Help! Desperately need advice on emigrating to LA! (Los Angeles, Burbank: to rent, find a job)

[Karyn87]

Hey, I'm Karyn age 20 from Edinburgh in Scotland. For as long as I can remember I've longed to be involved in the music business. The music scene in CA is positivley thriving compared with whats going on in Edinburgh, let me assure you! I have my heart set on moving across to LA, for a while anyways, to see if I can make something of my dream there. I don't have any stupid misconceptions, I know its a pretty tough place but experience has taught me to be streetwise from a young age, which I hope would help a bit. But is it difficult to get work? I know I'm hardly going to walk into a job with Geffen but is it fairly easy to get a bar job? what about accomdation etc? and how expensive would it be? I'd ideally like to live in downtown LA, west hollywood sort of area. Any help or advice would really be appreciated. Thank you!

[fastfilm]

Well, you're not going to walk into a job with Geffen because that's now Universal and whomever owns it this week. The music companies here in the States have amalgamated into about four international giants as with Europe. The boutique labels exist as licensees only. One would be getting work in the boutique labels by personal recommendation only, 99% of the time.

As an overview of the local music scene (talent) I suggest the links Music Connection and http://www.laweekly.com. For music industry jobs, yes, you could try to check into Universal and the others for temp entree (Universal suspended its pool some years ago, and I don't know their policies now.) I actually suggest you try to pursue as much of this as you can on the phone instead of online, because a Scots or British accent is seen as an asset in offices in this industry.

You must have your working permits in order to work legally here. West Hollywood, parts of Hollywood and North Hollywood, Burbank and Studio City would be your best locales to rent and network. I don't think you want to live downtown: L.A.'s downtown is NOT the hub of the place, it's mainly office buildings, a few cultural spaces, and a lot of homeless. No grocery stores, for instance. Also, L.A. is incredibly spread out, with unreliable public transportation by the by. Do you drive? Can you afford a car here?

Others on this forum are more familiar with bar jobs than I am. Good luck.

[timelesschild]

This thread might be of interest to you, as you have some similarities in your situation.

[jamworks]

I think Fastfilm is wrong about downtown Los Angeles. For example, residents in the downtown's South Park neighborhood are ecstatic about a new Ralph's supermarket. Check out Los Angeles Downtown News and Information - LA Downtown News Online . But it does require lots of money, and an "urban pioneer" spirit, to live there.

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by Karyn87

Hey, I'm Karyn age 20 from Edinburgh in Scotland. For as long as I can remember I've longed to be involved in the music business. The music scene in CA is positivley thriving compared with whats going on in Edinburgh, let me assure you! I have my heart set on moving across to LA, for a while anyways, to see if I can make something of my dream there. I don't have any stupid misconceptions, I know its a pretty tough place but experience has taught me to be streetwise from a young age, which I hope would help a bit. But is it difficult to get work? I know I'm hardly going to walk into a job with Geffen but is it fairly easy to get a bar job? what about accomdation etc? and how expensive would it be? I'd ideally like to live in downtown LA, west hollywood sort of area. Any help or advice would really be appreciated. Thank you!

Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki

[hsquire]

PLEASE HELP, since i can remenber i have always wanted to live in LA and i am currently actively searching for work there i can not find anything could someone please point me in the right direction how to find a job that will sponsor me.

[Dark of the Moon]

Los Angeles area unemployment is currently at approximately 12%. Unless you have some extraordinary and unique skill that makes you exceptionally desireable as an employee, no one is going to sponsor you right now.

Sorry.

[jc76]

Not trying to shoot anyone down here, but the U.S. is in horrible shape right now as far as jobs, economy, and such. I'm a life-long U.S. resident and been un-employed since November. I have sent my resume to dozens of places out in California and have had zero luck. Not saying you won't succeed, but if your coming from Scotland you really should do a bit of research on the current state the U.S.A. is in.
Many U.S. residents are holding off their "dreams" until the economy strengthens, kinda staying put temporarily. Just my 2c on it. Good luck to you though, I hope it works for you.

[steven797]

here, not trying to be abit of a wanker or whatever, but yes the economy in usa is bad and getting a job is very hard unless you are exoptionally skilled saying that, the uk has a far worse reccesion/depression than the usa so by that logic it would be easier getting a job in usa but im not saying u will get a job, in every part of the world it is hard atm, all i am saying is the reccession has hit uk the most so take from that what u will

[nickdahammer]

I agree. Downtown is a very diverse area. I know people who live there and love it (check out past posts and my photo albums as backup). It is certainly a business and cultural hub. I'd argue that it is also now an entertainment hub. I just drove past LA Live @ 10pm tonight and the place was packed. And yes, the Ralphs rivals any supermarket you'd find anywhere else. I strongly encourage you to check these places out.

I rarely take the buses, preferring the subway and light rail which are extremely reliable.

Originally Posted by jamworks

I think Fastfilm is wrong about downtown Los Angeles. For example, residents in the downtown's South Park neighborhood are ecstatic about a new Ralph's supermarket. Check out Los Angeles Downtown News and Information - LA Downtown News Online . But it does require lots of money, and an "urban pioneer" spirit, to live there.