I am moving to LA in Oct. NEED ADVICE!!! (Los Angeles: to rent, hotel)

[Sorcerer68]

900-1100 will get you a decent 1 bedroom in the Long Beach East Arts District. You'll be close to the water.

[ndfmnlf]

The other question you should ask yourself is how sustainable is your income source that you'll be able to pay 1K monthly rent for more than a couple of months? Can you survive living in LA without a job for a year? That's my rule of thumb for relocation. I would estimate my living expenses for 1 year and then make sure I have enough money equivalent to that amount, whatever it is.

[FarewellLA]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

The other question you should ask yourself is how sustainable is your income source that you'll be able to pay 1K monthly rent for more than a couple of months? Can you survive living in LA without a job for a year? That's my rule of thumb for relocation. I would estimate my living expenses for 1 year and then make sure I have enough money equivalent to that amount, whatever it is.

While this may be a nice rule of thumb, most young people relocating don't have that kind of $$ saved where they can survive w/o income for an entire year. If they had that type of $$, I doubt they would be looking for guidance on this website. That said, I do believe 3-6 months of savings is essential. If nothing else, always have enough money tucked away to purchase tickets home in the event you need to leave. Relocating is always going to be more expensive and more daunting than you plan for. Know that going in so you won't be surprised.

[ndfmnlf]

While this may be a nice rule of thumb, most young people relocating don't have that kind of $$ saved where they can survive w/o income for an entire year

Then perhaps relocation is not an option. I would make an exception to this rule if the person relocating expects to be in a job that pays well that he/she can quickly save up money within a few months of living in LA.

[FarewellLA]

I disagree.

I moved to LA at 18 w/o any $$, w/o a job, w/o a car. BUT I lived with a relative for a while until I could save up enough money for my own studio apartment. I survived w/o a car for 2 or 3 years before I could afford one (and the insurance). But I was young and I didn't care about what I didn't have. Fast forward years later (a LOT of years later), and looking back I think I did OK. Actually, I've done more than just OK. Now, of course, I'm looking to relocate but not b/c I struggled in the beginning, but b/c I simply don't enjoy living in LA anymore for a variety of reasons.

If there's a time in your life to these kind of risks, it's definitely when you are younger. I would never advise anyone to take foolish risks of course, but taking risks is just part of life. But just be willing to take responsibility for the consequences of your choices.

[ndfmnlf]

I disagree.

I moved to LA at 18 w/o any $$, w/o a job, w/o a car. BUT I lived with a relative for a while until I could save up enough money for my own studio apartment. I survived w/o a car for 2 or 3 years before I could afford one (and the insurance). But I was young and I didn't care about what I didn't have. Fast forward years later (a LOT of years later), and looking back I think I did OK. Actually, I've done more than just OK. Now, of course, I'm looking to relocate but not b/c I struggled in the beginning, but b/c I simply don't enjoy living in LA anymore for a variety of reasons.

If there's a time in your life to these kind of risks, it's definitely when you are younger. I would never advise anyone to take foolish risks of course, but taking risks is just part of life. But just be willing to take responsibility for the consequences of your choices.

You're free to disagree of course, but you also have to read the original post. The OP said he is a musician, his girlfriend is a student who is going to work in retail, and they have a 1.5 year old child. Given that information and nothing else (since the OP provided no other details about his financial situation), I'd have to conclude that moving to LA will be a bad idea. It would be irresponsible for anyone to conclude otherwise. How much money does a newly-arrived musician make in LA? How about a student who works part time in retail? Are these the kinds of jobs that will provide a reliable income stream to a young family, espcially since they have a 1.5 year old child to support?

You cite yourself as the example of how it can be done. That's well and good, but your situation was different from that of the OP's. You were single, you didn't have a child, and you did live with a relative. I don't think you can extrapolate your experience to the OP.

I believe in taking risks, but they have to be calculated and necessary risks. The pay-off should be large enough to compensate for the risk you took, and the probability of success should be reasonable.

[nanasfj40]

I would suggest you do not move to California! This is a bad place to raise kids. Go to a "red state" with traditional values and one as far north of the Mexican border as you can! And yyou want to be near the ocean? That isn't going to happen for the money you are willing to pay per month. Also, the first hot week-end, do you know what the beaches are like in LA? They're crawling with wall-to-wall illgeal aliens!

[FarewellLA]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

You're free to disagree of course, but you also have to read the original post. The OP said he is a musician, his girlfriend is a student who is going to work in retail, and they have a 1.5 year old child. Given that information and nothing else (since the OP provided no other details about his financial situation), I'd have to conclude that moving to LA will be a bad idea. It would be irresponsible for anyone to conclude otherwise. How much money does a newly-arrived musician make in LA? How about a student who works part time in retail? Are these the kinds of jobs that will provide a reliable income stream to a young family, espcially since they have a 1.5 year old child to support?

You cite yourself as the example of how it can be done. That's well and good, but your situation was different from that of the OP's. You were single, you didn't have a child, and you did live with a relative. I don't think you can extrapolate your experience to the OP.

I believe in taking risks, but they have to be calculated and necessary risks. The pay-off should be large enough to compensate for the risk you took, and the probability of success should be reasonable.

No doubt their circumstances are much different than mine were which is why I emphasized I lived with a relative, and even then it wasn't easy. Also I don't disagree at all with your general caution, my only disagreement was how you indicated a year's savings before they should consider relocating. I just thought this was a bit unrealistic for a young couple.

[HotFudge]

Originally Posted by ndfmnlf

You're free to disagree of course, but you also have to read the original post. The OP said he is a musician, his girlfriend is a student who is going to work in retail, and they have a 1.5 year old child. Given that information and nothing else (since the OP provided no other details about his financial situation), I'd have to conclude that moving to LA will be a bad idea. It would be irresponsible for anyone to conclude otherwise. How much money does a newly-arrived musician make in LA? How about a student who works part time in retail? Are these the kinds of jobs that will provide a reliable income stream to a young family, espcially since they have a 1.5 year old child to support?

You cite yourself as the example of how it can be done. That's well and good, but your situation was different from that of the OP's. You were single, you didn't have a child, and you did live with a relative. I don't think you can extrapolate your experience to the OP.

I believe in taking risks, but they have to be calculated and necessary risks. The pay-off should be large enough to compensate for the risk you took, and the probability of success should be reasonable.

I'll have to agree with everything posted here. I'm single with no kids and just moved to L.A. I saved some money, but I have been here almost one month and still have no job. I even have a college degree, but that doesn't seem to help. The OP needs to make sure he and his family have money saved before moving. It'd be too risky to move with nothing, especially having a young child.

I welcome the OP to move, but when ready to do so. Good luck!

[LaEscritora]

I agree wholeheartedly with Sandy's comment about making sure you have money saved up for living expenses. My boyfriend and I moved here seven months ago and it was rough going for awhile and he had a job almost immediatley. We had quite a bit of money saved up, but you really do blow through that quickly. I temped for several months before finding something full time. The economy isn't great and the entertainment industry is unpredictable at best. It can be done, surely, but as others have said you really must think of your child in a situation like this.