Looking to move to L.A. area
Sep 24th, 2007, 10:04 AM
#21
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smartcookie-The problem with most of your posts is that you tend to generalize and make statements "like there is nothing nice about it". So some of us felt we needed to defend Long Beach.
If you read my posts, I tell the pros and cons of Long Beach and then state that if they want to be in LA then Long Beach is probably not the place they want to be. So I think you can be a little more helpful without making such generalized statements.
As far as your comments to mlgb you are way out of line. Saying things like "get a social life" probably should pertain to you also but was not necessary. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and you seem to have a hard time excepting those of other posters. And how do you know whether mlgb knows transplants to LA? I would bet she does since much of LA is made up of transplants. And I still can't imagine getting an apartment without a job (yes, maybe with a co-signer). The process for my DD and her friend who recently moved into new apartments was very strict-some wanted copies of recent check stubs or bank statements. And was for Long Beach!! LOL
If you read my posts, I tell the pros and cons of Long Beach and then state that if they want to be in LA then Long Beach is probably not the place they want to be. So I think you can be a little more helpful without making such generalized statements.
As far as your comments to mlgb you are way out of line. Saying things like "get a social life" probably should pertain to you also but was not necessary. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and you seem to have a hard time excepting those of other posters. And how do you know whether mlgb knows transplants to LA? I would bet she does since much of LA is made up of transplants. And I still can't imagine getting an apartment without a job (yes, maybe with a co-signer). The process for my DD and her friend who recently moved into new apartments was very strict-some wanted copies of recent check stubs or bank statements. And was for Long Beach!! LOL
Sep 24th, 2007, 01:49 PM
#24
Try reading the first post. They said they wanted to move to the "LA area". "We realize it won't be cheap..we were thinking of Long Beach...We want to be close to the beach." These are not tourists, they are trying to find a way to get started in the "LA area".
Give them some credit for thinking things out. LA isn't just Hollywood. Santa Monica, West LA or Beverly Hills are not affordable for new graduate with student loans. And believe it or not, there are gangs and problem areas in Santa Monica, Venice (Hi Oakwood)and West LA.
Give them some credit for thinking things out. LA isn't just Hollywood. Santa Monica, West LA or Beverly Hills are not affordable for new graduate with student loans. And believe it or not, there are gangs and problem areas in Santa Monica, Venice (Hi Oakwood)and West LA.
Sep 24th, 2007, 01:52 PM
#25
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MorganRey-Not a problem about agreeing with the fact that the OP probably doesn't want to move to Long Beach instead of LA. I stated that myself.
What we are disagreeing about is smartcookie making a statement that "there is nothing good in Long Beach". And then smartcookie suggests that they look at Manhattan Beach. Well first of all, Manhattan Beach is very expensive and secondly it's not that much closer to LA than Long Beach.
My older daughter lives in Long Beach, if she takes the 110 into LA and from there either the 101 or 10 often she makes better time than my younger daughter who lives in Redondo and has to use the 405.
In all reality, it all depends on where the OP gets a job. There are definitely cheaper parts of LA but the OP also stated she wants to be close to the beach. The OP said she was open to area, even San Diego so she could also look in Orange County or heaven forbid-Long Beach!! I do know that Santa Ana school district is often looking for teachers and they could live in the Costa Mesa area which is pretty reasonable.
What we are disagreeing about is smartcookie making a statement that "there is nothing good in Long Beach". And then smartcookie suggests that they look at Manhattan Beach. Well first of all, Manhattan Beach is very expensive and secondly it's not that much closer to LA than Long Beach.
My older daughter lives in Long Beach, if she takes the 110 into LA and from there either the 101 or 10 often she makes better time than my younger daughter who lives in Redondo and has to use the 405.
In all reality, it all depends on where the OP gets a job. There are definitely cheaper parts of LA but the OP also stated she wants to be close to the beach. The OP said she was open to area, even San Diego so she could also look in Orange County or heaven forbid-Long Beach!! I do know that Santa Ana school district is often looking for teachers and they could live in the Costa Mesa area which is pretty reasonable.
Sep 24th, 2007, 04:20 PM
#26
I was born in the San Gabriel Valley and have lived in Manhattan Beach for 30 years. One of my best friends has lived in Long Beach (near Cal State) for many years so I've spent some time there too. I wouldn't discourage any young person considering moving to Southern California from looking at the Long Beach/Seal Beach area. LB is a fairly large town that has a surprising number of small-town-feeling neighborhoods.
To say Long Beach is too far ("45 minutes") from the main parts of L.A. reflects a lack of knowledge of L.A. geography. Everything is at least 45 minutes from everywhere else. The "main parts" are all over the county, which is the size of Rhode Island. There is no one (or best) place to live to "experience L.A."
