PeregrinSe7en
Member
welcome to the best coast OP
Moving To and Living In Los Angeles
- Thread starter Chiggs
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Don't listen to this guy. You need a car. I cannot emphasize this enough. If you want to go anywhere, you need a car.
Cheapest rents close to where your workplace is probably Long Beach, or Downey. Try to live close to a freeway entrance (about 15 minutes away from a freeway). Also, enjoy 80 in Dec. with a little breeze.
Torrance people represent!
All those stores have shut down and been replaced by newer businesses. Goes to show how you haven't been in Torrance in a while....
All those stores have shut down and been replaced by newer businesses. Goes to show how you haven't been in Torrance in a while....
titiklabingapat
Member
He does need a car, yeah, or at least an access to one (Zipcar, lyft/uber). But the OP's work is going to be close to a Metro light rail station on the Green Line so if he ends up living near one, he should seriously consider taking it for his daily commute and keep his sanity. Then he can drive on the weekends or when he goes out, when traffic is less of a problem.
layzie1989
Member
I'd suggest living in Culver City, Mar Vista, Playa Vista, Venice, or Marina Del Rey. That way you can just head down Vista Del Mar and take that beautiful drive all the way to El Segundo. If your job is lucrative check out Playa Vista specifically. I work there and they're building a LOT of condos and a huge entertainment/office district.
Entropy912
Neo Member
Also, regarding the traffic, yes it can be a major pain in the ass and yes it will become part of your life if you move to LA but it's not a constant parking lot like some are making it out to be. The truth is that LA traffic is like the tide of the ocean, it ebbs and flows and is surprisingly predictable unless there is an accident fucking everything up. For example, the 405 south is usually wide open from 3 pm on wards from the valley to the 10. The 101 between Thousand Oaks and Hollywood is an absolute nightmare from 5-7pm but then opens up. The 110 through downtown is always terrible though. Avoid that at all costs.
Chiggs
Gold Member
Seriously, folks, I really appreciate the advice. Good stuff in here.
I do own a car--a badass, tricked out FJ Cruiser with shitty gas mileage, so I'm set.
Fun fact: I'm actually in LA right now and I've been scoping out the area. I plan on moving within 5-10 miles of work, tops.
Question: is the McArthur Park area still a dump, and is Echo Park full of hipsters?
I do own a car--a badass, tricked out FJ Cruiser with shitty gas mileage, so I'm set.
Fun fact: I'm actually in LA right now and I've been scoping out the area. I plan on moving within 5-10 miles of work, tops.
Question: is the McArthur Park area still a dump, and is Echo Park full of hipsters?
beat
Member
They used to be gray and really no one noticed them then. But a few years ago (I'm told) they rebranded so LA Metro buses are orange (or red for limited stop), Culver City's are green, Santa Monica's are blue -- they're very colorful and hard to miss seeing.
I managed life in LA fine without a car. I took the bus for 15 min to work -- I lived close by -- and walked to buy groceries and use the laundromats. The only problem was (see below)
Agreed. The problem comes when your scene turns out to be located far from your work and you can't live near both. And this was still kind of workable for me, but I still was kinda lucky that I lived near major bus lines and my hobby's neighborhood was w/in seven miles of my home and not across any hills.
I actually like taking transit. As long as I don't miss my stops -- and I'm pretty good about it -- it's a decent time to read the internet (twitter, FB, GAF, etc) and listen to music. Or podcasts, if I was into that. But the more transfers you have to take, the more potential for problems. If you're going to take transit, try to live on a bus or rail line directly to work, or one transfer at most.
The LA subways don't have cell phone reception in the tunnels or stations.
TheKaeptain
Banned
I moved from Fresno to LA. Been here for 2 years. The city isn't that bad if you know how to drive around. The only time I get stuck is when I have to leave LA on the 5 around rush hour or when I have to go into the city during rush hour or lunch time.
I pretty much just use my car to get me to places the metro doesn't go (hurry up with the extension dammit). When I go out to drink I park in North Hollywood and take the metro to DT or Hollywood. Use Uber if I need it.
