And I say that's entirely the wrong approach. He wants to spread his wings, not play it safe. Where's the fun in playing it safe? All he would do is waste time and energy in Atlanta.
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19 years old from Tennessee moving to Los Angeles area.
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And I say that's entirely the wrong approach. He wants to spread his wings, not play it safe. Where's the fun in playing it safe? All he would do is waste time and energy in Atlanta.
I understand that wearing a condom isn't as fun, but sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry.
I'm kidding, just so you know... about both statements.
He also wants to go to college at state rates which means one-year residency before he can enjoy the subsidized tuition. Moving to lalaland at 19 without any visible means of support isn't wise.
I thought he just wanted to experience big cities with mean non-southern people? People are just trying to give him some viable alternatives.
So? I moved to Chicago without any visible means of support. It turned out to be the best thing I've ever done. I've been here 17 years and done pretty well. Things have a way of working out if you try.
The OP will never regret the experience, even if he decides not to stay in LA. But he will regret not doing it.
I understand that wearing a condom isn't as fun, but sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry.
I'm kidding, just so you know... about both statements.
Hardly the same thing.
Good for you!
I would suggest Chicago & many other cities over LA in his circumstance. It doesn't seem like he's set on LA and at 19, he's got plenty of years to find himself.
I think it depends on the person. LA requires a special breed.
I have a lot friends there in the business. They are... shall we say... exceptional. Yes he does. That's why I think he should do his adventuring now.
newbie
I'm really not one to get the "honkey tonk fever". Nashville is the closest thing to California due to the Music business but personally 2 hours just isn't far enough. Atlanta is fantastic as well, big city, lots of people, but once again I am lost in the throws of indecision. In highschool i had a friend that i visited very frequently so i don't really feel like i would be getting what i wanted out of it.
remember, honkey tonk fever.
I'm fairly certain that if I were to stay in the Eastern states I would just go to New York. I've been there before and I would take that over where I am but I must say i'm in the mood to be picky.
I'm really not one to get the "honkey tonk fever". Nashville is the closest thing to California due to the Music business but personally 2 hours just isn't far enough. Atlanta is fantastic as well, big city, lots of people, but once again I am lost in the throws of indecision. In highschool i had a friend that i visited very frequently so i don't really feel like i would be getting what i wanted out of it.
remember, honkey tonk fever.
I'm fairly certain that if I were to stay in the Eastern states I would just go to New York. I've been there before and I would take that over where I am but I must say i'm in the mood to be picky.
Something else to think about with LA.
outside of the driving (when I drove out of there from Torrance back home to Vegas) it took me a good hour to get outside of the the LA Basin proper (up to Cajon Pass), and that was with one or two different freeways. So driving there is pretty much the norm, but if you're going to be around the college you're wanting to go to, you should be okay.
Second thing, is the air quality. The smog there will be plainly visible to anyone coming from areas with vastly blue skies like the South. You may find it a bit more difficult to breathe, and over time, it will get to you. I really couldn't take much of the LA area, though San Diego was a lot cleaner for me.
You also will be on or around earthquake-prone areas, so just be prepared for it. I don't know if they sell earthquake insurance down there; this is the main reason why I chose Sacramento over anything in the SoCal area; it isn't in any earthquake sensitive areas (though part of the city is on a huge floodplane). Coming from the South, you'll be used to flooding, but the lack of tornadoes (which you will actually miss because it's FAMILIAR) and the onset of possible earthquakes may be a bit disconcerting.
BL.
outside of the driving (when I drove out of there from Torrance back home to Vegas) it took me a good hour to get outside of the the LA Basin proper (up to Cajon Pass), and that was with one or two different freeways. So driving there is pretty much the norm, but if you're going to be around the college you're wanting to go to, you should be okay.
Second thing, is the air quality. The smog there will be plainly visible to anyone coming from areas with vastly blue skies like the South. You may find it a bit more difficult to breathe, and over time, it will get to you. I really couldn't take much of the LA area, though San Diego was a lot cleaner for me.
You also will be on or around earthquake-prone areas, so just be prepared for it. I don't know if they sell earthquake insurance down there; this is the main reason why I chose Sacramento over anything in the SoCal area; it isn't in any earthquake sensitive areas (though part of the city is on a huge floodplane). Coming from the South, you'll be used to flooding, but the lack of tornadoes (which you will actually miss because it's FAMILIAR) and the onset of possible earthquakes may be a bit disconcerting.
BL.
Others have already hit the big points, but I'll add a couple too.
