Although it’s been said many times, in many ways, you just can’t beat it. 72 and sunny. You’ll never truly appreciate what it’s like to never be hindered by rain, snow, sleet, cold, or humidity until you live it. The occasional smoke-filled air and rattle and roll sure, but a weather-free existence surrounded by snow-capped mountains, swaying palm trees, and one glittering ocean is pretty amazing.

On the other hand, let's not kid ourselves about the struggles with traffic. Angelenos have come to accept it. It just is. Podcasts! Also, the Eastside people refuse to visit the Westside people and vice versa. It’s too much to ask. It takes at least 45 minutes to get anywhere and there’s quite a cultural divide -- the Eastside people think the Westside people are robots with 2.5 kids and a GoldenDoodle, and the Westside people think the Eastside people are too scrappy. Figure out which tribe you want to join and burrow in. Sometimes, as you’re navigating around Postmates robots and there’s nowhere to park your obligatory car, it feels like you’re living in Minority Report. Still, the Rose Parade always goes off without a hitch. 




Seriously, Come for the Weather.

LookyLOO Review of Los Angeles

If you connect with Angelenos about their lifestyle, you're going to get a lot of different answers. There are surfers, hipsters, artists, actors, and families all making a go of it here. On many things, they do agree. These include:

* LA has more to do on any given day than any city on the planet. With all due respect to NYC, London, Paris, and the other majors, if you take into consideration the outdoor lifestyle experiences available, nothing touches LA for how much is going on. There are amazing museums, art shows, festivals, 16+ pro sports teams, and beaches with temps around 70 degrees nearly every day of the year. [The Getty](https://www.getty.edu/) gets a lot of attention from the museum crowd, and it is well deserved, but [LACMA](https://www.lacma.org/) is also wonderful, as is [The Broad](https://www.thebroad.org/). Perhaps even cooler than the world-class museums are the [Griffith Observatory](https://griffithobservatory.org/) and [Griffith Park](https://griffithobservatory.org/explore/griffith-park/), the largest urban-wilderness public park in the United States. There's a reason LA appears on [LookyLOO's list of Top Art Center Cities](https://lookyloomove.com/tags/art-center-cities) in the country.&#x20;
* The city is filled with creative class dreamers who create and experience world-class entertainment throughout the city every single day of the week.
* The outdoor experiences are not to be believed. While the white, sandy beaches are rightfully celebrated, it's important to remember that in LA you are surrounded by mountains and national parks that offer some of the best biking, hiking, camping, and sightseeing on the planet.
* It's a foodie paradise. LA has some amazing, upscale Michelin-starred restaurants, but more important to most of us are the amazing, inexpensive options the city has for Mexican, Korean, Japanese, and more. For the naive, you might be surprised at the amazing Jewish delis and the best hamburger scene, both gourmet and fast-food, of any city in the US.
* The last thing we'll note about LA is that, unlike its nerdy sibling to the north, LA has a pretty nice work-life balance. People work hard here, but the weather and outdoor lifestyle means that no one's missing a chance to hit the beach or a sunset walk with the doggo or an evening yoga class.

You're going to struggle here with traffic, and the unhoused population situation is at a crisis level, but much of the LA lifestyle is very pleasant. One other common notion among locals is that it takes a while to get in the groove in LA. The city is vast, and you need to be patient learning how it all works.

Lifestyle in Los Angeles

[LAUSD](https://www.lausd.org/domain/4) takes a lot of heat for the quality of the schools, but it's the second largest district in the US (after NYC), so the collective criticism isn't that helpful. There are plenty of schools that rank low and plenty that rank high in standardized scoring systems, and LAUSD comes in at a ["B" rating on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/los-angeles-unified-school-district-ca/) across all schools, which means there are plenty of "C's" and plenty of "A's" to choose from, depending on the individual school and neighborhood.  

The consensus for this and many California school districts is that at the elementary level, most families can find one in their area that works for their kiddos, but as you hit middle and high school, the quality can take a plunge. Areas surrounding LAUSD, like El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, Culver City, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and South Pasadena, have the highest rankings, so some will move there instead (assuming they can afford it) or move once they hit middle school. Within the district, a couple of high-fliers include: [Downtown Magnets High School](https://www.downtownmagnets.org/) which scores an ["A+" on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/downtown-magnets-high-school-los-angeles-ca/?map), [Girls Academic Leadership Academy](https://www.niche.com/k12/girls-academic-leadership-academy-dr-michelle-king-school-for-stem-los-angeles-ca/?map), also an ["A+" on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/girls-academic-leadership-academy-dr-michelle-king-school-for-stem-los-angeles-ca/?map), and [The Science Academy STEM Magnet](https://scienceacademy.lausd.org/), another ["A+" on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/the-science-academy-stem-magnet-north-hollywood-ca/?map).

If you stay in the district and demand high-ranking schools for your little ones throughout high school, you're going to have to target living in neighborhoods with better high schools or commute to the charters or magnets. 



Schools in Los Angeles

If you are in any kind of creatively driven business, you’ll be in good company. It seems like almost nobody has a 9 to 5 office job in L.A. Designers, writers, producers, artists, chefs, etc. flood the zone in L.A. Freelancers abound, and Type As are fairly uncommon -- there is a great deal of concern for work/life balance and healthy lifestyle, and between the outdoor space and all the Goop-friendly alternative offerings, these concerns are very much supported. And there really are taco trucks on every corner. They’re real and they’re delicious.

