Headin' South - a plea for advice/help

[mousepod]

So here's the scoop:
After more than 10 years in San Francisco, Heather and I are planning on packing up and heading out. The only two real destination candidates are NYC and LA, and at this point, LA is winning with an estimated 80% lead.

The reasons for the move are myriad. Among them are: the company that Heather worked for out here no longer exists, I'm sick of working in a jail and yearn to return to the evils of the entertainment biz, we realized that we've paid close to a quarter million dollars in rent and have no equity to show for it, and the owners of our house want to do structural repair to the foundation in the Spring.

At this point, we know that though Heather and I could both probably get decent jobs in NY, we'd have to live in the 'burbs or in a shoebox. We're not ready for that yet.

So it's the greater LA area.

The majority of our experience has been centered around the Hollywood area (I used to work in a satellite office on Sunset) and, of course, Disneyland.

We've purchased The Newcomer's Handbook for Los Angeles, but really haven't done much else yet (we were waiting until after the holidays).

We're looking for work and a place to live. And we're asking you, our potential neighbors, for advice and help.

And so it begins.

[Nephythys]

No advice- but I wish you the best in your big move!

[Alex]

No help since you couldn't pay me to live there (well you could, but it would be a hell of a lot more than anybody would) but almost everybody I know down there either lives in the 'burbs or a shoebox (and most both).

My vote would be to go back to New York (and giving that vote its due consideration LA should now be winning by 79.9999999999999999999999%).


Ok, one piece of advice. Look for work and then a place to live. The second is easier to find in convenience to the first than the other way around.

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

No help since you couldn't pay me to live there (well you could, but it would be a hell of a lot more than anybody would) but almost everybody I know down there either lives in the 'burbs or a shoebox (and most both).

My vote would be to go back to New York (and giving that vote its due consideration LA should now be winning by 79.9999999999999999999999%).


Ok, one piece of advice. Look for work and then a place to live. The second is easier to find in convenience to the first than the other way around.

Points well taken. I think the big difference between the LA 'burbs and the NYC 'burbs is that all of the action in NY is concentrated in Manhattan (and a little bit in Brooklyn), and the commute to there from the 'burbs can be a real PITA, while the things that interest me in the greater LA area are more spread out (Oh yeah, and there's less snow to shovel and fewer leaves to rake in LA).

[€uroMeinke]

I'm sure you've already got the plug for Long Beach, but LA is huge and the entertainment industry seems mostly on the West Side which may be a big minus for my fair city. So I think Alex may at least be right in the job first home second suggestion.

In any case, it'll be great having you in the neighborhood

[Ghoulish Delight]

The bad news is, you're looking at at least $700K, maybe pushing $1 million to purchase something of similar size to what you're in now, unless you're willing to do a commute of a couple hours.

The good news is, if you can reach that level, there are lots of options to choose from.

For the entertainment biz, Burbank's your town. The east valley IS Hollywood, and what isn't in the valley is easily accessible via Laurel Canyon or the 101. For that matter, the center of the fashion industry is also an easy ride over the hill from the Burbank vicinity. Anything further west in the valley, while still convenient, will likely be way too boring and suburbish for your tastes.

If Burbank isn't quite metropolitan enough, there's West Hollywood/West L.A. It would take careful consideration of neighborhood as things can get sketchy, but there are some great places (don't know much about the housing market there, though). If you're willing to put up with a cross-city commute, Santa Monica's a great town.

Of course, I'll put in the self-serving plug for Orange County (the City of Orange is a great town, and very affordable relatively speaking). It's got the obvious ties to the entertainment industry, definitely fashion-minded, less traffic, and a mere hour from all the goodies that L.A. has to offer. Also, and I'm not sure if this is your bag or not, there's this nifty little amusement park. I hear they have nightly fireworks shows...

[Scrooge McSam]

OH... Southern California

Never mind

[Cadaverous Pallor]

There definitely are urban, fashion/music industry involved areas of Orange County, but I just don't know enough about them. As much as I'd love having the 'pod family as neighbors, I must admit that the City of Orange doesn't seem to be one of these communities. But there's Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and other myriad places.

I'd stick with Alex's advice - jobs first, then get a place to live. You don't want to have to say no to a dream job because the commute would break your spirit.

[blueerica]

Yeah, here I was thinking 'Bama, even though I knew you might be heading down to L.A. What in the world was I thinking?

Well, I have no advice that wasn't already given. It frightens me to consider buying a house in Southern California, though it would be awfully nice to have two such wonderful individuals down in our neck of the woods! Long Beach is pretty swell, I might add, so is - say - South Bay.... just south of the Westside, so you're closer than Long Beach and not quite paying Westside prices.

[BarTopDancer]

I second everyone - find a job then find a place.

And for all things holy stay away from south Orange County. It's enough to suck any creativity out of anyone.