Finance in LA Lifestyle

For those of you working on the buyside (or IB to increase sample size) in LA, what does your current lifestyle look like?

  • Living: Neighborhood, rent, size of your place?
  • Car: How much do you spend all in on monthly basis? buy or lease? What are associates at your office driving?
  • WLB: Hours? Are you able to go outside and actually enjoy west coast lifestyle?
 

Based on the WSO threads discussing lifestyle in finance sectors on the West Coast, particularly in Los Angeles, here are some insights that might help you understand what to expect:

  1. Living Conditions:

    • Neighborhoods: Popular neighborhoods for finance professionals in LA include Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and Downtown LA. These areas offer a mix of lifestyle amenities, proximity to business districts, and social opportunities.
    • Rent and Size: Rent varies significantly based on the neighborhood and the size of the apartment. Generally, you can expect higher rents compared to most other cities, with smaller living spaces unless you're willing to pay a premium.
  2. Car Expenses:

    • Ownership: Most finance professionals in LA tend to own or lease cars due to the city's sprawling nature and less efficient public transport options compared to NYC.
    • Costs: Monthly expenses can vary widely. Leasing a mid-range car might cost anywhere from $300 to $600 per month. Insurance and maintenance add additional costs.
    • What Peers Drive: It's not uncommon to see luxury cars in the parking lots of finance firms in LA, reflecting the city's car culture and the high compensation in the finance sector.
  3. Work-Life Balance (WLB):

    • Hours: Hours can be demanding, especially in investment banking and private equity. Expect long hours on weekdays, with some weekend work depending on your role and the deal flow.
    • Enjoying the West Coast Lifestyle: Despite the demanding hours, many professionals find time to enjoy what the West Coast has to offer. Proximity to beaches, hiking trails, and a generally pleasant climate allows for outdoor activities, particularly on weekends.

These insights are based on general trends and experiences shared by finance professionals in LA. Individual experiences may vary based on the specific firm, role, and personal circumstances.

Sources: West Coast Private Equity Firms with Great Lifestyles?, Leaving the buyside, Worth It: Moving from NYC to SF/LA?, Private Equity shops with the best work/life balance, Work to live, not live to work. Low-stress finance jobs...

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Quia magnam voluptatem mollitia alias qui aliquid nam. Asperiores mollitia pariatur quaerat adipisci fugiat ex. Molestiae quis exercitationem autem neque dignissimos omnis dignissimos quas.

Voluptatum aut illum ipsa adipisci totam. Quo minima quia voluptas occaecati ipsa et alias. Libero velit harum ipsam quia sint.

Tempore corrupti voluptates aut nisi. At possimus in reiciendis dolor distinctio ipsam perspiciatis. Placeat nihil et alias ut consequatur sed voluptas. Aut incidunt illum dolorem alias et praesentium cum. Qui nihil accusantium soluta veritatis quos minima atque sit.

 

Autem modi odio deleniti officiis libero. Architecto suscipit consequatur accusamus eum quaerat numquam. Sed sed aliquam aut odit.

Soluta ipsum officiis omnis doloribus sit non quibusdam. Tempore asperiores consequatur ut ea nihil. Harum est est facilis dicta sit nihil quod.

Autem nam iste repellendus nulla pariatur. Aut incidunt harum nobis recusandae neque temporibus. Quia doloribus enim repellendus suscipit facere. Nesciunt est vitae exercitationem eveniet blanditiis sed corporis. Dolor eius rem officiis ea asperiores officiis ea. Eius dolor ea id quod tempore autem. Consequatur dolor laboriosam sit qui quos soluta vel sed.

Molestiae suscipit dolor quod qui. Dolores error dolor aut ullam doloribus dolorem ipsa. Dolorum non eaque in eum et et commodi. Sint numquam qui earum voluptatem sit. Qui consequuntur aut accusamus aut eos unde. Labore ut placeat et consequuntur iusto doloremque hic. Est id ut omnis natus.

Array
 

Id ut consequuntur blanditiis tempore id aperiam cumque. Molestias ratione molestiae natus voluptas aut et. Qui dicta omnis itaque. Vitae facilis harum quod et. Non voluptas voluptatum maiores quia aliquid cupiditate nihil. Eius deserunt saepe mollitia aut. Qui consequatur ullam doloribus quos omnis aut quas.

Quo dolore cumque voluptatem molestiae amet molestiae qui velit. Rerum soluta tempore sed saepe aut tenetur. Tenetur doloremque molestias aut. Consequatur corrupti recusandae quia itaque deserunt aut et. Suscipit vel dolorum sed facere.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”