First 100 Days in LA
Whenever there is a new President in our country critics, pundits and journalists like to highlight in great detail what the Commander in Chief has accomplished as well as what he promised to do and failed to deliver on. The first 100 days is a sort of milestone for a President that in many ways can foreshadow how the remainder of the term will work out.
I am far from being the President, first, because I’m on the wrong coast. Secondly, because you have to be at least 35 years old and thirdly because…. Well you get my point.
Many have expressed to me personally the desire to move to another city or asked what Los Angeles is like.
Here’s a glimpse.
When I first arrived in LA it was Friday, December 1st at 11pm and I glided through the six-lane ‘10’ Freeway at 85mph with ease. It was majestic! I saw the palm trees in the dark along with the slim shadows they cast and I was beaming with excitement. I had actually made it!
I had been to Los Angeles very briefly a few times before, and loved the vibe. The feeling this time though was different.
When you first move to a new city there is a lot to adjust to; more than people will ever mention or even consider. Take for example the difference in topography when moving from one region of the country to another. Coming from flatland Chicago to hilly and mountainous Los Angeles was an exciting change of pace. I realized quickly that there is no such thing as the ‘scenic route’ in LA because all routes have a view. All have something to offer. Something else that these hills have to offer me is the opportunity to use my emergency brake, which was close to redundant in my version of the Midwest.
More than the natural physical topography though it was mostly the man made landscape that took me a while to get used to.
Moving to a new city means entering into a new relationship with that city and its personality. As with any relationship, respect is important. Respect its differences from what you are used to. You don’t have to like it but at least try to understand it. Observe. Take your time, be patient. Let the comfort level settle in and don’t try to rush things. Things will be uncomfortable for a while, embrace it.
I expected the countless palm trees that lined all major boulevards and neighborhoods alike. I expected the heavy traffic (though it’s even heavier then I imagined). I expected the beautiful sunsets, the never-ending coastline and green vegetation. But the dry brush that dressed up the surrounding mountains is one of the things I didn’t expect.
I never expected the drastic change in architecture of the homes. Mention a basement in LA and you will quickly be asked for a definition of what that is exactly. Stucco and small backyards are commonplace even in desired neighborhoods. I never expected to see so many old cars from the 80’s in relatively good condition; no rust.
I never expected to witness the plethora of parked RVs that litter Venice Blvd and its surroundings. After observing this unique site, I asked my friends and new roommates Chris and Eric to explain the abundance of parked RVs they told me people actually live in these mobile homes year round alternating their physical location half a block at a time and only moving when they deemed it necessary to avoid tickets and such.
Little did I know that they were actually the fortunate ones that still have a home.
I never expected to see sub-neighborhoods of the homeless sprawled throughout the city. It is really a serious issue that I believe we as residents innately have a desire to resolve, but can’t help become numb to it as we are forced to navigate our daily lives through it. There are tent cities not only in the unfortunately famous ‘Skid Row’ but also Freeway Underpasses, industrial areas and train stops to name a few. Even outside my gym in Venice on 3rd St. the entire block has been overtaken by the abundance of tents and people hoarding their few remaining possessions. Mere steps from this camp are brand new 2 bed/ 2 bath condos that are renting for $4,500 a month. It’s quite the paradox.
Interestingly enough, no one I know has ever felt unsafe or threatened around the area. No one has ever even asked me for money or handouts as homeless worldwide often do. They are just outdoor neighbors, I would imagine trying to hang onto hope of a better life in a city they love. Although the struggle is very real in LA, it’s done with such grace.
I never expected life to be so damn expensive either. I expected an increase in expenses, sure, with things like rent, taxes and maybe insurance. Wow, was I naïve! Literally just about every bill I can think of has increased.
My bi-weekly haircut has doubled. My monthly gym membership has doubled, though it’s a worthwhile bump as it’s the ‘Golds Gym’ in Vence - the most famous gym in the world. I made the premature mistake of letting my insurance company know that I moved to LA and suddenly my semi-annual premium nearly doubled. Oops. Gas hovers around $3.60 a gallon and cocktails just about anywhere, including your local watering hole seem to be aligned with Vegas prices. Expect to pay no less then $15 a drink. Not to mention the Lyft and Uber rides that are always more expensive thanks to the longer travel distances.
At times it seems like when I first wake up I’m already down a $100 somehow and that, in a way, is part of the city’s charm.
Everybody in Los Angeles is hustling. Everyone’s grinding in some way. With such a big margin between rich and poor everyone here is trying to find a way to earn their keep by working second or third jobs if necessary.
It all balances out though, when you really think about it.
