How much should you save before moving to Los Angeles? (extended stay, find a job)

[Streetsmart286]

Hi. I've been contemplating moving to Los Angeles for quite a while. I'm 25, single with no kids, and currently live in the northeast. I've been to LA 3 times and absolutely fell in love with it. I did inherit about 90K from a relative, so I think that's enough money to get started. I ideally would like to line up a job before moving, but I don't think that will happen living across the country. I'd most likely need to already be in LA to find something. I don't know anybody I can crash with while looking for a place to live and a job as well.


I do know there are many ways to make money in LA; such as ride-sharing, background acting, and many others. I've also been interested in pursuing photography. Any ideas on what I should do first if I decide to make this move? I was thinking about doing an Airbnb or extended stay place while I look for more permanent housing.

[Justin Scott]

Keep that money and build on it. Find a job, open a membership at a gym, get a P.O. Box, put your stuff in a storage unit and park your vehicle somewhere near a train or bus station. You’ll be very busy here, so unless you just want to initially blow through money, live in your vehicle for the first 3-6 months.

[Commonproject]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

Keep that money and build on it. Find a job, open a membership at a gym, get a P.O. Box, put your stuff in a storage unit and park your vehicle somewhere near a train or bus station. You’ll be very busy here, so unless you just want to initially blow through money, live in your vehicle for the first 3-6 months.

I honestly can't tell if people are trolling on this forum anymore. The guy has $90K plus his own savings and you're telling him to live in a car for 3-6 months?

[saibot]

I think it would be very foolish to spend an inheritance on moving out to LA without a well-paying job lined up. If there was a guarantee or even a reasonably good chance of getting a steady, well-paying job within a month or so, then sure. But the OP doesn't seem to have specific skills or job experience. Make it in LA by driving for Uber and an occasional gig as a background actor? Nuh-uh. Don't blow your money this way.

[payutenyodagimas]

Originally Posted by saibot

Make it in LA by driving for Uber and an occasional gig as a background actor? Nuh-uh. Don't blow your money this way.

some celebrities started from nothing. just determination

[Mr_Geek]

$90k is about $95k more than most who move here.

[saibot]

Originally Posted by payutenyodagimas

some celebrities started from nothing. just determination

Sure, one in...let's be generous...a thousand wanna-bes. I'm not sensing that kind of determination in the OP, though, or any kind of goal or ambition other than living in Los Angeles.

[PK12]

Is $40K cash enough, assuming one has 10 years of experience in IT PM and consulting?



The biggest challenge I am facing in finding a job is not having a local LA address

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by PK12

Is $40K cash enough, assuming one has 10 years of experience in IT PM and consulting?



The biggest challenge I am facing in finding a job is not having a local LA address

Isn't Mail Boxes, Etc. giving local addresses for their clients any more?
If there is going to be anything untrue on your resume, that should be your address. Even if they discovered that after hiring you, they couldn't/wouldn't fire you.

Once you have 1-2 interviews lined up, you can fly in and stay X many days then make the move once you get the job.

To me, that is nothing more than a white lie.