There are a lot of reasons to move to LA – the sunshine, West Coast vibes, you might be interested in spirituality, or you just really want to make something out of yourself. LA’s reputation of being the best place to live is only met by its tough love, making it one of the hardest places to make a home.
If you want to make it in LA, you really have to mean it.
Still unconvinced? Good. Here are 5 things you can do to prepare yourself for the big move.
1. Save as much money as you possibly can.
There isn’t a set amount of money you should have saved before you come here, but I guarantee you that most of it will be gone within half a year. Prepare accordingly.
2. Know what you want to do.
Trust me when I say that most people don’t actually know what they want in life, but you can try. Your first year in LA will be the toughest one. Year two and three aren’t much better, but at least they make you think you’ve been through the worst. Make sure you have an idea of what you want to do before you come here, even if you want to change it after.
Want to work in movies? Great, apply for PA positions. Want to work in advertising? Awesome, check out OEM advertising agencies. Want to become a chef? LA’s got the restaurant scene for you. Just make sure you know where to go when you get here so you have some sense of purpose.
3. Network, network, network.
Reach out to your school alumni or old friends who may live here or know someone here. Give them a call and follow their social to rekindle the connection and ask for their advice. LA can feel incredibly lonely and it’s important you build a strong relationship with the friends you do have.
4. Close old doors to open new ones.
If you really want to make it in LA, you need to be completely committed. Close out old doors, connections and projects so you can totally immerse yourself into this new chapter. It’s great to live with your college roommates. It’s even greater if you throw yourself into a whole new environment where you are forced to meet new people.
5. For the love of Halle Berry, bring a car with you.
Yes, LA has public transportation. And yes, you should only use them if you’re attending a Dodger’s game and plan to have a good time. Bring a mode of transportation with you so you can enjoy all of LA, especially traffic on I-405 S on a Friday afternoon.
Good luck! You’ll need it.