If you're looking to live in one of the major and exciting cities in the country, you have to check out Los Angeles. Also take a peek at the [LookyLOO Guide to Top Vibrant Urban Centers](https://lookyloomove.com/tags/vibrant-urban-centers).&#x20;

If you elect to visit Los Angeles to check it out, we encourage you to stay local in a neighborhood home or apartment rather than a hotel. Get a feel for the place from the perspective of a local [**via a VRBO**](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/NXHhxjY).

 The Creative Class

Why You Should Move Here Now? 

**whatinthecalifornia** / Living in LA / 1y ago
✭✭✭

Pros: Beaches you can take a train to, park for free or pay for certain amenities at a reasonable price.

Diversity.

International cuisine.

Ethnic markets.

Variety of dogs.

So many museums, some with free admission all the time or some days.

The weather, my skin feels so amazing.

Cons:

Everyone flocks to the San Gabriels and brings their car culture with them. Gotta go outside of LA county to get an immersive nature experience without hearing another person’s convo about peak bagging.

Being used to forested cover and streams. I miss that as well.

We pave waterways and don’t have nice trails along them (please no one suggest that one east of 605). For the size of the city and population we don’t have the correct amount of cyclist or public transit options (but there are some options).

Entitled negligent drivers.

Lots of shitty fast food options everywhere. Need better city planning of squares across the county.

Check out the [**review section**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/los-angeles/reviews) for more pov's from locals


Yup, it’s the gridlock traffic.

Local Reviews of Los Angeles

**The Best Thing About Los Angeles?** Seriously, it’s the weather.

Although it’s been said many times, many ways, you just can’t beat it. 72 and sunny. You’ll never truly appreciate what it’s like to never be hindered by rain or snow or sleet or cold or humidity until you live it. The occasional smoke filled air and rattle and roll sure, but a weather free existence surrounded by snow capped mountains, swaying palm trees and one glittering ocean is a pretty amazing one.

**The Worst Thing About Los Angeles?** Yup, it’s the gridlock traffic.

Angelenos have come to accept it. It just is. Podcasts! Also, the Eastside people refuse to visit the Westside people and vice versa. It’s too much to ask. It takes at least 45 minutes to get anywhere and there’s quite a cultural divide -- the Eastside people think the Westside people are robots with 2.5 kids and a GoldenDoodle and the Westside people think the Eastside people are too scrappy. Figure out which tribe you want to join and burrow in. Sometimes as you’re navigating around Postmates robots and there’s nowhere to park your obligatory car, it feels like you’re living in Minority Report but the Rose Parade always goes off without a hitch. 

**How You Living?** In your own reality.

Pioneers have commandeered far flung eastern locales -- Eagle Rock, Highland Park and environs well outside central Los Angeles. And, North -- Studio City/Sherman Oaks have almost lost their Valley status and merged with Los Angeles proper (almost) and the push through North Hollywood continues. All of these areas have been propped up by development of shops, cafes, and walk epicenters -- some indy, some corporate. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** The Creative Class

If you are in any kind of creatively driven business you’ll be in good company. It seems like almost nobody has a 9 to 5 office job in L.A. Designers, writers, producers, artists, chefs, etc flood the zone in L.A. Freelancers abound and Type As are fairly uncommon -- there is a great deal of concern for work/life balance and healthy lifestyle and between the outdoor space and all the Goop-friendly alternative offerings, these concerns are very much supported. And, there really are taco trucks on every corner. They’re real and they’re delicious. 


West Hollywood is one of the most influential cities in the country for its advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues and as a home for the community. More than 40% of the residents identify as LGBTQ+ and the neighborhood is host to big events including WeHo Pride, Lesbian and Queer Women Visibility Week, Bi-Visibility Week and Transgender Awareness Month. 

The area is also famous as a historical center for music, entertainment, fashion and culture and is filled with clubs, bars, music venues, comedy joints and pretty much everything else you could want to do in LA. Living here you're in the heart of the action.
- West Hollywood
- Silver Lake
- Venice
- Elysian Park 

LGBTQ+

West Hollywood

Other than New York, there are probably more "DINKs/SINKs" in Los Angeles than any city in the country (on the planet?). When peeps get tired of whatever crazy neighborhood they first live in Los Angeles and are ready for a bit more chill, but cool vibes they often pick Silver Lake for their next home. Picture people in hip Brooklyn neighborhoods but more sunny. 

What's so great about Silver Lake? Well, you have to start with the namesake body of water, Silver Lake Reservoir, where the local hipsters run, walk, roll and bike. When you're not soaking up the sun and water views you'll enjoy insanely good cafes, restaurants and boutique shopping all along Sunset Junction. When you're done grubbing and caffeinating you'll also enjoy a great music scene. The neighborhood has a mix of apartments, condos, rental bungalows and increasingly, young families who don't want to give up a walkable, fun area for the despair of suburbia. 
- Silver Lake
- Echo Park 

DINKs/SINKs

Silver Lake

Hard to go wrong picking Brentwood for your family. Another neighborhood on the westside, it sprawls across the hills and is filled with cool Mid-Century Modern ranches. The backyards often have beautiful views of the city. The neighborhood also has some fo the best private schools in the city like Brentwood School and The Archer School for Girls. Finally, and most importantly for some families, the neighborhood has great outdoor play options at Topanga State Park and tons of excellent and eclectic food choices in the neighborhood commercial district. 
- Brentwood
- Manhattan Beach/Redondo Beach
- Eagle Rock
- Mar Vista
- Playa Vista

Families

Brentwood

**The Vibe:** 
Venice is unmistakably its own vibe. Perhaps the most important creative playground in the long storied history of the LA area creative neighborhoods. Think street performers, beachfront muscle zones, canal homes, hidden surf breaks, and a buzzing boardwalk filled with taco stalls and vintage shops. 

