A few people I know have moved to Singapore... it seems like a really cool place and is very laid back on immigrants. It might be the best place for an econ grad, especially if you're looking for effective public transportation.
OT: OK, I'm moving to Los Angeles
- Thread starter Melrose Munch
- Start date
A few people I know have moved to Singapore... it seems like a really cool place and is very laid back on immigrants. It might be the best place for an econ grad, especially if you're looking for effective public transportation.
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
- 21,665
- 1,303
Vamos Rafa
Registered User
One of the Facebook founders lives there now. He even gave up his US citizenship to avoid paying taxes.
I had a high school classmate move out to the Bay Area without a job. He lasted about a year then moved back to Ohio after playing credit card roulette. The cost of living ate him alive. My brother moved out to the Bay Area without a job, went to art school, bounced around as a contractor/freelancer and only after 5 years was able to find a stable job at a startup.
So unless you're willing to go into major debt, have somebody bankroll you, have a job lined up or become Mexican, I would suggest getting a 30 day tourist visa and scope out the area. If you like living there, go back to Canada and work on a plan to immigrate.
I loved living in California, but the cost of raising a family, the ****** condition of the school systems and the decrepit state government made it impossible to stay in the state. You don't have these problem because you're young, but if you happen to make in California and have a family these are things you have to consider.
So unless you're willing to go into major debt, have somebody bankroll you, have a job lined up or become Mexican, I would suggest getting a 30 day tourist visa and scope out the area. If you like living there, go back to Canada and work on a plan to immigrate.
I loved living in California, but the cost of raising a family, the ****** condition of the school systems and the decrepit state government made it impossible to stay in the state. You don't have these problem because you're young, but if you happen to make in California and have a family these are things you have to consider.
He was smart. He can still travel to the US without a visa. I wouldn't want to forfeit 35% to the US government then another 12% to California.
We had overnight lows of 33 four nights in a row.
That's what I meant. It was freaking cold during the day too.
It was rare, true, but it happens. I've been here long enough to know of three such cold snaps. I remember one morning at 29 when I was in college. Below freezing.
I always think it's hilarious how all the winter clothes comes out once the temp dips to the mid 60s.
Some of those people should try living on the East Coast.
Been there, done that.
Froze my ass off in Georgia in November and sweated profusely in June.
Georgia sucks. And I don't mean Atlanta.
MsMeow
Registered User
- Nov 4, 2005
- 16,442
- 1,100
You are leaving Toronto because transit is terrible? Why not just move to an area along the subway line? What part of Toronto do you live in? I know the subway system is pretty laughable if you live in certain areas like eastern Scarborough but if you live somewhere where you can take a bus and the subway to work it's easy. I live in Scarborough not far from Warden station so I took a bus for ten minutes and the subway for 20 and was at work downtown.
I think you need to make a list of pros and cons and look at it objectively. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Have you looked into what healthcare would cost if you moved to the US? The monthly premiums are insanely high if your company doesn't pay for it.
ShattStar03
Registered User
I have a buddy who moved from Chicago to LA (6 months ago), found a job within a couple of months (through a church), he had no technical skills but seems to making a living.
If you want to move out here, do it, you'll never know until you give a shot to be out here. What's the worst? You have to move back to Toronto - big deal.
If you want to move out here, do it, you'll never know until you give a shot to be out here. What's the worst? You have to move back to Toronto - big deal.
Like most posters have been suggesting, if you want to move to LA it is often recommended that you have a full time job lined up. But nowadays it is pretty difficult, especially if you are a foreigners unless you have a specialty in a field that no one really wants, i.e. quantum analyst 
We have one of the best weather conditions in the world and in terms of safety, it depends on where you live. If you live in the suburbs of LA like La Canada, South Pasadena, San Marino, most parts of Pasadena, and etc you will most likely not face any crime. But most foreigners that are new to LA typically move to the West LA/Hollywood area. Now I am not saying those places are dangerous, what i'm implying is that the rent is EXPENSIVE. Owners of those areas know people will pay a premium for a single or double bedroom apartment and I just can't stand the congestion around that area.
California is general is an very expensive place to live. Our taxes are ridiculous, gas is expensive, rent is a expensive, and traffic is brutal depending on where you live. I have a lot of friends in the film industry who are trying to make it as actors and actresses. (Surprisingly a lot of them come from really well known universities) They work 3-5 different jobs just to get by and on top of that they still have student loans to pay off. I really don't know how they do it but they seem to be okay.
If you truly want to make it out to LA I recommend you live in the Inland Empire or the San Bernandino area. The rents are a lot cheaper there but one downside to those areas is that you'll need a car and if you work in the LA area, have fun sitting in traffic on the 10, 60, 210, and the 91.
I don't mean to sound discouraging but I think it's a wonderful idea that you want to come here. I would definitely DO it and see where life takes you. But because you are a foreigner, you would first have to take care of your status. I don't know if it's easy to apply for a work visa, I'm assuming it is quite difficult nowadays unless you have a specialty. But overall SO Cal is a great place to live and we have a lot of great people living here.
