Should I Move To Los Angeles or Stay Home?

Question

I currently live in Sydney and have the chance to move to LA.

The job I am doing only pays me about $22 an hour TOPS.
But I can do the same job in LA and get $60 an hour.

This means I will be getting $125,000 p.a instead of a lousy $45,000 p.a.

I've heard L.A is expensive will my salary keep me comfortable?

The only thing is I've never been to L.A, but I have got a family friend who has been living there for 3 years.

DO you think I should stay or go?

Answer 1

What would make you happy?

Answer 2

make sure you visit L.A. for quite some time, before committing. Don't take other people's word for it, visit the city yourself! I guarrantee you're going to see that it's not what it's cracked up to be, because....

1. it's too expensive
2. it's over crowded
3.it's too spread out, therefore you'll be spending a lot on gas!
4. the crime rate is overwhelming
5. the people are really stuck up, rude and mean.
6. the B, C and D actors think they're the shiit when clearly they're not!
7. it's infested with con artists, waiting to be discovered as an "actor"
8. In Australia, people don't litter but here, everyone litters and it's polluted! The beaches are nothing like it is in Sydney. It's really nasty, come see for yourself!
9. the job market is really really poor! There's more people then jobs so it's really competitive.
10. If they hear your accent, then they'll automatically think you're a defensless tourist and they'll con you!
11. The housing market is really high!

need I say more? just make sure you've got the job first and make sure to live here for a short while, come see for yourself! It's not what it's cracked up to be!

Answer 3

Have you visited? You should do so before you make your I decision.

I packed up my U-Haul and came here with nothing, and I've lived here over 20 years. Loved it for the first 10 years or so. Now, too many people and too expensive for me, but I work for a non-profit.

(The way most people are talking here, they must do very well. I don't know too many people that make $125,000).

With $125,000 a year, you'll be fine. Why not, you only live once. With that kind of money, you can pick up and go home anytime.

Answer 4

No doubt the pay is better in L.A. and the weather is good. You should be able to live decently on $125,000 in LA but you'll be far from wealthy.

Personally, I could not live there - too big, too crowded too congested and too much crime. I live in a smaller place about 2 hours north of there. We get paid much less, we pay through the nose for housing but the quality of life is much better.

Answer 5

even though i've got been residing in Florida for the previous 4 years, Chicago is my place of beginning, and that i might flow returned in a flash if the prospect used to settle for to us. there is not any diverse city locate it irresistible! a lot of stuff to do, thousands of suitable notch eating places and bars to settle on on from, fairly a lot of museums (in case you're into that), and so on. in case you're no longer waiting to come again up with the money for residing superb in the city (it relatively is gorgeous luxury), i might recommend staring at into o.ok.Park, it is best approximately 15 minutes exterior the Chicago city limits. a lot of transportation options (Metra, the El, buses, and so on.), between the main busiest airports on earth, and of path, the place of abode of Blues, teen. Chicago has all of it. Orlando will best recent you warmer climate (even though it does get as low as 30-40 tiers interior the summertime; a lot people have not any concept that) and a lot of Disney themed retail shops and billboards. No state tax down suitable here, the two. nonetheless, i might pick Chi-city any day of the week and 2 circumstances on Sunday.

Answer 6

Go!
LA is expensive, but you can live OK on 125...not well, but OK.
Live in a beach town like Marina del Rey or Manhattan Beach just to be sure you get the whole experience.

If you don't like it, you can always go back - so take a chance on LA!

Answer 7

Go to LA!
Im currently in the process of moving there
and let me say that it has been a wonderful experience.
on your small salary i would definetly rent fro awhile.
I suggest that if it is only you going to rent a condo/apartment in the lovely area of Sherman Oaks if it is not to far from you working location. There you will easily be able to find a one bedroom apartment from anywhere from 1000-5000 per month.
Good luck on you decision.
Maria

Answer 8

Only go if the job is guaranteed. Otherwise you will end up waiting tables or something like that.

Yes, $125,000 will definately keep you comfortable, so don't worry about that.

Answer 9

Average HOUSING in L.A. runs $500,000 for a 1 bdrm, 1 bath house, if you're lucky. Food is expensive. Gas and cars are expensive.
Your $60 an hr will not go far in CA.

Answer 10

One.............Visit L.A. beforehand
Two.............Make sure you can afford to live there/here
(We live in Orange County....south of L.A.)
Three...........Calculate and figure your budget
Four.............Expect to live in rather "tight" quarters....meaning it is quite crowded here. Homes are close together.
Five..............Make sure to have the job before you move.
Six................The average home is about $500,000 grand & up for a 2/bdrm, 1/bath....1car garage..1story.."on average".
Seven.......... After you have done all above, then make a logical and intelligent decision. That is a major move.

Good luck to you...

Answer 11

sorry this isnt really much an answer to your question lol but im actually from Sydney, Australia aswell, and i was thinking of moving to los angeles to work there or experience living there for 12months or more.

So im kind of waiting for the answers to this question as much as you are!