Post: #551

I live in San Francisco. We don't have a major world class university like UCLA. We have USF and SF State, both of which are not that great for girls. San Jose State is good. Stanford is okay. I have to hit a lot of the junior colleges to meet a variety of girls.

Post: #552

Added bonus of UCLA during the summer: It gets a lot of young foreign students. One needn't be a UCLA student to attend summer session, so you get a lot of kids from all over the country and all over the world coming to slack their way through a few classes and have as fun of a summer as possible and then say they "went to UCLA." If you're in that little dorm plaza, the name of which eludes me, you'll undoubtedly hear different languages there from the foreign students over the summer.

Post: #553

(05-29-2013 01:59 AM)Technics Wrote:  Added bonus of UCLA during the summer: It gets a lot of young foreign students. One needn't be a UCLA student to attend summer session, so you get a lot of kids from all over the country and all over the world coming to slack their way through a few classes and have as fun of a summer as possible and then say they "went to UCLA." If you're in that little dorm plaza, the name of which eludes me, you'll undoubtedly hear different languages there from the foreign students over the summer.

Ha one of the first chicks I ever macked was a hot Dutch girl at UCLA for the summer. There used to be a weeknight party at one of the Westwood bars that would get tons of these Europeans, but last I checked it wasn't happening any more.

I was in Saddle Ranch last night briefly, man that place is sad. As my wingman called it, "The West Covina of Hollywood." Fat, low class, and incredibly uncool people. Although the wait staff is way nicer than at any decent bars. If Saddle Ranch was a person, it would be Guy Fieri.

Post: #554

(06-02-2013 05:07 PM)basilransom Wrote:  I was in Saddle Ranch last night briefly, man that place is sad. As my wingman called it, "The West Covina of Hollywood." Fat, low class, and incredibly uncool people. Although the wait staff is way nicer than at any decent bars. If Saddle Ranch was a person, it would be Guy Fieri.

Haha West Covina. I had a LOL at that. I was born in West Covina but my parents moved out of there when I was a baby. Still have some family there and they're as you describe. Good analogy.

Post: #555

As some of you know, I'm writing a screenplay based on my book. It all took a lot longer than expected but I'm close to finishing it. I plan to move to Hollywood/LA. It should be obvious that I come all the way to LA to do business otherwise I would have gone somewhere else in the world. Of course I will go and see the sights.

I'm arriving in LA on the 25th this month. I just scrolled through this very long thread and I have a few questions. I can stay 90 days in the US on a tourist visa so after a week of NY, a day of DC and a mid-day in Philly ( I'm just going there for the Rocky statue) I'm staying the rest of the time in LA. I will do a few short trips to SF and Vegas (+ Hoover dam and Grand canyon)

I have about 2k $ a month to spend in LA. So far I have the following options:
A cheap dump hostel: 15$ a night = 450$ a month
A "normal" hostel: 20 $ a night = 600$ a month
A luxury hostel: 30 $ a night = 900S
Air2B about 800/900 a month but need to get lucky with a decent place.

The cheap dump hostel is Inglewood. What are the "getting stabbed or shot at night" chances there? Note; I've been in some pretty rough neighborhoods around the globe but like to know anyway.

I noticed it's already a lot cheaper then NY where the cheapest hostel starts around 28$

My question is; How expensive is LA really?

I'm not planning on going to expensive clubs. If I wanted to get laid a lot I wouldn't move to LA but of course I like to go out a bit.
Price of a club beer?
Price of a beer at a dive bar?
a 10 minute cab ride?
a big mac menu? haha
Can you drink in the street? What are the rules for buying alcohol? Price of a six pack at 7/11 ?

Other questions I have:
- Is there a gym where I can sign up for just a few months without breaking the bank?
- Is it possible to rent a cheap scooter in LA? insurance? (I have a motorcycle and car driver license)
- What time is the last metro?

And of course

Who wants to meet up?

Post: #556

(06-06-2013 02:02 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  I have about 2k $ a month to spend in LA. So far I have the following options:
A cheap dump hostel: 15$ a night = 450$ a month
A "normal" hostel: 20 $ a night = 600$ a month
A luxury hostel: 30 $ a night = 900S
Air2B about 800/900 a month but need to get lucky with a decent place.

I'd find a short-term apartment, or a sublet. Or maybe rent a room on airbnb. Just make sure it's with a cool guy so there's no issue bringing a chic back if need be. Check on craigslist.

Quote:The cheap dump hostel is Inglewood. What are the "getting stabbed or shot at night" chances there? Note; I've been in some pretty rough neighborhoods around the globe but like to know anyway.