Just inland, you'll find restored Victorians, modern townhomes, and smart infill, all steps from the sand. The area’s energy is casual, electric, and unapologetically eclectic. With coffeeshop mornings, skatepark afternoons, and cocktail evenings.

**Zoned Schools:** 
[LAUSD](https://www.lausd.org/) is the school district, and families shoot for magnets or some target the local charters. 

**Median Home Price:** ~$2.4 M 

**Similar Neighborhoods:**
-Mar Vista: More residential but similarly artsy.
-Silver Lake (L.A.): Hipster-chic, with DIY culture and creative energy.
-Ocean Beach (San Diego): Beachside counterculture and bohemian charm.



Artists, Creatives & Beach Lovers

Venice

**The Vibe:** 
Mar Vista is that sweet spot where quiet meets cool. Across its bird-named streets and mid-century tracts, you’ll find young families, professors, and creatives loving their homes with yards, biking around for errands, and always with dogs in tow. There's a low-key local vibe with independent coffee shops, casual wine bars, and walkable access to Venice and Culver City.

**Zoned Schools:** 
-[LAUSD](https://www.lausd.org/), Mar Vista is zoned for the Los Angeles Unified School District.  
-Elementary: [Mar Vista Elementary(https://marvistaes.lausd.org/)
-K-8: [CWC Mar Vista](https://www.cwcmarvista.org/): free, public charter elementary school. 
-High School: [Venice High School](https://venicehs.lausd.org/)

**Median Home Price:** ~$1.8M

**Similar Areas:**
-Culver City’s Sony District: Craftsman homes near creative hubs.
-Glassell Park: Quiet hills with rising creatives and walkability.
-Echo Park (L.A.): Artsy re-awakenings around a lake and nightlife.

Young Families & Creatives

Mar Vista

**The Vibe:** 
East L.A.'s hill section—slightly off-grid, big yards, Mexican-American roots, artists, musicians, and weekend mural tours. It's got historic homes, new infill, stellar views, and a sense that it's old Los Angeles—furniture workshop, not film festival.

**Zoned Schools:** 
-[LAUSD](https://www.lausd.org/) 
-Elementary: El Sereno Elementary, 
-Middle School: [El Sereno Middle & Magnet](https://elserenoms.lausd.org/)
-High School: [Woodrow Wilson High School](https://wilsonhs.lausd.org/)

**Median Home Price:** ~$1M

**Similar Neighborhoods:**
-Lincoln Heights: Eastside rebirth, low-rise suburb.
-Glassell Park (Lower): Neighborhood on the rise with a hill.
-San Diego’s North Park: Artistic, mixed in more affordable family homes.

Working Families & Artists

El Sereno

**The Vibe:** 
Eagle Rock is a Mid-City classic neighborhood. With tree-lined streets, bigger lots, suburban perks, and filled with PHD/Academic culture due to proximity to Caltech/Occidental College. It's a mix of Craftsman, Tudor, and ranch homes, which support family hangouts and sidewalk BBQs. It’s like a quieter Oak Park(Ventura County) with a PCH-class school system, like those found in Malibu or Santa Monica.

**Zoned Schools:** 
-[Eagle Rock Elementary & Magnet Center](https://eaglerockes.lausd.org/)
-Middle/High School: [Eagle Rock Junior/High School](https://eaglerockhs.lausd.org/)

**Median Home Price**: ~$1.3M

**Similar Neighborhoods**:
-Glendale Chevy Chase: Quiet, mature suburb in-city.
-La Canada-Flintridge: Hillside family-scholars zone.
-Oak Park (Pasadena): Craftsman culture, shaded streets, family focus.

Families & Academic Types

Eagle Rock

**The Vibe:** 
Del Rey is the overlooked beach-adjacent zone—mid-century ranches, canal-front homes, newer infill, and a sense of being on the water near marina life without the Venice pandemonium. It’s chill, quiet, and full of Mariners workers, creatives, and young families who value proximity to Marina del Rey and Playa.

**Zoned Schools**: 
-[LAUSD](https://www.lausd.org/) 
-Elementary: [Del Rey Elementary](https://del.slzusd.org/)
-Middle School: [Marina Del Rey Middle](https://marinareyms.lausd.org/)
-High School: [Venice High School](https://venicehs.lausd.org/)

**Median Home Price:** ~$1.5M

**Similar Areas:**
-Mar Vista East: Affordable with canal character.
-Bel Air Crest (San Pedro): Small suburb near the waterfront.
-Redondo Beach – North: Quiet coastal families away from tourists.

Waterfront Workers & Young Families

Del Rey

**The Vibe:** 
Los Feliz is a lush, hillside village with old Hollywood glamour, walkable boutique shopping, and craft‑beer bars. It's filled with Spanish‑Colonial revival homes, retired folks who've owned property for 50+ years, and young families buying into the kooky bookshops and vintage cinemas. 