EDIT: Oh and someone mentioned school. Yes! I think that is a great suggestion and the easiest one of all. Continue your education in the states. Schools are always looking for diversity! And who knows a company might want to hire you and help you out with your status.
Good luck!
We have one of the best weather conditions in the world and in terms of safety, it depends on where you live. If you live in the suburbs of LA like La Canada, South Pasadena, San Marino, most parts of Pasadena, and etc you will most likely not face any crime. But most foreigners that are new to LA typically move to the West LA/Hollywood area. Now I am not saying those places are dangerous, what i'm implying is that the rent is EXPENSIVE. Owners of those areas know people will pay a premium for a single or double bedroom apartment and I just can't stand the congestion around that area.
California is general is an very expensive place to live. Our taxes are ridiculous, gas is expensive, rent is a expensive, and traffic is brutal depending on where you live. I have a lot of friends in the film industry who are trying to make it as actors and actresses. (Surprisingly a lot of them come from really well known universities) They work 3-5 different jobs just to get by and on top of that they still have student loans to pay off. I really don't know how they do it but they seem to be okay.
If you truly want to make it out to LA I recommend you live in the Inland Empire or the San Bernandino area. The rents are a lot cheaper there but one downside to those areas is that you'll need a car and if you work in the LA area, have fun sitting in traffic on the 10, 60, 210, and the 91.
I don't mean to sound discouraging but I think it's a wonderful idea that you want to come here. I would definitely DO it and see where life takes you. But because you are a foreigner, you would first have to take care of your status. I don't know if it's easy to apply for a work visa, I'm assuming it is quite difficult nowadays unless you have a specialty. But overall SO Cal is a great place to live and we have a lot of great people living here.
EDIT: Oh and someone mentioned school. Yes! I think that is a great suggestion and the easiest one of all. Continue your education in the states. Schools are always looking for diversity! And who knows a company might want to hire you and help you out with your status.
Good luck!
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Tadite
Registered User
Not to be pedantic but that's just a myth. He did give up US citizenship so he could pick up Singaporian but he still had to pay whatever tax he owed when selling all those nice overvalued Facebook shares. The US Goverment, and anyone else, gets paid.
On the topic at hand.
1. Immigration isn't easy. I'd just go to Vancouver or one of the commonwealth country's. About 1.5 million people move the the US but most of them have close family. It's not easy by any means.
2. California is a good bet for business. Just depends on which one. Most the people complaining about the state just have no idea how pathetically bad the rest of the country is. I've lived in 7 states and all of them are worse then California. At least in California we know things can get better. Most places seems to enjoy the poverty or just have no idea of what good means.
3. Californian taxes are low in comparison. This guys from Canada! We've nothing close to what they have up there. He'll even in the US the difference between a top-5 taxed state and the median is a grand total of 1%. Which he wouldn't even be paying because he's to poor to hit the real taxes. California's love to talk taxes... It's complicated but its not higher I think the median is lower but once again the cross state comparisons are strangely constricted. They don't even have a car tax.... Get that Californias? A actually property tax on your car... Every year....
4. LA maybe isn't a fun place to have a life..... San Diego or the Bay are better on every level. Don't bother with the IE, OC or god help you the Central Valley.
5. The Pacific Northwest is Mecca. I'd move to Seattle or Portland in a second. LA I'd have to think long and hard about. Still the West Coast is the best coast.....
6. Rent isn't high. I know it seems that way but because of housing prices when you get a place you get something for the money. In my current place the only people who don't own are so desperate they'll take anything. So to find someplace that's isn't covered in mold you pay more then in CA. It's why those generic rental stats are very problematic. O yea. Cost of living is higher on the EC. Foods more expensive, gas is the same darn price, every utility is higher, and we actually have the cost of cold weather. Something that's amazingly expensive. Cost of living stats are shockingly bad.
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beenhereandthere
Registered User
Any So Cal folks, think San Diego would be better for someone like Munch? Seems to me he could rent a real cheap apt in TJ (300 dollars a month, seriously, walk to the trolley, find work and then move into the actual San Diego city or Suburb), once he gets his stuff together?
No
He'll get kidnapped and held for ransom in TJ. A Canadian who doesn't speak Spanish would stick out like a sore thumb and get abducted within an hour
Vamos Rafa
Registered User
Buddy The Elf
Kings!
I didn't say 365 days a year. I said year round and as a fellow Californian, you know as well as I that we've had more Christmas' that were 75 degrees and sunny in the past 32 years than not. I'm not sure how many days of the winter are like that in Toronto but I'd venture to guess not many.
With regards to crime stats I am careful with since there are too many thrown around way too easy and crime stats are based on actual police reports. There are plenty of crimes that happen and never get reported. If anything, you mentioed a few places I forgot to mention and we both forgot to mention that Santa Clartia is another safe place. However, there is no denying that the places I mentioned in picky fashion are the saftest of the safe. Burbank or Rancho Santa Mar? I would pick RSM.
California is losing business left and right to other places willing to give them the tax breaks and where the unions are more non-existant compared to CA.
