So, I Moved to LA (any tips?) (apartments, rent)

[dereistic01]

so, i finally made the move to la.

woke up friday at 6:30am (hou time), got on the road at 8:30am, drove through the night, arrived in la saturday at 8:30am (la time).

so now it's 7:30pm (la) time, 9:30pm (hou time) and i haven't slept at all, well, i dozed off around midnight, but never actually fell asleep. oh, yeah, my dad was driving, i didnt doze off while driving.

spent the day mostly driving around, checked out 2 apartments, one wasnt too good, too expensive, small and smelled weird. the other was great, big (for a studio), cheaper, great location (1.5 miles from my school). i just have to wait and see if i get it on monday, since, according to the manager, the credit checker people are closed on sunday.

i really hope i get it, my dad is so worried that we wont be able to get an apartment before he leaves (sunday). next i have to get a car, ca license, insurance, etc.

i was just wondering if any natives have any tips for a new comer, so i don't make myself look completely stupid.

[Charles]

How about some more information?

Age?
Work or school?
What line of work (field of study)?
Where are you going to work (attend school)?
Rent budget?
What did you move to LA?

[dereistic01]

ah, i wasnt thinking, being awake that long makes you forget a lot of stuff.

Age? 21
Work or school? school in march, no time for a job
What line of work (field of study)? film (not acting)
Where are you going to work (attend school)? new york film academy at universal studios
Rent budget? no more than $950, but i'd like to do $850 (and i want to be in a safe neighborhood, im currently looking at burbank, studio city and toluca lake, found a few in my budget)
What did you move to LA? 27" tv, about 900 cds, 150-200 dvds, computer, kitchen stuff, twin bed, a few cd/dvd shelves, a computer desk, a few small entertainment stand, nothing that im attached to, i can always get rid of stuff i dont have room for.

[aj2007]

Originally Posted by dereistic01

ah, i wasnt thinking, being awake that long makes you forget a lot of stuff.

Age? 21
Work or school? school in march, no time for a job
What line of work (field of study)? film (not acting)
Where are you going to work (attend school)? new york film academy at universal studios
Rent budget? no more than $950, but i'd like to do $850 (and i want to be in a safe neighborhood, im currently looking at burbank, studio city and toluca lake, found a few in my budget)
What did you move to LA? 27" tv, about 900 cds, 150-200 dvds, computer, kitchen stuff, twin bed, a few cd/dvd shelves, a computer desk, a few small entertainment stand, nothing that im attached to, i can always get rid of stuff i dont have room for.

So your dad is paying for you to live in LA? That's pretty nice of him. I wouldn't be able to do that because my parents actually make me pay for anything I want, I never just get it handed to me. In any extent good luck with everything. Make sure to drive through what ever apartment you may get at night to make sure everything is okay. Apartments can be so different at night and day.

[dereistic01]

my dad isnt paying, i got a student loan, my dad is just putting some of this info on the applications for me, since i have no credit.

[ferretkona]

The Rent budget might go further if you rented a room, look in Craigs list.
A lot of landlords do not check credit.

[aj2007]

Originally Posted by dereistic01

my dad isnt paying, i got a student loan, my dad is just putting some of this info on the applications for me, since i have no credit.

Isn't a student loan for school? lol

[ChocolateTae]

Originally Posted by aj2007

Isn't a student loan for school? lol

Some of them are and some loans the student can use for whatever s/he wants (tuition, books, a new car, clothing, housing, etc.).

To the OP, I don't have any tips for you as I'll be moving to SoCal myself in two weeks. Post any questions you have though, theres a very helpful group of people here. Goodluck with your move.

[Jakehorror]

If it were just me I would just rent a room. You would save alot of money that way. Maybe try to live very modest and utilize every cent. That disipline will teach you alot about the value of a dollar (not to sound like an old dude). Despite what some people may say, you can get by with very little and still be very happy. As long as you don't relish in material goods you will get by fine. Good luck!

[dereistic01]

well, i already have everything i really want, video games, cds, dvds etc., so i seriously doubt ill be buying much (but with amoeba music 5 miles away it will be a little hard.

and i can live with very little, i dont eat much, and i save whatever i eat, so if i make spaghetti or something, that can feed me for 3 days.