LA is not bad! Advice for new people.

[Lauren212]

Hi Kristen!

my name is Lauren and I was so happy to come across your blog. I think it's full of awesome and yet realistic advice. I am also a fellow Spartan and seriously considering moving out to L.A.

I really admire that you moved across the country with out knowing anyone and building your life.

I am considering transferring to USC to finish up my degree. My mom is also thinking about moving out west-mainly for a change. I would most likely be out there before she does. So it would just be me and my little dog for a while. I do have some family in California but they are up in San Fransisco. I do know a few people that I went to MSU with but I am not sure if they would honestly be anything more then aquantinces.

I have heard good and bad things about L.A., I guess just like any other city. My main concern(s) are my safety. I am not a big fan of the club scene but I do enjoy going out.

Also, I am concerned about finding a reasonable apartment that's not in the ghetto.

I would very much appreciate any advice and or opinions you have. It seems like you have a well rounded experience

Thank you

Go Green! Go White!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Lauren212

I am considering transferring to USC to finish up my degree.

Also, I am concerned about finding a reasonable apartment that's not in the ghetto.

Attending USC for one year: Where to live?

[John23]

Awesome post Right on.

Great attitude.

I think the problems start....

-When you have unrealistic expectations. Finding an apartment, rent on the westside at the same price as home, in Kansas or Arkansas

-Not tolerant to different lifestyles, cultures. Gay. Or kids with purple hair and piercings. Different from home.

-Want to work "in the industry". And believing what it's like on tv. Or lacking discipline, preparation. Thinking it's quick money etc.

-Not friendly, or positive attitude.

-Too brand, lifestyle crazy.

But great story moving across the country and building a life.

You've done more than some people have who've lived here their whole life

[firetraq]

I haven't read anyone else's reply to this post, but i thought it was just awesome.... well done... should be a sticky in my opinion...

Originally Posted by soimpossiblep

This comes from a 22 year old female who just moved here 4 months ago from the quiet and cold of Michigan straight out of college-knowing barely ANYONE and I don't work in the film industry- I work for the man.

This also comes from someone who lives in West Hollywood and commutes down the 5 to the city of Orange (yes in Orange County) five days a week.

This comes from someone who makes $40K a year before taxes. And boy are there taxes in LA county.

It's never even been my dream to live here. I have a couple family members who live here but basically I was just bored, and thought I'd drive my ford focus across the country, and move to the city of angels with a craigslist random. Mind you I did have a job out here months before, and they paid for me to move here so that was nice and off my mind. But honestly, I tried living in Orange County I really did. And it was beautiful. But I grew tired and bored. You can't meet people easily in LA but it is even worse in OC. So I decided to move my work hours and make the trek.

I work 6am-3:30pm and work out after so that traffic doesn't kill me, but on the way to work traffic is a non-issue. So that's my commute. But even with traffic you have to just not let it bother you. Get some books on tape and chill. You can't change anything so just let it roll. Anything else other than calm reactions will honestly ruin your time in socal. If you have road rage you pretty much shouldn't live here, or ride your bike to work.

Now, I had NO FRIENDS. This is the hardest part at first, especially if you don't work in the industry where meeting people isn't too hard. My craigslist roommate was cool but we're kind of different. So I joined my Michigan State alumni club and turns out we have a HUGE following there. Started showing up at the local bar we watch the football games at, and started meeting friends there, and then met their friends, their friends' friends, etc. That is the only way. You cannot live in LA and not be proactive about meeting people. If you are passive about this you will end up lonely!! As for living in Hollywood, you can either laugh at the 'fake' people, or become them. But even though this stereotype is partially true, there ARE regular people in Hollywood.

I joined LA triathlon club and started riding breathtaking bike rides on PCH in Malibu. I started going to the beach once a week just because I never want to take it for granted. I'm outside as much as possible knowing that my friends in Michigan are already scraping off their cars. I find it hilarious that at the first sign of rain, cars slow down like there's already been an accident. I've done the touristy things, and I've been in Runyon Canyon (where I can breathe clean air) as much as possible. You have to do this if you live in Hollywood. It's AMAZING and will remind you why you put up with the traffic.

Go to Disneyland. Go skydiving. Do everything you can to enjoy LA. Go to the Farmer's Market. Go into shops you can't afford. See a movie LA style at the HUGE theatres. Just don't get sucked into the "I have to buy everytihng designer" lifestyle or you will go broke. Spend $$ on experiences, not things. In LA, no one raelly cares what you do which is the best and worst thing about it.

But if you move here, don't be scared. Be realistic. Read up. Save up. Stay out of the shady areas and be smart. Eat the amazing food. Don't get sucked into a lifestyle you can't afford. Meet all the people you can. Impress your friends with celebrity sightings (though no one cares about that here). See a live TV show. Go to premieres. Find out which part suits you and your budget most: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West LA, Brentwood, Westwood, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Los Feliz...they're all so different. ENJOY THE CITY, even go downtown just to see it.

And that's my advice...now go. Give this place a few years and see if you like it. After all, if you can make it here you can make it anywhere. If not now, when?

--Kristen

[Jaymum]

I agree, soimpossiblep's post was perfect. Really not much else needs to be said!

[justhere]

Lived in LA 7 years, OC 16 years. Good advice for new peeps.

[aussiewoman]

Thanks for the great thread. I think its refreshing to have a positive view point on here for once. I understand you have to be realistic when moving to LA or to any city for that matter and it is important to do your research, but it does get tiring reading peoples constant negative posts to people moving to your city.

My partner and I are moving to LA from Sydney in the next few months. And yes I understand living in LA is expensive but after alot research into apartment costs and income on jobs it is pretty comparable to Sydney. Also LA isn't the only city with traffic. Some days in Sydney the same commute can vary from 15mins to over an hr. Parking can be ridiculously expensive or impossible to find. My point being all city's have positives and negatives. Thanks again for the thread. Very refreshing to read.

[JAMIEEE666]

Hi