The first time I went to LA I hated it. I really truly hated it. I hated it so much that I didn’t think I would ever go back (read more about my first trip to LA here). I had an idea in my head of what the city was like and it didn’t meet those expectations. I have called New York City home for over eight years, and New York met my expectations from day-one.
After reading that paragraph, you’re probably wondering why this post is titled Falling in Love with LA…but I’m getting there. About a year ago, friends of mine in New York were starting to relocate to LA. People that loved NYC just as much as I did. Most went for work, but some just needed a change of pace.
All of them changed after moving to LA. They seemed happier, more relaxed, and more at peace in general. While I love New York City, it really is a city that takes a lot out of you both physically and emotionally. After getting hit by a car in 2016, I started fantasizing about leaving the Big Apple (no one actually calls it that btw), but I didn’t know where to go. I wanted a city with warmer weather, but LA was already off my list.
Late last summer, I decided to visit one of my very good friends who relocated to LA. I was in-between jobs and wanted to go somewhere for a few days to unwind before having to start a new job. My opinions toward LA changed in a very big way that trip. It was sunny every single day, so none of my plans got rained out (the weather in NYC is so terrible all year round that if you plan any outdoor activities, there’s a 50/50 chance they will need to be cancelled due to rain or snow), and it was just more peaceful.
I took a spin class at a FlyWheel and explored the Larchmont Farmers Market, I enjoyed delicious Korean food in Koreatown, I enjoyed getting a tan on Venice beach, and on my last day, I rented a car and drove to Malibu to hike (by myself). The whole four-day trip was lovely. I just knew I had to move there.
- Jean Jacket: $28 via Crossroads Trading Co.
- Shirt: $24 via Necessary Clothing (similar)
- Shoes: $89 via Kanna Shoes (similar)
- Sunglasses: $100 via Muse x Hilary Duff Collection from GlassesUSA
I put all my stuff in storage and landed at LAX on April 24th to see if I wanted to relocate. It’s June and I’m still here, I don’t want to go back to New York. At least not right now. While there are still a lot of things I don’t like about Los Angeles, it really does have a lot to offer. Living a balanced life is actually possible in LA. In NYC, I constantly struggled to find a good work/life balance. I always felt burnt out, and all of my friends always seemed burnt out as well.
Even though LA is calling my name at the moment, I know deep down I’m a New Yorker at heart. I may even go back one day. New York may have my soul, but LA currently has my heart. Below are just a few reasons why I’m falling in love with LA:
- TACOS! (I don’t think I need to say more)
- Things are actually open late (NYC is known as the city that never sleeps, but that’s a lie. It does.)
- I can get bubble tea at 2am.
- Hiking! Going for a short 1-2 hour hike after work is a normal weekday workout for many. I’ve been hiking Griffith a lot. The views are stunning.
- The beach. While I don’t feel the need to go to the beach every weekend, I like that it’s always there for me. Just recently I brought a book to Venice Beach, and just sat under an umbrella and read.
- Alfred Coffee…I’m kind of obsessed with their matcha.
- The weather. Duh! Even cloudy days are beautiful here. I rarely have to worry about my plans getting rained out. Last summer was very wet in NYC. Monday-Friday the weather was gorgeous (while I was sitting at my desk working). Every weekend except for three got rained out. All of my hiking, beach, and biking plans got rained out.
- Donuts. Getting your hands on a delicious donut 24/7 is completely doable in every neighborhood.
- The diversity. Yes, NYC is diverse, too. But I always felt like the odd one out. For example, whenever I took a spin class in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, I was almost always the only brown girl in the class. Not the case here and I love that.
- The Melrose Trading Post. If you have never been, please go. It’s a flea market that has a ton of affordable one-of-a-kind items.
Have you ever been to LA? What were your first impressions? Let us know in the comments below!
