Moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles can be a very exciting relocation choice, and offers an excitement unmatched by most other destinations.

It’s safe to say that we’ve probably all dreamt about packing up our entire lives and making the big move to LA.

If you have found yourself getting tired of the same old sights in Atlanta, moving to LA can be a welcome choice. When it comes to entertainment, LA has an endless amount of things to do and see!

Paired with the job opportunities that exist within Los Angeles, there’s no reason to second guess yourself on whether or not moving is a good choice.

So if you plan on trading in Hotlanta for the City of Angels, this guide will shed some light on any queries or concerns you might have about the move.

The Moving Process From Atlanta to Los Angeles

How Far is Los Angeles from Atlanta?

The distance between Atlanta and Los Angeles is 2,182 miles. The driving time of this journey is approximately 32 hours depending on traffic.

This drive is by no means easy, so you should look into hiring a professional moving company to move your belongings for you.

If you choose to drive your car to LA and let the professional movers deal with the rest, the drive itself could be made into an incredible cross-country road trip!

If you choose to go via the I-40, you’ll pass through Birmingham, Memphis, Oklahoma City, and Albuquerque on the way. A little detour to see the Grand Canyon is totally possible too!

The flight time is roughly 4 hours and 40 minutes long, so if you don’t feel like driving cross country for 32+ hours, you should book a flight instead.

What is the Average Cost to Move From Atlanta to Los Angeles?

The average cost to move from Atlanta to Los Angeles is between $3,100-$6,000. That means on average it costs roughly $4,550.

Determining the exact cost of a move from Atlanta to Los Angeles can be tricky and several factors must be taken into account. These factors would be how many items you plan to move, whether you’ll need to ship your car to LA rather than driving it there yourself, or whether you’ll need additional services like packing and unpacking added to your professional move.

Should I Move From Atlanta to Los Angeles?

If you’re tired of the “southern charm” and the humid summers of Atlanta and want a city that excites you with the endless opportunities and things to do, then you should move from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

How Atlanta Compares to Los Angeles

Living Costs Compared

Moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles can bring about a change in lifestyle and you will have to adjust to a higher cost of living.

Employers in LA pay roughly 14.3% more than employers in Atlanta, so this helps to counterbalance the higher cost of living and pricey housing market.

The median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Atlanta is $1,215. In Los Angeles, you can expect to pay $2,820 for a 2-bedroom apartment.

If you’re planning to buy property in LA you should expect the median sale price of a home to be a lot higher than Atlanta. The median sale price for a 3-bedroom home in Atlanta is roughly $365,726. While in LA, the median sale price of a 3-bedroom home is $827,579.

You should also expect groceries, transportation, and healthcare costs to be marginally higher in LA too.

Public Transportation

Los Angeles County MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) is comprised of a light rail metro system that connects Hollywood, Pasadena, and Long Beach with Downtown LA. It also includes metro buses that connect the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Similar to Atlanta, residents in LA tend to rely on their own vehicles to get around. But as you are probably aware, this tendency paired with the 10 million people living in Los Angeles County results in the infamous heavy traffic.

In Atlanta, a monthly pass costs $95 and one ride costs $2.50. In LA, a 30-day pass costs $100 and a one-way ticket is only $1.75.

Weather

The weather in Atlanta has similarities to the weather in LA, so there won’t be too much readjustment on that front.

On average, there are 217 sunny days a year in Atlanta, but you’ll be happy to hear that LA averages 284 sunny days a year! Do you hate the humidity in Atlanta? Well, your hair will thank you, as LA enjoys nicer summer days without humidity.

The winters in Los Angeles are a lot milder too . On average, Atlanta gets 1 inch of snowfall each winter, while LA gets none. The coldest average monthly temperature in LA is around 45℉, and average lows in Atlanta in the winter months are around 33℉.

Moving From Atlanta to Los Angeles DMV

Another thing you must note if planning a move from Atlanta to Los Angeles is that you’ll need to get a new driver’s license.

Within 10 days of becoming a resident in California, you must apply to get your CA driver’s license. In addition to this, you must register your vehicle within 20 days of entry into California to avoid fees.

To get a new driver’s license, you must visit your nearest driver’s license office in person. More information about what you will need to complete the process can be found here.

Buying a home in Los Angeles

As we mentioned earlier, buying a home in Los Angeles is a lot more expensive than buying a home in Atlanta. /image

The following neighborhoods are excellent places to begin house hunting in LA.


West Los Angeles

Are you looking for a diverse neighborhood that appeals to all lifestyles? Well, West Los Angeles is the place for you! Its proximity to Santa Monica and Beverly Hills makes it an excellent choice for many prospective homeowners.

The area boasts amazing dining, shopping, and nightlife, and is also known as Sawtelle Japantown, so you can find plenty of Japanese eateries here too. It’s an extremely walkable and bike-friendly place to live, so if you were dreading the thought of spending all your time sitting in that LA traffic, West Los Angeles might be the best choice for you.