3. Californian taxes are low in comparison. This guys from Canada! We've nothing close to what they have up there. He'll even in the US the difference between a top-5 taxed state and the median is a grand total of 1%. Which he wouldn't even be paying because he's to poor to hit the real taxes. California's love to talk taxes... It's complicated but its not higher I think the median is lower but once again the cross state comparisons are strangely constricted. They don't even have a car tax.... Get that Californias? A actually property tax on your car... Every year....
Things usually tend to balance out where ones lives but even with moving to CA its still going to be tough for anyone to make a living in if they weren't able to take advantage of the California dream when it was both alive and well.
While I would prefer to live in the SD or Bay Areas, from a fun standpoint the LA Area is the place to be, especially with nightlife overall. Also, most of the OC is way better than most of the IE or Central Valley.
New York is the most expensive state to live in and the NorthEast is just expensive period. However, there are plenty of places down on the east side that is far more cheaper than the California Coast.
We get it AP. You don't like CA.
Let's worry more about where this kids wants to live and finding him the place that he is going to be happiest
Let's worry more about where this kids wants to live and finding him the place that he is going to be happiest
Wildturkey12
Do It!
What kind of things are you into? That makes a big difference when deciding which part of Los Angeles to move to.
DryIslandBartender
KCCO
- Jun 30, 2006
- 5,514
- 2,206
JacketsFanWest
Registered User
My sister moved from Ohio to Los Angeles without a job but she had a degree in recording engineering and that's where most of the jobs are (she works in movie/tv post-production)
She was successful because she was willing to get by on very little. She got a ridiculously small studio apartment in a nice and safe complex in Burbank, had a bunch of unpaid and ridiculously low paying jobs paying her dues in the industry and supported herself working nights & weekends at an AMC theater. She was okay eating lots of left-over bagels from the studios she was working at. She had no money left over to go out. That's where a lot of people fail and get into massive debt.
Southern California is a lot safer than people think, but if you want cheap rent, there's a trade off with safety. Even in cities like Simi Valley - once the safest city in the country - has some bad areas now.
She was successful because she was willing to get by on very little. She got a ridiculously small studio apartment in a nice and safe complex in Burbank, had a bunch of unpaid and ridiculously low paying jobs paying her dues in the industry and supported herself working nights & weekends at an AMC theater. She was okay eating lots of left-over bagels from the studios she was working at. She had no money left over to go out. That's where a lot of people fail and get into massive debt.
Southern California is a lot safer than people think, but if you want cheap rent, there's a trade off with safety. Even in cities like Simi Valley - once the safest city in the country - has some bad areas now.
beenhereandthere
Registered User
I've heard of plenty of Americans who do this. Save 1/3 to 1/2 of cost of living this way.
Thanks for all the support. I will try to address this
All true, of course. Thing I feel I I'm done. I live around Weston and Jane now, it's a pain. I want a change of pace. Besides I have lived here forever.
Thanks for the support.
Definitely will be looking into CSU LA or something of the sort.
Yeah I've notice there are some place along wilshire boulevard for 800-1000/ a month
All true, of course. Thing I feel I I'm done. I live around Weston and Jane now, it's a pain. I want a change of pace. Besides I have lived here forever.
Thanks for the support.
Like most posters have been suggesting, if you want to move to LA it is often recommended that you have a full time job lined up. But nowadays it is pretty difficult, especially if you are a foreigners unless you have a specialty in a field that no one really wants, i.e. quantum analyst
We have one of the best weather conditions in the world and in terms of safety, it depends on where you live. If you live in the suburbs of LA like La Canada, South Pasadena, San Marino, most parts of Pasadena, and etc you will most likely not face any crime. But most foreigners that are new to LA typically move to the West LA/Hollywood area. Now I am not saying those places are dangerous, what i'm implying is that the rent is EXPENSIVE. Owners of those areas know people will pay a premium for a single or double bedroom apartment and I just can't stand the congestion around that area.
California is general is an very expensive place to live. Our taxes are ridiculous, gas is expensive, rent is a expensive, and traffic is brutal depending on where you live. I have a lot of friends in the film industry who are trying to make it as actors and actresses. (Surprisingly a lot of them come from really well known universities) They work 3-5 different jobs just to get by and on top of that they still have student loans to pay off. I really don't know how they do it but they seem to be okay.
If you truly want to make it out to LA I recommend you live in the Inland Empire or the San Bernandino area. The rents are a lot cheaper there but one downside to those areas is that you'll need a car and if you work in the LA area, have fun sitting in traffic on the 10, 60, 210, and the 91.
I don't mean to sound discouraging but I think it's a wonderful idea that you want to come here. I would definitely DO it and see where life takes you. But because you are a foreigner, you would first have to take care of your status. I don't know if it's easy to apply for a work visa, I'm assuming it is quite difficult nowadays unless you have a specialty. But overall SO Cal is a great place to live and we have a lot of great people living here.
EDIT: Oh and someone mentioned school. Yes! I think that is a great suggestion and the easiest one of all. Continue your education in the states. Schools are always looking for diversity! And who knows a company might want to hire you and help you out with your status.
Good luck!
Definitely will be looking into CSU LA or something of the sort.
Yeah I've notice there are some place along wilshire boulevard for 800-1000/ a month
Vamos Rafa
Registered User
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