Los Angeles, United States 🇺🇸
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Los Angeles, known for its entertainment industry, beaches, and diverse culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 4 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is about 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD (Currency used is the US Dollar). |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Yes, tap water is drinkable and well-regulated. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Chase, Bank of America, and online banks like Revolut are popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Craigslist, and local real estate sites. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit/debit cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and VRBO are popular for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like HI Los Angeles and pod hotels like PodShare offer affordable options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork in Downtown LA offers great amenities and networking. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Philz Coffee has a great atmosphere for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com has a variety of remote work and tech events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Los Angeles Facebook Group hosts regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are the most popular ride-sharing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Bird scooters are available across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Santa Monica Beach is a popular destination about 30 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines provides regional services. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Delta Airlines and American Airlines are top carriers from LAX. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major freeways include I-5, I-10, and I-405. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Union Station is the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro offers TAP cards for unlimited rides. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Amtrak and Greyhound provide travel to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | UCLA Medical Center is among the best hospitals in LA. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaWorks and CorePower Yoga have multiple locations. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and 24 Hour Fitness are widely available. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like Wash Cycle offer convenient services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | DoorDash and Postmates are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | In-N-Out Burger is a must-try Californian fast food. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Crossroads Kitchen and Plant Food + Wine offer great plant-based cuisine. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Milk Bar and Sweet Lady Jane are popular dessert destinations. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Farmer's Market at The Grove has budget-friendly options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon is widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh cater to grocery delivery needs. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Downtown LA and West Hollywood are vibrant nightlife districts. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Golden Road Brewery is a well-known local craft brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Silver Lake Wine offers a great selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Kogi BBQ food truck blends Korean and Mexican cuisine and is very popular. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Korean BBQ is extremely popular, with many specialty restaurants. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Getty Center and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) offer rich cultural experiences. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | El Matador Beach and the Old Trapper's Lodge are notable historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a significant landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Oscars and LA Film Festival are major events. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Little Tokyo and Olvera Street define LA's cultural diversity. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Hollywood Bowl and Pantages Theatre are famous for performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Grand Central Market is a popular food and shopping destination. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Downtown LA and Sunset Strip are known for live music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Arts District is filled with vibrant murals and street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Gourmandise School offers fantastic cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Hauser & Wirth is a renowned contemporary art gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Bradbury Building showcases stunning architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city reflects a rich Native American and Hispanic heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon are popular outdoor spaces. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Joshua Tree National Park is about 2 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Marvin Braude Bike Trail offers scenic coastal routes. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Griffith Observatory offers stunning views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Ballona Wetlands is excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Dockweiler State Beach has designated bonfire pits. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | FedEx and UPS services are widely available. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and uBreakiFix offer device repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Paddle Smash offers a fun environment to play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language School of the Month offers various language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Los Angeles Public Library is a great study space. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The LA Community Center provides various programs and services. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | eSports Arena in Santa Ana offers gaming facilities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Commerce Casino is one of the largest card rooms in the world. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $240,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $240,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Around 8.84% for corporations in California. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Federal rate of 15% for qualified dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Income is taxed at both the federal and state level. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate in California is 13.3%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Sales tax is around 9.5%, varying by location. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, the U.S. has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes are based on assessed value, typically around 1%. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically varies by county, around 0.56% to 1.25%. |