To begin with, I think you're going to need some roommates. To go it alone, as jecapaga said, I'd plan on no less than a grand a month for a place to live, and that's essentially the bare minimum to be safe. The problem here is that unless you rent from an individual that doesn't care, most rental agencies aren't going to rent a $1K/month place to you unless you're grossing three times that. So unless you can find an entry level job that'll start you full time at $18.75/hr, you're going to have trouble finding your own place. Obviously campuses are a good start to find roommates. Fortunately there are a *lot* of colleges here.
If you can find an acceptable living situation (lots of roommates!) on an entry level wage, I think you can get away with only having a bike. Beyond that though, you might want to think about getting some sort of car. You might be able to get a Starbucks job (or equivalent) close to where you live, but a better paying job is going to be harder to come by, and this is a town that is used to commuting by car. I'm not saying it's impossible to get by here with only a bike, but you'll be seriously limiting your options, and with the economy the way it is, buying a used Civic for a couple grand might be worth it.
Otherwise, have fun! If you didn't like other people being up in your business, this is definitely the place to be.
To begin with, I think you're going to need some roommates. To go it alone, as jecapaga said, I'd plan on no less than a grand a month for a place to live, and that's essentially the bare minimum to be safe. The problem here is that unless you rent from an individual that doesn't care, most rental agencies aren't going to rent a $1K/month place to you unless you're grossing three times that. So unless you can find an entry level job that'll start you full time at $18.75/hr, you're going to have trouble finding your own place. Obviously campuses are a good start to find roommates. Fortunately there are a *lot* of colleges here.
If you can find an acceptable living situation (lots of roommates!) on an entry level wage, I think you can get away with only having a bike. Beyond that though, you might want to think about getting some sort of car. You might be able to get a Starbucks job (or equivalent) close to where you live, but a better paying job is going to be harder to come by, and this is a town that is used to commuting by car. I'm not saying it's impossible to get by here with only a bike, but you'll be seriously limiting your options, and with the economy the way it is, buying a used Civic for a couple grand might be worth it.
Otherwise, have fun! If you didn't like other people being up in your business, this is definitely the place to be.
I agree 100% with you on this one. I would say that if there is ever a time to try anything, this is it! Go do something crazy and don't be afraid. When I was 21 I spent 3 months in China alone. I wish I had spend 3 years there. I could never do that again, but now with my boys growing up fast; I will encourage them to do it.
If you didn't like other people being up in your business, this is definitely the place to be.
Man, that's for sure!!!
On the note of air quality... Chattanooga has one of the highest smog levels in the nation's history. Back in the 20's it was very very bad.. mostly because of the steel production plants and heavy manufacturing plants. You actually have to go about 10-15 miles out of town to actually see stars at night. And not to mention the humidity. every time that i leave the south, the second that i step off of the plane back home i get hit with the heavy air i'm used to. So air quality is probably the last thing i am worried about.
Thanks to all of you I have actually been able to make sense of this mess I am hoping to get myself into. I have spoken to the few family members that I have out west ( mostly Colorado) but I have one cousin in LA, and it is obvious that I need to stay in school. It seems like attaining a college degree now a days is like getting a high school diploma. Especially since academic competition is at it's highest point right now I shouldn't be wasting any time.
I barely have enough money to put myself through school here in Tennessee. so money is definitely tight. If it wasn't for the financial aid i received I don't think I would be as lucky. I have heard that certain schools in California are very willing to work out tuition in special cases. please correct me if i'm wrong. But with having said that, I will be needing aid. There is also the option of writing proposals for grants. even though the letters were sent to specific Alumnin (Ted Turner) of my high school, it is skill I was lucky enough to be able to become acquainted to. I know that money is out there, I just need to find it.
help?
Thanks to all of you I have actually been able to make sense of this mess I am hoping to get myself into. I have spoken to the few family members that I have out west ( mostly Colorado) but I have one cousin in LA, and it is obvious that I need to stay in school. It seems like attaining a college degree now a days is like getting a high school diploma. Especially since academic competition is at it's highest point right now I shouldn't be wasting any time.
I barely have enough money to put myself through school here in Tennessee. so money is definitely tight. If it wasn't for the financial aid i received I don't think I would be as lucky. I have heard that certain schools in California are very willing to work out tuition in special cases. please correct me if i'm wrong. But with having said that, I will be needing aid. There is also the option of writing proposals for grants. even though the letters were sent to specific Alumnin (Ted Turner) of my high school, it is skill I was lucky enough to be able to become acquainted to. I know that money is out there, I just need to find it.
help?
