To the staff California people move primarily because of the good climate, quiet pace of life and numerous opportunities available to residents. In May, federal officials reported that California's economy ranked fifth in the world in 2021, surpassing even the United Kingdom. The main credit for this Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose. So, most likely, the number of people wishing to move to California will only grow.
What city do we think of when we think of California? Of course about Los Angeles! This is not just a city, it is a lifestyle, a legend. Most associations are associated with Hollywood , films and TV series familiar from childhood. According to the Dream Factory, there are practically no poor people in Los Angeles, guys with six-pack abs and snow-white smiles rush around in sports cars, fatal blondes drink low-fat coffee and everyone, without exception, eats only organic food. How different is real Los Angeles from the picture drawn by the screenwriters?
The first thing to remember when planning a move to Los Angeles is that it is a huge and very diverse metropolis. It is half the size of Rhode Island. More than 4 million people live here. And we are talking only about the city of Los Angeles, but there are 87 other cities that are part of the so-called Los Angeles County. These include Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica. In local slang, the abbreviation “LA” is used to refer to this region.
Of course, if you're moving from New York, life in a southern city may seem more rural at first glance. But isn’t this why residents of northern cities move to LA?
Few people plan to move to another city on a whim. Usually there is a good reason or a cherished dream that makes you dare to make such a decision. Whatever your reasons for moving to Los Angeles, you should first understand that making a living in this region can be very difficult. Every year, thousands of immigrants come to LA in pursuit of the American dream, only to return disappointed after a couple of years. Let's seriously weigh the pros and cons before moving.
#1: Los Angeles is very diverse.
One word cannot describe the city. Its structure is similar to a fashionable country-style blanket, woven from pieces of various fabrics. The only difference is that the blankets have clear boundaries, but Los Angeles cannot boast of this. There are more than a hundred different districts and quarters, radically different in spirit and appearance from each other. You will not see any visual divisions, despite repeated attempts to somehow officially designate the internal structure of the city. Just walking through one area, you can easily find yourself in a completely different one just by crossing the street. But take our word for it, you'll notice the difference right away. For example, the Leimert Park area is a very friendly community, where it is customary not only to know all the neighbors by sight, but also to periodically exchange symbolic gifts as a sign of good neighborly relations. South Park, in the center of Los Angeles, has a mega-modern style of architecture, and there are many rooftop bars. North Hollywood, located in the San Fernando Valley, is a very calm and slow-paced area.
#2: Neighborhood selection is critical.
From the first point follows the second - which largely determines whether you can live in Los Angeles permanently or not. Before signing a lease for a property, or even more so, making a purchase, it is highly recommended to spend several weeks in the chosen area. Give yourself time to feel his vibrations, to understand whether he is suitable for you personally or not. This way you can get to know your neighbors, understand the local rhythm, and then draw conclusions. Most likely, during your “test stay”, you will understand whether you want to stay in this or another area. It must fully meet your expectations and satisfy all your daily needs - otherwise moving can become a real nightmare.
Questions to ask. Check list
- What is the parking situation ? In this respect, LA is becoming more and more like New York. The city is growing every day, so the issue of parking needs to be addressed first.
- What's going on here at night ? It is important not only to visit your future area of residence during the day, but also to stay overnight. In some areas the situation is changing radically, and this can be a very unpleasant surprise.
- Are there public schools in the area ? What level are they? Are they suitable for your children?
- If you don’t have your own transport, but walking and jogging are an essential part of your life, make sure that the area is suitable for them.
- Does the cost of renting or purchasing real estate correspond to the standard of living in the area ? What is the average cost in the area?
- If you have friends or relatives in the city, make sure that the new area has convenient transport connections with them to avoid forced isolation.
- Is the area suitable for your family personally ? Is it aimed at families or is it better for bachelors looking for entertainment?
- How relationships with neighbors are built in a new area?
- What is the crime situation like??
- Is it easy to get to your area ? Keep in mind that some isolated urbanizations located high on the hills may be pleasant to live in, but it may not be easy to call an ambulance or the police there.
- Don't just consider the most popular areas like Beverly Hills. It may well be that less well-known, but more family-friendly ones will suit you.
Moving to Los Angeles
May 19, 2020
At first I had the idea of living in the USA; I did not plan to stay forever. During my first trip to America, two thoughts came together - I wanted to get a business education, change careers, learn something new, and I was very attracted to the idea of living in LA. After talking with those who studied in the USA, I realized that there is no better opportunity to get a business education than to do it in America. Then the process of studying all the requirements, opportunities and preparing for admission has already begun. The USA has the best business schools in the world, and I am an ambitious person, so I was ready only for the best.
