I'm moving to LA in two weeks. Any advice?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Splash Wave

Member
I'm 20 years old and will be attending SMC with the intent of transferring to UCLA. I'm from a fairly small town north of San Francisco, so I'm pretty mystified by the whole area. It's huge. That probably sounds strange, but LA county is a much more overwhelming than the Bay Area.

I'm looking for any advice/suggestions that GAF can provide like good places (preferably inexpensive) places to eat, essential things to do, things to avoid, etc.

My apartment is in Brentwood, so I'm mostly concerned with West LA.
 
Hang out at Hollywood, Highland with your new friends! Go bowling there and check out some of the stores/restaurants.
I can't wait until the inevitable LA hate shows up in this thread. =(
 
So your living in the Westside, how fancy.
Mostly everyone from SMCC (who tries) gets transfered to UCLA, so that shouldn't be a problem.
 
Welcome! I moved here, oh, four months ago.

Westwood is college central; some people treat the entire area as an extension of UCLA. That said, it's still in a major city; standard safety common sense applies. But it's a fun place.

I recommend the Elysee Bakery for delicious things, as well as one of many frozen yogurt places...everyone will tell you a certain place is better than another, Red Mango, Toppings, Pinkberry, Frenchies, whatever. They all taste the same to me. = D Ethnic foods are everywhere; try to find some authentic Mexican, Japanese, and Thai. Should be easy enough; just ask around.

As Rewrite stated, Hollywood & Highland is fun (the bowling he mentioned is at Lucky Strikes, a club/nightclub/bowling mashup), and all the touristy things as well: Grauman's Chinese Theater, Santa Monica Pier, 3rd Street Promenade, LA Live, and so on and so forth. For a more nerdy perspective: Wil Wheaton's Geek Guide to Los Angeles

Also, what? Tap water is fine. I hate bottled water freaks.

Edit: Avoid the 405 during hours when most normal human beings are awake.
 
Rewrite said:
Hang out at Hollywood, Highland with your new friends! Go bowling there and check out some of the stores/restaurants.
I can't wait until the inevitable LA hate shows up in this thread. =(
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking all the fun out of it. >=[

*storms out*
 
You'll find plenty of cheap eats through Yelp. It'll be hit or miss depending on your tastes. Ethnic is definitely the way to go though. Also, you'll be driving right?
 
Feep said:
Edit: Avoid the 405 during hours when most normal human beings are awake.
Click to expand...

As a guy who was raised almost entirely in rural areas, the 405 gives me nightmares. Every time I got on it during the day, I was incapable of relaxing or thinking about anything other than surviving from point A to point B. Freeway driving stresses me out so much down there. I wish I could get over it, because I skipped doing some shit because I hated that drive so much.
 
suffah said:
You'll find plenty of cheap eats through Yelp. It'll be hit or miss depending on your tastes. Ethnic is definitely the way to go though. Also, you'll be driving right?
Click to expand...


Yes, though there are two bus stops near my house so I'm hoping I can use them occasionally.
 
Jimmy Stav said:
I'm 20 years old and will be attending SMC with the intent of transferring to UCLA. I'm from a fairly small town north of San Francisco, so I'm pretty mystified by the whole area. It's huge. That probably sounds strange, but LA county is a much more overwhelming than the Bay Area.

I'm looking for any advice/suggestions that GAF can provide like good places (preferably inexpensive) places to eat, essential things to do, things to avoid, etc.

My apartment is in Brentwood, so I'm mostly concerned with West LA.
Click to expand...

you're good to go then. Nice and quiet neighborhood. I suggest going to Sansai, a japanese fast-food restaurant. Quite inexpensive. $5-6 bux worth a meal.
 
viakado said:
seriously though, living in brentwood just for SMC isn't worth it.
there are better JCs out there in much better locales.
Click to expand...

How so? The apartment I found is really cheap and in a good location. Besides, I should only have to be at SMC for one semester (two at most) before I transfer.
 
I wish I could take a trip to LA again. Haven't been there since '99. I don't have any vacation at work, but I might get laid off in Sept. That's a good time.
 
