Los Angeles, United States 🇺🇸
#52
,
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California city, is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, and the entertainment industry. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 4 million people. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 150 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD (local currency). Major banks include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, with high regulations on quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Bank of America, Chase, and online options like Wise. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Zillow, and local real estate platforms. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards and mobile payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular choices. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel HI USA Los Angeles and Samesun Venice Beach. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Downtown Los Angeles. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | West Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Santa Monica. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork, located across various neighborhoods including Downtown and Santa Monica. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Blue Bottle Coffee in Downtown LA and Cafecito Organico in Silver Lake. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com, Startup Grind, and various local tech events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Los Angeles Expats Facebook Group and various cultural festivals. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are the most popular ride-sharing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Bird scooter services available throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Santa Monica Beach, accessible by public transport or rentals. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines serves the West Coast region. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include the 101, I-5, and I-405. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Union Station is the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro TAP card offers unlimited ride passes. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and Amtrak trains for travel to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaWorks in West Hollywood and CorePower Yoga. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Equinox, LA Fitness, and 24 Hour Fitness. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like The Wash in Hollywood. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats, DoorDash, and Postmates. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Tacos from local food trucks or restaurants like Guelaguetza. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Crossroads Kitchen and Gracias Madre. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sprinkles Cupcakes and Milk Bar. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Grand Central Market and local farmer's markets. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon is widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Downtown LA and West Hollywood are known for vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Arts District Brewing Co and Golden Road Brewing. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bar Covell and The Wine House. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Kogi BBQ Taco Truck and other roaming food trucks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Little Tokyo for Japanese and Chinatown for Chinese. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, and The Getty Center. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and The Broad. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | El Matador Beach and the Bradbury Building. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Academy Awards, LA Film Festival, and LA Pride. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Downtown Arts District and Little Tokyo. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | TCL Chinese Theatre and The Greek Theatre. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Grand Central Market and Melrose Trading Post. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Hollywood Bowl and venues along Sunset Boulevard. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Arts District and various murals throughout the city. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Gourmandise School at Santa Monica. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Hauser & Wirth and Blum & Poe. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Los Angeles City Hall and the Bradbury Building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Diverse cultural influences from Mexican, Asian, and other communities. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Topanga State Park and Runyon Canyon for hiking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Channel Islands National Park and Angeles National Forest. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Strand bike path along the coast. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Griffith Park offers stunning views of the city and the Hollywood sign. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Griffith Park and Ballona Wetlands. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Dockweiler State Beach has designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | USPS, UPS, and FedEx for shipping. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Store and Best Buy. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club in Westwood. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Los Angeles Language School and Berlitz. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Los Angeles Central Library and various local branches. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Los Angeles Community College and various neighborhood centers. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Geeky Gamer and Gamehaus Café. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Bicycle Hotel & Casino and Commerce Casino. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $650,000 (e.g., 600 sq. ft. studio). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $400,000 (e.g., 600 sq. ft. studio). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $750,000 (e.g., 700 sq. ft. 1-bedroom). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $500,000 (e.g., 700 sq. ft. 1-bedroom). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $950,000 (e.g., 1,000 sq. ft. 2-bedroom). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $675,000 (e.g., 1,000 sq. ft. 2-bedroom). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 8.84% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No withholding tax on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 13.3% |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT; sales tax is typically 9.5%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are strict rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Approx. 1.1% of assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 0.11% for properties in LA. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Flexible tax benefits depending on residency status. |