Moving to LA with part-time job-will I make it? (Glendale: apartment, renting)

[ScriptChick27]

Hey. I'm new to the forum and had a couple of queries. I'm an aspiring actress/singer/songwriter/screenwriter(scoff not)-but am also a realist and currently have a steady(fingers crossed) job at REG(Regal Entertainment Group i.e. Regal Cinemas) in Atlanta GA. I have been loafing for the last five years and desperately want to make my dream of living in LA and going on real auditions a reality. So my question is this: I get about 27-30 hours a week where I work and get paid 7.15 an hour which will turn to 9.15 when I move in two months. I also will have $3000 saved up by this time around May 1st. I plan on rooming with someone for about $500 a month. Do you think if I save like crazy and don't spend too much on incidentals I will make it on $1300 month at my transfer job?

Sorry that was so involved like a word problem. Just need to know if I'm kidding myself or if my plan is good. Also, wondering how likely it will be to become an extra in the summer. That would give me some more money and I could revert back to working weekends at the theatre like I did before. Let me know, guys.

[bayarea-girl]

Listen, real stuff here, STAY PUT! The economy is not stable and moving to an unfamiliar place is not something I would suggest to anyone. If your dream is to be an actress can't you wait another year or two? Moving to CA you will need more money than you have as it is a place that is VERY EXPENSIVE. You will not be able to make it off of the salary you specified. You need a stronger employment options. Start doing some networking before you get to CA.

[SandyCo]

First of all, you're going to need a car. Have you planned for that expense? Registration, insurance, maintenance? And who knows what gasoline prices will be this summer as well.

You're not going to find a great apartment for only $1,000 a month. Where are you planning on living? What part of L.A.?

I don't think $3,000 is going to be enough to sustain you here for more than a month or two. Also, what if you get sick and can't work? Do you get sick days?

I would urge you to save a lot more money before moving out here. The unemployment rate in California is almost 10% and is likely to get a lot worse before it gets better.

I don't mean to be so discouraging, but a little dose of reality never hurt anyone! And welcome to City Data!

[Ashleykitty]

Hi. I think if you have a housing situation in place, as you mentioned, for five hundred dollars a month. Then yippie!!! However, please note that location is important-expecially if you don't have a car. The bottom line is if you have a chunk of change and can get here with a place to stay, go for it. However, have a back up plan just incase LA doesnt measure up to your expections.
Best of luck.
PS. Dont pay attention to the previous dream smashers that posted.

[jc76]

Scriptchick, Please don't take this the wrong way, but I have been there done that on almost the same money as you...I didn't last that long in LA. Getting home was costly event as well. I am in about 5000. credit card debt because things out in LA did not work out as planned, be careful even the most thought out plans can go awry.
On a brighter note, if you do find a place for $500.mo that's within walking/bus distance from your work, and you can live on very little then I say go for it!
PS- It tanned up guys in Ray Bans, cargo pants, tattoos and white smiles give you a "photography" business card to "make money fast", beware. This just happened to my friend, when she got there she found out it was a porn agency.

[bayarea-girl]

Ashleykitty, no one is trying to be a dream smasher. Just being realistic. The OP can always move when times are better. You live in LA and I actually know too much first hand knowledge about the entertainment business to know that it is an extremely difficult business to break into and CA is too expensive of a state with HIGH unemployment to think that it is ok to move to. If it were 2 or 3 years ago I would say go for it but just to go on castings and to meet the right people and have pictures taken costs a lot of money. Let's be real. Go for your dreams when you have a better plan and more money otherwise the dream will turn into a nightmare.

[ZenMaster2008]

As I always say, feel free to pursue your dreams and give it a chance but ALWAYS have a backup plan when the money runs out so you don't end up homeless.

[ScriptChick27]

I do realize that it takes a lot of money to live in LA. I just scouted some different neighborhoods in Glendale and think it's fairly safe and there's the Metro which I didn't have any problems with. And as for my career, I've just enrolled in my third acting class and had my first one today. And it went extremely well. My teacher, Nick Conti, of Professional Actors Studio, loved my performance so much he has invited me to audition for this upcoming showcase for Beginners which is in front of a whole bunch of talent agents and casting agents. So, I'm thinking if this works out and I can get headshots and contacts and maybe even an agent, I might just put the whole move on hold. Then, I can go there when something arises and quit aforementioned crappy job and really get some experience. Also, I can pursue being a background artist on the side. I'm thinking this might actually in the long run make more sense. Go there with a job. And with my talent, I'll get one in no time. The only thing stopping me is lack of money. But if I get headshots with the money I saved up, that'd be a better and safer investment. No more sitting around. I gotta make stuff happen. I'm 24 years old. The clock's ticking. Anyway, thanks for the advice guys. And for the warm welcome. Hope this is a better idea.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by ScriptChick27

Hey. I'm new to the forum and had a couple of queries. I'm an aspiring actress/singer/songwriter/screenwriter(scoff not)-but am also a realist and currently have a steady(fingers crossed) job at REG(Regal Entertainment Group i.e. Regal Cinemas) in Atlanta GA. I have been loafing for the last five years and desperately want to make my dream of living in LA and going on real auditions a reality. So my question is this: I get about 27-30 hours a week where I work and get paid 7.15 an hour which will turn to 9.15 when I move in two months. I also will have $3000 saved up by this time around May 1st. I plan on rooming with someone for about $500 a month. Do you think if I save like crazy and don't spend too much on incidentals I will make it on $1300 month at my transfer job?

Sorry that was so involved like a word problem. Just need to know if I'm kidding myself or if my plan is good. Also, wondering how likely it will be to become an extra in the summer. That would give me some more money and I could revert back to working weekends at the theatre like I did before. Let me know, guys.

I know the world is made of dreams and everyone should perfue their's but not in anyway can you survive in Calif on twice that much.

You mentioned Glendale, even splitting rent, I would question anything renting for $1000 a month, Glendale is a little pricey.. Good luck, do think this over and see what happens in the near future. I wouldn't think of re-locating with less than $10,000.00.
Nita

[Mike121]

This makes me wonder. Every movie theater I go to seems to have plenty of employees. Where do they live? How do they make ends meet?