I have been working in Bay area for close to 5 years now. I was thinking of moving to Los Angeles for a change. I can always come back if I don't like it. Just curious to hear if anyone tried it out and what their experience was like
Personally, I would not move back to LA. This is having grown up there and I still go back for conferences and family. My two cents and take it with a grain of salt since I was a native of LA: Sure. I get the COL is a bit lower. But would not do it for LA Traffic, poor air quality (sure some days are better than others or specifically where you are located but speaking for overall), and the heat (having grown up there I would argue climate change has made it warmer overall and even hotter during the peak of summer. But hey, some people love the heat but it’s not for me). Every time I go back I think to myself: I am so happy I don’t live here anymore.
Traffic is getting just as bad in the Bay Area, depending on where you live(d). LA hear seems bearable because it was at least dry heat and homes are well insulated and all have a/c. For me the biggest difference is diversity of people. It makes Bay Area hard to suffer.
Diversity? What? Have you ever been to the Bay Area? You name it you got it: white, black, middle eastern, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Canadian, Mexican, etc. It’s one of the most diverse places in earth. And wtf why does everyone want ‘diversity’ so bad? Is it just to be politically correct so you can feel good about yourself that you have one black friend? Cause let’s face reality, if you’re white I bet you hang out with white ppl on the weekend, if you’re Indian then with Indians, Chinese with Chinese, etc. and there is nothing wrong with that, research has shown we like to associate with people that look similar to us. It’s in our DNA. Do you see zebras running wild with horses in Africa? Do you see chimpanzees hanging out baboons? Do you see giraffes eating together with elephants? No, they stick to their own kind.
I lived there 7 years. Loved it
Glass ceiling unless you’re the CTO. It’s incredible hard to be a “senior” anything and get within 80% of Bay Area salary. COL isn’t cheap anymore, and “ok” 1 bed Apt’s are almost at 2400-2700. As a PM it was impossible not to outgrow roles in a year or so.
1 bed isn’t that expensive. You can easily get 1 bed apt for 1500-1800.
Maybe in k-town or west Adams.
Have some experience living in LA. Traffic will fuck up your life, unless you're cool enough to live right next to work. You have to drive EVERYWHERE. Doesn't really work for me. But the reason I prefer the Bay area over LA is the people. Everyone's focused on appearances kind of a lot and tend to be fake-nice. Huge focus on being cool. Lots of pseudoscience, many antivaxxers. You don't have to work in entertainment to meet these people, it's everywhere. Owning a home is easier though. More entertainment options. If you want the weather and more affordable home costs, move to San Diego. Better city in many ways, if you can find jobs there.
LA is better off falling into the ocean.
Just did it. Better cost of living. More diverse people. Better food. Sunnier. Worth it
Where in LA are you living and what is AKQA?
DTLA but will make my way to the west side overtime. Agency