By: Justin Resarieo
Have you ever felt…well…a little…scared of LA?
No, you’re not running around panicking, fearing, or crying about moving to LA, but you haven’t exactly come to terms with actually moving here.
You haven’t saved up enough money as you would like. You’re waiting for that perfect opportunity.
In fact, months or even years have gone by and you still haven’t made any progress at all. You’re starting to wonder, will this move ever happen?
There’s a million reasons you could think of as to why you haven’t made it here yet. Even though most of your reasons are probably legitimate, deep down, you know there’s only one reason that’s holding you back.
You’re afraid.
You’re afraid to leave the comfort of your hometown.
You’re afraid you won’t survive in such a big city.
You’re afraid of what your friends and family will think of you if you fail.
You know you have to take risks in life, but you also know you’ll never make it to LA if you don’t take the time to focus on what needs to get done now.
Yet, you still can’t bring yourself to do it. You’ve been thinking about this move for so long that you’re wondering if you’re even cut out for this LA thing.
It’s not true.
You can get here and make it.
Let me tell you how…
1. Don’t worry so much about the opinions of others.
This is one of the biggest obstacles that hold most people back from moving to LA. You’re worried of how others will look at you if you fail.
Remember this: Everyone is as insecure as you are.
So, why stress the opinions of others who are afraid to chase their own dreams?
It’s like a bird taking advice from a penguin on how to fly.
It’s dumb.
Your opinion is the only one that matters in the end because nobody will have to live with your decisions but you.
Focus your mind on what must be done. Understand your time is limited and decide to go for it now; only then will you be able to get to Los Angeles. Otherwise, you will be persuaded by others opinions into living a life you aren’t interested in.
2. Be Awesome
You damn right I am!!!
And so are you.
To live in this city, you must have a high level of confidence and energy. Know exactly what you want out of LA and prepare by doing it now.
If you’re a writer, write more.
If you’re an actor, act more.
If you’re a musician, make more music.
Whatever it is you want to do in LA, you need to be doing it now. There’s nothing stopping you now from taking classes (even online), practicing, or working with people in your local area to gain advice on how to perfect your craft.
I hear some of you now as I write this, “I’ll get started once I move to LA”.
Seriously, what makes you think you’ll have the energy when you move to LA?
I think not.
It only gets harder when you move here, trust me.
So, do it now and be awesome!
3. Make a Plan
Make a plan to save money. Work two jobs if you have to.
Without struggle and a little hard work in life; there is no progress.
Also, do some research on LA to understand the industry you want to work in. Know the power players and even the lower level ones (you’ll actually have a better chance to meet them initially).
4. Get Prepared for Take Off
Set a date.
Buy a plane ticket.
Pack your car.
Let people know.
Put some type of pressure on yourself to get to LA and hold yourself accountable.
If you really want to move to LA, you will find a way to get here. No excuses.
The Unfortunate Truth About LA
The fear never goes away.
You just learn to adapt and get better at dealing with it.
I was just as afraid as you are when I moved to LA. I didn’t know anyone.
Hell, I didn’t even know where I was going to live the day I got here. I was 23 years old, fresh out of college with no job and all of my worldly possessions packed in the back of my car.
But, I didn’t let that stop me.
I really think that defines the people who actually make it in LA. They’re afraid just like everyone else, but they keep going anyway.
They’re willing to make a drastic change in their life, despite the potential obstacles.
They’re willing to move to LA and let everyone think they’re crazy for doing it.
They’re willing to invest years of their life into succeeding in LA
These people are no better than you and me. They just know the price of success and they’re willing to pay for it.
Are you?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
This is very helpful. I am moving to LA in 2 months and am scared to death. I keep having people tell me things like “Los Angeles is bankrupt, why the hell would you want to move there?” or “You don’t have a job out there? How are you ever going to make it?” I keep telling these people that I’ll be fine, but it is still hard not to let these words get to me. LA is the place I need to be in order to achieve my dreams. I needed to read this blog entry today, so thank you for your advice.
I’m glad I could help Kristen! You can make it here if it is something you really want. It’s not impossible just takes some tenacity and hard work which I’m sure you’re capable of.
Good Luck to you!!!
