New Here; Questions About Moving to Chicago (apartments, job market)

[jman07]

An acting career huh. We'll I think it would be cool to play in the NBA but I don't think that will happen so I went to college. Do you realize how many people wast their lives trying to be actors in LA? Go get an education and try something realistic. I'd say the most realistic thing you might be able to achieve is doing things on stage like shows etc., but I wouldn't bet on being seen on TV.

Plus I'm sure there are plenty of men in the industry who try to take advantage of naive girls like you. But I know a lot of people in the industry and can get you a big spot. Want to hang out at my place first. LOL.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by snorkel27

-Where would I be able to find a job at the age of 18 that would allow me to completely financially support myself without digging into my savings very much?

Pink Monkey Chicago - 750 South Clinton Avenue, Chicago, IL

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by jman07

An acting career huh. We'll I think it would be cool to play in the NBA but I don't think that will happen so I went to college. Do you realize how many people wast their lives trying to be actors in LA? Go get an education and try something realistic. I'd say the most realistic thing you might be able to achieve is doing things on stage like shows etc., but I wouldn't bet on being seen on TV.

Plus I'm sure there are plenty of men in the industry who try to take advantage of naive girls like you. But I know a lot of people in the industry and can get you a big spot. Want to hang out at my place first. LOL.

You said it, not me!

[snorkel27]

Originally Posted by jman07

naive girls like you.

nah. You can go settle for a comfortable, "safe choice" life, have a nice time!!

[snorkel27]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

Pink Monkey Chicago - 750 South Clinton Avenue, Chicago, IL

Wow what a fabulous idea! You should come see me with jman07. -insert massive eye roll here-

[Drover]

Originally Posted by orelaf

One thing I don't quite understand is why you are trying to move to Chicago for a couple of years if your ultimate goal is to live in LA?

I'm not sure how strong the OP's acting ambitions are, but to hear it from an acquaintance who is trying to get some traction in the acting business out in L.A., it's considerably easier to get your SAG card in Chicago than L.A.

[snorkel27]

Originally Posted by Drover

I'm not sure how strong the OP's acting ambitions are, but to hear it from an acquaintance who is trying to get some traction in the acting business out in L.A., it's considerably easier to get your SAG card in Chicago than L.A.

True, but then on the other side of the coin, you want to be sure that once you become Sag Eligible, you can compete with other SAG actors in LA. BECAUSE it is easier to get your SAG card in Chicago, once you get to LA you might not get any work because you can't do non-union anymore, and the people that earned their SAG card in a tougher market trample you with their experience and training. So kind of a catch 22. O_O But I have heard talk of there being a merger between SAG and AFTRA which is another union and honestly haven't done enough reading into it to know for sure what that would mean for people like me. Another important thing for me to learn about but I have a feeling I won't have to worry about this situation for a few years yet, and the answer then will be different than the answer is today since the industry is possibly on the brink of such change.

[aragx6]

I'd totally just call them small dogs; if they ask for more say around 25 pounds, and if they still seem hesitant definitely offer to let them meet. I'm CERTAIN you'll be fine with that.

Every apartment I've ever found has been on Craigslist. There are definitely scams, but, from what I've seen, they're very easy to spot. Most of what you'll see is the general neighborhood boundary fudging. So this great well priced studio in Ukrainian Village looks amazing, until you find out it's really in Humboldt Park, a significantly more dangerous neighborhood.

And if you're going to live here, don't be afraid to come and spend some time here on your own. It will be totally overwhelming at first, but that's OK; really it's a good thing. The first time I was in Chicago I didn't know how to stick the fare card in the machine on the el and this CTA lady was really mean and people were looking at me like I was stupid and I kind of wanted to cry, but I learned how to do it on my own and then I was just fine.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by orelaf

I just made the move to Chicago myself and I must tell you it's not as easy as one can imagine.
...

The path of acting in Chicago and then moving to New York or L.A. if your career takes off is a very well-established pattern. We could probably fill pages with names of actors, many of whom you'd have heard of or recognize, who started in Chicago and then moved to the a coast when they started getting more professional interest from television or movies.

Part of the reason is that the theatre community here is very, very, good. And it's a lot cheaper to live in Chicago than it is to live in L.A. As hard as you've found it to be in Chicago, L.A. is significantly more difficult. Housing in L.A. is MUCH more expensive, even with roommates. Transportation, while improving, still leaves a lot to be desired there. And the jobs market in L.A. is also several percentage points worse than in Chicago.

[jdiddy]

Ok, I'm sold. Orelaf makes bad point.