Ken Masters
Banned
LA kind of sucks, but the weather is nice
hitsugi
Member
How many square feet is that? I think if you're willing to pay $1500 for a 1 bedroom (and typically have no pets), you can find decent spots in that neighborhood
titiklabingapat
Member
McArthur Park is still sort of dumpy but its surrounded by other 'cool' neighborhoods so the neighborhood is changing quick. It really depends block by block. Echo Park isn't quite full of hipsters yet but there is a spillover from Silverlake.
beat
Member
For me, it's the opposite. I hate LA heat, which lasts way too long - most of the spring, summer, and fall are too hot for me - but I like a lot of the city itself.
Entropy912
Neo Member
Yes and yes IMO
Megalosaro
Banned
My roommate works for chevron in el Segundo. He lives in Lakewood and hates the commute but doesn't want to move west.
I also work out in el Segundo on Saturdays. Its pretty cool.
I also work out in el Segundo on Saturdays. Its pretty cool.
Yes and yes. I grew up in Echo Park when it was still shitty, so seeing Echo Park being full of hipsters and losing that gritty image is pretty sad for me.
I really miss Pioneer Market and especially Pioneer Chicken.
Gentleman Jack
Member
Yes and yes.
Echo Park is still pretty dirty but the gentry have been pushing east for the last decade or more.
If you want to live between 5 and 10 miles from work and still have more than a hundred bucks on you at the end of the month look south and east for apartments.
Myths
Member
Don't trip, I certainly wouldn't be taking public transportation as I drive myself. However, if it's necessary to get things done then that's just how it goes.
StopMakingSense
Member
Keep it under 5 miles if you can, and the traffic East to West in the morning and West to East in the evening is the worst (on this side of downtown). (The opposite is actually quite serviceable)
I have no familiarity with the El Segundo area unfortunately. I am mostly located in West L.A. and travel to North O.C. on a weekly basis, so I can't be of much help beyond usual advice.
I will say that, if you have a smart phone, use the Google maps app to your advantage. That app has always saved my butt with an alternate street path that shaves minutes off my commutes, but I kind of travel in a 10-20 mile area in L.A. so if you're traveling further (and have to hit freeways very often) the app might become less useful. But always give it a look I'd say, before heading out at busy times.
I will say that, if you have a smart phone, use the Google maps app to your advantage. That app has always saved my butt with an alternate street path that shaves minutes off my commutes, but I kind of travel in a 10-20 mile area in L.A. so if you're traveling further (and have to hit freeways very often) the app might become less useful. But always give it a look I'd say, before heading out at busy times.
Megalosaro
Banned
Screw Google Maps, use Waze. It's much better.
youngplaya21
Member
Maybe it'll be better if the 710 ever gets extended, but right now it sucks. There's no easy way to go south from the 210, so going to Long Beach or anywhere near it is a pain in the ass since you have to drive thru lights for like 5 miles
Maybe I'm biased since I live in Pasadena and have to commute thru Fremont dr every day...
Chiggs
Gold Member
Well, GAF, I got the job. Which means LA just got another transplant.
Honestly, the whole things seems very daunting. I'm getting a very generous offer with a relocation package, but I'm still nervous, scared and excited. The nice thing is that the company is going to be handling most of the moving details.
Denver has been wonderful to me. Love the city, the people and the Broncos. But it's time for a change.
I love the tips in this thread, so keep 'em coming if you got 'em.
Honestly, the whole things seems very daunting. I'm getting a very generous offer with a relocation package, but I'm still nervous, scared and excited. The nice thing is that the company is going to be handling most of the moving details.
Denver has been wonderful to me. Love the city, the people and the Broncos. But it's time for a change.
I love the tips in this thread, so keep 'em coming if you got 'em.
JackLongRod
Banned
Congrats
Chiggs
Gold Member
Thanks!
Fatal Futanari
Member
Congrats and welcome!
I would actually like LA way, way more if it had real weather, instead of sun sun sun sun sun a tiny bit of rain sun sun sun. I actually get depressed living here due to the weather, which I know is the total opposite for most people. *heh* For example, words can't describe how horrible I find it to not have snow in the winter.
And congrats Chiggs! Welcome to hell! *heh*
crooked spin
Member
Congrats, looks more and more likely that I'll be moving to LA within the next 5 years. What industry are you in?
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
Congrats man. I'm honestly happy for you.