There's no damn reason to be Inglewood. Just scratch that off your list from consideration. While I wouldn't say it's ridiculously dangerous, it's pretty much isolated from anything other than LAX itself.

Quote:My question is; How expensive is LA really?

Expensive by American standards, maybe somewhat cheaper if you're coming from N. Europe though. Definitely way cheaper than Scandinavia or London.

Quote:Price of a club beer?

$6-$8

Quote:Price of a beer at a dive bar?

$3-$6

Quote:a 10 minute cab ride?

Count on about a dollar for every minute you are in the cab.

Quote:a big mac menu? haha

Forget Big Macs, our premier fast food burger chain is called Inn-N-Out and a combo is about $6-7.

Quote:Can you drink in the street? What are the rules for buying alcohol?

No. This ain't Vegas. No alcohol anywhere in the streets or beaches.

Quote:Price of a six pack at 7/11 ?

$6 for cheap domestic. $9 for import. About the same for any craft American brews.

Quote:Other questions I have:
- Is there a gym where I can sign up for just a few months without breaking the bank?

There's gyms everywhere. Memberships are typically $30-40 a month.

Quote:- Is it possible to rent a cheap scooter in LA? insurance? (I have a motorcycle and car driver license)

Yes you can but I don't have any particular place to recommend.

Quote:- What time is the last metro?

Midnight for the trains, and on Fri and Sat night it's extended to 2am. Some bus lines run 24hrs.

Quote:And of course

Who wants to meet up?

I'm down to grab a beer, just gimme a shout.

Post: #557

@Neil:

Going out to clubs doesn't have to cost jackshit when you know the right people. PM when you get here and I'll show you a Hollywood night for cheap.

Post: #558

(05-23-2013 05:27 PM)slubu Wrote:  Sushi date spot recommendations anyone? Closer to the beverly center the better. Prefer free flowing sake and won't kill my bank account.

Sushi Roku is right next to it, but it will break your bank account. As far as good sushi that's not ridiculously expensive, go to Sugarfish. Amazing sushi, not dirt cheap but fairly priced and high quality.

(05-27-2013 12:02 AM)PartyonBro Wrote:  What's good in Santa Monica besides the Bungalow nowadays?

Copa de Oro and the Victorian are my faves

Post: #559

@Speakeasy. Thanks a lot for all the answer. Big help and of course lets have a brewski.

@McQueen. Sounds like an great plan!

Post: #560

Neil: don't do Inglewood. Not because of the odds of getting shot, but because of logistics. The westside is expensive so forget that too.

In looking on airbnb, I found private rooms ranging from $800-$1000 that are in decent areas that are somewhat convenient for getting around. This one would be really convenient for going to Hollywood if you want that experience: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1217402
That's not a great neighborhood but you'll be fine I'm sure.

Speakeasy is on point with everything else. Skip the big macs and enjoy one of the great perks of L.A.: awesome and cheap ethnic food. Street tacos for $1 each (and maybe the best you've ever had) Bowls of thai noodles for $6-$8. I can take you to some dives with $1.50 beers if that's your thing.

Hit me up for sure when you get in.

Edit: when I say "not a great neighborhood", I mean I had a gf that had her car broken into nearby. It's probably beverly hills compared to some of the shitholes you've been to.

Post: #561

Neil definitely try CL and look for sublets. Especially if you are not bringing a lot of stuff. Maybe do airbnb for a few days until you find a suitable situation.

Since it is summer a lot of people a lot of college students are looking to help cover rent during the summer.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa...20191.html

One thought, and I may be totally overthinking this, is get familiar with the public transport system if you plan to use it and then look for a place near it. It sucks to have to walk far to catch a bus or what not.

Another area (peeps here might not agree) is North Hollywood near the Art District. It has a metro stop and several lines go through it.

With respect to your script, congrats on almost finishing it. But is your intent to meet people while here or do you have a lot of things already set up? Just curious. A lot of people will waste your time, so be careful. Remember to spend the 40 bucks I think and register it not the WGA registration but the US government one. You could do both.

If you want to network try something like http://www.writersbootcamp.com/ where they help you workshop your script, but also have events to network.

http://www.inktip.com/ would be another source. Good luck!

Post: #562

(06-06-2013 02:02 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  I have about 2k $ a month to spend in LA. So far I have the following options:
A cheap dump hostel: 15$ a night = 450$ a month
A "normal" hostel: 20 $ a night = 600$ a month
A luxury hostel: 30 $ a night = 900S
Air2B about 800/900 a month but need to get lucky with a decent place.

