Is LA a good fit for me? Still considering a move/questions (Highland: how much)

[Flightoficarus87]

Hey fellow CD-er's.

So, I've posted in the LA forum on here before, regarding a possible move to the area. I kind of put the idea on hold temporarily, but it seems to be creeping it's way back into my mind, so I'm back for advice/info.

I'm a mid-20's single male currently living in Seattle. Grew up/have lived in the area my whole life, and love many things about it, but at the same time, things have also changed a lot here (both for better and for worse). I also feel that I'm just ready for somewhere new - hungry for new life experiences and such! LA has been my main consideration on where to go if I leave WA, due to the large music scene/entertainment biz/nightlife presence (I know, a cliché reason ) in the area, being a musician. But also, because it's an unexplored (to me) area of the country I've had an interest in for years otherwise, that I just haven't had the chance to check out much.

I do plan to make a visit to LA sometime shortly after the holiday season (when the flights are cheap/I can get some extra days off from work), but these are the main questions I have for those of you in the LA area.

- Is it still really difficult to find work in the area? I know people from here in the Seattle area who have attempted the move to LA before - Some ended up having to return due to difficulty finding a job/a way to support themselves. What industries are doing at least ok in the LA area? Most of my work experience is pretty blue collar (warehousing and steel), but I will be finishing up at least an AA/AAS (and continuing classes part-time) before I am to go anywhere.

- How much of a culture shock can I expect compared to where I live now? Is there still a "freeze" down in LA, or are people more sociable/friendly? Is the traffic as horrifyingly awful as I've been told? Is LA a good place for "foodie" types such as myself? etc, etc. Tell me anything I should know! Or should I just quit overthinking it?

- Are there other neighborhoods I should check out when I come visit? When posting on here before, I was told that parts of Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Los Feliz/Echo Park are areas I should check out. I'm primarily looking into areas with good food/entertainment/nightlife nearby, but also safe enough crime-wise.

- Last (but not least), when I make a visit to LA, what are some of the things I should definitely check out while down there for 3-4 days?

Any answers to these/other advice much appreciated!

[Cheektowaga_Chester]

Originally Posted by Flightoficarus87

- Is it still really difficult to find work in the area? I know people from here in the Seattle area who have attempted the move to LA before - Some ended up having to return due to difficulty finding a job/a way to support themselves. What industries are doing at least ok in the LA area? Most of my work experience is pretty blue collar (warehousing and steel), but I will be finishing up at least an AA/AAS (and continuing classes part-time) before I am to go anywhere.

It all comes down to this. Realize there is a huge labor supply for these segments - that means wages are lower.

Otherwise, everything else you want is here: food, music, arts, culture, weather, amenities, shopping.

[Parker501]

Not sure about the job market for your line of work, can't help you there.
I always meet tons of people from Seattle, and they all seem to love LA, so I don't think you're in for a big culture shock.
As a musician I think you're going to want to stick to Northeast LA (NELA). There are loads of great bands that come through the area, and lots of good dive bars. Personally, I like Echo Park the best, but also have lived in Silver Lake and Los Feliz and they are all good options. Highland Park was recently voted the hippest neighborhood in LA so you might want to check it out too, it is probably the most affordable as well. Also being in NELA is prob best for your line of work because east of downtown is large manufacturing/warehouse area.
If I were coming to visit LA (having already done all the touristy stuff); personally I would try to check out a band (echo/echoplex have some shows every night), do some hiking in Griffith Park, go hang out in Sunset Junction (grab a coffee and people watch at Intelligentsia), and maybe try to head out to Malibu (El Matador is my favorite beach).
You're not going to know if you like it until you live here... it really boils down to.

[Flightoficarus87]

Thanks to both of you for the response.

Parker501, on the seeing bands thing, any other venues you might also recommend to check out as well if I'm on a visit, and trying to check out more than one show? Are some of the more famous places, like the Whiskey a-go-go worth checking out, tourist trap or not?

Cheektowaga - Do you just mean low wages in general? (That, I'm aware of), or that the same kinds of jobs down in LA will pay less than in Seattle, due to a larger available labor pool for those jobs? I don't plan on staying in those fields for good, but curious anyway.

[Parker501]

I've never been to Whisky; I think its more of a alternative/modern rock place now... not really my thing.
The Troubadour is cool and has a lot of history. Also - The Fonda, El Rey, Wiltern, Satellite, Bootleg.