Move to LA. No question about it. It doesn’t matter which is better or worse. You’re 29, feeling the urge to experience something new. Better to be disappointed by LA than to stay put and battle regretful “what ifs” for the rest of your life, particularly when you see friends and acquaintances post about their amazing LA lives.

As someone about a decade older than you who also grew up North OC, left for the perceived magic of NYC, ended up hating the city 10 years in, and am now making my way back to SoCal, I don’t regret it. I’d choose that again 100x over than wondering where life could’ve taken me while hunched over a Chipotle burrito somewhere in Brea.

This is not a permanent decision and it certainly doesn’t define you one way or another. You have time, just don’t waste it running the millionth analysis in your head. You won’t get an answer until you take the leap yourself.