The cheap dump hostel is Inglewood. What are the "getting stabbed or shot at night" chances there? Note; I've been in some pretty rough neighborhoods around the globe but like to know anyway.

I noticed it's already a lot cheaper then NY where the cheapest hostel starts around 28$

My question is; How expensive is LA really?

I'm not planning on going to expensive clubs. If I wanted to get laid a lot I wouldn't move to LA but of course I like to go out a bit.
Price of a club beer?
Price of a beer at a dive bar?
a 10 minute cab ride?
a big mac menu? haha
Can you drink in the street? What are the rules for buying alcohol? Price of a six pack at 7/11 ?

Other questions I have:
- Is there a gym where I can sign up for just a few months without breaking the bank?
- Is it possible to rent a cheap scooter in LA? insurance? (I have a motorcycle and car driver license)
- What time is the last metro?

And of course

Who wants to meet up?

The Inglewood hostel is probably on Century Blvd near LAX. They have a few there, they are GHETTO AS HELL and you will get stabbed. Zero places to go near there too. A bunch of crack whores, $1 chinese restaurants, that kind of thing. Its next to the airport, what do you expect.

I'd try to either find a temporary housing situation with UCLA students in westwood (they have great bus system (big blue bus) that goes to Santa Monica, Venice and some other buses that go to Hollywood). If you're going out, then go to hollywood. you're chances of meeting someone important in a coffee shop that will take you seriously is pretty low. If you want to write, do it at the beach like around venice or eastside around silverlake/los feliz/etc..places with creative types. Most of the areas around "Hollywood" are pretty shady and not really entertainment focused really.

For working out, go to one of these group classes. They have some in Santa Monica, some in Hollywood too. Its great way to meet a lot of people. Nike Fit Club...any nike store in LA has a Wednesday meetup where everyone goes jogging.

Post: #563

Neil,

with 2k per month in LA without a car you are setting yourself up for some rigorous celibate writing months.

Without revealing too much, do you already have expressed interest? anyone attached to your script? If you already do, then live some where cheap. You don't need to live on the west side.

If you are planning to finish it and looking for someone who wants to option it then you wanna be somewhere more central. Isolating yourself in this case is NOT a good option.

Post: #564

(06-06-2013 08:15 PM)8ball Wrote:  Neil,

with 2k per month in LA without a car you are setting yourself up for some rigorous celibate writing months.

I'm not saying that you can definitely do Los Angeles on $2,000 per month, but I know there are ways to live in Southern California for much less than many people think.

A little over ten years ago, I went to Long Beach to live. Although Long Beach is in Los Angeles County, due to the traffic, it is quite a long drive to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Santa Monica. It may even take a couple hours of sitting in traffic. There is, however, a train which connects downtown Long Beach with downtown Los Angeles. In Long Beach, I lived about five blocks from the beach and paid $700.00 per month rent, which included everything. I went out about four times a week. About three times per week I went to dive bars and one night (usually Saturday) I went to nicer places. I liked a place called Alegria. I ate at sit-down restaurants no more than one time per week and often ate at cheap Mexican places like Casa Sanchez. I rarely left Long Beach and really only drove when I was going to one of the Orange County beach towns or to downtown Los Angeles, which wasn't very often. I was able to walk to the beach, to restaurants, and to the bars. Here is my breakdown of what I was spending per month there:

Rent: $700.00
Food: $500.00
Bars: $700.00 (It may have not even been that much)
Gas: $50.00
Gym: $40.00
Car Insurance (This was the kicker, because my car was still registered in New Jersey and at least in those years, New Jersey was hitting people over the head with car insurance rates): $200.00

If I had been living there without a car and the associated insurance expense, I would have been able to do it for under $2,000 while still eating well and still going out several times per week. I'm not saying that the price of everything is still the same as it was ten or more years ago, but I don't think it would be drastically more expensive. You can't convince me that having the same lifestyle which I had in California would cost more than $3,000 per month nowadays. It may actually cost a fair amount less than $3,000.

Post: #565

(06-06-2013 08:15 PM)8ball Wrote:  Neil,

with 2k per month in LA without a car you are setting yourself up for some rigorous celibate writing months.

Without revealing too much, do you already have expressed interest? anyone attached to your script? If you already do, then live some where cheap. You don't need to live on the west side.

If you are planning to finish it and looking for someone who wants to option it then you wanna be somewhere more central. Isolating yourself in this case is NOT a good option.