To say Long Beach is too far ("45 minutes") from the main parts of L.A. reflects a lack of knowledge of L.A. geography. Everything is at least 45 minutes from everywhere else. The "main parts" are all over the county, which is the size of Rhode Island. There is no one (or best) place to live to "experience L.A."
Sep 24th, 2007, 04:39 PM
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Everything is at least 45 minutes from everywhere else.
Jean-isn't that the truth!! My Long Beach daughter does wish she lived a little closer to LA because she goes there often for auditions. But she can get at least to the West Side or Downtown in 45 minutes. But my friends daughter who lives in Santa Monica is always complaining that it can take her 45 minutes to get across town into Hollywood and certainly that long to Burbank. So in LA, it's all about driving.
Jean-isn't that the truth!! My Long Beach daughter does wish she lived a little closer to LA because she goes there often for auditions. But she can get at least to the West Side or Downtown in 45 minutes. But my friends daughter who lives in Santa Monica is always complaining that it can take her 45 minutes to get across town into Hollywood and certainly that long to Burbank. So in LA, it's all about driving.
Sep 24th, 2007, 04:51 PM
#29
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Woops-just wanted to do italics on the first line. Just learning this HTML code.
Suze-you are right about the squabbling and I got right in the middle of it which I don't usually do. I guess I get a little defensive when someone isn't open minded about opposing opinions. I should be used to that on Fodors but that's also why you don't see me posting on controversial subjects in the lounge.
Don't know if brooklyn0185 will come back-seems this is their first post on Fodors. Hopefully they will since there is good information here about jobs and the different parts of LA if they can read around the fighting.
Suze-you are right about the squabbling and I got right in the middle of it which I don't usually do. I guess I get a little defensive when someone isn't open minded about opposing opinions. I should be used to that on Fodors but that's also why you don't see me posting on controversial subjects in the lounge.
Don't know if brooklyn0185 will come back-seems this is their first post on Fodors. Hopefully they will since there is good information here about jobs and the different parts of LA if they can read around the fighting.
Sep 24th, 2007, 05:00 PM
#30
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paula, I think your posts are very balanced. I've never had an issue reading them. however, mlgb starts her posts with personal attacks. there is a big difference in expressing your opposing opinion and attacking someone else's opinion and character in general to state your point. Btw, 90% of my friends are in their 20s and moved here from other states (several specifically from Louisiana too and some of them live in Hermosa now, but only after they experienced the LA they moved here for). None of them had jobs lined up when they moved (pretty hard when you're right out of college) and they all were able to rent without issues (with a co-signer or proof of savings when necessary). College students rent apartments without having jobs all over LA and the US in general in the same manner.
My "nothing nice about it" comment was probably too harsh, but considering the wealth of options, I was just trying to make it clear that there are much more convenient and nicer areas, even for the same price.
mlgb, they've never been to LA. They're obviously not considering Long Beach because it's going to offer them something different as they don't know that. They're posting here asking with "!?!?" at the end of "Long Beach", so they are asking for input on that idea because they don't know any better and that was the first cheap area that popped out on Craigslist or whatever with the word "beach".
And I don't think LA is in Santa Monica. There are several areas that are considered main parts of LA (undisputed) where most major attractions/restaurants/famous bars and show venues are, and there are others that are considered South Bay, which are the outskirts. It's fine to live there. But people from South Bay do not go to main LA (WeHo, Hollywood, SM, West LA, Westwood, Beverly Hills, etc) very often because of the long commute. That's all the OP has to realize and then decide which part of the greater LA area they want to experience most because they will probably spend most time around the area where they live.
Btw, 45 mins to get to Long Beach is without traffic. It doesn't take 45 mins to "get anywhere in LA" nowdays without traffic. It becomes 45 mins WITH traffic when it should be 20 mins (i.e. if you drive that same distance at 4am). If we're talking about commute to Long Beach WITH traffic, then it's really 1.5 hrs (yes, I've done it numerous times).
My "nothing nice about it" comment was probably too harsh, but considering the wealth of options, I was just trying to make it clear that there are much more convenient and nicer areas, even for the same price.
mlgb, they've never been to LA. They're obviously not considering Long Beach because it's going to offer them something different as they don't know that. They're posting here asking with "!?!?" at the end of "Long Beach", so they are asking for input on that idea because they don't know any better and that was the first cheap area that popped out on Craigslist or whatever with the word "beach".
And I don't think LA is in Santa Monica. There are several areas that are considered main parts of LA (undisputed) where most major attractions/restaurants/famous bars and show venues are, and there are others that are considered South Bay, which are the outskirts. It's fine to live there. But people from South Bay do not go to main LA (WeHo, Hollywood, SM, West LA, Westwood, Beverly Hills, etc) very often because of the long commute. That's all the OP has to realize and then decide which part of the greater LA area they want to experience most because they will probably spend most time around the area where they live.
