Moving to California need all the help info advice I can get... sans insulting my intelligence :)

[destinygodley]

I live in the NY/NJ area.. This SUMMER I am looking to move to the LA close to Hollywood area. I am looking for cheap diggs..studio.. rooms... shares or anyone needing a roommate intern PA.... artistic help... etc freewebs.com/dgtalimage I am an actress DestinyGodley.com... are there any places like hostels with longer stay where I can stay cheap... what are good/bad cheap areas that I can flock to... any help would be greatly appreciated
[e-mail]

[Jay]

Oops. My advice for moving to California was to NOT move to LA/ Hollywood area.

[destinygodley]

OopsThanks, won't be taking that advice.. next :)

Jay said:

Oops. My advice for moving to California was to NOT move to LA/ Hollywood area.

[Nana Yeah!]

I'm going to have to agree with Jay.

LA has more smog and fake people, imo. It might even be more expensive than the bay, but don't quote me on that.

I recommend moving to somewhere like... Berkeley because there's usually lots of rooms for rent and it's reasonably priced. Also, it's on the BART line so you can go pretty much anywhere.

I heard LA doesn't even have good public transit... meh.

[destinygodley]

IDK much about CA. where is Berkeley located? and is it close to near L.A... I'm moving for purposes of acting.... and thanks.. I will look into this..

[LesYpersound]

Loftstel: Los Angeles
is probably as cool and relatively affordable as the Loftstel in Brooklyn and they do monthly rates. you'll probably meet ppl who are either going to school or trying to move to LA over there.

Looking for places... i've heard things about echo park/silver lake district (east hollywood)--real "hip", probably overpriced.

[destinygodley]

Thanks!!

LesYpersound said:

Loftstel: Los Angeles
is probably as cool and relatively affordable as the Loftstel in Brooklyn and they do monthly rates. you'll probably meet ppl who are either going to school or trying to move to LA over there.

Looking for places... i've heard things about echo park/silver lake district (east hollywood)--real "hip", probably overpriced.

[Nana Yeah!]

destinygodley said:

IDK much about CA. where is Berkeley located? and is it close to near L.A... I'm moving for purposes of acting.... and thanks.. I will look into this..

lol it's like 5 hours away XD if you drive fast.

What I'm saying is, I prefer the SF Bay Area more than the LA./SoCal area.

OH, wait.... Well if you're looking for acting, either metropolis would work, but yeah, LA should be better with that. I wouldn't know, but I do know actors/movie producers are in SF, too. SF Bay Area would probably be better for voice actors if anything.

[Rosenda]

Loftstel sounds like a good idea Lesy. But I don't see the address on there. If I knew where it was, I could tell Destiny what that area is like (trust me I've been all over Los Angeles County).

Well you should also look at the listings on craigslist.com, Des. I know lots of people who have found apartments and roommates there. One of the best ways to find an apartment is to literally get a friend to drive you around the area you want to live in, and look at the buildings or houses that have a FOR RENT sign. A lot of places don't advertise their rooms or apartments for rent in newspapers or online.

Hollywood is hit or miss. You can find some okay prices but then there are some hella expensive shit there as well as some jacked up places too. Silver Lake used to be so cool when I lived there but it's way too expensive there now. Same for Echo Park.

The Mid Wilshire / Koreatown area is still supposed to be very reasonable. Close to the buses and the Red Line subway, which is good if you need those. The problem with transportation is that Los Angeles County is way spread out. It's like all the people in New York/New Jersey, but stretched out in an area ten times bigger in size. You know what I mean?

I have a friend who moved out here originally from Chicago a few years ago who is a new member of the Actors Studio West. He went through the whole application and interview process and last time I talked to him he was really enjoying the process. He is also in classes they give as well as doing beginning of commercial and ad work, and he's been in a lot of theatre too.

There are a whole group of entertainment industry related schools on Sunset between La Brea and Fairfax in the Hollywood area, I think they are all owned by the same company. Some are related to film and television industry and some to the music industry.

There are also a ton of local theatre groups, and the biggest two I know of are Actors Studio West (yes they are related to the original one in New York) and also a lot of people have come out of the Stella Adler Theater classes and training.

He has lived in that Koreatown/Wilshire area awhile now, he told me (as did another good friend of mine I used to work with) that it's still great to live there, and there are still a ton of affordable apartments.

I love Berkeley!!! It's nowhere near Los Angeles by the way, it is in Northern California, officially.
You should ask Arana or Loungepunkisto on here about the Bay area up north, they know more than me about that, as they both are living up there.

