Living in Los Angeles
“Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles.” –Frank Lloyd Wright
When you ask someone from outside the country what city they’d like most to visit, it comes as no surprise that the first choice is usually Los Angeles. Surrounded by mountains and hemmed in by the beautiful Pacific Ocean, LA is a land of picturesque landscapes and vibrant cultural experiences. As a city, it truly holds something for everyone.
Charles R. Drew University stands at the epicenter of all LA has to offer—from the coast to the city. Our residents live anywhere from Downtown to Long Beach, from Santa Monica to the Inland Empire, affording them the cultural surroundings and live-work experiences best suited to their needs and desires.
Living the Outdoor Lifestyle
Grab your sunscreen and be prepared to forget what the cold feels like! Temperatures rarely fall out of the range of 60-80s throughout the year. There are plenty of local hikes with ocean and/or city views. Additionally, there are multiple National and State parks within driving distance for fun weekend excursions.
A Foodie’s Paradise
There are certain establishments famous to LA, none more so than In-n-Out Burger or Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. But when you flip over the menu, you will find many shades of culinary delights within the region. For the health-conscious, local farmers markets sprout up in many locations (some even make appearances at hospital sites), while for the homesick or adventurous, a dearth of LA’s neighborhoods celebrate foods from around the world, most notably Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Armenia, and Historic Filipinotown.
Tinsel Town Touring
LA is synonymous with the lights and cinematic history of Hollywood. Movie premieres, cinema showcases, and celebrity sightings come with the territory, and in LA, the territory is defined by iconic entertainment venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall, Pantages Theater, and Mann’s Chinese Theater. Take a step beyond, and you can find yourself walking through renowned institutions of culture (even pop culture) like the Getty Center, Natural History Museum, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Petersen Automotive Museum.
Sports-minded
Los Angeles has no shortage of world-class athletes competing for local sports franchises. From the Dodgers of baseball to the Lakers and Sparks of basketball to the Galaxy of soccer, almost every sport is represented (sorry, cricket fans) for CDU trainees to take in. With so many freeways intersecting the city, the venues are easily accessible no matter where you live, with many served by public transportation.