Benitos is great for late night Mexican eating. D'Mores in Westwood is great pizza. Haven't found a place like that since I was in San Francisco. Walking in that area is actually easy and buses are efficient enough. Free for SMC students, too. (Just the blue buses)
 
I hate LA.. it's probably because I'm used to living in smaller cities but everytime I go to LA I always feel overwhelmed.

I'm not used to seeing so many hipsters.
 
al-hookah.jpg


You can pretty much start a fucking hookah club at ULCA :lol
 
Go to Cynthia's restaurant, get the blackberry cobbler. Thank me latter!

Also go to LACMA. They have awesome late night art exhibits with a bar and DJs and shit.

Well thats about all I did on my last LA trip. :lol
 
Jimmy Stav said:
How so? The apartment I found is really cheap and in a good location. Besides, I should only have to be at SMC for one semester (two at most) before I transfer.
Click to expand...
traffic alone would make any sane man run away like it was the las plagas.
but eh, your 20. all them hipsters should suit you fine.
 
suffah said:
You'll find plenty of cheap eats through Yelp. It'll be hit or miss depending on your tastes. Ethnic is definitely the way to go though. Also, you'll be driving right?
Click to expand...

I agree, Yelp is a great way to find new restaurants or places to go. I've lived in West LA/Santa Monica for over 10 years (went to UCLA) so I'm very familiar with the area. However instead of writing a laundry list of places to visit, I'll link to my Yelp site instead. It doesn't have all the places I go, but it's a good start.
 
You got it good. There are probably lots of cheap apartments around there because of the downturn. I've heard that Montana Ave, which used to be hopping with all kinds of funky stores, has dwindled down to nothing.
 
sonarrat said:
You got it good. There are probably lots of cheap apartments around there because of the downturn. I've heard that Montana Ave, which used to be hopping with all kinds of funky stores, has dwindled down to nothing.
Click to expand...


Yeah. I've been looking for apartments on craigslist for months and never would have imagined I'd find something so cheap in Brentwood.
 
Clubs...

I prefer Hollywood, as most downtown LA spots are a bit stuffy. Though I do like Edison and The Crocker Club in downtown. Vanguard is a cool spot in Hollywood. Nice sized patio out back, with a bar. King King for after hours (if you like to dance :)

As far as cheap food...

Canter's and Pink's (tho I got sick last time I ate at Pink's) for late nights. Swinger's if you're in the Venice/SM area.
 
Vustadumas said:
Clubs...

I prefer Hollywood, as most downtown LA spots are a bit stuffy. Though I do like Edison and The Crocker Club in downtown. Vanguard is a cool spot in Hollywood. Nice sized patio out back, with a bar. King King for after hours (if you like to dance :)

As far as cheap food...

Canter's and Pink's (tho I got sick last time I ate at Pink's) for late nights. Swinger's if you're in the Venice/SM area.
Click to expand...

Pink's isn't cheap. It's like $6-8 for a hot dog, that is not cheap.

Is it a good hot dog? Yes, but it is not a cheap one.
 
Jimmy Stav said:
Yeah. I've been looking for apartments on craigslist for months and never would have imagined I'd find something so cheap in Brentwood.
Click to expand...

It's the economy.. up here in San Jose I'm renting a 2-bedroom house for $1200. Why? They bought in December 2007 for $200,000 more than the house is now worth. They were hoping to tear it down and build two houses on the plot but couldn't get financing.
 
Make sure you hit up a Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles. Depending on where you are in LA other locations maybe closer, but the one on Pico & La Brea is great.
 
Eggo said:
I agree, Yelp is a great way to find new restaurants or places to go. I've lived in West LA/Santa Monica for over 10 years (went to UCLA) so I'm very familiar with the area. However instead of writing a laundry list of places to visit, I'll link to my Yelp site instead. It doesn't have all the places I go, but it's a good start.
Click to expand...


Your reviews have actually been a big help. I'm looking through it and already have an idea of a few places I'd like to visit. That barber shop sounds great.
 
Vustadumas said:
Canter's and Pink's (tho I got sick last time I ate at Pink's) for late nights. Swinger's if you're in the Venice/SM area.
Click to expand...

Pink's is overrated. Würstkuche, in the Arts district, is a sausage heaven, though.

