Moving from Boston, MA, to Los Angeles, CA

Make a smooth transition from Beantown to Tinseltown

Despite being on opposite coasts, inevitable comparisons always seem to pop up with any discussion involving Boston, MA, and Los Angeles, CA. Long, cold winters vs. endless summers. Lobster rolls vs. street tacos. Celtics vs. Lakers. And that’s just the start!

Trading one world-class city for another? Get a handle on what to expect when relocating to L.A. from Boston. Then, learn how to do it stress-free without navigating a bulky rental truck 3,000 miles across the country.

Goodbye snow boots, hello sunscreen

L.A.’s pleasant year-round weather has always been a big draw for transplants. You’ll be trading at least four months of cold and snow for an average of 284 sunny days per year, mild winter, and easy access to beaches and mountains. That will give you even more time to explore outside!

Boston, L.A. share a passion for sports

According to a recent WalletHub study, Los Angeles and Boston ranked 1-2 among the best sports cities in America. That’s no surprise, given their historical excellence and passionate fan bases. Consider these facts in the four major professional sports alone:

  • NBA: The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have won a combined 34 championships (17 apiece) and are tied for the most in league history.
  • MLB: The Boston Red Sox (nine) and Los Angeles Dodgers (seven) have won 16 World Series titles.
  • NFL: The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams have combined to win eight Super Bowls — six belonging to the Patriots.
  • NHL: The Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings have combined to win eight Stanley Cups — six belonging to the Bruins.

While nothing may quite rival watching a Red Sox game from the bleachers above the Green Monster at iconic Fenway Park, L.A. offers some cool venues of its own to make new memories. Enjoy panoramic views of the San Gabriel Mountains at Dodger Stadium. Catch big-time college football at the Coliseum (USC) and the Rose Bowl (UCLA). Or cheer on the Rams and Chargers at state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium.

Find plentiful educational opportunities

With 50 colleges and universities — including Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — Boston is widely considered to offer the best higher educational opportunities in the country. But Los Angeles holds its own in this area with world-class universities like USC, UCLA and Caltech, along with a robust state university system. L.A. also has many highly rated primary and secondary schools, both public and private, as well as a strong network of community colleges.

Compared to Boston, L.A. public transit is limited

Though densely populated, Boston spans just 48 square miles and MBTA, its well-developed public transportation network, makes it easy and affordable to get around without a car. Los Angeles is five times the size of Boston and significantly more spread out. While L.A.’s Metro is a growing transit system, it can’t fully replace a personal vehicle. Be warned that L.A. traffic has a life of its own, so plan accordingly and plan extra time for getting around.

Move with U-Pack and enjoy brighter days

Though moving cross country can be expensive, a DIY option like U-Pack will help you save money. And the best part? We’ll do the driving! Check out our service center locations and get a free quote online.