Griffith Park lives on your block, and the walkable core commercial district on Vermont/Los Feliz Blvd supplies you with delicious coffee, croissants, and regular farmer’s fare.

**Zoned Schools:** 
-Elementary: [Franklin Avenue Elementary](https://franklinavees.lausd.org/)
-Middle School: [Thomas Starr King Middle](https://www.kingms.org/)
-High School: [John Marshall High](https://marshallhs.lausd.org/) 

**Median Home Price:** ~$2.1M 

**Similar Neighborhoods:**
-Silver Lake: Creative-driven, walkable with a hillside vibe.
-Echo Park: Lake + vintage meets artists & families.
-Highland Park: On the upswing, similar in “LA‑value” charm.

Families & Creatives

Los Feliz

Los Angeles

**thebadsleepwell00** / Living in LA / Updated 3y ago
✭✭✭✭

**Does Anyone Actually Like Living in L.A. right now?**

I'd say with LA, it takes awhile to "break the ice" with the city. It's easy to see it as vapid, sprawling, etc. But if you dig a bit, you can find your niche. I've traveled a fair amount, and ultimately came to the conclusion that LA gives you access to almost anything compared to most other cities - diverse international cuisine (from street food to high end), the arts, hiking trails, music, etc. There are densely-populated more walkable neighborhoods and there are the quiet ones.

**whatinthecalifornia** / Living in LA / 1y ago
✭✭✭

Pros: Beaches you can take a train to, park for free or pay for certain amenities at a reasonable price.

Diversity.

International cuisine.

Ethnic markets.

Variety of dogs.

So many museums, some with free admission all the time or some days.

The weather, my skin feels so amazing.

Cons:

Everyone flocks to the San Gabriels and brings their car culture with them. Gotta go outside of LA county to get an immersive nature experience without hearing another person’s convo about peak bagging.

Being used to forested cover and streams. I miss that as well.

We pave waterways and don’t have nice trails along them (please no one suggest that one east of 605). For the size of the city and population we don’t have the correct amount of cyclist or public transit options (but there are some options).

Entitled negligent drivers.

Lots of shitty fast food options everywhere. Need better city planning of squares across the county.

**nicegh0st** / Living in LA / Updated 1y ago
✭✭✭✭

Pros:

cultural diversity, the excitement of being a global hub of arts, food, and lifestyles

I’ll say it again: food! We have an absolutely mind blowing food scene here

world class live entertainment as well as production

massive economy with opportunity in everything from conventional careers to niche entertainment jobs, arts, etc

blue skies most of the year

diverse geography. You can snowboard in the mountains, swim and sunbathe at the beach, visit the desert, camp in the forest, or see expansive farmland, all within a few hours drive of downtown

free health care for people with low income

great hiking, everywhere

Cons:

you get what you pay for. It’s expensive.

traffic can be frustrating if you don’t exercise patience

traffic can be dangerous because of crazy drivers that have no patience and/or are impaired

our public transit hasn’t caught up with NYC, and it’ll be a long time til it does. Still, the lines are efficient and they’re adding onto them like crazy. So that’s a pro and a con.

nepo babies sorta run everything

bad air quality (hence the intended switch to widespread electric cars over time, which is a good thing)

**Jupitereyed** / Living in LA / Updated 1y ago
✭✭

This is my subjective list of pros and cons, considering that I moved from Buffalo, NY and am neurodivergent (hence, some things are more stressful and noticeable for me than they may be to other people).

Cons: •Cost of living •You may likely never own real estate in LA proper •Unless you make 5-6k/month, have someone to cosign for you, or get very lucky, you will either have a studio or you will have roomates •Ridiculous amounts of traffic (my afternoon commute is 20-50 minutes for 2.5 miles) •Bad/dangerous driving that isn't penalized where it really should be w/traffic cams • A very visible homelessness problem (which is psychologically stressful, saddening, and sometimes dangerous; I've had some close calls) •Police helicopters circling around every day •Police/Fire sirens going off multiple times a day •A huge population packed into a too-small area •Cost of gasoline •General stores are now beginning to put their contents behind locked cabinets •LA may start going under water in our lifetime, but at least then you'll be happy you were never able to own real estate here •Parking can be a hassle: it's hard to find accessible for free or you have to pay for it •It can be dangerous to be a pedestrian (I've almost been hit multiple times by the impatient driving that ridiculous amounts of traffic creates) •The droughts (and all of the trickle down problems)

Pros: •The natural climate here is wonderful •Many beaches within 40-90 minutes driving time •The flora/fauna here are pretty damn cool •Reasonable access to all different kinds of activities (hiking, walking, skiing, swimming, surfing, etc.) •A focus on healthier eating/lifestyles that can rub off on you if you let it •A dizzying array of food options to choose from for dining out (LA has practically everything; not to say all of it is A+ though) •No shoveling multiple feet of snow or losing traction on black ice for me again •People who grew up here and generally very nice and down to earth •Hummingbirds and wild parrots :) •There are spots that cater to high-end fashion, there are spots that cater to "trendy" affordable fashion •Philz mint mojito iced coffee •PORTO'S •LA can turn into a ghost town on major holidays (especially Christmas)

**Living in Los Angeles 2022 | Pros and Cons after living in LA for almost 2 years**

Bladerunner Meets The Rose Parade

California

Michigan

Iowa

New Jersey

New York

Maine

Alaska

Arizona

Minnesota

Colorado’s appeal is multilayered. Of course, there are the Rockies—snow-capped peaks, ski resorts, and Instagrammable vistas—but beyond the obvious, the state reveals itself in its micro-regions and quirks.

