Excited to move to Los Angeles (Norwalk, Burbank: neighborhood, schools, earthquake)

[Pit Bull Dawg]

It's nice to hear someone going after their dreams.

Give it your best shot. If it doesn't work out, you can always move somewhere else.

I was born and raised in L.A. (Don't live there now, though)
Had many friends that were Movie Extras and they liked it a lot.

I would repeat the other posters great advice about money, though.

Housing is unbelievably expensive there. If you get a roommate, life will be much easier for you - both financially, and your ability to meet people will be increased, too.

Also, expect your car insurance to go up in price quite a bit.

Wow, I wish I was you - starting out again at a young age wanting to follow my dreams. How exciting this must be for you.

Whether you choose to stay there or not, you will be having a great adventure.

[Jakehorror]

Originally Posted by matt345

I've spent my entire life in one of those medium sized cities, in between LA and a small town. I don't like it and it's not necessarily because of the size of the place. If size was all that mattered to me, I would be moving to NYC. But I don't want to live in New York anymore than I want to live in a small town. I love Los Angeles, and it's not just because it's big. And it's definitely not because of the entertainment industry. If there was one thing I could do without in LA, it's all the damn celebrities running around!

Werd!

I have been to many big cities and NY was one of them. They all have their own appeal. Personally I did not care for NY. It was cool to visit, but I was ready to come home to my boring midwest town. L.A. on the other hand, I never want to leave. When I come home I am depressed.
I'm not downing all small towns or anything, I just know that of all the places I have been Los Angeles is where I felt most at home.

[motoman]

Originally Posted by Ankhharu

I too hope to be in LA by the end of 08. I like LA and I love urban life. I grew up in a small town in Mississippi and left at age 17, haven't looked back. In fact, can barely stand to visit because I get bored in the country. I'm also an actor and I have family in the OC, so moving to LA has triple appeal to me. Yet I still get people here in Dallas confused as to why I want to move there. If the entertainment industry wasn't there, i'd still move there. It's just the icing on the cake that I can pursue my life long ambitions while i'm there.

I was born and raised in Dallas. I moved to LA about three years ago. It is considerably more expensive in LA. And traffic sucks the big one pretty much all day long. But I love LA and I hate going back to Dallas to visit family because Dallas just doesn't appeal to me anymore. It's too sterile. Too slow. There is so much to do and see in LA and the areas around it that even after three years I feel I just moved here. I haven't even scratched the surface.

If my family said move back to Dallas to be close to us or we'll disown you, I'd say, "Thanks for everything, have a good life."

[CourtneyW]

Originally Posted by motoman

If my family said move back to Dallas to be close to us or we'll disown you, I'd say, "Thanks for everything, have a good life."

HAHAHA!! That's hilarious!! That's how i feel at the moment..my mom is bound and determined to keep me from moving but I'm telling you...May 27th I'm OUTTA HERE!! I'm actually gonna be out there in early January to help my friend Veronica and her mom move..i think we'll be in Norwalk. But I'm gonna try and visit all the places I can before I have to come back for school!! gosh I can't wait. lol you know what is so sad...I've started doing the "California roll" now. Someone told me that in California, you don't stop or even yield at a yield or stop sign...you hit the "California roll" (No Cop No Stop!!) hahahaha!

[CourtneyW]

Ok so i've narrowed down my choices onces more. I talked to my friend Raka, who i grew up with until she moved to Redondo Beach 2 years ago..she will be going to Berkeley in January so she wont be there when I get there but anyways. She gave me the scoop on all the LA neighborhoods that she thinks i would like...she knows me pretty well so I trust her. So yea now my choices are Burbank, Studio City, Sherman Oaks and West Hollywood..BUT I already know west Hollywood is too expensive so thats out of the question. What do you all think about Burbank, Studio City and Sherman Oaks?

[jessemh431]

My favorite of those is Studio City. But those three cities are in the San Fernando Valley which isn't too great. If you want to live in a nice area, stay south of Ventura Blvd. To be in an okay neighborhood, stay south of the 101 freeway. I still wouldn't particularly want to be north of ventura blvd, but if you can't afford it, make sure it's at least south of the 101.

[matt345]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

My favorite of those is Studio City. But those three cities are in the San Fernando Valley which isn't too great. If you want to live in a nice area, stay south of Ventura Blvd. To be in an okay neighborhood, stay south of the 101 freeway. I still wouldn't particularly want to be north of ventura blvd, but if you can't afford it, make sure it's at least south of the 101.

That rule really wouldn't apply to Burbank, since the entire city is basically northeast of both the 101 and Ventura Blvd. Most of Burbank would be a great place to live, but a little expensive I think. The downtown area has really come alive in recent years. A lot of restaurants and other businesses along San Fernando Road.

[jessemh431]

Oh yeah. Well in Burbank, I'm not too sure, but aren't the best areas to the south and southeast?

[TheStarLiesWest]

Oh how I longed for Hollywood. I'm putting up a safety net and living in OC. I'm pretty confident in that choice.

[jessemh431]

Star, trust me, for what you're looking for, Hollywood is like the last place to look. LOL.