Is L.A. a good place to go alone and would I fit in? (Santa Monica: low income, apartments)

[charm6177]

currently I live on the east coast but I want to move out to L.A. sometime in the near future, particularly Santa Monica if I can manage it. I don't know anyone, no friends or family out there and all my family is here on the east coast but I hate the winters here so much and have always loved California even though I've only visited for a short amount of time.

Also, would someone like me fit in out there and where exactly: female, white american, early 30’s, single, no kids, christian, quiet, not the party type, working administrative professional

[yamota]

It's always the quiet ones you gotta watch out for

[Charles]

Originally Posted by charm6177

currently I live on the east coast but I want to move out to L.A. sometime in the near future, particularly Santa Monica if I can manage it. I don't know anyone, no friends or family out there and all my family is here on the east coast but I hate the winters here so much and have always loved California even though I've only visited for a short amount of time.

Also, would someone like me fit in out there and where exactly: female, white american, early 30’s, single, no kids, christian, quiet, not the party type, working administrative professional

Why Santa Monica?
What about a job?

[charm6177]

Originally Posted by Charles

Why Santa Monica?

It's beautiful and the ocean is right there. I've just always been fascinated with Santa Monica.

Originally Posted by Charles

What about a job?

Well I would need a job first and i've started sending my resume out there but the problem is employers probably would not bother considering me since i'm not there so advice in that dept would be great too.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by charm6177

It's beautiful and the ocean is right there. I've just always been fascinated with Santa Monica.




Well I would need a job first and i've started sending my resume out there but the problem is employers probably would not bother considering me since i'm not there so advice in that dept would be great too.

Because SM is near the beach and near jobs it is very expensive, as are many other places south of there towards Redondo Beach.

Check this out:

Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Apartment Search for Oodle, Apartments.com, Kijiji, and Craigslist Apartments

Still, everything depends on where you find a job and might be a lot of competition from locals.

Do you have an special skills that you can market? Know any special tools or special experience?

[eastontracks]

you can def do it. i did it myself. no friends, family etc. i strongly suggest you have a job in place though before you move. santa monica will be pricey if you're getting your own place. i have my own but couldn't afford anything too close to the beach. im in burbank, great place still.

you shouldn't have a tough time finding a job. but hopefully you have some skills at least. it all depends if you're looking for a professional career or various jobs. i haven't dabbled into the professional market yet so i'm unsure how difficult/competitive it is in that sense to find a job. other jobs i say it's pretty easy if you look hard enough and have work experience.

if you make your move out here w/out a job, i'd say you need around 5k after you get here from the east coast, 4k if you are lucky to get a job before arriving. good luck!

[charm6177]

Originally Posted by Charles

Do you have an special skills that you can market? Know any special tools or special experience?

Not anything too special although I do know my way around a computer, mostly office programs like word, excel and powerpoint. I am also creative in terms of doing slide shows and some desktop publishing. but other than that, no

Originally Posted by eastontracks

you shouldn't have a tough time finding a job. but hopefully you have some skills at least. it all depends if you're looking for a professional career or various jobs. i haven't dabbled into the professional market yet so i'm unsure how difficult/competitive it is in that sense to find a job. other jobs i say it's pretty easy if you look hard enough and have work experience.

I think I have pretty good work experience. The company I work for now is huge and i've been here 2 years. I was at my last job for 4 years. That shows stability right? Before that my average time at a job was about 1 year.

[Daisy32673]

get a job first and have several months savings to live off of. and be prepared for higher cost of living. I know you're probably focused on how wonderful living near the beach in Santa Monica is but have you thought of all the important parts of moving here yet, like "how will I support myself and pay my bills?"

[rgb123]

I have a job lined up, am only taking a week off inbetween jobs, and I got a signing bonus. I'm already getting killed with moving costs, fees, higher rent, deposits. etc. It's ridiculous. Every time you start a new job there is usually a lag between paychecks. I'm going to have about a 3 week lag, plus a short check from my last week of employment. It's a killer on top of the moving costs and I'm not even renting a moving truck. Literally had to give my stuff away.

If that's not enough electric, gas, etc want deposits while they force you to listen to the 5 minute recording about assistance to low income people.

[nowincal11]

Originally Posted by charm6177

currently I live on the east coast but I want to move out to L.A. sometime in the near future, particularly Santa Monica if I can manage it. I don't know anyone, no friends or family out there and all my family is here on the east coast but I hate the winters here so much and have always loved California even though I've only visited for a short amount of time.

Also, would someone like me fit in out there and where exactly: female, white american, early 30’s, single, no kids, christian, quiet, not the party type, working administrative professional

Pretty much any young professional neighborhood in LA. You don't have to be the social nightlife queen.

Make the move! You have the opportunity to do it now.

If you don't like it you can always pack up and go somewhere else.