Denver has grown into a full-fledged metro, attracting industries from aerospace to fintech. Neighborhoods like RiNo and Cap Hill pulse with murals, independent bookstores, and some of the best third-wave coffee west of the Mississippi. Yet, 20 minutes outside the city, you’ll find Golden, a once-sleepy brewery town now thriving with young families, hikers, and mountain bikers—all while still housing Coors’ giant facility.

Boulder, perched between rugged wilderness and intellectual ambition, is equal parts Patagonia fleece and startup pitch decks. It’s home to Naropa University (the country’s only accredited Buddhist-inspired school) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, reflecting the state’s unique mix of spiritual curiosity and scientific rigor.

To the north, Fort Collins flies a little under the radar but boasts Colorado State University, a jumping historic downtown, and enough breweries to rival cities twice its size. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs feels like a different state altogether—home to multiple military installations, it leans more conservative but surprises visitors with epic natural landmarks like Garden of the Gods and the quirky artist enclave Manitou Springs, where mineral springs bubble out of old-timey fountains.

Then there are the mountain towns that get less attention than Aspen or Vail:

- Salida: An artsy river town known for whitewater festivals and a historic downtown dotted with galleries.
- Paonia: Tucked on the Western Slope, it’s where organic farmers, artists, and winemakers coexist—a quieter, greener slice of Colorado.
- Crested Butte: A former mining town turned "wildflower capital of Colorado," still fiercely local despite its world-class skiing.
- Leadville: The highest-elevation incorporated city in the U.S., with Wild West vibes, antique shops, and a reputation for producing ultra-endurance athletes.

- Even Pueblo, long dismissed as a steel town, is experiencing a mini-renaissance—check out its green chile scene, which locals claim beats New Mexico’s any day.


**Lifestyle**

Colorado is all about the blend: high-intensity outdoor pursuits and laid-back social life. People measure days by powder totals or trail mileage, but they’re equally serious about craft beer, local music, and farm-to-table brunch.

There’s a statewide obsession with gear—ski racks are practically standard issue—and the unspoken dress code skews toward Patagonia puffer jackets, trail runners, and trucker hats. Even at upscale restaurants, you’ll find Gore-Tex mingling with linen.
Summer weekends revolve around farmers' markets, mountain festivals (like Telluride Bluegrass), and patio culture, where people sip IPAs while their dogs lounge nearby. Yes, 
Colorado is one of the most dog-friendly states in the country—don’t be surprised to see pups on brewery patios, hiking trails, and even paddleboards.

The weed industry is fully mainstream here—legal since 2012, dispensaries now sit next to yoga studios, and CBD drinks are common on menus. Despite the outdoor glamour, winters can drag, especially along the Front Range, where weeks of “brown season” (dry, gray winter days) test your patience if you’re not skiing every weekend.


**Who’s Moving to Colorado?**

- Outdoor Diehards: Skiers, mountain bikers, climbers, and trail runners all build their lives around nature’s calendar.

- Remote Workers: Many are now settling in places like Buena Vista, Pagosa Springs, or Ouray for mountain views and coworking spaces that offer reliable fiber internet.

- Young Professionals: Cities like Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins attract college graduates seeking startup jobs in tech and a social scene that is outdoorsy and active.

- Families: Suburban areas such as Louisville, Superior, and Castle Rock provide excellent schools, greenbelts, and proximity to both the city and the mountains.

- Military & Veterans: Particularly in Colorado Springs, where military bases and VA services have a significant presence.

- Artists, Creatives, and Off-Gridders: These individuals are moving to smaller towns like Paonia, Crestone (known for its spiritual retreats), and Trinidad, where former mining towns are being transformed into vibrant art communities.

**Worklife** 

**Major Industries:**

- Aerospace & Defense: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and dozens of military installations fuel this sector.

- Tech & Startups: Boulder leads, but Denver is fast catching up with expansions from Google, Amazon, and a strong venture capital scene.

- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Anchored by the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and countless health-tech startups.

- Outdoor Rec & Tourism: A massive industry—from ski resorts to bike gear startups like Yeti Cycles.

- Renewable Energy & Green Tech: Solar farms, wind energy, and electric vehicle infrastructure are booming, especially east of Denver.

- Craft Beer & Cannabis: Both industries are major employers and cultural forces. Denver’s Great American Beer Festival draws thousands annually.

The work culture here is serious about productivity but just as serious about play. Flex hours are common—so is the “Friday early out” to chase powder or head to the hills. People here don’t brag about work hours—they brag about the number of 14ers climbed.

**Why Move Here Now?**

Colorado’s mix of economic opportunity and lifestyle remains hard to beat, but the secret’s long been out. Housing costs—especially in Denver, Boulder, and mountain towns—are steep. Still, the “live where you vacation” dream is possible, especially if you’re strategic about location.