I wouldn't bank anything on grants. The state is bankrupt and you're gambling. Not sure what your age is. I'll assume 22. I completely agree with leekohler about just going balls out (sorry
) and going for it. You only live once and you can recoup this mistake in your later years. Kidding But where are you in your education? If I've missed that, my apologies. You've been to LA it sounds like. Getting around on a motor bike is doable though a pain for that to always be your vehicle. **** is expensive here and like dmr suggested, go the roomie route for sure if you can. Not hard to do.
You want a bank account of 5-10k to move imo. Jobs are tight here and I wouldn't personally move without a job. Maybe you can visit your cousin and apply?
You could just go with the clothes on your back but it sounds like you're being cautious which I think is good. Any idea where in LA you were that made you think, I want to move here? That will help. Hundreds of miles and a million suggestions. I'd suggest that you keep this as a goal, save your money and graduate where you are and then move to save all the in state tuition BS. Get your degree and then split.
I wouldn't bank anything on grants. The state is bankrupt and you're gambling. Not sure what your age is. I'll assume 22. I completely agree with leekohler about just going balls out (sorry
But where are you in your education? If I've missed that, my apologies. You've been to LA it sounds like. Getting around on a motor bike is doable though a pain for that to always be your vehicle. **** is expensive here and like dmr suggested, go the roomie route for sure if you can. Not hard to do.
You want a bank account of 5-10k to move imo. Jobs are tight here and I wouldn't personally move without a job. Maybe you can visit your cousin and apply?
You could just go with the clothes on your back but it sounds like you're being cautious which I think is good. Any idea where in LA you were that made you think, I want to move here? That will help. Hundreds of miles and a million suggestions. I'd suggest that you keep this as a goal, save your money and graduate where you are and then move to save all the in state tuition BS. Get your degree and then split.
Believe me, I would love to head out that way and see what happens. But given the uncertainty of this nation we live in you can't ever be too prepared for such a different place.
To answer your question I am actually only 19 and I am a first year student.
If I hadn't had my head up my ... when applying to schools my senior year, I would be there right now. but at the time I had reasons to stay around the south... which I found out were the wrong reasons. So honestly it's a shame that I can't be in school there now...
About the biking issue, I have done a handful of races and am very comfortable on 2 wheels... and another thing about the south, people don't take kindly to bikers. I have had bottles, trash, food, etc thrown at me from moving cars and people who really don't like to share the road. So let's just hope for the best on that one. or else they will get 5' 6" of hell. No, actually they won't. But I don't see why I wouldn't be able to at least hold my own
The bottom line is that I have lived in Tennessee for my whole life. Don't get me wrong, there are endless reasons why this place is great. They just can't seem to keep me around. I would also say that I have been on the sheltered end of things my whole life, which is fine. But eventually I will have to grow up, so I might as well have fun with it. You ask, "why California? Why LA?". So i'll tell you. I would consider myself creative, but to be honest my ideas are a bit too liberal to be heard here in the south. Ever since I traveled that way, I fell in love with the atmosphere. It appealed to me in every way that the South didn't. My hobbies include, writing, music (wilco), writing music, and deep, pensive thought. Maybe it's just me but the last true writer to give the South an identity was Faulkner (besides Grissom). So I wouldn't venture to say it's the intellectual center of America. (yes we wear shoes) Basically, California is just about the farthest that I can go with out going out of the country. And not to mention California is a very different place from the south.
Alright, let me give you a little insider advice about living out here. First of all, don't start off in LA. You said you want to major in Environmental Engineering so I would ultimately recommend Cal Poly Pomona, they have one of they more prestigious Engineering programs ( Also very expensive ). Also look into Cal State Fullerton, they have a great program as well ( And a little cheaper ).
As for where to live, I would recommend trying to find somewhere in North Orange County ( Fullerton, Anaheim ) or South-western San Bernardino County ( Pomona, Ontario ). San Bernardino will be cheaper and that is where Cal Poly Pomona is, but both will be cheaper than LA. ( But still only about 30 minutes away ). Near the Universities you can also find cheaper housing and roommates.
Southern California is like a turtle ... It's so hard to get in, there's a hard shell and not many people will be willing to help ... but once you're inside you'll never want to leave it.
If you have any questions fell free to PM me, i'd be more than happy to help in any way.
As for where to live, I would recommend trying to find somewhere in North Orange County ( Fullerton, Anaheim ) or South-western San Bernardino County ( Pomona, Ontario ). San Bernardino will be cheaper and that is where Cal Poly Pomona is, but both will be cheaper than LA. ( But still only about 30 minutes away ). Near the Universities you can also find cheaper housing and roommates.
