Should I move to NYC or LA? Returning to the US from years overseas, musician and writer. (Los Angeles: apartment)

[ladyharlem]

Ok I've asked the NYC thread. Now it's time to ask you good folks!


Obvious bias aside by asking this in the LA forum, I'd like the opinions of the locals.

I've been living overseas for half a decade. I have two BAs and have been working for my host country's government as an administrative assistant and writer in Sustainability. I'm also a musician and writer in my off hours. I'd be doing similar when I return to the US (day job and working to make it in my spare time).

FWIW I can't drive at the moment (making NYC a bit more palatable). :P

My big question: LA or NYC? I ask in terms of the local economy, unemployment rates, how trends in these industries are going, rent prices, etc.

[ninnty]

Wherever you can find work. Both have high unemployment rates and high rents.

I moved from NYC to LA about a year ago because if I'm going to pay an arm and a leg for rent, I might as well live in an area where I can go outside without bitching about the weather.

If you don't have a job lined up, I would go with NYC. Everything is so much closer. Depending on where you live, the entire city is 60-90 min commute max. If have to move into an apartment while still job hunting, it'll help not having your job hunting perimeter as limited.

But if you have a job offer, or any good leads, I'd 100% go with LA. It's nice not having a thousand people living on top of you. Of course, you also have to factor in the price of a car, gas, insurance when comparing prices (compared to the $114 or so for the monthly unlimited metro card in NY)

[Chicano3000X]

Originally Posted by ninnty

Wherever you can find work. Both have high unemployment rates and high rents.

I moved from NYC to LA about a year ago because if I'm going to pay an arm and a leg for rent, I might as well live in an area where I can go outside without bitching about the weather.

If you don't have a job lined up, I would go with NYC. Everything is so much closer. Depending on where you live, the entire city is 60-90 min commute max. If have to move into an apartment while still job hunting, it'll help not having your job hunting perimeter as limited.

But if you have a job offer, or any good leads, I'd 100% go with LA. It's nice not having a thousand people living on top of you. Of course, you also have to factor in the price of a car, gas, insurance when comparing prices (compared to the $114 or so for the monthly unlimited metro card in NY)

I'd take a thousand people living above me over gas parking problems and dealing with parking enforcement. not to say I'm going to NYC, but damn Downtown L.A./koreatown/hollywood/any area near a rail all look juicy. You NYCers have it made in that regard. But your city is also ****ing epic. As a photographer, it makes me look at my city and shake my head a bit..

[theraven24]

Originally Posted by Chicano3000X

I'd take a thousand people living above me over gas parking problems and dealing with parking enforcement. not to say I'm going to NYC, but damn Downtown L.A./koreatown/hollywood/any area near a rail all look juicy. You NYCers have it made in that regard. But your city is also ****ing epic. As a photographer, it makes me look at my city and shake my head a bit..

If you're so ashamed of Los Angeles, why haven't you left yet?

[Chicano3000X]

Originally Posted by theraven24

If you're so ashamed of Los Angeles, why haven't you left yet?

Not ashamed. Just telling it that it needs to step up it's game.

[theraven24]

Originally Posted by Chicano3000X

Not ashamed. Just telling it that it needs to step up it's game.

So shaking your head at your own city doesn't make you ashamed of it?

Los Angeles doesn't need to be like any other city. Its got its own history, its own style, and its own style/image. It's not NYC and it thankfully never will be, as much as you want it to be.

It doesn't seem like you know much about your own city. I suggest getting to know it or just move already.

[ladyharlem]

Originally Posted by 48555

If you can't drive, the answer is clear: NYC. Not driving in LA will give you a significantly lower quality of life.

If you can drive, LA by miles. But you can't, so..

It's 28 degrees and slushy in NYC right now..

But you can't drive, so...

...

lol I'd probably get a Vespa if I moved to LA. I hear taking it on the freeway is a bad idea but at least I'd be able to get around. Also, Uber.

[ladyharlem]

Originally Posted by ninnty

Wherever you can find work. Both have high unemployment rates and high rents.

I moved from NYC to LA about a year ago because if I'm going to pay an arm and a leg for rent, I might as well live in an area where I can go outside without bitching about the weather.

If you don't have a job lined up, I would go with NYC. Everything is so much closer. Depending on where you live, the entire city is 60-90 min commute max. If have to move into an apartment while still job hunting, it'll help not having your job hunting perimeter as limited.

But if you have a job offer, or any good leads, I'd 100% go with LA. It's nice not having a thousand people living on top of you. Of course, you also have to factor in the price of a car, gas, insurance when comparing prices (compared to the $114 or so for the monthly unlimited metro card in NY)

Thanks for the advice: the area accessible/job correlation didn't dawn on me. I may also apply for jobs in both cities to dip my toes in the water. the thing about NYC is you have to make 40x your monthly rent to get an apartment, so I'd be going off my savings and/or flatsharing at first.

And I don't mind having a 1000 people living on top of me

It looks like I'd pay a few hundred a year in insurance for a Vespa in LA, so not so bad.

[StreetLegal]

Originally Posted by ladyharlem

lol I'd probably get a Vespa if I moved to LA. I hear taking it on the freeway is a bad idea but at least I'd be able to get around. Also, Uber.

A Vespa on the Freeway? I am pretty sure that is not even legal since it's much slower than a motorcycle.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by ladyharlem

lol I'd probably get a Vespa if I moved to LA. I hear taking it on the freeway is a bad idea but at least I'd be able to get around. Also, Uber.

You can't take a Vespa on a the freeway.

Uber is going to add up after awhile.

As others have said you're really limiting yourself in LA with no car, it's not impossible but it will be difficult.