Are you ready to get a new start in beautiful Los Angeles? LA has a lot to offer and is a great place to start over and create the lifestyle that you have been dreaming of. These five tips will help make your transition easy.

Find An Affordable Apartment You Love

One of the first things you should do when you are planning to move to Los Angeles is find a place to live. In 2017, about 11% of people in the U.S. relocated. There is a lot of competition for affordable apartments in Los Angeles, so you will want to start your hunt for a great apartment early on in the relocation process.

There are plenty of online resources you can use to find an apartment that you can afford. Check social media listings and other online listing services to find the perfect apartment in your price range. Do be sure that you vet anyone that asks you to “wire” money to hold the apartment. Any reputable source will not ask you to send cash via Western Union.

Attend Social Events to Meet New People

Starting over in Los Angeles when you do not know anyone in town means you need to get out there and start meeting people. Before you ever leave your current location, you can meet people living in Los Angeles right online. Facebook has plenty of groups that you can join. Look for neighborhood groups, social groups (like an exercise or running group), and other groups that are located in Los Angeles that you have something in common with. Connecting online before you get to the city will ease your nerves and make it easier to socialize once you arrive.

Once you get to the city, look for social events that you can attend to meet new people. Join a community group or look for other ways to connect with people. Sometimes you have to be bold and take the first step to begin new friendships.

Seek a Job That Will Make You Happy

You also will need to consider how you will generate income. Employment can be very competitive. The unemployment rate since March 2020 has soared nationally from about 3.5% to 11.1% with an actual rate of about 18%. Finding the ideal job may take a little work, but it is well worth the effort.

Network with people in your industry to learn who is hiring. Use online sources to review job postings. Professional journals and trade magazines are also excellent resources to find an organization that you want to work for. Again, boldness can really pay off. Send out your resume to companies that you would like to work for even if they do not appear to be hiring right now. Introduce yourself and explain in a cover letter how you would love to work for the organization. You never know, it may pay off!

Be Courageous and Try New Things

Relocating to Los Angeles does not just have to be about changing your geographical location; this can also be a great opportunity to reinvent yourself. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. You may even want to reboot your entire lifestyle and persona. Take a new class and learn something new. Try foods you have never eaten before. Talk to people that you find interesting to learn more about their lifestyles and cultures. Expand your horizons and see who you can become living while living in LA!

Hire a Trusted Mental Health Professional

Instead of struggling with all the changes in your life alone, consider speaking to a trusted mental health professional that can provide guidance and help you make a smooth transition. Many people seek the help of mental health professionals when they are making big changes in their life. Unfortunately, some people wait a little too long. If you’re part of the 40-50% of marriages that end in divorce, and perhaps that’s the reason you’re ready to move, then know finding a mental health professional to help you kickstart your new life is an excellent idea.

Relocating to Los Angeles is a great way to get a fresh start and create a lifestyle by design. Following these tips will help you transition right into the life you have been dreaming of. Enjoy the journey.