Remote work has made previously overlooked places—think Montrose, Rifle, or Florence—more appealing. These towns offer affordability, mountain access, and emerging arts scenes without the crowds or costs of Summit County.
Meanwhile, climate-conscious infrastructure investments and Colorado’s renewable energy push are attracting a new wave of green tech talent. If you’re looking for a place where your weekends feel like a vacation, your weekdays pay the bills, and your backyard is the view—Colorado still delivers.

Just be ready for the quirks: expect your weather app to lie, brace for spring hailstorms, and know that people here take their green chile—and their Broncos—very seriously.

Colorado

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Virginia offers a little bit of everything—beaches, busy cities, historic towns, mountain views, and adventures for the outdoorsy types.  Families can find charming colonial neighborhoods to settle in or a tech-driven suburb, and young professionals (or families) will find cities known for culture and lifestyle (tons of breweries) —and none of it feels out of place.

Northern Virginia cities like Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax get a lot of attention for their young professional scene, government jobs (shaky right now but still), and shiny high-rises. But head west, and things shift—Charlottesville, Richmond, and Roanoke are growing fast, thanks to lower housing costs, beautiful scenery, and thriving food and arts communities.
And yes, Virginia’s got beaches. Virginia Beach and Norfolk offer a relaxed coastal lifestyle while still keeping you within driving distance of larger cities.
Lifestyle 

Virginia balances history and modern life better than most. There are amazing historic landmarks and battlefield tours, but it’s also a growing tech hub, home to a solid craft beer scene, and packed with outdoor activities—from hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains to kayaking in the Chesapeake Bay.

Public schools, especially in Northern Virginia, are notably strong, with Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ)  in Alexandria frequently rated the #1 public high school in the country. You get four distinct seasons, plenty of small-town festivals, and easy access to both mountains and beaches. Outdoor lovers will feel right at home.


**Who’s Moving to Virginia?**

- Families: Especially to Northern Virginia and Richmond suburbs for the schools, safety, and space.

- Young professionals: Drawn to government (prepare for this to change), tech, and consulting jobs in DC-adjacent areas like Arlington and Alexandria.

- Retirees and second-home buyers: Looking for less expensive mountain views or coastal living.

- Military families: With large bases in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Quantico.


**Worklife**

Virginia has a strong job market with several major industries driving growth:

- Government and defense: Big in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads although federal jobs are disappearing. 

- Tech and data centers: Amazon HQ2 in Arlington and Loudoun County’s “Data Center Alley”

- Healthcare and education: UVA, VCU, and major hospital networks

- Tourism, shipping, and military: Especially along the coast

The state consistently ranks as one of the best for business. Salaries are strong, especially near DC, though the cost of living is higher there too. Farther south or west, your money goes a lot further.


**Why Move Here Now?**

Virginia is hitting a good stride—a strong economy, a cultural boost in mid-sized cities, and more opportunities popping up beyond the DC suburbs. If you want East Coast energy without New York or Boston prices, Virginia’s a great option.
There’s a lot to like: solid job prospects, a wide range of places to live, and easy access to nature. Remote workers are starting to notice cities like Charlottesville and Richmond for their charm and affordability. And if you’re in tech, Amazon’s expansion means even more jobs on the horizon.

Bottom Line: Move for the jobs, stay for the mountain views, farmers markets, and the fact that you can hike on Saturday and hit the beach on Sunday. Virginia’s got space for you


Virginia

Massachusetts

Mississippi

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Nebraska

Nevada

New Mexico

North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, driven by a combination of economic opportunity, natural beauty, and a more reasonable cost of living than many large metro areas on the East Coast. For people looking to bail on expensive cities like New York, Boston, or D.C., North Carolina’s growing mid-sized cities hit a sweet spot—offering urban energy without the overwhelming cost or scale.

Charlotte and Raleigh remain the fastest-growing hubs, but what’s fueling the state’s appeal are cities like Durham, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Asheville. These places have seen significant investment in arts, culture, and local businesses, creating vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods while maintaining accessibility and affordability. Wilmington, with its historic riverfront and proximity to beaches, adds a coastal option with similar momentum.

North Carolina offers a blend of lifestyles—from dense city cores to suburban communities and small mountain or coastal towns—all within a state that delivers four distinct seasons and easy access to both the Atlantic and the Appalachians.

**Lifestyle** 

Living in North Carolina means having access to almost every kind of landscape and lifestyle you can imagine. The mountains of western North Carolina, including the Blue Ridge and Smokies, draw hikers, climbers, and people looking for small-town life with incredible scenery. Asheville anchors the region with a nationally recognized food scene, music venues, craft breweries, and a progressive arts community—all surrounded by nature.
Along the coast, places like Wilmington, New Bern, and the Outer Banks offer a completely different pace of life—historic charm, beach towns, and maritime culture.

In between, North Carolina’s mid-sized cities have grown into dynamic cultural hubs. Durham, once defined by tobacco warehouses, is now a food, music, and startup center, balancing grit and growth. Greensboro and Winston-Salem have embraced their history while building arts districts, indie music venues, and foodie scenes that attract newcomers looking for quality of life without the price tag of bigger cities.
Outdoor recreation is baked into the lifestyle—weekends are often spent hiking, kayaking, hitting the coast, or exploring dozens of state parks. Meanwhile, urban centers keep adding restaurants, music festivals, museums, and farmers markets that make daily life feel rich and varied.

Housing costs have risen, particularly in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville, but remain notably more reasonable compared to cities like D.C., New York, or Boston. Mid-sized cities and suburbs still offer affordable homeownership options, which continues to draw families, young professionals, and retirees.


