Finally Making a Move

[Petrala]

Originally Posted by Ryoku

Hey, sorry to bump the thread. Just wanted to know if you guys can give me any more advice/opinions on PB, and I'd like to know if Clairemont is a good area? One of the main reasons PB appeals to me is because it has 150 restaurants, and many bars and other job opportunities. Also, is it possible that I could do some modeling for extra money? Would I have to get together a portfolio and contact a agency when I get there? What's the best time to purchase plane tickets? And can anybody else answer my apartment rent question? Btw, I really appreciate all the input CA central coast. =} I really want to keep this thread active until I'm ready to move, and even after that.

What kind of modeling?

Real models are in LA. Some smaller markets like SD or SF. PB (Pismo Beach?) you won't be doing real modeling.


You could probably do some alternative modeling in the SFV. It might pay well but you'd have to be willing to get naked and do porn.

Wait, are you a guy?

[Humanoid]

You could probably do some alternative modeling in the SFV. It might pay well but you'd have to be willing to get naked and do porn.

Ha, funny because its true. I was driving around with my Grandma in the SFV and she started talking about all the porn they make their (She has lived there most her life). Anyhow, it was funny because she is in her 80s and even she knows about all the porn in the area.

[thomasw98]

Ryoku: Not to distract from the argument over location...but to add some advice on job, I would suggest you not waste time working in restaurants, but instead look for some job in the graphic arts business. With your computer skills, I think it would be easy to get a starting position with an annual salary of $22,000 or so. Probably a lot of simple Photoshop and Illustrator work, but at least you would be doing something linked to your specialty. Plus you never know what sort of opportunities might pop up.

Re location: In terms of career potential, I would say SLO is a no go. San Diego is ok, but oddly enough, San Fernando Valley with its proximity to Burbank and the other Hollywood-linked business areas would be best for you in my opinion.

[Ryoku]

Thx much for the replies. Petrala, PB=Pacific Beach. And nah, I don't think I'd wanna do any porn. ;P When I say modeling, just any types of modeling, for magazines, ads, etc. Thomas, it would be awesome if I could get a job as a graphic artist and make 22k a year, but I can't count on it. Many companies look to hire artist with [insert number of years] of professional experience, or degrees. They also look for people with experience in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. I've never used InDesign, and Illustrator only a couple times. However, I am stronger with Photoshop. Primarily I use PS for hand painting textures for my 3d models, but I also used it for graphic design before. I'm sure there are many opportunties, but it would be alot easier if I knew people or had connections. The reason I'm reluctant about LA/SFV is for a few reasons. First, my parents, who are Christians, wouldn't be happy at all if I moved there because they don't like the hollywood scene/porn/crime, etc. Their already angry enough that I decided to move with a girl. It might be better if I moved there after living in SD for a little. Secondly, I'm more interested in being right near the beach for a little. LA seems to be bashed alot in this thread. http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-f...ncisco-vs.html However, you don't know how happy it would make me if I could work as a graphic artist and develop those sideskills as well as doing my 3d art.

[thomasw98]

Originally Posted by Ryoku

Thomas, it would be awesome if I could get a job as a graphic artist and make 22k a year, but I can't count on it. Many companies look to hire artist with [insert number of years] of professional experience, or degrees. They also look for people with experience in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. I've never used InDesign, and Illustrator only a couple times. However, I am stronger with Photoshop. Primarily I use PS for hand painting textures for my 3d models, but I also used it for graphic design before. I'm sure there are many opportunties, but it would be alot easier if I knew people or had connections.

I am not talking about some sort of high tech position with a famous company. What I mean is just an in-house computer position with a printer or print design company.

One example: Years ago, I often had product catalogs produced in the LA area. Typically, the product photos (digital) were all done by a freelance photographer (I would supply the samples) and then everything was handled by the printer, i.e. layout of the text, adding borders, logos, touch up of the photos, knock out of the background, fake drop shadows, whatever...all of this work was handled by some 20-25 year old types like yourself (I doubt that any of them had professional credentials or degrees of any kind...they were just young kids who were good with computers and could crank out catalog work quickly...that is all a print shop will care about). They worked for the printer and used the standard array of software (photoshop, illustrator, maybe quark or some other layout software). Even if you did not know one of those software packages very well, I think your skills in 3D and photoshop could get you in the door, and then you could learn the other stuff on the job....I still think it is worth a look at the job ads.

By the way, 22k is not very much money in LA...after 25-30% taxes, you will not be left with much. Anyways, I would think that "scraping by" would not be a problem as long as you were on the road to somewhere career-wise. That's the same advice I would give to my own kids who are about your age.

As for your parents, a little research will show them that San Fernando Valley is the "tamest" of all those possible locations you are considering. On the other hand, you would still have plenty of fun, and could easily drive the beaches or Westwood or wherever in 30-45 minutes.

[Ryoku]

Good advice! =] As for those type of jobs, do you suggest I wait till I move, and then look in the paper for ads and the like? Or are most of them on craigslist, etc? Also, what if I end up leasing a apartment longterm, 6 or 12 months, and I get offered a job in a different area of the city. Remember, I won't be having a car, so I can't commute too far. That also rules out the possibility of regularly going to the beach at SFV. Unless they have public transit going out that way? When I used to live in NJ, it was the same amount of time to drive to the beach. ENTRY LEVEL GRAPHIC DESIGNER (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/med/692670191.html - broken link) That's in Miramar? That's probably the type of job I'm looking for, except the compensation isn't that great. I havn't heard of that area yet, but I figure it's basically gonna come down to me choosing between the job or the place I want to live. What are the chances I could find a job like that in PB? Probably slim? Hopefully they'll have more ads in the papers or something. I'll talk to my friend about it some more. I found this also. Freelance Graphic Design Assistant (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/med/692236734.html - broken link)

[Ryoku]

Coming along, just workin and building my own website. I'm learning HTML, Dreamweaver, and flash in the process. After I finish designing everything, I'm gonna continue with the porfolio works, and maybe a blog as well. A friend of mine who came up to visit is going to Cancun through her college, and told me when she gets back, she'll be finishing her semester. After that, got offered an internship program or something like that in Italy. She told me she might be able to get me in on the trip as well. Free housing, and utilities. ;] Back to moving to Cali, anybody have any more input? I heard something about how people under 21 arn't admitted into hotels. Is this true? Also, is it better to get a roomshare with others in, say a townhouse, or just keep it down to the 2 of us in our own apartment. I think the former provides lower cost, but I don't know exactly how that works. There's other questions I need to ask, but I'll take care of those later.

[thomasw98]

Originally Posted by Ryoku

Good advice! =] As for those type of jobs, do you suggest I wait till I move, and then look in the paper for ads and the like? Or are most of them on craigslist, etc? Also, what if I end up leasing a apartment longterm, 6 or 12 months, and I get offered a job in a different area of the city. Remember, I won't be having a car, so I can't commute too far. That also rules out the possibility of regularly going to the beach at SFV. Unless they have public transit going out that way?

I think you will have to first move, get settled somewhere, then look for a job. These are fairly basic entry-level positions, so they will likely exist in most areas, but more of them will exist in areas where there is a high demand for printing, i.e. usually industrial areas with lots of medium-sized companies who need catalogs and other business papers/brochures etc. to be done.

Re not having a car...I could not even imagine it in the southern Cal area. I think you will definitely need to reconsider or at least get a motorcycle.