"Must have a job before going to LA" (Los Angeles: affordable apartment, crime)

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Found this online;

In New York or Los Angeles, where food carts are most popular, it might be possible to purchase a truck previously used by a vendor. Used is advisable, especially because acquiring and retrofitting a new truck can cost $75,000 to $100,000, according to a food-truck analysis by New York Magazine. Vending windows, lined walls and floors, electricity, hot running water and a retail payment system are all necessary, so even if you find, say, an appropriate-sized old DHL step van for sale for $10,000, the retrofitting will be a significant expense. Food carts generally have the same health and safety requirements as restaurants, so you can expect regular inspections for fire and health issues.

Found lots of other interesting things online.

In Los Angeles you need to have your cart, van, truck, inspected each year. Also the place that you store it has to be inspected.

You need to get a DBA, Business license, Permit to sell food, take a course that is offered free to let you know everything else that is involved.

Once you are set up to sell food you need to find a place to put your cart, or van. In LA most of the best places are allready taken. You can't just park where ever you want. Someone else may have that spot even if they are not sitting there right now.

Oh and one more thing, the other vendors don't have much use for those that didn't follow the same path to becoming a street food vendor. Show up without the right paperwork and the health department may never even get called. The vendors may take action on their own. LOL

[30STM]

SOON2BNSURPRISE I wanted to give you another rep point but i have to share the love...lol Your post is excellent.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by lostintime83

Anyone read this over and over here?

It has to be tough to get a job not even physically being in that location...especially somewhere like LA. Phone interviews can only take you so far in certain situations.

Unless your company is moving you to LA - don't even bother. That's really overdone here. Just wanted to point it out.

I realize that it is frustrating trying to locate a job in another state but what are your alternatives? Can you survive in a high-cost of living area without income? Do you have savings that can pay for at least 1 year in case you are not able to find sustaining employment?

[Vary]

Originally Posted by lostintime83

Anyone read this over and over here?

It has to be tough to get a job not even physically being in that location...especially somewhere like LA. Phone interviews can only take you so far in certain situations.

Unless your company is moving you to LA - don't even bother. That's really overdone here. Just wanted to point it out.

Well, it's probably overdone because it bears repeating. If you really want to job hunt, it will usually involve the expense of making a brief trip out to interview in person. Some people arrange a couple of interviews over a few days to a week. A lot of us who got jobs here before moving had to make the interview trip.

You got upset on the other post when you were told that two months expenses and no job were not going to get you anywhere. Why are you bothering to ask for advice if you immediately begin to insult everyone who doesn't tell you what you want to hear?

You have a naive view of the current economy here, and certainly of the entertainment industry. And yes, lots of people do live here. For the most part, those people a) have lived here all their lives or moved here and bought a house decades ago when things were cheaper, giving them lower house payments; b) come here because they transferred/got a job-many of those households making six figures either singly or through combined spouses' income; c) rent a room or have roommates in a less than fabulous area of town.

We're not saying it can't be done. We're just saying it's not likely to be successful showing up with no prospects, and two months of expenses. With gas at four bucks a gallon, just driving around to job hunt will eat that up quick.

[lostintime83]

Wasn't ever upset. I know the economy is bad there...it's bad everywhere else too. There's this idea that anyone who says they're going there has this irreversibly unrealistic idea...I'm gonna show up and look cool, act confident and find a superstar agent in no time and be getting legit roles in movies.

I don't think anyone expects that - yet it's always spun that way in an effort to make that person look ridiculous.

It's fair to say, a lot of aspiring actors probably would be considered to fit a certain stereotype - but not everyone is going to be like this. There are all kinds of actors wanted across the board. If anything - it might actually be easier for the average fatboy with charisma and acting ability to get into a movie...he has a lot less competition for his roles. Some roles probably require open auditions - there's a reason they exist.

A lot of people here that post and ask about where to live on a budget...if they say they're going there and already have a job, it's fine - doesn't even matter if that job is McDonalds as you won't bother to ask. If they have any sorts of dreams...most of you "usual" posters will try and scare them away. Maybe you feel odd there are people out there pursuing the California dream while you've been there the majority of your lives working in some industry like textiles that would be considered even boring in Green Bay, WI.

