Thinking of moving to LA. Advice?

[chondro776]

Background:

I am 33, single, no kids and live in Atlanta. I have grown up in the southeast, and do love it for a number of reasons (climate, hot chicks, well, that's about it).

However, I am getting an itch to move in a year or (more likely) two.

My list of requirements narrows my choices down to Southern California pretty quickly. While the PNW offers a similar vibe and cultural/legal climate, I am allergic to temperatures below 40 degrees.

So, I am looking for thoughts/advice/etc on the So cal area. Areas to seek/avoid? Cost of living? Single Life? Music scene?

People talk about Cali being expensive, but a quick Craigslist search generated quite a few apts. w/ comparable rent to my town now ($600 range for a crappy 1 bed/studio).

Also, I work in the enviro ed field, so Cali seems to have a million more employment opportunities than here in the south.

Also, I exist at the 'have not' end of the spectrum...so don't bother telling me about the uber-posh-$$$ areas/attractions.

Thank you TB in advance.

[elgecko]

Would you be working a primary schools? High schools? If that's the case, you could live anywhere. It depends on what you like (e.g. urban vs suburban, near the beach vs near the mountains, old neighborhoods vs master planned communities). If your jobs options are more spread out, you almost need to find out where you'll be working before you decide where to live.

Whatever you do, try to live near work. There are plenty of Angelenos who spend 3+ hours a day in their commuting to work...that's no way to live.

[MakiSupaStar]

Uh. You're going to be in for a HUGE awakening when it comes to rent. 600 bucks is the bottom of the barrel for rent here. Traffic is a nightmare, we're taxed to the hilt, and if you ever dream of owning a home you've got a LONG way to go before being able to make a purchase. I personally would avoid most of the Greater Los Angeles area altogether. Orange County is nice, you might be able to find some spots inland (away from the coast that you could rent for close to that amount, but you have to really pick and choose where you're going to be. The job market out here is also dog ****. Last recession, California was really the last to get on the road to recovery. I generally vote democrat, but even with that said, our state capitol is detached and removed from the public it serves and you're going to run into a lot of taxes. If you're out her to work for the AQMD, expect a big backlash. The public is NOT happy with a lot of the 'green' programs they are pushing, and it's putting a lot of companies (that run diesel trucks and heavy machinery out of business). I'm a surfer, I consider myself environmentally aware, and I do my part to try to leave as little impact on the environment that I play in, but there's a fine line between policy and livelihood. The taxes here are also pretty much the highest in the nation. There's a reason why most of the films put out by what used to be known as the Entertainment capital of the world, are not shot, and produced in areas that are more economically viable (ever noticed why X-files looks like it's in Canada - because it is). I know you might think that being in the industry that you're in, doesn't directly relate to the entertainment industry and that, but I guessing that a lot of what you do might be dependent upon grants and government moneys. These all come from business revenue generated in the state. If some of the biggest businesses here are picking up and leaving, that creates a huge deficit (which we currently have). I hope this doesn't necessarily serve as a deterrent, but as more of an eye opener. Good luck with your move.

[lunarpollen]

I'd recommend looking for something along the eastern edge of L.A. County. You can find affordable apartments, the weather is often gorgeous, you'll be a tolerable drive away from several types of geographies and climates... In my brief time down there, I loved the area, people say it's overpriced, but that's not true... Sure there are some places that are ridiculously expensive, but plenty that are not. They say the traffic is bad, and yes, certain highways during certain hours are bad, but there are usually multiple ways to get from one place to another, and as long as you avoid the areas where it's always bad, it's no big deal.

[chondro776]

I hear ya. The Atl is ridiculous traffic wise as well. If I am not mistaken, LA and Atlanta alternate possession of the 'worst traffic' trophy.

I have a plethora of employment avenues I may go down..some affiliated w/ schools (though I am not a 'school teacher') some not.

Point well taken.

I am primarily trying to figure out the general areas. Venice for instance seems cheap....

And no, I haven't been to LA yet. Field recon will obviously be part of my plan. I am only at the very beginning.

[chondro776]

Thank you! Please keep them coming.

Maki- I very much appreciate the comments. I don't *think* I am being too doe eyed about this, but I am very aware of the potential.

Home ownership and that path are probably not in my 20 year future (realistically speaking).

I am somewhat aware of the financial hardships there, and do understand that the Entertainment Industry is the keystone industry of the area. Having said that, I am grateful to hear personal accounts from Californians.

Also when I say 'LA' I mean the general area.
One of the things I would love to learn from this thread is suggestions of locales from you, lunar, and everyone else.