I think Neil is mostly going to LA to try and promote/sell his script. If that is the case, then he won't be looking to pickup chicks. You can live in LA cheap if you don't have a car and are just renting a room. If he rents a room in a centrally located/convenient area, he can even bike to the grocery store or other places.

Post: #566

Check Craigslist, they always have monthly room rentals. I needed one after a messy breakup and it was easy as I had my pick of nine or ten listings. Lots of older empty nesters looking to rent out Jr's room for some scratch.

Post: #567

Thanks for all the tips guys. Feeling the love here

I might need to explain a bit more. I plan to have the screenplay finished by the time I arrive in NY or at least in LA. I can find a few hours in NY to finish stuff up. For example i'm, bussing to DC and Philly. those busses have wifi and electricity for my laptop. That's 15/16 hours of work time. I've seen most of New York already so I have some spare time there too. Just want to visit the 9/11 memorial and the following neighborhoods: Chinatown, Jew town, Coney island and Hells kitchen. I will party with local friends in the weekend. I might meet up with some CS chicks while there. Something I plan to do in LA too.

About LA.

In LA I''m still divided on two thoughts.
- Finding a room to rent and to be on my own most of the time. Lots of time to contact people and write emails. Have to go to places on my own. Peace and quiet but also boring. Basically just living in LA without knowing anyone (except some members here)

- Staying in a hostel: Trying to do stuff from there in the quiet hours. easy access to foreign chicks in the hostel, Some free food, a kitchen and washing machine,free wifi, lots of local information, lots of parties depending on the hostel. Cheap pubs crawls if I''m interested.

For now I plan to live in a hostel for at least the first week and to get to know the city and local transport a bit. Check the beaches, some sights. I don't think it's smart to rent a place and to be gone all day to try to find out stuff on my own while in a hostel I can just get most of the info/ city maps easily. After the first week I can evaluate my situation.

Post: #568

check out the Hostel in Santa Monica on 2nd street between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd. It seemed clean, lots of young travelling foreigners, etc. Tons of tourists, by the beach, lots of techy-centric and creative types.

Transportation there is probably as good as its going to get as far as reaching other parts of the city..the big blue bus network (SM Based) is probably the best in the city.

Post: #569

(06-06-2013 05:18 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  Neil: don't do Inglewood. Not because of the odds of getting shot, but because of logistics. The westside is expensive so forget that too.

In looking on airbnb, I found private rooms ranging from $800-$1000 that are in decent areas that are somewhat convenient for getting around. This one would be really convenient for going to Hollywood if you want that experience: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1217402
That's not a great neighborhood but you'll be fine I'm sure.

Speakeasy is on point with everything else. Skip the big macs and enjoy one of the great perks of L.A.: awesome and cheap ethnic food. Street tacos for $1 each (and maybe the best you've ever had) Bowls of thai noodles for $6-$8. I can take you to some dives with $1.50 beers if that's your thing.

Hit me up for sure when you get in.

Edit: when I say "not a great neighborhood", I mean I had a gf that had her car broken into nearby. It's probably beverly hills compared to some of the shitholes you've been to.

Thanks for the tips. 800 to 1000 for a room is a bit over budget and like I said above it can be mighty boring all day to have your own room. Let's say in the most positive dream scenario I have one business meeting a day. That would mean I have to get out the door only once a day and have all day to do it.

I think I can consider myself lucky to have one meeting a week or even a month if it's someone important. Especially since there are 100k other screen writers in LA. Of course I'm coming for the American dream but I'm not naive about it.

I will give the hostel option the first chance. I've been locked in my place in Holland for far too long to do it all over in LA.

Post: #570

(06-06-2013 05:44 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Neil definitely try CL and look for sublets. Especially if you are not bringing a lot of stuff. Maybe do airbnb for a few days until you find a suitable situation.

Since it is summer a lot of people a lot of college students are looking to help cover rent during the summer.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa...20191.html

One thought, and I may be totally overthinking this, is get familiar with the public transport system if you plan to use it and then look for a place near it. It sucks to have to walk far to catch a bus or what not.

Another area (peeps here might not agree) is North Hollywood near the Art District. It has a metro stop and several lines go through it.

With respect to your script, congrats on almost finishing it. But is your intent to meet people while here or do you have a lot of things already set up? Just curious. A lot of people will waste your time, so be careful. Remember to spend the 40 bucks I think and register it not the WGA registration but the US government one. You could do both.

If you want to network try something like http://www.writersbootcamp.com/ where they help you workshop your script, but also have events to network.

http://www.inktip.com/ would be another source. Good luck!

