I want to Move to LA from the UK (Burbank: rent, how much) - City-Data Forum

Samantha2007 · 05-23-2007, 02:36 PM

Hi everyone. My name is Samantha, and I'm 21 from Shropshire in England. I am looking to move out to LA next year or so to find work as an actress. I know how hard this is, but i am really determined, and if you want to get to where you want to be, you need to make sacrifices right? So, if you could help me with the list of questions below, i would be really REALLY grateful. There are no better people to tell you what you need to know about america, than the people who live and who have lived there i'm sure.

1) How much would you say i should save before i move out.
2) Where would you say are the best places to live, so i could find work?
3) Is there anything you would suggest i dont do.
4) Is there anything you would suggest i should do.

Any other information and opinions are more than welcome. This is a dream of mine, and i really want to make something out of myself. I know some of you will be cynical, but I've got to at least give it a try. Thanks for your help

dtran103 · 05-23-2007, 05:04 PM

About $6000 is my guess. Let's say rent is at most $1500. So that's about 3 months rent and food and enough time for you to find a job during that time to supplement you. I'll recommend finding a roommate with a car to cut costs in half.

There is that car that you may need to buy. That'll cost you. You can get around with Public transit, but it's by bus so it takes a long time. I recommend getting a car.

Don V · 05-24-2007, 01:58 AM

1) I would go with around $10k minimum saved, and use craigslist to find roommates who are also very driven to succeed at acting. That way you can feed off of the energy and get tips and tricks on what to do, and you can all live as cheaply as possible.

2) Hollywood is an obvious choice. I like Studio City and Burbank, but they aren't as central in my opinion.

Caveat: I am not an actor, nor have I ever aspired to be, so this is only from people I know.

Derek Morris · 05-24-2007, 03:48 AM

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread but I have a follow up question to this. I am also from the UK and having just got back from holiday in the LA area (I particularly love Santa Monica), I would also like to move over at some point in the future.
I'm in a very different field (computer programming). I have the funds in place but I thought the only way you could move from UK to US was to have a visa sorted out that was sponsored by a company.
What's the maximum stay on a visiting visa ?

Samantha2007 · 05-24-2007, 07:05 AM

No, i dont mind at all. Infact i never thought about that, so that's something else i would need to look into. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

JODI APICELLA · 05-24-2007, 09:14 AM

Hi Samantha

I too hope you don't mind using your thread...my husband has been asked to consider a job relocation from the UK to LA. I am concerned as we have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and wonder how I will cope as a stay at home mum in a new place whilst my husband works all day. Appreciate any comments on schooling, crime, best places to live (especially as I'm not a fan of urban life!), whats going on there, why I should/shouldn't etc. Thanks, Jodi

aguamarina4u · 05-24-2007, 09:54 AM

Hi Sam,

First question I have is in regards to the touchy word of "immigrations", are you aware that you can only stay in this country for 90 days? If you are a US Citizen, a LPR or have a working visa that's great.

FYI..... Most employers will want proof by requesting a copy of your passport.....

If you want to get out of the UK and see the world how about looking into working for a cruise line. You are the perfect age now. Plus if you work for a US company you have 3 month breaks which you might be able to stay in California for a bit before sailing off again. I think Princess has an office in Southampton or Portsmouth.

Good Luck to you.

Mumof3 · 05-24-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Morris

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread but I have a follow up question to this. I am also from the UK and having just got back from holiday in the LA area (I particularly love Santa Monica), I would also like to move over at some point in the future.
I'm in a very different field (computer programming). I have the funds in place but I thought the only way you could move from UK to US was to have a visa sorted out that was sponsored by a company.
What's the maximum stay on a visiting visa ?

You will need a job first and then a visa will be issued to you. It's called a H1 b visa and you have missed the cap for this current year. It starts again in November. They last 3 years and you can have a maximum of 2. Whilst you are getting this visa it is good to start your green card process at the same time because they can now take upwards of 10 years to obtain. If you haven't got your green card by the time the last H1b visa runs out you run the risk of deportation. Companies will sponser for the H1b ($5000) and the green card - ($22000)

Also, while you are on the H1b the company has you at their mercy. Yes you can transfer to a new company as long as they're willing to do paperwork. H1's are also biased, you don't get social security, even though you pay into it.

A good website to check out is www.uscis.gov

With you being in the high tech industry it will just be a matter of getting your cv out there and attending afew job fairs - it's a long and arduous process but IMO worth it for the better lifestyle and weather of course!!!

Hope this helps!! Mumof3

Derek Morris · 05-24-2007, 10:16 AM

Hi Mumof3,

Thanks for the info. That's pretty much the way I thought it worked and the avenue's I'm pursuing. I'll get there in the end and until then I'll just keep visiting

Nausikaa · 05-24-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samantha2007

Hi everyone. My name is Samantha, and I'm 21 from Shropshire in England. I am looking to move out to LA next year or so to find work as an actress. I know how hard this is, but i am really determined, and if you want to get to where you want to be, you need to make sacrifices right? So, if you could help me with the list of questions below, i would be really REALLY grateful. There are no better people to tell you what you need to know about america, than the people who live and who have lived there i'm sure.

1) How much would you say i should save before i move out.
2) Where would you say are the best places to live, so i could find work?
3) Is there anything you would suggest i dont do.
4) Is there anything you would suggest i should do.

Any other information and opinions are more than welcome. This is a dream of mine, and i really want to make something out of myself. I know some of you will be cynical, but I've got to at least give it a try. Thanks for your help

You can only come to the US on a visitor's visa for 3 months, and you are not allowed to work.

You CANNOT come to the USA without a visa to work. They are very difficult to get, unless you have an employer willing to sponsor you, marry an American, are a fee paying student, a scientist, a college professor or a registered nurse.

Google Pulaski's Ways - it will explain it in detail.