Encino

Are you looking for a safe neighborhood that offers affordable housing? Encino is a great neighborhood for you! It’s safer than 77% of other neighborhoods in Los Angeles and has plenty of green spaces and community events for you to enjoy!

The area is a popular spot for families and young families looking to purchase homes in the LA area, due to its affordability. The housing stock is made up of ranch-style homes and townhouses, but there are some opportunities for new construction too.

Highland Park

Highland Park is a historic neighborhood that can be found just in the northeast of LA. Since the early 2000s, Highland Park has been building a reputation as a mecca for artists and young professionals. The neighborhood is packed with trendy shops, art galleries, hip bars and restaurants.

You’ll find many prospective buyers are drawn to the Craftsman-style homes that escaped demolition. The area may have suffered gentrification, but it now boasts an urban walkable culture where old meets new.

Selling Your Property in Atlanta

If you are planning to sell your property in Atlanta, finding the right realtor is the first step. After you have found the perfect realtor for you, then you must decide on the right time to sell your home. Housing prices can fluctuate depending on what time of the year you decide to sell.

In Atlanta, the best month of the year to list your home in is August. Usually it will take around 3 months to close the sale on your home, so you can expect a sale in November. If you make a sale in November, you can make 5.32% more than the yearly average.

Another crucial stage of the selling process is figuring out what your house is worth and comparing your home to the area’s market value. Your real estate agent can provide you with a market analysis and assist you with the process.

Finding a Job in Los Angeles Before You Move There

As we mentioned previously, Los Angeles is a great city to move to for job opportunities in the entertainment and film industry. If you are wondering where to start the job search, try the following places

City of Los Angeles: Career Site

The City of LA is the second-largest municipal government in the US and employs more than 50,000 people. To view the current job openings within the City of LA, you can click here.

Indeed

Indeed is excellent for finding new job listings in a wide range of industries. You can use the tools to filter your search and narrow down the listings to the area in LA that you plan to move to.

There are currently a whopping 94,754 job listings posted, you can check them out here.

Word of Mouth

Reach out to anyone that you know that’s living in LA and ask them if they know of places that are looking to hire, you’d be surprised what a little bit of networking can do.

Moving From Atlanta to Los Angeles Checklist

The checklist below can help you to figure out what needs to be accomplished before trading Hotlanta for the City of Angels.

At Least 4 to 6 Weeks Before the Move

– Organize a professional moving company.

– Let your health care physician, dentist, and other service providers know that you are moving.

– Order moving supplies or ask your moving company to provide them as an additional service

– It is a great idea to sell or donate your unwanted items. You can sell on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Or you can donate them to the Salvation Army and they will pick items up at no charge.

– Begin packing; clearly mark boxes with a marker indicating which room they will be going into at delivery.

– You will need to make your change of address known to several different places, such as wherever you do your banking, the DMV, your workplace, any other financial institutions (such as credit card providers), the post office, your utility provider, and, saving the most important for last, your friends and family.

– Sort plane tickets if you’re planning to fly.

2 Weeks Prior to the Move

– It is imperative to clean and/or make needed repairs on your old home before moving out, since leaving your place an absolute mess may leave your security deposit in jeopardy.

– Because of the abundance of fragile items in your kitchen, you’ll want to pack these items away long in advance, with protective bubble wrap to ensure nothing gets broken in transit.

– You will also want to begin packing your things from bedrooms and bathrooms, except for your essential items that you will be using until you move.

– If necessary, you will want to arrange a babysitter for your kids and/or pets for parts of the move that you need to be able to focus and get things done.

A Couple of Days Before Your Move

– Clean up your home completely, double checking any cracks and crevices that may have your stuff hidden away.

– Unless your movers will do it for you, dissassemble your furniture to make your move a smoother process, and ensure to keep any screws, brackets, or other small items that are needed for reassembly. Pro tip: tape these smaller items in a bag to the bottom of the furniture.

– Print out the floor plan of your new home and have enough for the movers as well.

– You may want to hit the ATM before moving day, as you’ll need to have enough cash to tip your movers. Generally speaking, you’ll want to tip $20-$30 per mover.

– Make sure that you confirm with your movers the details of your move. The last thing that you want is to have moving day come around, and you and your movers aren’t on the same page.

– Get in touch with the landlord or current homeowner of your new place, and ensure that you’ll be able to get the keys to your new place when you arrive.

– Document the condition of your old place through pictures and videos, to ensure that you have proof of its state. This will come in handy if your landlord tries to keep your deposit, based on incorrect facts.

Moving Day

– Hand over your old home’s keys to the necessary people, such as landlord or building management.

– Do a quick run-through of your home to ensure that nothing gets left behind, whether it’s just a smaller item, or an entire box of stuff.

– Ensure that everything you packed up is in your new home before unpacking everything.

– If the moving company you are working with is going to assemble your furniture, make sure that they reassemble it in the correct room to avoid unnecessary work.

– Be sure to thank everyone helping you move, and leave them a tip!

You did it! Congrats and enjoy your new home!

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