Excited to move to Los Angeles (San Diego, Long Beach: 2009, university, living)

[motoman]

There are also plenty of actors/actresses making a very good living, but are unknown and will never be known by the general public. Someone has to be in plays, commercials, do voice-overs, etc. There's a lot more to the movie/entertainment biz than mega-million dollar blockbusters. And you don't have to make $50 million a year to consider yourself successful.

[justmyopinion]

Alright already - so you don't agree with me. Fine. Just wanted to give you something to consider, and insure you recognize the problems you could encounter in this move. Obviously, you already do. I didn't realize you only wanted responses to agree with you. I know now that an alternate opinion is not what anyone here is seeking. My apoligies, and good luck.......

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by CourtneyW

Hello everyone! I'm planning on moving to LA May 31st. I'll be graduating from high school May 19th so I'll give my mom a week to mourn before her "baby boy" moves all the way across the country lol. I've moving from Tuscaloosa, Alabama! Anyways...I've wanted to move to LA for sooo long! I went there this past summer with one of my friends and her mom for about a week and I absolutely LOVED IT..it was everything I expected it to be and more! Anyways I just wanted to know how much do you all think I should have saved up by the time I move out there? I really don't know how much I can afford on rent so I was just estimating that once I get a job and all that I could probably afford between 700-900 a month? Is that an accurate estimate. I was planning on being a pharmacy tech while I'm out there because I am one here now and i get paid $9.50...but I'm not sure if California requires some kind of certification to be one out there..here you don't have to be.

Anyways...I'm also looking into neighborhoods and I've researched this and concluded that I want to live either in West LA or North LA (close to Glendale or in the "valley" lol). I'm also not sure if I want a roommate or not. Some people say I should get one and some say I shouldn't..help me out here. I'm either gonna get a 1 bedroom apartment or loft if i choose to live alone. I've also called around to some apartments in Los Angeles and I've noticed that a lot of the people who answer the phone aren't very fluent in English...this one lady at Town Square Apartments..i believe..couldn't understand I word I was saying..like AT ALL! Not that it's that important I just found it interesting..I can speak Spanish ok but not very fluently. Anywho if you guys can help me out I would really appreciate it! I plan on staying there at least a year or two to see if i can qualify for in-state tuition to go to college if anyone was wondering that.
~Courtney

Welcome to LA!

You are not going to find a "cheap" apartment for $700-$900 a month in the cities you mentioned. (Glendale-West LA). It is more like $1,200-$1,500 a month for a one bedroom. You will need to get 3 other roommates. If, the landord would allow it. The other option is to go to the poorer barrios of LA on the Southside. (900+) for a one bedroom. (Compton, South Gate, Lynwood, Bell). Just because the area is less desirable, doesn't mean the rent will be all that cheaper. It is still LA County. The cost of living is very high here compared to the deep South where you hail from.

Yes, you do need to be certified or licensed to be a Pharmacy Technician in California. Usually through college courses at a community college or 4 year university. Depending on the level. Possibly an exam. I am sure there is an application process for certification.

I would trade places with you in a hearbeat, and move to Alabama if I had the $ and opportunity. Most people want to be somewhere different from where they are from. I understand and don't mean to discourage you.

Best Wishes!

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

That's a good idea. Apply to colleges such as UCLA, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Northridge, Cal Poly Pomona, LMU, and USC. If you don't want a 4 year, try Santa Monica College, West LA College, and El Camino Community College. That way, you will have an education in case your acting career doesn't work out. Maybe stick with Cal State Long Beach since it is an easier college and will give you more time to do acting.

I don't meant to correct you. But why do you say CSULB is an easier college? Easier than what? CSULB is part of the CSU system here in CA with 25 campuses (I think). CSULB, CSULA, CSUF, CSUDH, Cal Poly Pomona, SD State, San Jose State, etc., They are at the same level. Although, some campuses may offer more or fewer programs or have certain specializations. Depending on the location and population. Even Community Colleges with much lower tuitions, are not necessarily "easier". For example English 101 at Santa Monica College uses the same textbook and syllabus as USC. The difference is the tuition, being USC is a private university and Santa Monica College is a state-funded community college. Another difference is community colleges only extend to AA Degrees. Universities extend to BA's, MA's and Ph. D's. He can always transfer if needed to further your education. He would be wise to attend the UC, CSU or community college that is closest to where he lives.

