Catalina Island’s high cost of living

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Many residents of Catalina Island hold more than one job to keep up with the standard of living there. Photo by Caleigh Wells.

Even before COVID-19, securing a place to live in Avalon on Catalina Island was hard. There are cars, next to no crime, and 360 degree ocean views. Islanders call it paradise. But the waitlist for an apartment can be five years long, and the prices are comparable to West Los Angeles. But with stay-at-home orders, the beach town that relies so heavily on tourism has been devastated.