I recently received the follow e-mail from someone looking for advice on where to live in Los Angeles:
I’m hoping to find somewhere that’s artsy, but also consists of young professionals in their mid-late 20s. It would be a plus if there were a few families w/children around too. It would also be a plus if I could get to the beach easily. I’m hoping for a place that has access to nature b/c I’m a big nature girl, maybe someplace that has a big park to hike in. I’m also looking for a safe place that I could get for under $1,000. I’m willing to have a bachelor or a studio apartment. I also don’t wanna get stuck in a pocket of people that are too snotty or not friendly at all. Is there a place that fits these things or a place that has most of these things I’m looking for?”
So, her ideal location would consist of a neighborhood with young professionals and families with children. It would be a studio apartment in a safe, artsy, not snotty community that’s close to the beach and a big park for hiking. Rent would be under $1,000 a month.
This is an example of over thinking the situation.
Don’t come in with these expectations
Los Angeles is sprawling, and this leads to a generalization of different areas, like “want to be a beach bum? Then move to Redondo or Hermosa” and “looking for a hipster crowd? Head towards Los Feliz / Silver Lake.” These generalizations are great for realtors and magazines. They’re not so great if you need to find a place to live and quickly, unless you want to spend another night holed up in your car at a Wal-Mart parking lot.
There are pockets of these generalized communities in every area. Don’t over think it – if you’re not crazy about your first apartment, you can always move again after you have a better lay of the land. If you’re fresh out, with no connections and your plan is to “get a feel for the city for a year,” then no place is going to be perfect. Wherever you find yourself, have an open heart and open mind and you’ll be fine.
The beauty of Los Angeles’s sprawling nature is every terrain is just a drive away. You can literally go to the beach the same day you go skiing.
Focus on these three key questions, and the rest will fall into place:
- Do you feel safe?
- Is it in your price range?
- If you’ve secured a job before moving out, how far is the commute?
My apartment sits on the border between Culver City and Palms, and relative to my needs it’s a pretty central location. Venice and Santa Monica stretch five miles to the west, Downtown is ten miles to the east, and Beverly Hills/West Hollywood is a 20 minute drive. Down the street, I have my big park for running, hiking, even skateboarding. (This location isn’t convenient for getting into the Valley or into Hollywood, however.)
Once you’ve found your living spot, you’re going to be bombarded with plenty of things to do. Here are some thoughts on next steps, in no particular:
- If this is your year to “explore Los Angeles,” or if you’re on a budget, don’t drop money on brand new furniture. Craigslist what you can. It’s amazing what you can find for free (or close to it.)
- The California DMV can be a nightmare, with a line wrapping around the building before it opens. Schedule an appointment online before going in, bring all your paperwork, along with something to read. Before getting a California license and new license plates, get a quote for your new auto insurance (this can be done online, is free, and takes a few minutes.) The increase in your premiums can be drastic.
- Not having a car in Los Angeles sucks, but it’s manageable. Definitely get a pedal bike and/or a skateboard. Definitely get a bus pass. Use Google Maps for public transportation until you get a handle on the bus schedules and routes.
- The UTA Jobs List (Google it) can be great for finding unpaid entertainment internships. It’s not so great for finding that “great job” – because everyone can access it, it’s value is low. Those great opportunities are typically picked off by someone-who-knows-someone days before it hits the list.
- Do the free internships. Everyone starts somewhere.
- Nearly everyone will tell you to try getting into “an agency.” Shortly after, many will admit they never worked at an agency either.
- Don’t be afraid to get a non-entertainment job. If it pays the bills and you still have time to pursue what you love, it’s not a bad option.
- Same with bartending and waiting tables and working at coffee shops. People might look down upon you for doing it, but condescending friends aren’t real friends, anyway.
Welcome to Los Angeles. Enjoy your stay.
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Photo Credit: Taka