Good luck with everything Destiny!

[destinygodley]

Thanks rosenda....I replied to your email!! thanks SO much :)

Rosenda said:

Loftstel sounds like a good idea Lesy. But I don't see the address on there. If I knew where it was, I could tell Destiny what that area is like (trust me I've been all over Los Angeles County).

Well you should also look at the listings on craigslist.com, Des. I know lots of people who have found apartments and roommates there. One of the best ways to find an apartment is to literally get a friend to drive you around the area you want to live in, and look at the buildings or houses that have a FOR RENT sign. A lot of places don't advertise their rooms or apartments for rent in newspapers or online.

Hollywood is hit or miss. You can find some okay prices but then there are some hella expensive shit there as well as some jacked up places too. Silver Lake used to be so cool when I lived there but it's way too expensive there now. Same for Echo Park.

The Mid Wilshire / Koreatown area is still supposed to be very reasonable. Close to the buses and the Red Line subway, which is good if you need those. The problem with transportation is that Los Angeles County is way spread out. It's like all the people in New York/New Jersey, but stretched out in an area ten times bigger in size. You know what I mean?

I have a friend who moved out here originally from Chicago a few years ago who is a new member of the Actors Studio West. He went through the whole application and interview process and last time I talked to him he was really enjoying the process. He is also in classes they give as well as doing beginning of commercial and ad work, and he's been in a lot of theatre too.

There are a whole group of entertainment industry related schools on Sunset between La Brea and Fairfax in the Hollywood area, I think they are all owned by the same company. Some are related to film and television industry and some to the music industry.

There are also a ton of local theatre groups, and the biggest two I know of are Actors Studio West (yes they are related to the original one in New York) and also a lot of people have come out of the Stella Adler Theater classes and training.

He has lived in that Koreatown/Wilshire area awhile now, he told me (as did another good friend of mine I used to work with) that it's still great to live there, and there are still a ton of affordable apartments.

I love Berkeley!!! It's nowhere near Los Angeles by the way, it is in Northern California, officially.
You should ask Arana or Loungepunkisto on here about the Bay area up north, they know more than me about that, as they both are living up there.

Good luck with everything Destiny!

[destinygodley]

Thanks!! I'd probably pref sf too.. from the sounds of it... but I have this purpose.. ya know.. thanks though, and am taking this all in.. appreciate all this positive info.. this is new.... I apppreciate it A LOT!

Nana Yeah! said:

destinygodley said:

IDK much about CA. where is Berkeley located? and is it close to near L.A... I'm moving for purposes of acting.... and thanks.. I will look into this..

lol it's like 5 hours away XD if you drive fast.

What I'm saying is, I prefer the SF Bay Area more than the LA./SoCal area.

OH, wait.... Well if you're looking for acting, either metropolis would work, but yeah, LA should be better with that. I wouldn't know, but I do know actors/movie producers are in SF, too. SF Bay Area would probably be better for voice actors if anything.

[jahluv]

Do you have a gig lined up? Unemployment in LA is no joke right now, and trying to work a restaurant or bar gig to make your rent isn't a good plan. Cheap diggs are not to be found in the Hollywood area, most of the area has been gentrified.

I agree with Rosenda that the best way to find place is to drive around the are you like and see what's available.

The other thing I'd advise is that if you're trying to get into acting or music, you need to bring your A game. I'm sure you know that the rest of the world that doesn't go to NYC to be a star comes to to LA. Good luck...

[destinygodley]

ah... I have a paid gig, work freelance and have lots of savings... mama didn't raise no fool :)... and I know nothing of this... "unemployment" you mention?.. idk?
:) :P
Thanks for your advice, :) only game I have is my A... I'm not moving to LA to become a "star"... I looking to start my life the way it should have been, imo... and Luck is when opportunity meet preparation, I'm prepared... LA will provide me opportunities, Kisses! :P

Thanks Love!

jahluv said:

Do you have a gig lined up? Unemployment in LA is no joke right now, and trying to work a restaurant or bar gig to make your rent isn't a good plan. Cheap diggs are not to be found in the Hollywood area, most of the area has been gentrified.

I agree with Rosenda that the best way to find place is to drive around the are you like and see what's available.

The other thing I'd advise is that if you're trying to get into acting or music, you need to bring your A game. I'm sure you know that the rest of the world that doesn't go to NYC to be a star comes to to LA. Good luck...