I made it to LA with my cat back in Sept 2012 without a job, no friends, a distant relative that lives in the OC, and moved all the way from Montreal, Canada. Everyone thought I was nuts but I had zero fear. That’s right. ZERO. You know why? Because I knew that this is where I wanted to be. Found an apartment on a one week visiting trip to LA to book it before the move, found it and signed the least on the first day on on the first visit (hey, when you want it, you go after it).
I had some money saved up, so for 2 months I dawdled and settled in. On the third month I looked for a job and landed one in November. Once you know how to budget and be disciplined, the rest is kid’s play. And you’ll be sitting there thinking, “Wow! That really wasn’t hard at all!” Everyone’s situation is different, but you definitely need balls and loads of confidence in yourself and who you are. My mum was scared to death for me cause all she thinks LA is about gangs and gunfire, which couldn’t be further from what I’ve been experiencing right now. Now, she’s cool with me living here (with some reservations – of course).
Awesome story Dahlia! I admire your determination. Like you said, “When you want it, you go after it”.
Hey Justin,my family and myself will be moving to L.A. in July,along with some friends and their families,this website has really helped me out,i’m pretty much going out there to start over.
Good luck Corey!
Shit, im from Mexico and i wanna move to LA maybe in a year, i have to finish college first, im so scared mostly because of where i am from, i think is gonna be harder to get an appartment and a job, but i want to live there so badly!! i just love LA!
Thanks so much for this guide! It eased the tension for me. I want to move to LA to pursue my dream of dancing and becoming a professional hip hop choreographer after high school. My mom thinks it will be too soon for me to move there right after high school. What do you think? Should I start and finish college in my hometown or move to LA and go to community college there while still trying to achieve my dream? And one last question, approximately how much should somebody save for the move?
Hey Chandrea send me a quick email! I’ll be able to better answer your question there. Justin@immovingtola[dot]com
Hello Justin,
I´m a classically trained composer, and I love to write scores for movies. I´ve already scored some short films, but I´m brazilian. I know exactly the potential I have, as well as what I need to improve. I´m very autocritical. And listening to the scores of some films produced in LA, I just know that I could write something much better. And that´s EXACTLY what motivates me. Nothing else gives me more energy to think about moving to LA. I´ve already lived in LA when I was young and my family was wealthy enough to pay my studies at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Now I think I should never leave LA. But I did… Now, more than 10 years latter, and know that I´m 35 years old, I´m pretty scared to face it again. I´m not american, I won´t have the same support that my family gave me when I moved to LA the first time, I´m not going to study, but to work… So, seems pretty hard for me…. I don´t know what to do… I wish that I had at least a little amount of that same energy that I has when I decided to go to LA when I was young… What happens to us when we get older??? I´m a much better musician than I was… But why, where or when did we lost that energy??? It was pretty nice to read your article, though. Take care
Hey Eddie,
It is true that we lose some motivation when we get older it’s inevitable. If this is something you really want you MUST pursue it. It will bother you for the rest of your life if you don’t give it a second shot. Remember, we only have one life to live. It makes no sense to live with regrets of what could’ve of been. Do it.
I just wanna say im moving out there next January and im very very determined to make a name for myself and do whatever it takes and im willing to wait, this helped so much! THANK YOU!!!!!
You’re welcome Dallas!
I’m really needing a change in my life. I am sick of the same ol’ same ol’ over here in Maryland. I don’t live in an area where there’s really anything interesting to do. I know that there’s a lot to do in L.A. – especially with the art crowd and that there are a lot of places that all you need is to walk to get there. I just want to know if there’s a certain neighborhood that you could recommend for someone in their early 20′s where they can live without dying from the cost of rent and by someone shanking them on the street. I definitely don’t mind busy places. If I’m somewhere that I can just walk to a ton of places on foot, then that’s perfectly fine for me. Driving a little ways to get to the excitement doesn’t bother me either.
I would look at North Hollywood or Silverlake. The apartments are safe and affordable in these neighborhoods. And I think they would fit your personality quite nicely.
I really want to move to L.A., and making plans to do so. However, I am terrified because I have a 13 year old child and wondering which neighborhood would be ideal for us both. I already have a job and would be transferring to Westwood, but I don’t know too much about the area. Does anyone out there know what it’s really like to move to L.A. with a child and pursue a an acting career? I’m trying to plan the best way possible but don’t want my kiddo to suffer.