I mean I no longer have to spend money on winter pea coats, thermals and a snowbrush for my car ever winter. My Vitamin D pills are optional; all I have to do is walk outside now to get my doses. My I-Pass is a useless plastic square now and my toll money is being saved thanks to the Freeways, though I suppose we do pay for it with our time when we are hauling at a whopping speed of 5 mph for miles on end.
When I asked friends about the cost of a vehicle city sticker in LA they glanced at me with a confused look and said, “What’s that?”
When I tried to explain it I found myself fumbling for the significance of it myself.
“It’s, um uh a sticker you get for your car to show you reside in a city, in my case Chicago.”
Friends: “Why?”
Me: “So that the city officials know you live there.”
Friends: “But they already do know you live there. I don’t get it.”
Me: “Me neither. Damn it. It’s a big scam!”
In summary cost of living is certainly higher but so is the quality of life. Everyday is an adventure. I am more convinced than ever that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of clinical depression from the lack of sunlight is a real disorder that affects more individuals than we think. Something about sunny weather has a way of lifting your spirits.
Not all is a sharp contrast between Los Angeles and Chicago though. I have found many similarities. Both cities’ native residents have a great deal of pride for their city and display it with no discretion. In Chicago the city flag is ever-present on its proud residents year round with Canvas decorating the living room, t-shirts, hats and tattoos displaying the baby blue stripes and four red stars. Los Angeles residents do the same but instead with the LA Dodgers logo. I’ve seen at least 50 LA tattoos in 100 days.
The love is real.
The city of angels is extremely overpopulated at about 19 million, making it one of the largest cities in the world and an amazing place to meet people but countless times I’ve heard of what a lonely city LA can be. Thankfully, I haven’t personally felt this but I can understand why the statement exists. This is a city filled with transplants in which no one seemingly has deep ties to. So in essence a bunch of strangers from around the world come to a strange land chasing a dream but very often they lack connection. It’s no wonder other cliché statements have also been common when meeting people here. Statements such as:
“Everyone’s single in LA”
“No one comes to LA to find love.”
“You don’t find love in LA.”
“No one’s from LA.”
Oddly, these mantras seem to be a common theme over here and have been brought up when talking about the dating scene in LA.
I don’t buy into any of these false statements, but they did get me thinking; are there cities where one is more prone to find a life partner than others?
How would one even begin to measure that?
Anyway I digress.
So my first 100 days in LA…
Besides self-love I would consider relationships of all types to be the most vital in life. Thanks to my few relationships I had established in LA prior to moving, the transition here has been easier than expected. Without hesitation I can say that my friendship and living situation with the twins has been a great source of stability and help while living here. Super grateful for them. Blessings come in hidden ways.
I’ve also met new interesting people who can help me further expand my network. The possibilities are endless here and I’m very optimistic. My hope is that I’ll be successful and my dreams don’t evaporate as has occurred to others who have spent the better part of a decade here. That look of hopelessness is often evident in people’s faces.
By now, I had expected to see some friends who live here and with whom I was close to in the past, but for unknown reasons they did a Houdini act and disappeared. On the other hand, I have connected with others from my past that I didn’t expect to see.
In terms of my career I came with the intention of creating a new one. I got bored with my past ones and life’s too short to be bored. So my main plan was to come to LA, become a successful working actor and writer who makes money with his blog and other online verticals (Brilliant and feasible plan, I know). Naively I thought that by now, I would have an agent and a trailer with my name on it on an exotic movie set.
Ha...yea, that definitely is not the case!
I’ve been lucky to be on a set, albeit as a cast bartender. Proximity is power people! Don’t forget that.
I have made progress, but I have learned that results take patience and consistent effort. It took me about six weeks just to get my head shots and resume done then I signed up on actor’s sites where I’m being sent casting notices daily.
My roommates Chris and Eric, commercial actors themselves, did a soft introduction for me to their agent. I thought the agent would be a fool to not represent me so being the trained salesmen that I am, I tested my leverage and overplayed my hand.
In an email I said, “…I would love to meet and see if we will be a good fit for each other…”
Dear lord, the arrogance I had literally makes me shake my head. I needed him, he definitely didn’t need me, not yet at least. As you could imagine he never invited me to his office for a meeting.
Lesson learned: Finding an agent in LA is not easy, be humble but show your worth once you’re given a shot.
There are two types of actors in LA, those with representation and those without. I am still the latter. That being said, I still have been able to go on a handful of auditions and even land a good role in a small movie that is still in production.
I see the light in this LA tunnel, but it will require a lot of patience and effort.
A new city is challenging especially one as expansive and expensive as Los Angeles. At the end of these first 100 days I believe that in order to thrive its key to surround yourself with good people, have a positive attitude and growth mindset. This will go a long way in helping you endure the setbacks - because there will be setbacks.
Cheers to the next 100!
Your Credit Specialist,
Felipe
Check out my next post about 11 things you should do before moving to a new city.