The Official "Help me get to California" Thread

[BrooklynMW]

I have definitely toyed with the idea of selling my car, flying out, and finding a new car out there. It would definitely be cheaper and less risky then an extended road trip.

However, if I do that then when I get out there, I would not have a car. And we would have to rely on my mother in law to drive us around, and drive us up to LA to look for housing.....and I'd have to have her drive me around looking for cars.

If I drive out there, at least I'll have reliable transportation. Even if my car is in shit shape, it can at least get me from here to there, and it'd be easier for my girl and I to get set up. Then I can also take my time finding the right car for me, instead of being rushed to get decent transportaion.

There is also the thought of not taking an extended road trip, and just shooting out there in 2 days. A straight shot should take 2-3 days and is about 2,800 miles. Our planned road trip should take 5-6 days and is about 3,500 miles.


Incidentally, I am intersted in early model e30's, e24's and e28's......if anybody hears of anything in the SD-LA area.

[BrooklynMW]

You see, now THAT'S good advice!

Thanks for the hard dose of reality, I will take that into account.

And yes, I am looking everyday on Cali craigslist to see what's available out there, as far as clean e30's, e28's and e24's go......Oh yeah, and apartments...........(and jobs)

I'm slowly leaning towards not finishing restoring my car, but still driving it out to Cali. Just making sure it can get me there, then can it for something cleaner. I will miss my fully loaded interior, though

[idanity]

having done the "travel through America" (a few times) i would suggest to take the tourist route when you actually want a vacation, and for moving w/all your crap(-no offense) stuffed in your car, to take a train or fly.

its so much more fun to ride, then to drive (esp a car that may need work). you've seen the horror stories of a nice couple stuck in butfukNebraska who stop for waffles, get diarrhea, and then all hell breaks lose.

when we drive a car that may not make it, the last thing we do is mosey around every town on the way...theres just too many towns. we usually take the direct route, and hope for safe/fast passage.
plan out the mileage, and time it will take,
add gas,
food,
hotel (you may want to shower and stretch out on a real bed),
speeding tickets, (which may lead to )
bail (or if your lucky)
bribes
oil change
road rage
knick knacks that girls have to buy
and the things i wont say, like all the denting, flattening, burning, breaking, smashing, spending, skidding, swearing, seething, sobbing times. middle america junk yards are FULL of cars from other states
it may be a bargain to fly 1st class and buy a nice e30 when you arrive in the land of milk and honey. (look up Peerless when you get there)

i prefer huntington beach, laguna ($$), SanClamente, oceanside, Carlsbad, over longbeach.
hek, just find a cheap place, buy a stock, sound car, and travel all over to find what you like. SoCal is frigin Awesome.. and so much more casual than the east coast (i was born in Nyc, so i know what you may go through) prepare for never ending summer.

just sayin

[BrooklynMW]

Hmm. Long Beach hadn't occured to me. That's a good point, I may look into it. I realize the situation with jobs out there. But it's not any worse than it s here in NYC. Especially in my field. But I plan on looking ahead of time, using whatever contacts I have over there, and make sure some good people know I'm coming.

Worst case scenario, I'll have a little money saved and a little extra time to look.
The other nice luxury is, we're in no rush to find a place to live, either. Ideally, yes, we'll have a place by January. But December will be spent at my girlfriend's mother's house in San Diego. That will be our home base while we explore LA/Long beach, it's different neighborhoods, and rent costs.

Do I fear we will be stuck at my mother in law's for too long? God yes. Good motivator to find a place. But at least we won't be out on our asses.

Now, the Grand Canyon. We had a discussion today, and a compromise needs to be made. If we plan on hitting Austin, TX, then we will skip the canyon and continue along the southern border, through El Paso, onto SD. Really kind of pointless to travel back up to Albequerque from Autsin, plus really out of the way. I really want to visit Austin. Here it's a great music town, and I have a cousin there. Plus the further north, the bigger chance we have of getting caught in a snowstorm.

However, if we decide to skip Austin, and go through the middle, (is that US 40?) We will hit the Grand Canyon for sure.

Otherwise, it's in my summer road trip: Salton Sea, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Bonnevile Salt Flats, San Francisco, downt he PCH to LA.

[lga714]

LA is a great city but like any city it has its shitty parts. LA has lots of gritty areas but don't let the naysayers steer you away. Since you're a musician you will find it easy to make friends. Just about everyone I know is involved with music and a lot of them are majoring in music and play in bands.

My biggest concern for you would be finding a job. Keep in mind there are many people leaving California every day because they cant find a job, the taxes are high, and cost of living is too high. Since you're from NYC you're probably used to high taxes and expensive rent.

Los Feliz is a good area for young people but I'd suggest checking out Long Beach, close to the beach, close to LA, close to LAX and John Wayne, not to mention Long Beach has a great little airport that can get you to NYC for like 120 bucks.

[b*saint]

L.A. is great.

[daniel]

grand canyon for sure.

[BrooklynMW]

I predict you'll be back in NY in less than six months. LA is a horrible city.

Ha! I'm hearing that a lot lately. I get 50/50 split down the middle "LA Sucks" and "LA is great"....... It's a temporary move, and we may end up coming back to NYC sooner than later, definitely. We are even considering subletting our apartment here in Brooklyn, just incase, but thats another headache altogether.

what about selling the car, flying out here and just buying a Cali car

We had thought of that. But I've never seen the USA and this is a good opportunity to drive across country. But I may end up getting rid of my car and getting something cleaner once I get there. Haven't decided how attached I am to it.

[e34john]

^^
He's right, LA kinda sucks. Best Thai food in Socal though.

[reelizmpro]

I suggest doing some homework on rent prices, etc. The West side is very expensive and it seems everyone is looking for a job. While driving cross country sounds like an experience, what about selling the car, flying out here and just buying a Cali car?

[KenC]

I predict you'll be back in NY in less than six months. LA is a horrible city.

If you make a detour through Portland, there are lots of active guys up here that can turn a wrench :)

[BrooklynMW]

I would suggest stopping in St. Louis, the arch is pretty neat. Also the grand canyon.

Would love to see the Arch. But we have our hearts set on spending some time in Tennessee, visiting it's 3 major cities, and St. Louis is a step out of the way. Now the Grand Canyon? Why the hell didn't I think of that! We take a trip out to Vegas every June, and since we'll be on the west coast this time, we plan on taking another road trip in June, which will include The Grand Canyon and the Bonneville Salt Flats.

thanks for the suggestions, keep em comin!

Why are you moving to L.A.?

I've lived in NYC my whole life. I love NYC but I've never lived anywhere else, and never really did much exploring. I had a band for 10 years that was keeping me here, trying to "make it big" but we just broke up and now I have nothing tying me down here, so it's time for some adventure. I realize that L.A. isnt the most "adventurous" place to move. just another big city, but it's a good compromise, I think. there is still work there for me, and my girl. I'm a professional guitarist and recording engineer. Plenty of recording studios, and musicians to play with. It's close to San Diego where my girl grew up. Plus, who can resist the beaches, palm trees, and beautiful, salt free BMW's

spare oilpan for sure. you never know.

Got it on the list!

what area on LA are u looking to move to?

Westside, anywhere from Santa Monica/Venice/Mar Vista all the way to West Hollywood, Hollywood or Los Feliz. I've even found some affordable places in the Hills. But we're open to suggestions or advice if you have any.

[TS323]

what area on LA are u looking to move to?

[bataangpinoy]

spare oilpan for sure. you never know.

[b*saint]

Why are you moving to L.A.?