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I moved to Chicago this past year from my small city in central IL. I have a little studio downtown. It's really nice, don't get me wrong. Since I moved here I've been a front desk clerk at a Marriott hotel. But I'm an aspiring actor, and this just doesn't seem like the right place to be. Once my lease is up, I'm debating between moving to NY or LA now that I know I can tackle a big city. I've heard mixed opinions on both. Can anyone give me some advice as far as cost of living, downtown areas, public transportation, etc. Keep in mind I don't have a car and I make about 30k a year.
What sort of actor? Stage or film? Because I think that will determine where you go. Also, if you do like stage, Chicago isn't so bad of a place, there is a pretty active theater/comedy scene (as I'm sure you already know) and having a stage resume in Chicago (or a stint at Second City) will probably help you out in New York. But if you are looking to break into film, you'd best start packing your bags, there ain't nuttin' here
Also, in LA, you'll need a car to get to your auditions. In nyc, you'll need to have several roomates if you want to live on 30k. That $600-900 studio you have downtown (and when you say downtown, do you mean the loop? for me 'downtown' means the loop only. or do you mean the actual city limits of chicago) is going to cost a whole lot more in new york, and you'll have to look probaby in queens or brooklyn, manhattan is out of the question.
Film actor. And yeah I'm pretty familiar with Chicago's comedy scene. A buddy of mine here does stand up at a lot of clubs, something I might try but it's not quite my niche.
And the studio I'm living in now in Near North downtown is $1k/mo, so I would be able to swing that by myself, without a car anyway. But I suppose I could always buy a heap to get me by.
Anyway, you can't really rent anywhere in NY for $1,000 a month, but you could probably get a roommate and pool your resources for a nice place in Broolyn or Queens. Mass transit is readily available from those boroughs into Manhattan, except for some of the more remote neighborhoods of eastern Queens. I have no idea about LA, though.
I lived in LA for a couple of years. You can get a 1-bedroom apartment for about $1500. a month. Living in LA without a car is not really reasonable. You have to have a car. LA is really ok, but the traffic is impossible.
Thanks a lot guys. I'll probably look into LA. (and buying a new car) lol
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