Relocation packages (apartments, lease, hotel)

[Tiger Fan]

Has anyone moved from another part of the country to LA and got a relocation package? What are typical. It seems it will require a substantial package to be able to afford the huge home price differential between LA and the rest of the country.

Any advice as to what is a typical package and how they negotiated it would be appreciated.

[mgs333]

relocation is meant to cover moving expenses and the cost of finding housing, not to cover differences in cost of housing.

[Tiger Fan]

Then how can anyone from another part of the country move to LA? A 3000 sq ft house in gthe best community in Metro Detroit cost less than an 800 sq ft house in the hood in LA. Soemthings got to give. If you havent enjoyed the run up in equity by lilving in LA you simply cant afford housing and therefore employers in LA can only hire from within. Seems a bit limiting.

[mgs333]

that's the unfortunate thing. however, detroit and LA are probably at the 2 extremes in terms of housing costs but usually jobs in LA should pay more than similar jobs in detroit (or any other lower cost of living city) so in theory the higher salary should make up some of the difference in housing costs but it doesn't really ever seem to. i would look to rent first while you get the lay of the land and check out diff areas.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Tiger Fan

Then how can anyone from another part of the country move to LA? A 3000 sq ft house in gthe best community in Metro Detroit cost less than an 800 sq ft house in the hood in LA. Soemthings got to give. If you havent enjoyed the run up in equity by lilving in LA you simply cant afford housing and therefore employers in LA can only hire from within. Seems a bit limiting.

it's the most populous state in the union. furthermore, there are lots of people willing to move here even when they can't afford it in the hope that they'll make it doing whatever it is they do, because it usually pays more to do it here. it isn't limiting at all. employers who can't find the workforce they need in CA generally can't find it any place in the country, and have to hire and bring in foreigners.

[TheRealAngelion]

Originally Posted by Tiger Fan

Has anyone moved from another part of the country to LA and got a relocation package? What are typical. It seems it will require a substantial package to be able to afford the huge home price differential between LA and the rest of the country.

Any advice as to what is a typical package and how they negotiated it would be appreciated.

It can depend on your company and how deep its pockets are, your line of work, your position, and compensation level. Over the course of my career, I've had relocation packages as low as $5000 to as high as $20K plus.

Basically, you need money to relocate. That mostly means money to look for housing (airfare, hotel, car, meals, fees, etc.), money for down payment on an apartment, short term corporate housing (if necessary), money for the moving company, money to physically move yourself and your family (e.g. airfare).

I am relocating back to LA myself, and was looking at apartments over the weekend. One place I looked at wants 1st, last, and security that amounts to three months rent. The rent was about $3150, so you are looking at nearly $10K just to sign the lease for some places.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by TheRealAngelion

I am relocating back to LA myself, and was looking at apartments over the weekend. One place I looked at wants 1st, last, and security that amounts to three months rent. The rent was about $3150, so you are looking at nearly $10K just to sign the lease for some places.

I always understood that it was illegal in CA to ask for 1st, last and deposit.
But the way the law works now is they would just tell you not to rent from them if you do not like it.

[TheRealAngelion]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

I always understood that it was illegal in CA to ask for 1st, last and deposit.
But the way the law works now is they would just tell you not to rent from them if you do not like it.

Really? I'll have to look that one up or if you have a link, please provide it. I can use that as my trump card in my negotiations.

[JackSparrow]

Originally Posted by Tiger Fan

Any advice as to what is a typical package and how they negotiated it would be appreciated.

My last one was up to $3000 in expenses covered, receipts required. No negotiation.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by TheRealAngelion

Really? I'll have to look that one up or if you have a link, please provide it. I can use that as my trump card in my negotiations.

I do not have a link for that, it may be a county code as well. There are southern CA laws that are not used in the north.

The downside is I understand there is no limit on a security deposit, so it would be in your favor if it was worded as a last.