Moving to Los Angeles (not the usual situation)

[LJD90]

Having family that can give you a place to stay will definitely be a big help. Now, two months isn't a long time. It's more than enough time to find a decent place to live, but finding a job may be more problematic. A GED or HS diploma doesn't mean much and I doubt that would help you get a job. Nearly everyone applying for entry level jobs is gonna have their diploma or GED. Competition for every job is tough in LA and the best way to get a job would be having a connection. With or without connections though, you'll have to make finding a job your full time job. Part of finding a job is definitely luck, but to some extent you create your own luck. If you spend a good chunk of your day browsing job ads, sending in quality applications, and following up with previous applications, you'll have a good chance of finding something that can at least help you survive.

Another thing to consider since you plan on going to school out here is out of state tuition. You may want to wait a year to establish residency before going to college. In the mean time you could look for film classes to take outside of college.

Definitely come out here and give it a shot though. I grew up in a small town too and I'm so glad I made the move. Don't spend 4 years going to school in a town you don't really like. Do what you want to do now. Also I wouldn't worry about driving around by yourself in a Honda, especially in NoHo. There are some ghetto areas in the Valley but for the most part it's not as bad as people think.

[Filmster]

Great post, thanks. I'm not too worry driving in a Honda in the valley. Mostly concern on the weekends when I'll be visiting my cousins in the South Gate / Lynwood area. I just heard Honda accord's are in the top 5 most carjacked vehicle(?) that's why I asked

[SOGLAD]

Pardon me.. I had a rather long reply for you but much of it was off your topic. I promise to be more careful in my future replies and posts.

[dethwulf_Zero]

I generally agree with what others have said here - part of the solution really is just kind of moving here. Wait a year before going to school, and spend that time looking hard for a job. I'm in a similar situation, somewhat - I grew up in LA, but wanted to go to school for Game Art/Design, for a reasonable price. So I found myself applying and being accepted to a school here in Denver, CO.

You're definitely off to a good start having two months to stay, perhaps even rent free, and a car and whatnot, as well as money saved up - I tried to plan as much as I could, but in the end, all I really could do was just sort of make the plunge. So I moved out here, before I was 18, no job, very little money, and didn't even have a place to live until the night before I arrived, haha. I had (and still have) financial support for my parents, but looking for a job seems to be something I'm not good at I have Work Study at school, which kind of holds me over for now, but it's not ideal. Though I must say, despite brief stints with homelessness (being homeless in the snow sucks!) and other forms of...not-fun-ness, it's been an overall blast I suppose I don't need to say this, but still, when applying for jobs, don't hesitate one second in bugging them - the more you get in their face, the better

As for where you'll be moving, you don't have much to worry about in the Valley, or even down in South Gate/Lynwood. I've been down in those areas a few times here and there, and from what I recall, nothing was really too bad. I wish ya luck, dude :P And hope you get everythin' sorted out.