Advice for someone moving to L.A.?

[maarow]

I'm planning on moving to L.A. sometime in 2011 and was wondering if anybody who currently lives there has any advice? I graduated from Columbia College this year and am currently living at home trying to save up money.

Specifically I'm trying to create a monthly budget and am wondering if there are any resources for that. Is it possible to get a job within a month or two of being there, for someone with nothing but a degree in film? What areas should I be looking to move into, for relatively low rent costs and some minimum level of safety?

Thanks for any help on this matter...

[Tyler Smith]

Here's a few of the things I would suggest:

First off, don't be afraid to move to the San Fernando Valley. I know that a person may instinctively want to live in Hollywood and a lot of Hollywood hipsters have expressed a general disdain for the Valley, but certain areas (Van Nuys, North Hollywood, parts of Burbank) are significantly less expensive than living in Hollywood.

Secondly, be prepared to pay a lot of money for gas. Not only does gas cost more here, but you pretty much have to drive everywhere you go. Public transportation is pretty unreliable.

It's entirely possible to get a job within the first few months out here, provided you have some connections. I have a friend that moved out here in May and wound up getting a pretty good job at "America's Got Talent" within about three months, because he made friends with people that already worked there.

Oh, that's another thing. The job you are able to get immediately will probably not have much to do with what you ultimately want to do. Don't let that discourage you. Just work hard at whatever job you get and people will notice.

That's about all I can think of to say. Once you get to Los Angeles, shoot David or myself an e-mail and we'll see if we can help in any way.