$3,000 Only - Where can I live to Start a Living in LA??..Jobs.. (Santa Monica: to rent, car insurance)

[KnoxTown]

Please don't do it.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I don't drive or have a car, but neither does the OP. She doesn't have to factor in the cost of a car, either, just transportation to/from work.

I certainly wasn't trying to suggest that $3,000 will last a long time (and I noted, too, that if paying a deposit it will be gone quickly), but of course many people live in LA on less than $3,000/month. The problem will not not be the living cheaply for a few months while the savings last, but rather finding a job to replenish that money.

oh, I didn't mean she couldn't live on $3,000 a month, I meant to move with only $3000 and no job..yes, transportation is a factor, but she will spend quite a bit just looking for a job, that was my point. If she had a job, that would be a totally different situation..We are saying the same thing, in different ways I think.

Nita

[uptown_urbanist]

Nita, then I think we do agree. I think she'll be okay living for a few months on her savings, but agree that it will run out fast, very likely before she gets a job.

To the OP: give it a shot, if you must, but have a back-up plan, too. You don't want to get stranded in LA with no money to leave. Better to plan for the worst and be pleasantly surprised if things do work out then to assume the best and be hit doubly hard if it doesn't work out.

[Ennea4]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Which, coincidentally, would involve walking.


OP, what's your B.A. for?

It's in creative writing and journalism. But I don't want to get a writing job initially because all jobs that involve writing are extremely time consuming (trust me)...they're 24/7 type jobs.
And, of course, I don't want to do anything like be a hooker (as one of you implied, I believe) or sell drugs either. I want a respectable job that allows me to have freetime / a life elsewhere.

[Ennea4]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Try finding a room in someones home for starters. Even that isn't going to make the money last too long, but it is better than trying to find an apartment, even a studio.

Nita

You mean finding a room in someone's house for free? How would I go about doing that?

[Ennea4]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

i would say look in the palms neighborhood very closely and get to know the big blue bus system immediately. otherwise, i would just save up for another year and get some work experience while doing so.

Yes, that's what I need to know - what are the websites for all of the west LA / south bay bus systems??
And how would I get from Hollywood to Westwood on a bus?

[Ennea4]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

The average job hunting time is about 6 months out here, for many it is even longer. What is your degree in?

Jobs ~ read my reply to the other forum member.
6 months . . . well what areas have the most job opportunities currently? I'm not going to be job-picky; I just need money coming in.

[Ennea4]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

Nita, then I think we do agree. I think she'll be okay living for a few months on her savings, but agree that it will run out fast, very likely before she gets a job.

To the OP: give it a shot, if you must, but have a back-up plan, too. You don't want to get stranded in LA with no money to leave. Better to plan for the worst and be pleasantly surprised if things do work out then to assume the best and be hit doubly hard if it doesn't work out.

Well, when I'm there in those few months, wouldn't I make friends that would try to help me stay longer? And that could give me more time to find a job. Right?

[Ennea4]

What type of jobs are the easiest to get out there?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Ennea4

You mean finding a room in someone's house for free? How would I go about doing that?

No, I didn't mean for free, but some people will rent out rooms for very little money and rent them even by the week. As much as I don't trust Craigslist for much, you can start by checking there just to get an idea..

You say, you don't want to get a job in your field right now, what about something like a newspaper (I know they are not the best sourse at this time) or something like that, writing? It would be a start anyway..

As for jobs easy to get, none!!! For every job that is available, no matter what field you can count on about 50 to 150 applicants. Maybe you could find something at a fast food restaurant like In n Out, even that won't be easy, but it is work.

You asked about making friends that will help you out? Any friends you make in a short time that are willing to help may or may not be the type of friends you really want. Remember, many are also unemployed or under employed and have all they can do to keep their heards above water..

I just don't think many realize what the situation is like right now? It is sad, when you think about what a wonderful place So Ca was for young people about 10 or 20, maybe longer years ago. A young 20 something could do or have almost anything they wanted and enjoy the excitement of being just a kid with a dream, today, it is very different..

Nita