, Los Angeles is also an extremely visual and glamorous city. Focused largely around the entertainment industry, it has an atmosphere that is electric and constantly fluctuating.

Language
As is the case with the entire United States, almost every aspect of life in Los Angeles centers on the English language. However, Spanish is also widely used, as the city has the largest Latin American population in the US. The city’s roots, in fact, are Spanish, and many street names and landmarks have Spanish names, like the name of the city itself.

Religion
While almost 85 percent of the US population claims to be Christian, the creed of the nation is religious freedom. Foreign nationals will find that the Los Angeles area has a sufficient number of places of worship for a wide variety of religions and denominations. All the major Christian denominations are represented, and there is a wide range of churches from which to choose. Particularly, there are large Roman Catholic and Protestant communities in Los Angeles. The city also has the second largest Jewish population in the US. In addition, there are also a large number of Baptist and Buddhist churches.

Public Holidays
New Year's Day (1 January)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Third Monday in January)
President's Day (Third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Independence Day (4 July)
Labor Day (First Monday in September)
Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
Veteran's Day (11 November)
Thanksgiving Day (Last Thursday in November)
Christmas Day (25 December)

There are a number of additional holidays celebrated in the US that are not official holidays. Most banks and businesses remain open on these days.

St. Patrick's Day (17 March)
Mother's Day (May)
Father's Day (June)
Halloween (31 October)
Election Day (First Tuesday in November)
Day after Thanksgiving (Last Friday in November)

Several public holidays are set according to Christian holidays, such as Good Friday, Easter and Christmas. Foreign nationals practicing different religions who would like to honor specific religious days should consult their employers’ employee handbook. Some companies build “floating” holidays into the schedule for that very reason.

Housing in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles area offers a wide range of accommodation. Unfortunately, the foreign national may have trouble searching for affordable accommodation in this region of California due to the strong demand for housing. In addition, houses and apartments tend to rent quickly, so you must act fast because finding accommodation in Los Angeles is not an easy task.

One- and two-bedroom apartments are common throughout the Los Angeles area. Rental prices for apartments vary greatly, depending upon multiple factors like size and location. Be aware that if you have children or pets, an apartment might not provide adequate living space. If you wish to purchase a home in Los Angeles expect prices to be very high.

When searching for housing in Los Angeles, you will discover that there are a wide range of residential neighborhoods from which to choose. There’s probably no need to look in extremely expensive areas such as Beverly Hills and Malibu, unless you can afford it. You can find classified listings in local newspapers such as LA Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and Santa Monica Outlook. Below is information about housing options, including some of the more popular and more affordably priced residential neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area.

Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a very popular community in which to live because of its rent-controlled apartments and beachside location. If you are considering living in this area, know that it is very hard to find housing here. Prices tend to be higher for the beach cottages that are closer to the ocean. Neighborhoods east of Main Street have many apartments and condominiums, as well as some single-family homes. Homes can get very pricey the further north you go in Santa Monica. South of Montana Avenue there are more affordably priced apartments and condominiums.

Topanga Canyon
Topanga Canyon is situated a few miles from Pacific Palisades, down Pacific Coast Highway. It is considered a more remote location in which to live away from the bustle of the city, however, it offers more affordable housing options. You will find both mountain cabins and high-end, modern houses in this area. Rental and purchase prices are a lot cheaper here, as compared to areas like Beverly Hills and Malibu.

Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey is a popular neighborhood among business professionals. Know that prices here tend to be a bit more expensive. Available for purchase or rent are large, upscale mini-mansions, beach cottages, and many modern apartments. Apartments offer special facilities such as swimming pools and tennis courts.

Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is located just 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. However, the commute during the week can take as long as an hour. Manhattan Beach has many beach cottages and multiunit apartment buildings. Rental prices for the beachfront apartments are higher. East of Ardmore Avenue there are many single-family homes.

Inglewood
Downtown Inglewood is centered around Market Street and Manchester Avenue. Rental prices here are very affordable compared to many neighborhoods in North and West Los Angeles. Available are mostly single-family homes and multiunit apartment buildings.

Culver City
Culver City is a small municipality, bordered on all sides by parts of Ls Angeles. Although mostly an area of industrial and commercial buildings, Culver City does have a few single family homes, apartments, and duplexes. Prices for homes and condominiums are lower here than in Westside neighborhoods. Culver City is close to both the Santa Monica and San Diego freeways.

Mar Vista and Palms
These two neighborhoods are located northwest of Culver City on Los Angeles' Westside. There are numerous reasonably priced apartments and homes for rent. Many people opt to buy homes in these areas, as they are lower priced in comparison to many nearby neighborhoods. In Mar Vista, there are more single-family homes and fewer apartments than in Palms.

West LA
Though not as popular as some of the other Westside neighborhoods, West LA is still centrally located and close to the Santa Monica and San Diego freeways. In addition, it offers more affordable housing and is less expensive than nearby neighborhoods such as Westwood and Brentwood.

Brentwood
Brentwood has a central location on the Westside of Los Angeles and is known to be a safe neighborhood with a more upscale atmosphere. There are numerous apartments for rent. Northwest Brentwood is a very affluent residential area. Southern parts of Brentwood have modern apartments and condominiums. Off-street parking is available at many complexes for a monthly fee.

Fairfax District
The Fairfax District is a largely multiethnic neighborhood with reasonably priced rentals. There are some small single-family homes and numerous multiunit apartment buildings. In addition, there are many classic duplexes, which are very popular. They offer special features such as hardwood floors, leaded and stained glass windows, built-in cabinetry, and old-style tiled bathrooms and kitchens.

Mount Washington
Mount Washington is located about ten minutes north of the Civic Center downtown. It is a family oriented, rural neighborhood with many single-family homes for sale. There are not many rentals available in this area. It is known for its good school system.

San Fernando Valley
The vast San Fernando Valley is home to nearly 4 million people. It offers peaceful, suburban living away from the city. Housing here is generally more affordable than most areas of Los Angeles. South of Ventura Boulevard, there are some affluent neighborhoods. North of the boulevard you will find moderately priced homes and condominiums.