I'm thinking of moving to the Los Angeles, CA area - where are good areas to work/live?

Try to find a job before coming out here, use all the college connections you can. The job situation is quite dire in LA. If you don't have a job before you come out here, figure it will take you at least 4 months to find a job, but it could take much longer.

Expect to pay $1200 a month for an OK 1 bedroom in an OK neighborhood. Places like Glendale and Burbank are a good combination of safety and relatively reasonable rent (but still expensive). You'll want to live near your work, as our traffic is really bad.

You can look up safety info here: http://www.lalife.com/

Take advantage of all we have to offer --- outdoors activities like hiking, our beaches, fantastic museums, the difference in environment from one area to another, Dodgers, our touristy stuff like Hollywood Walk of Fame, amazing amusement parks, free summer concerts, etc.

I love LA, I grew up here. I choose to live here and I've been everywhere else. But it's very expensive!

Good luck!

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and I am a lot older than 31. I am not living there now but I go back from time to time and travel the entire LA area as a matter of fact. There are problems everywhere and every big city has pretty much the same stuff going on. Out of the cities you mentioned, if you were to move, I would go for Phoenix area. Not right in the city but north of there. In fact, the more north you go the better the weather is. The economy seems to be less drastic in that area. Portland from what I read is having a very bad time with their economy. Even though it is a beautiful place and probably you would love it there. They have some of the best transportation around. Have you considered living in Northern San Diego County? Do your homework but there are cities that are affordable. At least compared to SFValley and Orange Cty. Also, you have very good weather and I would think for a young single guy it would be fun. Also, check out Northern Cali. We were just in Roseville, east of Sacramento and it was reasonable and lots of stuff going on. Just do some traveling if you can to see for yourself.

I live in LA, and it is pretty expensive, but I dont live in the rich part. Umm Culver CIty, Glendale, Westwood are nice places. You could probably shop around for cheap apartments in Santa Monica. (all these places are 10-15 minutes away from down town L.A where i live. )

depends on your budget. put in extra details and i can help you out.

Living in LA: it is amazing. i love my city alot. lived here practically my whole life of . born here grew up here. i moved to the suburbs for a while and hated it! with a passion. there is so much to do in LA nothing like the suburbs.my favorite place to go is dodger stadium . i love going to the malls around here. the city is gorgeous at night.

Check this out.. Moving To Hollywood - To Work in the Film Biz

www.HollywoodOracle.com

The Ebook isn't ready just yet. Should be up in the next month.

But it was written for you in mind.. 100+ pages that answers every one of your questions that you might have about moving to LA.. Blog will be getting up to full speed as well soon..

Follow our feed and you will be notified when it is available. I promise it will help.

It was written by people that already did what you want to do..

HO

long beach is not that close to l.a but it is in l.a county and it is very nice depending what part but it really is nice.