Choosing the first city to settle in after immigrating is like setting the biggest compass of your life.

I vividly remember when I first set foot here, wandering aimlessly among the overwhelming amount of fragmented information and promotional articles online. The pictures on computer screens always look beautiful and perfect, but the space we will actually live in is the harsh reality outside the monitor. You need to hear the unfiltered voices of those who have actually lived here to finally see the outlines of the hidden reality.

Over the past few years, I have organized my raw experiences from living in this area, having faced and felt them firsthand. I will strip away the flashy packaging and thoroughly outline the pros and cons based on facts, hoping to provide practical help in getting started.

A Strong Support for Initial Settlement: Reasonable Housing Costs

In the early stages of immigration, there are many places where money flows out like water into a bottomless pit. When income is uncertain but fixed expenses are high, it can be psychologically overwhelming. In this regard, the housing costs in this area are an incredible asset.

Compared to other hot spots in the LA metropolitan area, the San Fernando region has significantly lower rent and housing prices. Currently, you can find decent accommodations for around $1,400 to $1,650 per month for a one-bedroom. This is a level where you can breathe a sigh of relief compared to the exorbitant rents on the LA coast or the Westside.

The median home sale price is also around $645,000, which is less than half the average price on the Westside. If you need to minimize spending and increase savings to quickly establish a foundation in the early stages of immigration, this overwhelming price difference alone provides a strong reason to choose this city.

A Blessed Climate That Brings Comfort to Body and Mind

The impact of weather on quality of life is more significant than you might think. When you are in a foreign land feeling lonely, harsh weather can easily lead to depression during your immigration life. However, this place is mild year-round, and you won't have to worry about shoveling snow for a lifetime.

The lowest temperature during the coldest winter months stays around 46°F (about 8°C). Compared to the biting cold winds of Korea or the heavy snowfall in the eastern and central United States, the burden of heating costs in winter, as well as stress from clothing and vehicle maintenance, is significantly reduced. The California sunshine that shines throughout the four seasons plays a big role in alleviating the cultural loneliness that new immigrants experience.

Accessible Healthcare Without Worrying About Emergencies

The most sorrowful and frightening time in a foreign country is when you are 'sick.' In the notorious American healthcare system, if hospitals are far away, it can feel like a bolt from the blue. Fortunately, this area has an excellent healthcare infrastructure.

Within a 15-minute drive from your residence, you can find reliable large hospitals such as Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Kaiser Panorama City, and Northridge Hospital. Having large medical facilities nearby that can respond quickly in emergencies provides a significant psychological safety net.

Poor Public Transportation System That Limits Mobility

Like many suburban cities, this area has virtually no public transportation system. There are bus routes, but the intervals between buses are frustratingly long, and they do not connect efficiently to your desired destinations.

In other words, living in this area without a vehicle makes normal daily life impossible. Whether you are going grocery shopping, dropping your child off at school, or commuting to work, a car is essential for all these activities. If both partners need to move together, the cost of two vehicles and insurance will be added to the initial settlement expenses, so you must factor in that the savings from housing costs may be offset by vehicle maintenance costs.

Safety and Crime Rates

To be frank, the overall crime rate in this city is higher than the California state average. While violent crime is a concern, the most frequently occurring crimes in daily life are property crimes like theft. In particular, car theft and theft of items from vehicles happen quite often.

If you carelessly leave bags or valuables in plain sight in your car, you are likely to experience the unfortunate event of a broken window. It is essential to be aware of this safety information and prepare thoroughly during the early stages of immigration. It is much wiser and safer to be 100% informed, cautious, and diligent about locking doors and avoiding late-night outings than to enter with a complacent mindset thinking, "This is a place where people live, so surely nothing will happen."

I sincerely hope that this realistic advice serves as a solid stepping stone for your precious first steps.