Hey samsam,

Thanks for your tips. Staying close the public transport is always the first thing I look for in major cities. (except in NY the last time, i had to walk 8 blocks to the nearest metro) I already found out that a metro card is about 75$ a month in LA which I consider a good deal. I will use it a lot. Not sure if the busses are included in the price. any info on that?

I thought about North Hollywood. There's also a hostel there and of course it sounds way cooler to say you actually live in Hollywood. I mean back in Holland, I guess most people in LA don't give a damn.

The script. I have nothing set up yet and I understand about the time wasters. I already have low budget guys contacting via twitter all the time. Like a movie like this is even possible on 25 mil or less budget. I always politely decline since you never know who they might know.

I will register the script with the WGA.

Thanks again for your tips.

Post: #571

(06-07-2013 03:03 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  For now I plan to live in a hostel for at least the first week and to get to know the city and local transport a bit. Check the beaches, some sights. I don't think it's smart to rent a place and to be gone all day to try to find out stuff on my own while in a hostel I can just get most of the info/ city maps easily. After the first week I can evaluate my situation.

Sounds like a good idea to try a hostel for the first few weeks since you will get lonely if you quickly try to rent a room. After you get a feel for the city, you can see if you would prefer to rent a room or stay at a hostel.

(06-07-2013 03:11 AM)PartyonBro Wrote:  check out the Hostel in Santa Monica on 2nd street between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd. It seemed clean, lots of young travelling foreigners, etc. Tons of tourists, by the beach, lots of techy-centric and creative types.

Transportation there is probably as good as its going to get as far as reaching other parts of the city..the big blue bus network (SM Based) is probably the best in the city.

I assume this is the hostel:

http://www.hiusa.org//santamonica/

^It has some good reviews, so Neil should definitely check it out.

Post: #572

There's more "industry" people (who are important) clustered around Ventura Blvd in the valley than anywhere else in LA and also in Burbank.

North Hollywood might be good since it's close to all that and less expensive than most of LA.

Post: #573

Lot of replies. Thanks y'all. Have to cut it short a bit.

@Partyonbro

Thanks for your tips

I see the Inglewood hostel as a last resort if I happen to run out of money. I'm not easily scared though.

@8ball
Thanks for your reply.

I should be able to survive on that money just fine. Understand that I need nothing of luxury. I already lived like this for 3 years on the road. If I want luxury I get my old job back in Holland and have boring office monkey job again. If possible even since the Holland economy sucks they last 5 years.
I'll be finished with the script before I arrive so I will try to sell or at least option it.

@merenguero

Thanks for long reply

I'm liking those numbers. 700$ for rent, 500$ for food and perhaps for me a bit less on the drinking. I'm on a diet anyway. I don't have a car there so that already saves a lot of money. My only concern is that I don't want to sit inside all day without meeting people. That's why I prefer a hostel at first.

It will be a matter of evaluating the situation after the first few weeks before I can really say anything about it.

@The texas prophet

Yep, you got that right. The script is the main reason. I wouldn't go to LA without this plan. I'm sure LA is nice to visit but in that case I would rent a car for a month and drive down the whole east coast and Vegas area to visit all the sights and then go home. Though moneywise it's way better to hang out in South or Central america where hot girls and adventure awaits.

@booshala

Thanks for the tip.

Post: #574

http://www.hostels.com/hostels/los-angel...ood/11182?

This is one of the better hostels. It's located on Hollywood boulevard. Sure, i'll be sharing the room with 5 others but it's mixed anyway. A hostel like this (or comparable) has top notch facilities and just look at those pictures. Not a bad place to hang out for a while. I'm sure a deal can be made on monthly rent or even work for rent or something.

If it's not too distracting of work on a daily basis then this would be a good option. Always new people around who are also on a tight budget. Compare this to have your own room in the middle of nowhere.

Just read the description, look at the pics and see how much is free and check all those facilities. If I would live in LA I would go there just for the hell of it. Find some foreign girls in the party mood. Just say to those chicks that your room/place is being redecorated. You can always take a chick back to your place anyway. Just put a couple of buckets of paint and a tiny ladder in your place and some stuff to cover the floor. Can be put aside in two minutes. HAHAHA Your competition: beta backpackers.

Post: #575

(06-07-2013 03:11 AM)PartyonBro Wrote:  check out the Hostel in Santa Monica on 2nd street between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd. It seemed clean, lots of young travelling foreigners, etc. Tons of tourists, by the beach, lots of techy-centric and creative types.

Transportation there is probably as good as its going to get as far as reaching other parts of the city..the big blue bus network (SM Based) is probably the best in the city.

Ok, i'll check that one out. Thanks!