Keep 'em coming folks.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by chondro776

I hear ya. The Atl is ridiculous traffic wise as well. If I am not mistaken, LA and Atlanta alternate possession of the 'worst traffic' trophy.

I have a plethora of employment avenues I may go down..some affiliated w/ schools (though I am not a 'school teacher') some not.

Point well taken.

I am primarily trying to figure out the general areas. Venice for instance seems cheap....

And no, I haven't been to LA yet. Field recon will obviously be part of my plan. I am only at the very beginning.

Venice is expensive because it's on the coast. There are areas there that are really nice, and there are areas there that are real dangerous ****holes. My wife used to live there when I first started dating her. Her apartment was a little less than 1500 bucks 12 years ago, and it was merely two rooms (the total rent was split between her and another chick - a hot little pyscho japanese chick that I would have liked to have taken for a spin.... but I digress ) and a shared bathroom/kitchen/living area. Her apartment was off of Abbot Kinney and right near Lincoln Blvd. (this point of reference might help you later). If you like the coast there are better areas. If you can find jobs in the Orange County, Ventura County, or even San Diego County area, you'd be a LOT happier with the geography/traffic/environment that you'd be living in. Venice is a zoo on the weekends, and even worse in the summer. Plus the surf sucks there.

EDIT: Oh yeah, now that I think about it almost everyone in her building had been robbed at some point, though my wife never had that happen to her.

[chondro776]

You are a beautiful man Maki.

That is exactly the kind of intel I am looking for, and the street names will aid greatly in my craigslist/google map adventures.

I am used to living in areas that are riiiiiiight on the borderline of safe/not safe. Here in hotlanta, I can tell the difference between a poor/working class neighborhood (where I am quite comfortable) and an unsafe area (where I am not so comfortable).

But I have no earthly idea how to distinguish between the two in an area 2000 miles away. So again, thank you for the tips.

Some of the apts I was checking out for cheap in venice looked like they would be do-able, but it sounds like that might have been good photography.

I don't need to be on the coast, I don't surf or anything. But I need to be in a good cultural, affordable, spot that never gets cold.

Is Orange County, uh, that is, 'cool'? For some reason, I had the notion that it was more red than blue (politically/culturally).

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I'm a 12+ year transplant in southern Cali.

I'm adaptable but I never mistake this area for paradise.

I can't imagine what you would find for $600 / month (unless you're sharing an apartment), except maybe way inland--in which case, be prepared for some serious heat and big electrical bills to cool your place down.

The traffic can be and usually is downright sinister.

Getting away to the mountains is really nice.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by chondro776

You are a beautiful man Maki.

That is exactly the kind of intel I am looking for, and the street names will aid greatly in my craigslist/google map adventures.

I am used to living in areas that are riiiiiiight on the borderline of safe/not safe. Here in hotlanta, I can tell the difference between a poor/working class neighborhood (where I am quite comfortable) and an unsafe area (where I am not so comfortable).

But I have no earthly idea how to distinguish between the two in an area 2000 miles away. So again, thank you for the tips.

Some of the apts I was checking out for cheap in venice looked like they would be do-able, but it sounds like that might have been good photography.

I don't need to be on the coast, I don't surf or anything. But I need to be in a good cultural, affordable, spot that never gets cold.

Is Orange County, uh, that is, 'cool'? For some reason, I had the notion that it was more red than blue (politically/culturally).

Yeah, well there is the republicthetic americanola factor, and it's very uh... Christian (I don't say that to offend anyone), but you'd like downtown Huntington Beach, the Newport Penninsula, the warehouse district of Santa Ana has got a cool vibe to it too (although the economy has shut a lot of this place down), and there are some cool areas in Fullerton, Anaheim, and Orange that you might like as far as places to go and things to do (in fact, I've been to Atlanta, and the area that I was in kind of reminded me of the Orange/Brea/Anaheim area). But overall Orange County is a pretty convenient place to live. LA is about 35-45 minutes away if you want to go see a show, or have a gig up there. Ventura is downright sleepy and much more rural, but the area is really nice and there's a lot to do there (hiking, mountain biking, golf, surf etc), but at night, yeah there's not a lot going on. San Diego, culturally is probably more what you're looking for. I've lived in socal for 38 years. I've lived in Los Angeles, and I just don't like it. Everyone there is from somewhere else. A lot fake smile and handshake (hey let's hook up and do lunch) people there. Additionally, everywhere you go, no matter how far you're going, is half an hour away. I remember once I wanted to go to Home Depot which was literally 2.8 miles from my house and it took me 15 minutes to get there with the traffic and lights and everything. This stuff just drove me nuts. San Diego has a lot of killer areas along the coast. Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach are two areas that I really like. There's also the Gas Lamp area that has some fun places to go to (see bands, play gigs, drink etc) at night.