Most people who are serious about going there understand it's going to be difficult. A normal expectation would be to go there, take acting classes, take headshots...find an agent that gets you auditions...and maybe land a small role..even a tiny role that allows you to do the right networking.

If Rudolph Valentino had never met Norman Kerry as an extra then he wouldn't have gone on to be one of the most famous actors of all time. Being at the right place at the right time has always been an important catalyst to success whether it was 80 years ago or today.

No one is expecting to land in LA and join SAG right away.

CHARLIESHEEN

[Vary]

Okay. You have a far healthier view of the industry than you appeared in your other post.

We're not trying to scare people away. Just encouraging them to better prepare themselves. There's nothing wrong with pursuing the dream (and I'm in entertainment, not textiles, so I get it ) but if a person comes here without a decent base to start from, they end up frustrated and exhausted trying to keep their heads above water financially while seeing that dream deferred by the somewhat brutal fiscal realities of life in California. Everything costs more here, not just housing.

Don't give up the dream. Just make sure you properly prepare yourself to come here so that you are truly free to go after it with all you've got. If the cost of living is cheaper where you are, set a goal for timeline and budget so that you can throw as much spare cash toward the California fund as you can. Give yourself the best possible chances of succeeding AND actually getting to enjoy life here, which is why we're all coming here in the first place, right?

[JohnG72]

Look, its very possible for a single person to move to LA on say $5K.

But sacrifices have to be made.

In my estimation, most posters are unwilling to make those sacrifices.

The following need to happen:

1.) Must have a car in good condition.
2.) Must be willing to live in a roomate situation at under $700/mo. There are no "safe" areas in LA metro with studios this cheap. No the Alexandria isn't safe, and all other cheap units require a process for income level approval(ie you gotta be poor and go through a multi month approval process).
3.) Must be willing to take any job. If that means Target at $8 an hour, or a midnight shift at JIB for $7.25, you take it. If it means you work two jobs, you do it. You get at minimum a part time job ASAP. You DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOUR MONEY RUNS OUT TO START LOOKING FOR A JOB.
4.) Keep expenses low. Don't party it up, don't do something dumb like signing up for acting classes or paying an agent(if you're compensating an agent, you suck at acting and should give up the notion because you are not good enough). Shop for fresh fruits and veggies at Jons, for prepackaged stuff at Fresh and Easy, and monitor specials at Ralphs and Vons.
5.) Keep your life healthy and grounded. Make friends, go to church or pursue a hobbie or social activity. If you have trouble dating, join match.com or something. You'll meet people.

Thus far, I have yet to encounter even one city data poster asking about moving to LA w/o a job who meets the above criteria.

[seain dublin]

5K is not enough money. It will gone in a few months even if you're careful.

I agree they should look and take any job, but more than 5K is needed in savings.

[Harrier]

Why are you trying to convince people NOT to start a business? And when did he/she ever say anything about striking it rich? Even if an entrepeneur doesn't make $100/day(not rich territory by any definition) it is true that a decent number of customers would frequent such a stand and provide some income. Yes - to be legal costs money - permits, zoning regs - but this is a cost of doing business - most small businesses start out small and spend the first few years just breaking even - paying back what was invested. Are you so disgruntled with LA that you want to discourage a future entrepeneur?

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

I wont' even bother getting into details except to say you have no idea what you're talking about (though, do you really think those snack shops all over LA are making it rich?

[Shinhiryuu]

Originally Posted by Harrier

Why are you trying to convince people NOT to start a business? And when did he/she ever say anything about striking it rich? Even if an entrepeneur doesn't make $100/day(not rich territory by any definition) it is true that a decent number of customers would frequent such a stand and provide some income. Yes - to be legal costs money - permits, zoning regs - but this is a cost of doing business - most small businesses start out small and spend the first few years just breaking even - paying back what was invested. Are you so disgruntled with LA that you want to discourage a future entrepeneur?

imma say he is