Los Angeles Skyline

London vs. Los Angeles Lifestyle

London and Los Angeles are two very different cities – even if we speak the same language! Both cities are wonderful places to live and work, but each has a very different lifestyle – in fact, it’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges!

However, there are some things that the two cities have in common – and some may be more surprising than you think…

The Weather

Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way first. According to Weather Guide, Los Angeles basks in warm weather most of the year, with average monthly maximum temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees C depending on the month.

London, on the other hand, varies between an average monthly maximum of 7 and 22 degrees C – with four distinct seasons – summer, autumn, winter and spring.

According to Wikipedia, London has a significantly higher number of rainy days than Los Angeles – 106.6 versus 35.7.

The Landscape and Surroundings

London is a city with no coastline. The nearest coast is around 45 miles away. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is right next to the ocean. Because of the glorious weather, the outdoors and the beach lifestyle are enjoyed.

However, London has the most amazing history and buildings. A short walk in the city center reveals icons such as St Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London and The Houses of Parliament.

The Population

London has a significantly higher population – around 8.6 million vs. 3.9 million in Los Angeles. Therefore, it’s going to be much more crowded in London than Los Angeles. Both cities have a very diverse, multi-cultural mix, and that’s because both cities are very sought after places to live and work.

Culture

London is one of the cultural capitals of the world. For those who love museums and the arts, you truly are spoilt for choice. Many of the best places to visit are free of charge. The British Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Tate Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery – the list is endless.

Los Angeles, on the other hand, is not so well endowed. There’s the Natural History Museum and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art. These are pretty cool places to visit, but when it comes to culture, London certainly wins hands down.

Transportation

London, although busy, is an extremely user-friendly place to get around. In fact, the public transport system (consisting of the underground trains network – The Tube – and overland buses) means that there really is no need to own a car.

Most Londoners don’t bother, because it’s expensive for petrol (gas), you have to pay a daily congestion charge to drive in the centre, and it’s somewhat of a nightmare finding somewhere to park.

In LA, on the other hand, public transport is not so good. Everyone owns a car and relies on this to get from A to B.

Food

Both cities are great when it comes to food – and don’t believe the very much outdated beliefs that restaurants in London are second-class. The city now has some of the best eateries in the world. Plus, the large cultural variety means that you can get authentic cuisine from pretty much any corner of the globe.

Los Angeles is no slouch in the food stakes either. Restaurants to suit every budget can be found all over the city, and there are a great variety of different cuisines to choose from.

Environmental Dangers

In London, the worst thing you’re going to have to worry about is getting drenched in a downpour or sheltering from a ferocious thunderstorm.

But in LA, there’s the ever-present threat of earthquakes to worry about. Of course, those who are used to living there probably don’t give it too much thought.

Having to have an earthquake plan is something that will probably make newbies a little uneasy at first.

Average Wage

The average net monthly salary in LA, according to Numbeo, as of November 2015, is $3,083 (£2,042). In London, it’s $2,990 (£1,981) – a difference of about 3%. And considering that London is generally a much higher priced place to live than LA, this can make a big difference in the lifestyle that you’re able to lead.

For example, rental property is almost 40% higher in London, consumer prices are nearly 26% more and it’ll cost you about 29% more to eat out. Groceries, thankfully, are around the same cost in each city.

Sport

London is a big football and rugby city. There are also iconic sporting events that take place each year. These include the Cambridge-Oxford Boat Race, Wimbledon and, of course, watching cricket at Lords.

In LA, the sporting scene is somewhat different. Fans enjoy baseball games, baseball and hockey matches, following big names such as the LA Kings, the LA Dodgers, Angels of Anaheim, the Lakers and Clippers.

As you can see, the two cities are very different in many ways. But in others, they are very similar. Both have a wonderfully diverse population, and despite what many people think, both London and LA can be very friendly places.

One aspect that tends to surprise Londoners when they visit LA is how large and sprawling the city is. This is why most people own cars, because it’s simply not possible to easily walk from one place to another.

Both have their expensive areas to live: Knightsbridge in London and Beverley Hills in LA. Both cities have problems with traffic, and both boast great nightlife. The biggest difference is probably the outdoor lifestyle in LA.

But then, with most days enjoying sunshine, it makes it far easier to be outside than winter days in London. But that also makes London such a great city: cold winter days provide the perfect environment to chow down on comforting food, such as soup or a hearty roast dinner.

When summer arrives and the sun eventually shows it’s face – London’s many parks are among the best place to be in all the world.