Stay away from McArthur Park, as someone else said. It's truly an awful place to be near. Downtown LA in general is just awful and full of crime, drug addicts, drug dealers, and shady characters.
Dr. Feel Good
Banned
Congrats. I just moved last week from Portland, Oregon for a job offer too. Not sure what cost of living is like for you in Denver, but the biggest hit I'm seeing is housing (kept relatively same square feet, way nicer actual building, but increased my rent by $1K) and drinking/eating out. My bar tab last weekend on Sunset Strip was $160 and I felt like I didn't even drink that much.
Public transport too I'm deeply going to miss. I live in West Hollywood and can walk to work at least. Plus I'm right off Santa Monica Blvd and Sunset Blvd so I can take the bus to hot spots if needed (bus ride to Santa Monica Beach is ~1 hour). Uber has worked so far too, but damn it adds up. On the flip side I'm landlocked far from the highway arteries which I'm told I will regret in certain situations.
Also went to a movie over the weekend... $16 on a Sunday night. WTF.
And can I take a guess that you got a job at Raytheon or possibly Mattel?
StopMakingSense
Member
Maybe like 15 years ago.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
Nope. Sorry, it's still crappy and ghetto.
Dr. Feel Good
Banned
I stayed downtown on my first trip out here and I agree, it's an absolute shit hole. I was told there was some sort of gentrification going on; I didn't see it.
Chiggs
Gold Member
DIRECTV.
What you're saying is pretty much what my friends are telling me. Housing and eating out are waaaaay more expensive.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
It's just what the locals say to out of towners to make themselves feel better about the area. It's just not true.
TheBryanJZX90
Member
Like the only area in DTLA that isn't absolute shit is Little Tokyo, and even then it's just the main plaza. Everywhere else is horrible. Do people from LA not realize that other major metropolitan areas aren't this shitty?
What's wrong with Olvera Street? I like it. :[
But Little Tokyo is pretty damn good. Shame the arcade there shut down.
TheBryanJZX90
Member
Well, I shouldn't act like I've been everywhere downtown. I just mean from the places I've been.
Aww man, the arcade closed down?
Best tips:
Google maps iPhone/android app. Mount that on your car asap. It gives you optimal routes for avoiding traffic (be sure to check both highway and non-highway routes), and it's inavaluable for those times you take a wrong turn and don't know where the heck you are. Which happens a lot.
Also, start listening to podcasts. Or get Audible. Audible is big in LA, helps with those drives.
Keep your eyes peeled for LAGaf meet ups.
Google maps iPhone/android app. Mount that on your car asap. It gives you optimal routes for avoiding traffic (be sure to check both highway and non-highway routes), and it's inavaluable for those times you take a wrong turn and don't know where the heck you are. Which happens a lot.
Also, start listening to podcasts. Or get Audible. Audible is big in LA, helps with those drives.
Keep your eyes peeled for LAGaf meet ups.
Yep, now there's an arcade at the bowling/pool place, some of the machines are neat but it's seriously lacking in fighting games.
jeremy1456
Junior Member
Don't become part of the problem.
Northern California is the equivalent of the Holy Roman Empire but in modern times. Move there instead.
Northern California is the equivalent of the Holy Roman Empire but in modern times. Move there instead.
Chiggs
Gold Member
What a waste of a nice building.
Downtown LA is great, don't listen to this man.
Yeah there are some shady areas, but that just adds to the character. There are some great bars, restaurants, and theaters down there.
DJ Jazzy J
Neo Member
You gotta get on that Waze game! Download the app and use it instead of Google Maps. It's so much better.
Also, there are so many happy hours, especially around downtown so you can eat, drink, be merry, and still pay rent! Don't worry, you'll figure the city out in no time!
What part of LA are you coming to OP? Moved here for undergrad, haven't actually left yet.
Why in God's name would you do that to yourself? The increased prices in Manhattan Beach are well worth not having to commute from Pasadena. Damn, you must have some serious self-loathing issues.
Bull fucking shit. I've been visiting LA since 1999 and if you can't see how much it has changed, you're blind. Frankly there is nowhere in LA I'd rather be than downtown.
I've been to, LITERALLY, every metropolitan area in the entire country. I love DTLA.
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