LA here i go! (Los Angeles: fit in, how much, home)

[lrsimoes]

Hello everyone, I'm new here in the forum, but i search a little and feel that you guys are a nice help people

So, my name is Luís Simões and I'm from Portugal and i want to move to LA and start a new life that will start in 27th of October 2009. Get a job in motion design graphics area, (that's my work here in Lisbon - Portugal since 2003), and find a place to live. I'm searching in "couchsurfing" if there's any couch for me in the first 2 week's, because i know it's difficult in the beginning and any place for me it will be OK.

My idea is to spend about a month in max for searching all things (job, home, place). I've send some emails to some offers of jobs I see into the web but I think it's not the same if I show my self and do some research in local place.

Do you think you can help this new friend suggesting something like:

- Problems getting a job?
- Place to stay in the beginning?
- Money to spend?
- Best way to search jobs?
- Visa - Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers - is this one what i need?

BTW here is my showreel 2003-2009, please feel free to comment also

Showreel on the Behance Network

Thanks a lot my friends!

[Melissa R.]

Employment right now in Los Angeles county is 12.3% Unless you have a visa you are going to have an impossible time finding work. I would recommend waiting until the economy improves and then thinking about making the move.

[BRinSM]

jobs are really difficult for americans to get right now, i'm not sure how much luck you're going to have as a foreigner who hasn't even secured a visa. it's not impossible, but it will be very difficult.

[CantWait2Leave]

I agree with everyone else. I live in LA and know a lot of people who are unemployed due to layoffs. I would wait to come when the economy improves. Good luck!

[Santa's Neighbor]

I don't think you'll be able to get a visa. Americans are very choosy about what category of workers they grant visas to, and it's tough enough even when you fit into one of those (I do, and the bureaucracy is incredible! I started it 9 months before arriving, it's still not done, and it's possible I won't finish it in my 6 month stay as a visitor, in which case I will have to go home again and wait there. And I work in a field where there are still jobs!). It's a VERY slow process getting the papers to work. I don't think you're going to get it done in time, even if you qualify (and I don't think you do), if you move here in October of this year, even if you get an extended 6-months visitor visa (which I think you probably can get, but check) to come put everything in order.

That said, I am all for people giving it a shot if it won't bankrupt them to try! If you can afford to come as a visitor, knowing that you'll probably have to go home again at least temporarily, it's a great place, I am loving it so far!

[jc76]

OP, I'm a U.S. citizen born and raised with a very good work record and have been laid off for almost a year. It's bad over here, really bad. If you have a job in your country just stay there for now. Like all the others said, wait for the economy to pick up. I'm in the same boat as you and stuck where I am due to this economy. Sucks but true. Don't come to the U.S.A right now. Good luck to you.

[impala666]

Originally Posted by lrsimoes

Hello everyone, I'm new here in the forum, but i search a little and feel that you guys are a nice help people

So, my name is Luís Simões and I'm from Portugal and i want to move to LA and start a new life that will start in 27th of October 2009. Get a job in motion design graphics area, (that's my work here in Lisbon - Portugal since 2003), and find a place to live. I'm searching in "couchsurfing" if there's any couch for me in the first 2 week's, because i know it's difficult in the beginning and any place for me it will be OK.

My idea is to spend about a month in max for searching all things (job, home, place). I've send some emails to some offers of jobs I see into the web but I think it's not the same if I show my self and do some research in local place.

Do you think you can help this new friend suggesting something like:

- Problems getting a job?
- Place to stay in the beginning?
- Money to spend?
- Best way to search jobs?
- Visa - Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers - is this one what i need?

BTW here is my showreel 2003-2009, please feel free to comment also

Showreel on the Behance Network

Thanks a lot my friends!

Your show-reel doesn't show which is not good!!
now it is ok
but a little 1987