planning to move from London to LA (estate, apartments)

[lady netty]

Hello! Hello!

I planning on moving out to LA sometime next year,...well it really depends on where i get a job, but my main focus is in LA..anywayz, ive searched and searched on the web as to an indication of the cost of living, ie monthly utility bills (electric/gas/water etc), telephone bills, do you guys pay tv licence? if so how much a month?, internet bill, monthly grocery, car insurance, do you guys pay road tax and MOT? if so how much a month?

right next, ive search for apartments to rent compiled a list of agents (im making progress don't you think), rent max is $1500, apartment sizes are rougly between 600 sqft - 800sqft 1bedrooms. The areas are downtown/ culver city/ montebello/ and these postcodes 90019 90066 90016 or 90038? please advise on selected areas?

I think thats about it unless there's anything else to consider? oh yeah gettin around, I HATE DRIVING IN LONDON, ACTUALLY LETS REPHRASE THAT IM SCARED OF DRIVING IN LONDON!, how do i get around in LA? if I have to drive purchasing a car, wot are the options? and montly petrol?

PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!! p.s im a single mover

[straight outta camden]

That's quite a shopping list.

To get you started... Compared to London:

Electric and gas are about the same
Water is more
Telephone is slightly more
There is no TV license
Internet is about the same
Car insurance is slightly less (but of course your no-claims bonus won't transfer across the pond)
Road tax / registration is a little less
There is no equivalent to the council tax

Unless you pick an apartment very close to your work, or convenient for the bus / subway, you will need a car. Don't worry--driving is easy here. Not at all like London.

Skip downtown. Skip estate agents too. Unless you want to spend $4000 plus a month they won't give you the time of day. Use craigslist or westsiderentals instead--or just drive around a neighbourhood looking for signs.

[margoa78]

Originally Posted by lady netty

Hello! Hello!

I planning on moving out to LA sometime next year,...well it really depends on where i get a job, but my main focus is in LA..anywayz, ive searched and searched on the web as to an indication of the cost of living, ie monthly utility bills (electric/gas/water etc), telephone bills, do you guys pay tv licence? if so how much a month?, internet bill, monthly grocery, car insurance, do you guys pay road tax and MOT? if so how much a month?

right next, ive search for apartments to rent compiled a list of agents (im making progress don't you think), rent max is $1500, apartment sizes are rougly between 600 sqft - 800sqft 1bedrooms. The areas are downtown/ culver city/ montebello/ and these postcodes 90019 90066 90016 or 90038? please advise on selected areas?

I think thats about it unless there's anything else to consider? oh yeah gettin around, I HATE DRIVING IN LONDON, ACTUALLY LETS REPHRASE THAT IM SCARED OF DRIVING IN LONDON!, how do i get around in LA? if I have to drive purchasing a car, wot are the options? and montly petrol?

PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!! p.s im a single mover

Well before you just move here you need to be a legal immigrant to get a descent job, which is a another forum. I originate from England but I was sponsored by family who live here. I think you need to check that out first.