Also, Langer's >>>>>> Canter's, though the hours are very limited, and the locale may be a bit daunting.

I personally think Swingers is kinda crap.

Also, very local to you is a cluster of good restaurant's at Santa Monica Blvd and Federal. I'm a huge fan of Juquila, a Oaxacan restaurant there. But there's a good Vietnamese place, Cafe 50's, and get Super Nachos at Benito's. A couple others there, too.
 
StopMakingSense said:
Pink's is overrated. Würstkuche, in the Arts district, is a sausage heaven, though.
Click to expand...
Actually I like Pink a bit more than Wurst, though the wait times can get ridiculous. The 'kuche also has a nice selection of beer.
 
golem said:
Actually I like Pink a bit more than Wurst, though the wait times can get ridiculous. The 'kuche also has a nice selection of beer.
Click to expand...

If you're into toppings, then I could see an argument for Pink's. Im into sausage though :D
 
This thread = FAIL

No mention of Arclight and the Cinerama Dome? Come on LA GAF!

When you want to catch a flick that is the place to go... reserved seating and 21 and over screenings with your favorite drink or cocktail.

Also be sure to check out The Griddle Cafe off of Sunset Blvd. for some amazing pancakes and french toast, their lunch menu is pretty amazing as well.

And be sure to try some tacos from LA's all too famous roach coaches (best tacos in town for cheap), there is one in Pasadena that is really good... I'll pass on the location when I figure out the cross streets. And there is always the all too trendy Kogi BBQ truck, you can check them out on twitter for where they will be on a given day.
 
Jimmy Stav said:
Your reviews have actually been a big help. I'm looking through it and already have an idea of a few places I'd like to visit. That barber shop sounds great.
Click to expand...

Reeders barbershop is heaven-sent. I'm surprised nobody on GAF has talked about it, or if they have I haven't seen it. It's like the Man Show made a barbershop.

woahitsreeo said:
This thread = FAIL

No mention of Arclight and the Cinerama Dome? Come on LA GAF!

When you want to catch a flick that is the place to go... reserved seating and 21 and over screenings with your favorite drink or cocktail.

Also be sure to check out The Griddle Cafe off of Sunset Blvd. for some amazing pancakes and french toast, their lunch menu is pretty amazing as well.

And be sure to try some tacos from LA's all too famous roach coaches (best tacos in town for cheap), there is one in Pasadena that is really good... I'll pass on the location when I figure out the cross streets. And there is always the all too trendy Kogi BBQ truck, you can check them out on twitter for where they will be on a given day.
Click to expand...

Speaking of fail, you don't want to seek out the Kogi BBQ truck via twitter and wait in line 1-2 hours for it. It's not worth it. Go to the Alibi Room outside of a Friday or Saturday night. You'll get the same food without the wait. You can also hit up the Kalbi truck for another take on Korean BBQ tacos in Westwood without wasting your life in line.
 
Eggo said:
Speaking of fail, you don't want to seek out the Kogi BBQ truck via twitter and wait in line 1-2 hours for it. It's not worth it. Go to the Alibi Room outside of a Friday or Saturday night. You'll get the same food without the wait. You can also hit up the Kalbi truck for another take on Korean BBQ tacos in Westwood without wasting your life in line.
Click to expand...

The Kogi BBQ truck wait times have actually drastically calmed down and you speak of the truth with Alibi + you get some extra menu items not on the trucks. Haven't heard of Kalbi, will try next time I'm in or around Westwood.

polyh3dron said:
The OP is on the West Side, he's better off going to the Landmark for that kind of thing.
Click to expand...

Figured I'd mention Arclight since everyone was suggesting other places in the Hollywood area. Had no idea The Landmark offered 21+ screenings, but the Dome is still a must visit movie experience in my book.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

At a complete loss here, any advice appreciated
12
212
Cyberpunkd replied
PSA: Paris 2024 Paralympic Games start in two weeks
12
1K
ilovecinnamon replied
Moving sucks
6
521
ClanOfNone replied
Anyone have experience with Snapdragon X laptops? Need advice lol.
3
239
Puscifer replied
Moving to US (maybe), what should I know?
Drama  2 3 4 5
219
9K
th4tguy replied
Top Bottom