**Who’s Moving to North Carolina?**

Young professionals and remote workers: The combination of job opportunities and lifestyle has put places like Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte on the map. Increasingly, mid-sized cities like Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Asheville are drawing remote workers who want cultural amenities without the high price tag.

- Families: Good schools, growing suburbs, and attainable home prices make North Carolina a top choice for families leaving higher-cost states. Suburban areas around Raleigh and Charlotte, like Cary or Huntersville, are growing fast.

- Retirees: North Carolina is a retirement destination—particularly western towns like Asheville, Hendersonville, and Boone, or coastal towns like New Bern and Southport, where people are drawn to the mild climate and slower pace of life.

- Tech, biotech, and finance workers: Raleigh-Durham’s Research Triangle remains a major driver of growth, along with Charlotte’s powerhouse banking sector. Mid-sized cities are seeing a ripple effect as people seek affordability near these job centers.


**Worklife** 

North Carolina’s economy is diverse, which has helped it stay resilient and attractive to new residents:

- Tech, biotech, and healthcare: The Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) is home to major universities, research parks, and a growing number of startups and tech companies. This area competes nationally for talent.

- Finance and banking: Charlotte is the second-largest banking center in the U.S., home to Bank of America and major offices for Wells Fargo, Truist, and others.

- Education: With strong public universities and private colleges, education remains a huge employer, feeding into the region’s research and innovation economy.

- Tourism, arts, and service industries: The mountains and coast pull in millions of visitors each year, supporting a growing tourism economy that fuels restaurants, shops, and creative industries in cities and small towns alike.

- Remote work is also changing the landscape, as people relocate from expensive markets to cities like Asheville or Wilmington, seeking a better work-life balance without sacrificing culture or community.


**Why Move Here Now?**

North Carolina is in that rare window of growth where the state feels exciting but still livable. While housing costs are rising, they remain manageable compared to the Northeast or West Coast. Newcomers are often surprised at how much house—or quality of life—they can afford here.

The job market is strong, especially in tech, biotech, finance, and education, and there’s momentum in the arts, food, and cultural scenes, particularly in mid-sized cities that still feel accessible.

If you’re looking for a place that offers career opportunities, space to explore, and a more affordable cost of living—all without sacrificing culture—North Carolina’s cities, especially its rising mid-sized ones, are worth a serious look.


North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Maryland might be one of the smallest states by land area, but it feels expansive in the variety of places, landscapes, and cultures you’ll find here. Locals sometimes call it “America in Miniature”—and it fits. Within a few hours, you can go from the crab houses and maritime history of the Eastern Shore to the rolling farmland and horse country of Howard and Carroll counties, then up into the Appalachian foothills in Western Maryland.

Baltimore—gritty, beautiful, and still deeply local—anchors the state with its historic brick row houses, growing arts scene, and a complicated but evolving identity. It’s a city of neighborhoods, from the cobblestone streets of Fells Point to the indie shops and music venues in Hampden. Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland draw researchers, students, and healthcare workers, while the Port of Baltimore keeps the city tied to global trade.

The DC suburbs—places like Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, and College Park—are among the most diverse in the country. They’re fast-paced, career-driven, and home to major employers in tech, healthcare, defense, and international policy. Montgomery County consistently ranks high for public school systems, while Prince George’s County—once overlooked—is booming with development and homeownership among Black professionals.

Then there’s the Chesapeake Bay—arguably Maryland’s emotional center. Fishing villages, waterfront towns, and a deep-rooted culture of crabbing and boating shape life here. In places like St. Michaels or Solomons, watermen traditions meet weekenders from DC.


**Lifestyle** 

Maryland is a state of contrasts:

- Outdoors: Summers bring locals out for blue crab feasts, sailing regattas, and Eastern Shore beaches like Ocean City or Assateague Island, where wild ponies roam. Hikers find solace in the Catoctin Mountains or the Maryland stretch of the Appalachian Trail. In the fall, leaf-peeping in western Maryland rivals New England.

- Suburban Professional: Many Marylanders are commuters, with highways like I-270 and the Capital Beltway packed every weekday. Work-life here often revolves around careers in government contracting, federal agencies, or research labs.

- Cultural: Baltimore punches above its weight in music, art, and food. It's home to quirky traditions like the annual HonFest, while the nearby suburbs offer concert venues, museums, and some of the country's best public libraries.

- Education-Focused: With several nationally ranked school districts, plus colleges like UMD College Park, Loyola, and St. John’s in Annapolis, education drives many families’ choices.

The cost of living is high in the DC metro area—Montgomery County and Howard County are expensive but offer great schools and amenities. Meanwhile, Baltimore City and parts of the Eastern Shore remain relatively affordable, though income disparities can be stark.


**Who’s Moving to Maryland?**

- Government and Defense Professionals: With NSA, NIH, and countless government contractors, Maryland is a hub for federal careers.

- Healthcare and Biotech Workers: The state’s economy is built around giants like Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland Medical System, and a growing biotech corridor around Gaithersburg and Rockville.

- Families: Strong school systems, safe suburbs, and access to both urban and rural life make it a prime target for families.

- Nature and Water Lovers: The Bay, mountains, and access to the Atlantic draw people who don’t want to choose between city life and nature.