Btw, 45 mins to get to Long Beach is without traffic. It doesn't take 45 mins to "get anywhere in LA" nowdays without traffic. It becomes 45 mins WITH traffic when it should be 20 mins (i.e. if you drive that same distance at 4am). If we're talking about commute to Long Beach WITH traffic, then it's really 1.5 hrs (yes, I've done it numerous times).
Sep 24th, 2007, 05:27 PM
#32
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by the way, I'm curious. if either of you decided you wanted to move either SF or NYC, would you consider living in San Jose or Harlem respectively when you first got there to live "in" those cities?
Sep 24th, 2007, 06:22 PM
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smartcookie-Thank you for your post. I really think we have gone over this way too many times. If you read the OP's post one last time, you will see that they said "my friend and I are looking to move in a yr & 1/2 to the L.A. Area". She also said "Los Angeles is our first choice but we are willing to consider other areas such as San Diego". So I just didn't want brooklyn0185 to discount Long Beach after you made your harsh comment. Sounds like she is willing to look anywhere from LA down to San Diego.
And yes I was agreeing with Jean that it takes 45 minutes to get anywhere in LA. BTW my younger daughter that lives in Redondo goes to West Hollywood, Melrose area quite frequently although not as often as the local places around her house.
Anyway, we can agree to disagree and be done with this.
And yes I was agreeing with Jean that it takes 45 minutes to get anywhere in LA. BTW my younger daughter that lives in Redondo goes to West Hollywood, Melrose area quite frequently although not as often as the local places around her house.
Anyway, we can agree to disagree and be done with this.
Sep 24th, 2007, 06:25 PM
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Oh and to answer your question-No, San Jose wouldn't be my choice for No. Cal but if I got a job there, it would be fine. I probably wouldn't live in Harlem although now it's becoming gentrified. But if I couldn't afford Manhattan, I would certainly consider Brooklyn or Queens.
Sep 24th, 2007, 06:34 PM
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Sure. I've spent 13 years in Southern California with a 4 year break in Northern California and Europe.
I've spent many separate days in Long Beach (and nearby beaches) on day trips and have flown out of Long Beach airport several times. Obviously no reason to stay overnight.
If you're asking if I know LA and surrounding areas well, the answer is yes, very well".
paula, I don't think we're disagreeing. I think it's up to the OP to decide what their goals are and what they're willing to live with to save the money. since they're naming just the major cities (i.e. LA and San Diego), we don't really know if they're willing to live in smaller cities in between or if they want the true LA or SD city life that they've heard about. I hope they come back to tell us more.
I've spent many separate days in Long Beach (and nearby beaches) on day trips and have flown out of Long Beach airport several times. Obviously no reason to stay overnight.
If you're asking if I know LA and surrounding areas well, the answer is yes, very well".
paula, I don't think we're disagreeing. I think it's up to the OP to decide what their goals are and what they're willing to live with to save the money. since they're naming just the major cities (i.e. LA and San Diego), we don't really know if they're willing to live in smaller cities in between or if they want the true LA or SD city life that they've heard about. I hope they come back to tell us more.
Sep 24th, 2007, 06:37 PM
#37
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Btw, my question about SF and NYC was specifically with regards to the goal of the move being to live in those cities. I think that's the main disagreement in this discussion. There is a big difference if you're moving in order to move for a job (so job is the most important goal), or moving because you want to experience life in that specific city.
Sep 24th, 2007, 06:46 PM
#38
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"If you're asking if I know LA and surrounding areas well, the answer is yes, very well".
"Please do not live in Long Beach. There is nothing nice about it. . ."
I'm sorry but those two statements just plain don't go together. Anyone who can't find ANYTHING nice about Long Beach does not know it very well. Period! End of discussion.
Sep 24th, 2007, 06:51 PM
#39
The OP may not be back since he posted this 3 times and probably can't figure out how to get back here. But If I were him, coming from the South, and reading some of the gloomy/grouchy/rude posts one here - I'd be re-thinking the whole idea.
Maybe it is just smartcookie's attempt to keep people from moving out here . . . . . .
Maybe it is just smartcookie's attempt to keep people from moving out here . . . . . .
Sep 24th, 2007, 07:11 PM
#40
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I'm not sure brooklyn is coming back, either, so I'll keep this brief.
I lived near the westside when I first moved to LA, right in the thick of things, and I hated it. I was much happier after moving to the South Bay.
If you love the beach, my advice would be to move as close to the beach as you can afford. Of course, this is after you know where you will be working -- try not to set yourself up for more than a 40 minute commute.
I also think that Long Beach has lots to offer. Good Luck!
I lived near the westside when I first moved to LA, right in the thick of things, and I hated it. I was much happier after moving to the South Bay.
If you love the beach, my advice would be to move as close to the beach as you can afford. Of course, this is after you know where you will be working -- try not to set yourself up for more than a 40 minute commute.
I also think that Long Beach has lots to offer. Good Luck!
