Things you need to do to survive living in LA?

Question

Please be serious! PLEASE :) How much does it cost to live there?

Answer 1

The most important survival item is HAVE A CAR!
LA/Orange County is spread out and if you want to get around, you need transportation. A car or moped or motorcycle is needed as the public transportatoin is not the most reliable.

Gas is not cheap. California has a strict rule on smog, and the gas has additives to produce less smog causing fumes. Plus the cars here need to be smog certified and if you bring an out of state car to register, they automatically slap on a $300 smog upgrade fee. Gas is usually $0.15-$0.50 higher than the rest of the country.

Next: you need a JOB. Minimum wage jobs won't cut it. If you do that, you will need two jobs, or a full and part time one.
To live in the LA area you should make a minimum of $30K to have enough for a roof over your head, food to eat and money for the car/gas.

Housing...It truly depends where in LA you want to live.
Rule of thumb: The closer to the beach, the more money.
Rent for an apartment in the beach community averages $1300-2000 a month. Some higher some lower.

In Santa Monica they have rent control, meaning the landlord cannot charge more than "X" amount. The tough part is to FIND the rent control apartments because people don't move, or they'll sub lease it.

If you move inland, you can find places as low as $600-800 a month. Some of the lower income places are not bad but they are run down, and a bit depressing.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

These are all great comments. I just want to add that if you live in the "valley", you will find much cheaper rent than if you live on the west side. Example: I have an apartment, 2 bed, 2 bath, plus a loft in North Hollywood/Studio City area. My roommate and I each pay $ 725. (a roommate is a really good idea if you want a decent place.)
Also, as far as clubs go, just because it's trendy, doesn't mean it's any good. There are some excellent night spots with small or no cover charges and reasonable drink prices. (5-10 dollar cover, and drinks ranging from 5 on up)
If you want a good idea on housing costs around the LA area, check "WestSideRentals.com"

Answer 3

You can find studio apartments in dumpy neighborhoods for around $500. If you want to be safe, figure a studio/one bedroom will be closer to $1000 in a better complex. Higher end complexes in the city limits can start at double that and go up from there.

Food costs about the same, but there are a ton of Farmer's Markets and roadside people selling things that can reduce the cost.

You will also need a car unless your job is very close to your home, or unless you feel safe on public transportation. The busses are not like they are in some areas where everyone takes them. They are usually people that can't afford cars. Gas is very expensive there, so allow for that.

If you plan on clubbing or heading out on weekends, expect to pay $25-$30 a head admission at some of the hottest clubs. Then expect to pay $10 a drink. Smaller bars are certainly cheaper.

Answer 4

Living comfortably in LA requires an above average income. If you are thinking McJob, be prepared to room with other McJobbers. Also, people are always seeking nannies and house sitters, so that would defray your cost of very high rentals. There is much to see and do in LA , its a very old city, founded by the Spanish. Good colleges, fine restaurants, beaches and mountains nearyby. Make sure you have a job before you go. Good luck.

Answer 5

Figure that you'll need to pull down about $35,000/year just to survive, and that's only if you share a cheap apartment in a so-so neighborhood with roommates and drive a car that's completely paid for (i.e. no car payment). Rest assured that you will be living lean.

About $60,000/year will get you a one bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood and allow you to manage a monthly car payment of ~$500--a living, but by no means extravegant.

$75,000/year will allow you to live it up some--a nicer apartment, a car, and a vacation somewhere decent (e.g. Europe, Cancun, Skiing in Colorado) each year. But it won't be enough to actually own a condo or house. For that you'll need to pull down $100,000 annually, maybe more.

Answer 6

You need a high paying job.

Housing is very expensive, especially if you are in a good, safe neighborhood.

You must have a car. Public transportation is for people who can't afford cars or who have too many DUIs (that's the stigma). Gas is high ($3.25 a gallon) and you will spend a lot of time in your car.

Parking is rarely free, especially in the city.

Produce and wine are pretty cheap, since they are part of the state economy.

Salon services are cheap, since everyone has to look good.

Answer 7

The only way that I survive here is living close to where I work. My commute is no more than 10 minutes....totally atypical for LA but I love it.

Answer 8

well, the price of gas is really high, lile $3.17 min of the cheap stuff, and a good pair of flip flops are like essenial. With all the traffic, be prepared to spend a lot of time in your car, so it better be a good one. The housing prices are like through the roof where i live, but somhow they keep coming!

Answer 9

Everything is relative, you aren't going to be poor just because you live there. It is, like anywhere, a lot easier if you already have some stability there. i.e. Family, friends, etc. But anything is possible and people who just say "oh my God it's expensive" are misguided.

Answer 10

Don't move here... most people can't survive unless they have been here for many many years...