Two and a half years passed from the moment the idea came to my head until the moment I boarded the Moscow-Los Angeles plane. Since my goal was to study for an MBA program in the USA, I intensively prepared for admission: I took the GMAT and TOEFL exams, filled out questionnaires, asked my boss to send letters of recommendation to the admissions committee of each school where I entered, and also wrote endless essays in all these universities. All this happened at night after work, so it lasted for more than two years.
I initially moved for two years (that’s how long the training program lasts) on the basis of a US student visa, to obtain which I had to fill out an application on the website and undergo an interview at the embassy in Moscow. The only difference in obtaining this visa is that I needed the original Form I-20 (invitation to study from the university) but this is standard procedure and they send it by mail fairly quickly. It was also necessary to show the availability of funds for study (bring bank statements, letters of sponsorship or documents for a loan) - the consul asked about this separately. This type of visa gives the right to receive an SSN number already in the United States - this is like our TIN and SNILS, which, in addition to citizens, is issued to those who have the right to work in the country. Getting this number makes life and adaptation much easier. The move was planned for two years, but it turned out to be a long time - in the USA I met my American love and got married. And now I’ve been living in Los Angeles for five years.
Impression
I am a very positive person and always look for the good in everything, so I did not have any harsh adaptation, although they were actively warned about it, we were even forced to take a mandatory course on adapting to life in the USA on a university campus. I think I was lucky because I came to study, found myself in an environment, made friends from the first day, which made adaptation much easier.
On the first day here, I came to the realization and understanding of the fact that my impeccable English is not so strong and I do not understand much of what I was told. This was not an easy moment for me, but literally after a month or two of active communication through online English lessons, I got involved.
I miss my family and friends, I want them to be close. Of course, in the modern world of technology it is enough to just call or send a message, but the time difference and distance take their toll.
Now I have excellent English with a native-level vocabulary, but with the same accent. Two years of studying in the language, constant communication with friends, work and an American husband naturally contributed to this level. That is why, when moving, I always recommend looking for native speakers and leaving familiar and comfortable compatriots, not because I somehow have a bad attitude towards “ours,” but because this comfort and Russian communication have a very negative impact on language progress. I have a few Russian-speaking friends, but most are Americans and other foreigners with whom I speak English.
Locals
Americans are very friendly, welcoming and smiling. Here a stranger will calmly talk to you, maybe ask where you bought the T-shirt, what you’re wearing, because he/she really liked it. At the same time, personal boundaries are observed very clearly both physically and mentally.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are family holidays, many go to visit parents or have guests at home.
These two holidays are sacred for any American and the worst time to travel around the country, because everyone travels. Many public holidays are added to weekends, resulting in three-day weekends - trips, meetings with friends, and barbecues are planned during this time.
It is not customary here to judge or look askance at those who somehow stand out from the crowd. A neighbor can leave the house in slippers and home clothes to get a newspaper or walk the dog, then stop and chat with you and will not be embarrassed about his appearance. It is not customary here to ask personal questions to people unless you are very close; advice is also given out only if you specifically asked for it.
Americans are very open to something new, they love to travel and learn about other countries and cultures. They are very interested, ask a lot about Russia, culture, places to travel, about ordinary people. I don’t see any hostility towards Russians even against the backdrop of all the political news; basically everyone understands that these are all political games, and no one transfers negativity to specific people.
Job
I had a very successful career in a media advertising agency in Moscow - I worked there from graduating from university until I moved. Over seven years of advertising on TV and working with major advertisers, she gained a lot of experience and left for the USA from the position of head of the special projects department.
It was not an easy path, but now I work at the Sony Pictures film studio in the digital video department - the most progressive and developing direction. I'm currently on maternity leave, enjoying life and motherhood in Los Angeles.
Finding a job for a foreigner is very difficult, especially if we are talking about legal work in a prestigious company. You need to prove that you not only can speak the language, but that you will behave correctly in business situations, know the culture and etiquette of the country, and can be successful in this position. There are a lot of nuances when looking for a job, and by describing my experience, I can easily fill a whole book with material. One of the main points is the so-called networking (from the word network) - contacts, making acquaintances and connections. This does not mean that if a friend of yours works in such and such a company, then your future is secure. An acquaintance or former colleague may recommend you for a vacancy, but you will go through all the hardships of hiring, just this recommendation can help you get an interview and show yourself - then everything depends on you.
In the USA, a foreigner has to prove himself again - previous experience from another country is rarely valued. It is important that you can and know in a specific industry, what experience you have in the company. Career prospects differ in each field, making it difficult to draw any general conclusions. Relationships with colleagues are in your hands, as elsewhere. I have excellent relationships with my colleagues, I have made several friends through my work: we go to restaurants together, visit each other, go to the cinema - it all depends on you personally.