[elgecko]

The areas that give OC a bad name (or good name, depending on how look at it) is fairly limited to the southern beach areas (e.g. Newport, Laguna, etc). The rest of the county is actually fairly "down to earth". Anaheim is nice since it has major sports teams (Angels, Ducks), decent concert venues (The Grove, House of Blues) but is far enough from LA to avoid the craziness.

[6jase5]

I'm going to give 2 thumbs up for San Diego. I'm an east coast transplant of 15 years after going to college in Virginia. I've lived in the LA Area (Valencia, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Northridge, Culver City, Hermosa Beach, San Pedro) and once I got to San Diego 5 years ago, I found home.

For $600 you can find rooms for rent and end up in a good situation from craigslist. I have a friend that pays $500 and lives in a very nice part of town (2 mil house) with a young guy with a great job that travels 3 weeks each month. You will not find anything decent to live on your own for that amount. Many decent people are always looking for roommates as well.

That being said, I would not want to live here without a job. The market is terrible and many friends are struggling. Teachers (I know you aren't one) are in a losing battle with pay cuts and losses. Layoffs are the norm of the news. That said, I will never move, not even to double my salary.

Anything that you'd want to know about SD, feel free to pm me anytime.

[RWP]

California must be a really cool place to put up with all the bad thing I hear about the place. Guess it's a love / hate thing.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by RWP

California must be a really cool place to put up with all the bad thing I hear about the place. Guess it's a love / hate thing.

Yeah it is. Last weekend however it was 80 degrees and I surfed the best waves I've seen in six years. All this was 5 minutes from my house.

[elgecko]

Originally Posted by RWP

California must be a really cool place to put up with all the bad thing I hear about the place. Guess it's a love / hate thing.

One day, I rock climbed at the beach, in the mountains, and in the desert in a 10 hour period!

[CityEscape]

I live in LA county, and I don't think LA is the place to move to now. It's VERY hard to land jobs. 600 per month won't get you much. Plus, California has no money

[Unrepresented]

To sorta echo what 6Jase5 said, only with a more negative spin on it:

$600/month rent will not get you anything proper in terms of independent living. You will be sharing with roommates at best in order to divide up an apartment into a liveable monthly cost. Real estate is ridiculously overpriced down here. Offensively overpriced.

As for the culture, I am also a transplant, and your description of ATL being "nice weather, attractive women" is my typical description of SoCal. It definitely can feel pretty superficial out here.

[Buslady7803]

ok my 2c:
Born & raised(except 6yrs in SoFla), i hate it here. im in riverside county but i drive a bus for a living, I'm all over the OC/Inland Empire/LACo...it's not that great here.
I'm barely working, I can't pay bills. The state is broke. We have a real idiot running the state. Hell, LA schools are crap. There's no jobs.

Name a freeway, I'll tell you when it's jammed...I've been on the 91 thru Santa Ana Cyn bogged down at 8-9 pm. The 101? Almost all day long. Don't get me on the 91/60/215 interchange LOL...that's a real joke.
It really is ridiculously expensive. those 600$ apts? probably in Santa Ana or in Watts.

My mom moved out your way to Marietta! She loves it. If I was moving I'd go to SoFla....I love it there.

oh almost forgot...we have a pretty shakey ground, hotter than hell summers...bleah.

[6jase5]

I love San Diego for the climate, the people and the geography. No place will ever be perfect for everyone, but tomorrow I'm going to a beach party. Yes, only mid 60's in temp and rainy, but it's technically winter so no complaining. My other option was snowboarding. Those are nice choices.

If you like to hike, year round, if you like to drive to snow but not live in it, perfect. If you might want to go play an open mic night any night of the week, easy.

My singer/songwriter and one of my best friends is a waiter with a degree in architecture, is happy as hell, pays next to nothing in a shared house with the older female owner and has his own entry and bathroom. She's our biggest fan as well. He's from Alaska and finds solace hiking and heading to Joshua Tree. It's really what you make of it.

[A-Step-Towards]

I lived in portland oregon for my whole life m i love that place, but you said nothing under 40 degrees , which in oregon it was 48 today and gets lower alot of times. I am actually wanting to move to LA in a few years as well i am 20 and when i get my degree i would really like to play the music scene there so i am loving all the info in this thread