**Worklife**

Maryland boasts some of the highest median incomes in the country, but it comes with a cost. Key industries include:

- Government, Defense, and Cybersecurity (Fort Meade, NSA, countless Beltway contractors)

- Healthcare and Life Sciences (Johns Hopkins, NIH, biotech firms in the I-270 corridor)

- Port and Shipping (Baltimore’s port is one of the busiest on the East Coast)

- Education (Universities, research centers, and public school systems)

Maryland’s job market tends to be resilient especially near D.C.—especially in recession-proof industries like healthcare, science, and in prior administrations, federal government work. High wages can offset higher living costs, particularly in areas like Montgomery County.


**Why Move Here Now?**

Baltimore is changing -- neighborhood revitalization, a growing arts scene, and affordable historic homes make it a city to invest in. The DMV’s tech and biotech boom means Maryland’s share of the tech and life sciences boom is growing fast, especially in Montgomery County and the suburbs along I-270.

Waterfront and small-town charm aplenty, with coastal towns offering an escape that feels worlds away from DC but still within reach for weekends or remote work. Finally, access without total commitment: Maryland lets you plug into DC’s energy, Baltimore’s grit, or nature’s calm—all without fully committing to just one lifestyle.


Maryland

Washington is not what most people around the country think if their view is based solely on the Emerald City. You’ve got Seattle, yes — the tech hub with glassy towers, expensive lattes, and endless cranes reshaping the skyline. But Washington’s story is bigger and weirder than that.

Head east and you hit the Cascades, where towns like Leavenworth lean hard into their Bavarian cosplay — full-on Alpine architecture and Christmas markets, even in summer. Cross those mountains and the state turns dry, golden, and wide open — apple orchards, hops fields, and wine country roll through the Yakima Valley and Walla Walla. It’s a different state over there, one that cares more about rodeos and crop yields than whatever Seattle’s latest zoning fight is about.

There’s also the pocket-sized, artsy cities people don’t talk about enough — Bellingham, tucked up near the Canadian border with its crunchy, outdoorsy vibe and a local ski hill just 30 minutes up the road; Olympia, the capital, where the punk music scene still has a pulse and the farmers market is the real social center; and Port Townsend, a Victorian seaport town known for wooden boat festivals and a whole lot of ghost stories.

What keeps people here is the geography — Puget Sound, the Olympics, Mount Rainier looming massive. There’s a certain stubborn pride about how many people own a kayak and know how to dig their clams. You don’t have to go far to find someone who will try to convince you their corner of Washington is the best — whether that’s a foggy coastal town, a moss-draped mountain pass, or a sunny plateau east of the mountains. And honestly, they’re all kind of right.



**Lifestyle** 

Living here means you learn to live with the weather — or love it. Western Washington’s gray season lasts months, but the long, golden summer days make up for it. The east side flips the script — hot, dry summers and winters that mean snow.

People are big on the outdoors, but not in a performative way. It's less Instagram hiking and more “this is just what we do.” Mountain biking in the Cascades, skiing at Stevens Pass, trail running in the Issaquah Alps, or mushroom hunting when the rains come — the connection to nature runs deep.

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword here — it’s baked in. You’ll see people line up to return compost buckets at the farmers market or debate which salmon run needs protecting. There’s a hyper-local food scene, from oyster farms like Hama Hama to foraged nettles making their way into restaurant menus.

Housing is a mixed bag. Seattle and the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland) are expensive, with median home prices well above $900k. But smaller cities like Spokane or the Tri-Cities offer more space and sunshine without completely unplugging you from the economy.



**Who’s Moving to Colorado?**

- Tech folks chasing jobs at Amazon, Microsoft, and the sprawl of startups. The Eastside suburbs — Bellevue, Kirkland, Sammamish — are full of transplants figuring out the PNW way.

- Families looking for good schools, parks, and the rare suburban neighborhood where you can still walk to a coffee shop (Issaquah and North Bend, looking at you).

- Outdoor types — climbers, paddlers, skiers — folks who want a job and mountains in their backyard. Bellingham and Wenatchee both punch above their weight for this crowd.

- Healthcare and education workers — UW, WSU, major hospital systems, and growing biotech hubs keep the state anchored beyond tech.

- And increasingly, people just looking for a lifestyle shift — artists, remote workers, folks burned out on California or Texas sprawl — are finding their way here.



**Worklife**

The job market stays solid, especially if you’re in:

- Tech: Seattle’s core, Bellevue’s new skyscrapers, and a growing remote scene

- Aerospace: Boeing’s still big, even if quieter than it once was

- Healthcare: especially in Seattle and Spokane

- Agriculture: apples, cherries, hops, and wine rule Eastern Washington

- Shipping and trade: major ports in Seattle and Tacoma keep global goods moving

The interesting thing is how the economy balances — world-class tech and scrappy farming towns coexist, sometimes uneasily, but it works.



**Why Move Here Now?**

Washington’s still growing, but in ways that give you choices. Yes, Seattle’s pricey, but places like Spokane, Bellingham, and even Bremerton are growing fast without feeling like polished suburbs yet. The access to nature is unbeatable, but what might surprise people is how distinct each region feels.
You could live where you’re skiing before work, or where you’re sipping wine on your porch at sunset. You could be downtown for an Amazon meeting or out in the San Juans watching orcas. Washington has range — that’s the real sell.


Los Angeles, California

Bladerunner Meets The Rose Parade

Look Score: 91