Undoubtedly, in America I smile more, I have become friendlier and warmer, I am more relaxed about different views on life and I enjoy the little things. I realized that I could do a lot and that there were people around me who were ready to support and rejoice at my successes. I focus more on the big picture (plans, achievements, people) rather than on the details. In other words, my worldview has changed a lot. I have found my home.
#3: It’s quite possible to live in LA without your own car
Despite its enormous size, Los Angeles is quite suitable for living in the city without personal transport. Of course, if you already have your own car, this is not a problem. There are thousands of houses with private garages for sale and rent in the city. But if you don’t have a car, you don’t have to buy one specifically. Firstly, Los Angeles has the third most developed public transport system in the United States. You can get to any part of the region by bus or train. Of course, there is an opinion that public transport is most often chosen by representatives of low-income segments of the population. But in reality, hundreds of thousands of people use it every day.
If you're not a fan of buses, that's okay too. City authorities are taking the issue of developing pedestrian zones and bicycle paths seriously. There are several bike rental systems in LA. Well, in the end, you can always call Uber here.
Local residents say that you can truly get to know and love the city only by walking around it. If you're moving to Los Angeles alone, seriously consider giving up your personal transportation.
Transport
Bus and metro ride - $1.75 (115 rubles)
Without a car in Los Angeles it is not easy, since public transport is very poorly developed, and mostly not the most affluent people drive it. They say that ten years ago a whole campaign was launched against the development of transport infrastructure in the city, it was sponsored by automobile giants.
A trip by public transport will take approximately twice as long as by your own car or taxi. In addition, several transplants will most likely be required. A trip by metro and bus will cost $1.75 (115 rubles); if you buy a pass, it’s even a little cheaper. Some stations have no turnstiles at all - you can enter without using a card, which means systematically saving money. True, it is better to have a minimum amount on the card in case there is a control on the train (although this happens extremely rarely). It also often happens that bus drivers let you in for free if you suddenly have insufficient balance on your card or don’t have change with you, since the machine at the entrance only accepts coins.
I’m getting by without a car for now because I spend most of the week on campus and live three metro stations away. Perhaps at some point I will lease a car, but for now I am stopped by expensive and inconvenient parking. For example, in many places you can only pay for the whole day, and not for a couple of hours. On campus we even need to rent a parking space for a long time.
For trips out of town or to a party in the hills, it is more convenient to use Uber or Lyft. The main difference between Lyft and other services is its well-functioning ride sharing system. It often happens that you book a trip together, but end up going alone. For 5–10 dollars (330–660 rubles) you can go quite far.
According to my calculations, I spend 50–70 dollars (3,300–4,600 rubles) per month on transport. Sometimes I use daily car rental. It costs from 25 dollars (1,650 rubles) per day.
#4: Getting to and from work can be challenging.
LA does not have a single business center. Most of the commercial establishments where you are likely to find work are in completely different parts of the region. Not everyone can afford to live in such business centers, and living conditions here are quite unattractive. What does it mean? That you will have to deal with the famous LA traffic jams: one of those points that you definitely need to consider when choosing an area. Can you get to work by train without being stuck in traffic jams for hours? Is there a safe and short bike path into downtown? Or maybe your employer provides the opportunity to work from home several days a week?
Press
Unless you have a Nobel Prize or an Olympic medal, the press is your everything! My lawyer immediately said that she measures the amount of press by weight. For example, three articles in Forbes is cool. But this is not enough to prove your fame. Therefore, in addition to large publications, some small ones are also needed. The main thing is that when printed, you end up with a decent stack of paper with your name and projects mentioned.
Where to begin? Write down in a column what makes you special, what kind of information you can offer, what competencies you have, what interesting projects you have done. This visa is not for everyone. But if you are truly talented in your field, you can definitely come up with something to offer to the media from what you have (or specifically plan a new project).
I had a good shot: the glowing moon bag that I came up with, my experience as a designer and art director, my passion for photography, entrepreneurial experience, and my overall outlook on life. At least two days a week I monitored new sites where an article could be posted about me, about some of my projects, or written by me as an expert, sent letters to the editor with a proposal and waited for responses. When I received a response, I wrote texts at night, selected photographs, and tried to do everything as quickly as possible. And so from December to June. After all, I was also working most of the time. I returned home around 8 pm, had dinner, took a 15-minute break and sat down to work on my visa.
#6: The cost of renting or buying a home will be significantly higher than the US average.
