We see this every day in this forum: Everyone who wants to move here is looking for ��cheap/affordable and safe . However, such a place just doesn��t exist; the two terms are mutually exclusive. It s all about supply and demand: If it s in SoCal, then it s not going to be cheap to begin with. If it s a safe area, then it s more expensive. If you want to live here and enjoy the weather, then you have to pay for it. You put up with the smog and the traffic, enjoy the weather and pay your rent or mortgage. My advice is to start checking out craigslist, rent.com, and apartments.com if you are looking to rent. You��ll quickly see that the minimum rent for a non-war zone is about $1,000-$1,200 per month for a studio or 1BR. Really nice areas (like the West LA area) easily run $3,000 or more. Want to live near the beach? Expect to pay a premium. Coming to LA to pursue your dream as an musician ? It s a stupid idea. And I can say that because I live here, and see the consequences of the thousands of young people with the same idea, all because they had to pursue their dream . Trouble is, 99.99% of them come here unprepared, unrealistic, with no money, no experience, no skills, and no plan. You seem to be under the fantasy/delusion that you can just show up in Hollywood and be discovered . That s a myth. A fantasy. NEVER happens. EVER.Want to know how people get discovered ? It doesn t just happen overnight:1. Go as much experience as you can. That means practice, practice, practice, every day. Most people don t have the discipline to be any good. And this also means that you sign up for every singing workshop, musical theater production, and drama/singing camp that you can find.2. Next, you need contacts. By doing step 1, you ll start to get contacts. You need them in this town. Because the way you get a contract is when someone in the music or movie business hears about you. And they aren t going to sit in every karaoke bar in Hollywood to find you. (It s too painful, much like the opening rounds of American Idol).3. You need an agent. Because your agent will have your demo, your head shot, and he/she s the one with contacts in this industry. Your agent is the one that gets the casting calls. Your agent can set up the gigs in the really high profile places.4. You need money. Money to stay in LA while all this is going on. Money for workshops, camps, and classes while you improve your craft. Let s do the math, shall we?Unless you have mad skills and a killer resume, you ll make minimum wage, which is currently $8 per hour. If you are lucky enough to get 40 hours per week, that s 320 per week, or $1280 gross per month. And that s BEFORE taxes. Take home is probably $910. Now it s a hard economic fact that you should spend around 1/3 of your salary on rent or mortgage. One third of $910 is about $300, which is what you can afford. However, the average rent for a studio/bachelor/single apartment is about $1000, and a 1BR is about $1200. In order to afford that, you need to make at least $3000 per month. Looks like you re a little short.Expecting to come to LA and be discovered is unrealistic, and I m sorry to say, pathetic. Feel free to come visit and enjoy the sights. But generally takes months to make the right contacts so that you can get in on an open mic night or an audition.If you wanted help, you got the best advice anyone can give you at this point. What you choose to do with it is up to you.
You and (LITERALLY) millions of others! Get back in line!Coastal California is the MOST COVETED area which means MORE $$$.Affordability does not exist in Los Angeles. Starting prices begin at around $1100+/mo. and that s usually for a studio in a somewhat decent area.Jobs are also nonexistent at the moment. Unemployment rates have jumped to 13% so good luck finding a job. Even if you find a job, that job will barely pay the rent (or not even come close to paying the rent.) Keep in mind you do need to buy groceries, hygiene products, clothes, emergency money, gas, electric, water, insurance, car, etc.Speaking of cars, you NEED a car in order to live in Los Angeles.
There is no where safe on a moderate budget or even a moderate high budget. You need a roommate to even get a place to live.For somewhere not very safe, youre talking $ 750/mo $1200-1500 for just ok. Car insurance is very high too. Plus jobs are scarce to none everywhere in the US. There are thousands and thousands of people trying to get into the entertainment business. The music industry backs very few artists now. They sink all their money into a few people, rather than a broad range. You have to have serious connections. And be more than just a good singer.What most people dont get about show business.Its a business. The show is secondary. It is a ruthless business.You are a product and thats all. I worked in the music BUSINESS. Its not a fun thing. The show looks fun, but there is so much more to it. Watch The Rose with Bette Midler
The best place for you to pursue a singing career is where you are now. You don t need to live in LA to make it in music anymore. Relocating to LA will have very little impact if you make it or not. With the internet, there s other avenues to get noticed - utilize it.
every person in america who thinks they can sing or act goes to LA, you would be one face in a million faces and unless you are already a great singer would would be lost and vulnerable
Los Angeles isn t the only place in America with recording studios you know.