What Can I Expect If I Move To LA (Los Angeles: rent, car registration)

[SiddharthaGautama]

I am considering a move to Los Angeles and would like some advice from people who have actually lived there or do currently live there. I've visited briefly before but its not the same as living there. I want to know in general what to expect before I move. The main thing that attracts me to LA is the number of available jobs and the outdoor opportunities it has to offer. I'm out of college and have the money saved up to move and am thinking this might be the place to start a career. For the people that moved to LA, what is some advice you wish someone who have given you before you moved? Do you still live there, if not do you want to move back? Whats a good area for someone like myself to live in? Whats a good way to go about looking for jobs, or is this something that can only be done once in LA? Is this place over hyped or is it really worth living there?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by SiddharthaGautama

...what is some advice you wish someone who have given you before you moved? Do you still live there, if not do you want to move back? Whats a good area for someone like myself to live in? Whats a good way to go about looking for jobs, or is this something that can only be done once in LA? Is this place over hyped or is it really worth living there?

First piece of advice is tell us a lot more about yourself, your situation, and your requirements.

What did you major in?
Age?
Married? Kids?
Do you have a job? Where is it?
Rent or buy? Budget or price range?

[SiddharthaGautama]

B.A. Communiaction Arts
Major: Film
Minor: Internet Technologies

26

Not married, no kids

No Job

Rent - Something cheap until I can get on my feet and find a job. I'll have 5,000 to get started.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by SiddharthaGautama

B.A. Communiaction Arts
Major: Film
No Job

Rent

No job. Rent.

Budget?

[ExPit]

Commuting can be difficult, so if you don't have a good car get one. Then I'd say if possible at all, find a temporary place to live until you know where you are going to work; not so easy I know, but worth it if you can pull it off. Not many things can turn a newcomer off to L.A. more than an hour plus drive to and from work everyday.

[CESpeed]

If you have $5,000 and no job, you don't have enough to come here. Keep saving.

[dereistic01]

i came here with $10,000, and if i hadnt gotten my loan for school, then i would be back in houston.

[BRinSM]

$5k will be plenty if you can land a job or atleast have some interviews lined up before you get here. Honestly though, with your degree, you probably want a job doing something with movies. There is a lot of competition for these jobs and I have met so many people that end up temping at the studios or being PAs for very limited pay to make ends meet. You're better off looking into some of the larger marketing/advertising firms in LA, which are located throughout the city.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by SiddharthaGautama

B.A. Communiaction Arts
Major: Film
Minor: Internet Technologies

26

Not married, no kids

No Job

Rent - Something cheap until I can get on my feet and find a job. I'll have 5,000 to get started.

I'll just give you some perspective from a person in a similar field who just moved to Los Angeles; 2 weeks ago.

As far as rent goes, cheap is very relative. In a decent neighborhood, expect to pay at least a $1000. I'm paying $1,200 in a neighborhood that most on here will tell you, isn't the best. On that note, I'd recommend saving up a little more money. $5,000 isn't very much; 1 check written will be rent + deposit (probably around $2,000). Expect to spend money to get a new DL if moving from out of space. On top of that, car registration fees, smog test, hooking up water, gas, and electric. If you get furniture, groceries, cable, and internet it adds up very quickly.

Just to estimate, half your money will be gone immediately. With what is left, you can "live" for maybe two months (if you can keep from getting parking tickets, driving too much (HIGH gas prices), and eating out too much.).

The job market is not as strong as you think. There is alot of competition in this field, so don't expect to find something right away. The saying that you have to know someone to get a good job in the "industry" is absolutely true. All I can say is don't waste any time, and network as much and as aggressively as you can.

That said, I'll wish you good luck! LA is a great place to live, and I don't plan on ever leaving. Just be very thrifty, and save as much money as you can. Please take that seriously. LA costs alot more then anyone thinks.

[timelesschild]

Yep, I'll echo everything KnoxTown says. We just moved to LA this spring, and I researched it ad infinitum beforehand. That was very helpful. There is no way to emphasize strongly enough that it is expensive (and surprisingly so) out here.

A sudden medical emergency can throw your plans off. Be prepared. It would be better if you had more money before moving out here, or be prepared with bartending skills to make extra income.