Southern California is like a turtle ... It's so hard to get in, there's a hard shell and not many people will be willing to help ... but once you're inside you'll never want to leave it.
If you have any questions fell free to PM me, i'd be more than happy to help in any way.
Pomona is a fantastic school so I hear. Interesting you would mention it because I have friends at Pomona that I will be staying with when I go out there to visit. Also I have contacted a friend at USC and he recommended CSUF as well. So I am a little bit inclined to believe you know what your talking about. It makes a huge difference to have some names of schools to start looking at.
I am on course right now to major in Environmental Engineering yes, but being a first year student that is likely to change. Even though I plan on sticking with it, I should have other options to look into if that doesn't work out. I am minoring in Classical Studies and will definitely stick with that. Before I submerge myself in an engineering school, I still would like to see what else is out there. If I was to switch my major I feel like I would likely major in a field that would further involve my writing. What other schools would be suitable for studying the classics and composition?
I have heard of UC San Diego, and I also have friends at the University of San Francisco and they love it. I have seen alot of responses that lean towards somewhere other than LA. And i'm sure they know more about what they are talking about than I do so I will take their word to some degree. There are so many places to look, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Santa Monica, Santa Rosa, etc. While I haven't been anywhere but LA and San Francisco, I still won't limit myself to them. But what about San francisco?
^ You mention some very expensive places. You may need to set your sights a little lower if you are to go it on your own. xbuddycorex and dmr727 and many others have given some really excellent advice.
I was going to suggest San Francisco, partially because you can get along without a car over there MUCH easier than you can in LA. I know it sounds strange but not having a car in LA is just not the way to go. Also, in SF people tend to be slightly less superficial, smarmy and fake. This is a major generalization but it's got some truth to it. It's just as, if not more, expensive than LA and the weather isn't as nice. Santa Cruz may be another place to consider.
I was going to suggest San Francisco, partially because you can get along without a car over there MUCH easier than you can in LA. I know it sounds strange but not having a car in LA is just not the way to go. Also, in SF people tend to be slightly less superficial, smarmy and fake. This is a major generalization but it's got some truth to it. It's just as, if not more, expensive than LA and the weather isn't as nice. Santa Cruz may be another place to consider.
Well, I have a couple of friends from boarding school that are going to USF and they love it. And being the only other city I have been to in Ca other than LA, San Francisco would be my second if not first choice.
And yes it makes big difference if these places that I have mentioned are out of my price range. And I need small details like that. Chattanooga Tn, is known for having a low cost of living. But it is also substantially hard to find a job that pays more than 7.25 an hour. But I need all the advice that I can get. Thank you everyone.
And what is the lowdown on Santa Cruz?
Malibu and most parts of Santa Monica are very expensive. Santa Barbara is lovely (I was there just a few weeks ago actually) but it is also expensive and I think Santa Rosa is as well.
Maybe have a look at some real estate websites to get a feel for the costs of things. If you see something that looks promising, feel free to post the location and I'm sure someone here can let you know if it's a bad spot or not. I think the advice to move into some place as a roommate is the best idea.
Santa Cruz is in the bay area, it's a pretty chilled out place. I believe UC Santa Cruz may be decent environmental studies but don't quote me on that. I only know this because I have a couple friends who got their Marine Biology degrees there. I lived in Santa Cruz for a little over a year as a kid (just in time for the '89 earthquake too) so it's been a while since I scoped the place out.
The OC is known for it's HIGH cost of living. But it is substantially hard to find a job that pays more then 7.25 and hour (or hell, any job at any wage). Heck, I have a Masters of Electrical Engineering and today is my last day. Tomorrow is my first day in the new company -- the one I'm starting, total employees, ONE.
I live outside of Irvine; wouldn't want to get any closer to LA. The cost of living is high, but the quality of life is also very high. Irvine is an area you could survive in with just a bike; especially a young single guy. I had a friend who commuted over 20 miles each way every day on his bike [he used the train for part of it]. UCI is a good school, not great for enigneering but still a very good school. There are a ton of smaller schools too, many community colleges.
Have you thought about just taking a year off and trying to make it here? Moving, finding a job, finding where you want to be, trying to get into school are all very time consuming and stressful. Come out, find a job, find a place to live, figure out if it is right for you, and THEN go back to school may be a better choice. Since school already started for the year, getting here now isn't the best idea, because you'll be out of phase with the rest of the students. The earliest you could start would be next semester.
I would suggest either finding a college, getting in, getting tuition all set and paid for, and living in their housing OR deciding to take a year off, come here, find a place to live and get a job; then go back to school next year, or go home.
