LI'er thinking of a move to L.A. (real estate, apartment)

[JimmyIsTheOne]

I presently rent in Nassau County on LI, NY near my folks' and both my brothers, and pretty much all my friends.

But here's the thing: a couple of years ago, I was laid off from my corporate job and have since been doing everything including temp work and a retail stock job in the evenings, to pay rent, eat, etc. Did you ever see the film Up In the Air with Clooney? Remember the opening sequence where he fires Zach Galifianakis? Yeah, I was sitting in Zach's seat, but in real life. I had one of those moments and a "this could be an opportunity for better things, blah, blah" talk.

I'm pushing Forty, a young looking 38 in fact, and I'm suffering from a near-mid life crisis. I haven't accomplished much and feel I need a new change of environment to kick start things for me; to Etch a Sketch my life, basically.

I'm considering the City of Angels, because, why not, it's California and I'll dig up those screenplays I wrote in college (since then I've written two unpublished novels), re-write them and see what happens there. The advantage is that I would be available to take any meetings.

More than anything, I think I need a new place to start fresh. Sure, it'll get lonely for a while, being away from everyone, but I'll deal with that and I'm a fairly personable, laid back guy, so I think I'll be okay.

I do have work experience and a BA from a SUNY college, so I could attempt to find an office gig, do the 9-5 thing and write at night.

I realize that trying my hand at the game this late is a huge obstacle, but there are no guarantees regarding success....or failure. Many screen writers still do work into their sixties and longer.

So for the question: any advice for what parts of L.A. I should be considering, if I would be, say, living on a salary of $40K-$45K annually? I'm a bachelor, so I don't need to live in a great school district; a place where I could step out for a coffee, or a beer at a local dive without getting mugged would be nice though.

Any words of wisdom about apartment rentals and real estate? I'd be looking for a studio or one bedroom apartment.

[Inter441]

I am like you thinking of moving to LA I recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University with Marketing and Management degree and could not find jobs related to my field here . Is it wise for me to come up to West Coast or stick to East Coast NYC or Florida to search for jobs . How is the job market for marketing jobs there in West Coast compared to East Coast and is it wise to move now or shall i move to NYC ? Is LA more in criss than in NYC where is wiser for me to move as a recent college graduate ? NYC Or LA . Please give me some advice thanks

[JimmyIsTheOne]

Originally Posted by Inter441

I am like you thinking of moving to LA I recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University with Marketing and Management degree and could not find jobs related to my field here . Is it wise for me to come up to West Coast or stick to East Coast NYC or Florida to search for jobs . How is the job market for marketing jobs there in West Coast compared to East Coast and is it wise to move now or shall i move to NYC ? Is LA more in criss than in NYC where is wiser for me to move as a recent college graduate ? NYC Or LA . Please give me some advice thanks

Dude, not to be rude, but punctuation is your friend.

[Inter441]

Originally Posted by JimmyIsTheOne

Dude, not to be rude, but punctuation is your friend.

lol i know i type it in a hurry

[obscure reference]

Originally Posted by JimmyIsTheOne

So for the question: any advice for what parts of L.A. I should be considering, if I would be, say, living on a salary of $40K-$45K annually? I'm a bachelor, so I don't need to live in a great school district; a place where I could step out for a coffee, or a beer at a local dive without getting mugged would be nice though.

Any words of wisdom about apartment rentals and real estate? I'd be looking for a studio or one bedroom apartment.

My words of wisdom, such as they are: Consider a roommate situation.

Others may have different experiences, but I haven't seen any studios or 1-bedrooms in decent, accessible areas of town for under $950 -- and that's for a tiny studio nowhere near a freeway or metro line. Realistically, you're looking at $1200-$1500 for a 1-bedroom. You should be able to split a 2-bedroom apartment or house for well under $1000/month on your part.

Besides saving you money, looking for a roommate before you move can help you get started with the networking that's so important in the entertainment industry. I'm in L.A. under similar circumstances -- mid-30s, single, one foot in the entertainment industry, uncertain employment -- so I know that living with a roommate at this stage of your life isn't the most thrilling prospect, but think of it this way: You won't really know where you want to live until you've had some time to explore the city. Living with a friend of a friend of a friend's old college roommate for a year will help you get your bearings, (hopefully) find steady employment, assess your income and figure out what you can afford on your own.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by JimmyIsTheOne

Dude, not to be rude, but punctuation is your friend.

What punctuation?

To the OP, $45K isn't much. I'd suggest you consider having a roommate, or two. Or otherwise you're not going to be living in the best of accommodations.

[scottykick]

I'm also in the NYC to LA boat, may go w/ a group of freinds...kind of like a certain HBO show