Peace Out!

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by Texasturkey

I don't meant to correct you. But why do you say CSULB is an easier college? Easier than what? CSULB is part of the CSU system here in CA with 25 campuses (I think). CSULB, CSULA, CSUF, CSUDH, Cal Poly Pomona, SD State, San Jose State, etc., They are at the same level. Although, some campuses may offer more or fewer programs or have certain specializations. Depending on the location and population. Even Community Colleges with much lower tuitions, are not necessarily "easier". For example English 101 at Santa Monica College uses the same textbook and syllabus as USC. The difference is the tuition, being USC is a private university and Santa Monica College is a state-funded community college. Another difference is community colleges only extend to AA Degrees. Universities extend to BA's, MA's and Ph. D's. He can always transfer if needed to further your education. He would be wise to attend the UC, CSU or community college that is closest to where he lives.

Peace Out!

First of all, this thread is over half a year old.

Second, I meant it's easier in terms of getting accepted.

[Shananagans]

I think my professor said it best...your young, there isnt much in life you can **** up that you cant recover from.

go for it,you can always go back home.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

First of all, this thread is over half a year old.

Second, I meant it's easier in terms of getting accepted.

I don't care how old the thread is. Other people will read it too.
All of the CSU's have similar admissions policies depending on SAT scores, department requirements and
High School GPA's.

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by Texasturkey

I don't care how old the thread is. Other people will read it too.
All of the CSU's have similar admissions policies depending on SAT scores, department requirements and
High School GPA's.

I know they have the same policies but do you really think CSU Bakersfield or some crappy one in the middle of nowhere in NorCal is gonna be as difficult to get into as SDSU, Cal Poly SLO, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Long Beach, or CSU Northridge? That's like saying that UCLA and Cal are as easy as UCR or UC Merced to get accepted! LOL!!!!!!

[mrxalleycat]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

I know they have the same policies but do you really think CSU Bakersfield or some crappy one in the middle of nowhere in NorCal is gonna be as difficult to get into as SDSU, Cal Poly SLO, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Long Beach, or CSU Northridge? That's like saying that UCLA and Cal are as easy as UCR or UC Merced to get accepted! LOL!!!!!!

I agree. Admissions look for "above-average" stats for admittence to a certain impacted school. The more popular colleges are harder to get into. You can apply if you fullfill minimum eligible requirements BUT you do need above average stats to get in.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by CourtneyW

THANK YOU!!! That is exactly how I feel!! I hate the feeling of regret! Or the constant thinking "What if?" I just can't go through life wondering how life would've been if I had just gave my dreams a shot or regretting the fact that I never did. There is nothing else I can see myself doing in life..if I don't make it as an actor I'd probably die on the street because nothing else inspires my SOUL the way acting does and that's just the bottom line!

Your head is so high in the clouds. Get an airline flight out here and stay in a motel downtown or one of those cites in West LA. That will take the starts out of your eyes. People in LA want to move out for greener pastures, scenery and wildlife. What you had in Alabama.

Once you get here, you can get a entry level job in retail or food service evenings. You are going to need 2 jobs. You can go an auditions during the day and your time off. Whenever that is. You need to get an agent and pay a photographer for headshots. Then, you need to get a professional portfolio. You will audition with hundreds of other hopefuls for commercials and bit parts on TV and movies. You can wait all day long for them to call your name for work as an extra. You will do the shoot and a stage hand will give everyone a $50 bill. I don't think you will get any further than that in the entertainment business. The majority of young teeangers like yourself get into porn, drugs and prostitution to pay their rent and bills in between commercials and extra work. More than half of you will go back home. The other half will end up homeless or dead. The LAPD will call your parents or other living relatives. They will fly out here to LA and identify your body in the morgue. Then they will make plans to fly your body back and have your funeral. I know I have never seen or met you. But that is the reality of starstruck young hopefuls from the midwest and south who come here because they are "California Dreamin''. You need to get an education first. Go to college and get situated financially before you think of becoming another Brad Pitt or Hillary Swank. Most of the successful ones were more lucky than talented.