To be honest, the cost of renting and buying real estate in Los Angeles is steep. The average price of a single-family home in the Los Angeles region was about $585,000 in 2021, and only 28% of US residents can afford such a purchase. What is the reason for such prices? Among others, we can highlight the constant shortage of housing caused by the large number of people wishing to live in California, and in Los Angeles in particular. Despite the 10-year crisis, the real estate market in Los Angeles shows no signs of falling. But the cost of renting housing can already be called stable. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,360 in 2021.
In-demand jobs in Los Angeles
The most popular areas for employment here are presented below:
- Medicine.
- Mechanical engineering and engineering.
- Programming.
- Ecology.
- Finance.
- Education.
- Construction.
The most popular and highly paid specialty is a programmer. The proximity of Silicon Valley and advanced technologies provide ample opportunities for development in this area. But to get a job in a large high-tech company, you will have to beat many competitors, have a decent education, work experience and portfolio.
The average salary in Los Angeles reaches $5,000.
California Minimum Wage (per hour):
- $11.00 - for employees in companies of 26 people or more;
- $10.50 - for employees in companies with less than 25 employees.
Work in Los Angeles for Russians is presented in different segments of the labor market, it all depends on the level of your education, qualifications and experience.
Highly skilled work
Among highly qualified professions, the following are especially in demand:
- Doctors (about $12,000 per month).
- Top managers, managers, directors (about $9,000 per month).
- IT workers, programmers and web designers (about $9,000 per month).
- Nuclear engineers (about $8000 per month).
Skilled and other work
- pharmacists (about $8,500 per month);
- cosmetologists, makeup artists, make-up artists ($4000 per month);
- waiters, “hostesses”, bartenders, assistant cooks ($3000-5000 per month);
- maids ($3500 per month);
- nannies with pedagogical education ($3000 per month);
- nurses, physician assistants, with medical education ($3000 per month);
- builders ($2500 per month);
- sellers ($1500-3000 per month);
- seamstresses ($1600 per month);
- electricians, plumbers, painters, joiners, carpenters ($8,000-10,000 per month);
- drivers, couriers ($6000 per month);
- auto mechanics ($5,600 per month);
You can get an unskilled job without knowing English. In California there are many immigrants from Russia and former CIS countries who are not against hiring a person of a similar mentality.
#7: You'll get more than you expect for your money.
Due to its geographic location, Los Angeles is built primarily of low-rise buildings, so buying real estate here will give you more personal space than you could get for the same money in New York or San Francisco. A pleasant bonus will be swimming pools and gardens, which are often included in the price of the property. If you’re not ready to buy a house yet, it doesn’t matter. In Los Angeles, it's easy to find a private home for rent that will have its own yard and garage, so you, your children and pets will definitely have enough space.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before deciding to take such a serious step as getting a job in California with long-term residence in a foreign country, we recommend weighing the positive and negative aspects of such a decision.
Pros of living in California:
- High salaries.
- Dense concentration of large business agencies and companies.
- Prestigious education.
- Developed infrastructure.
- Warm climate all year round.
- A variety of places for entertainment and recreation: beaches, national parks, entertainment centers, nightclubs, bars.
- Ethnic diversity of the population.
Flaws:
- High cost of living – the cost of real estate exceeds state indicators by 15-20%.
- High competition for employment and starting your own business.
- High crime rate.
- Density and density of population - over 3.9 million people live in Los Angeles.
#8: Life in Los Angeles is like a rollercoaster ride
In this city you should never make sudden conclusions. On the same day, you can experience both the biggest annoyance of your life driving 5 miles in an hour, for example, and the most unforgettable experience if you go to watch a pink and gold-tinged sunset on the Santa Monica coast.
It's entirely possible to spend $5 on a cup of coffee, swelter in 110-degree heat in October, or pay a $2,000 bill for a month of parking in Santa Monica. Don’t immediately pack your things in disappointment; try to reconsider your traditional habits. Perhaps life in Los Angeles will be much more comfortable if you listen more to the vibrations around you.
What do immigrants see as the benefits of living in Los Angeles?
Through the eyes of a Russian, you can see many advantages in this city, especially when these eyes look at Southern California from the depths of our country in the off-season.
As a rule, when talking about what good things await a person in the City of Angels, potential green card holders remember the following:
- Climate.
- Prospects.
- Abundance of jobs.
- Close to the Hollywood Hills.
- Opportunity to purchase relatively inexpensive real estate.
- Large Russian-speaking diaspora.
Rod Ramsey / flickr.com
This is all true. However, every coin has a flip side. Every advantage of moving to the City of Angels is also a disadvantage.
Of course, if you have significant financial savings, then there are no disadvantages to living in the USA. Both in Los Angeles and in any other place, it will practically not arise. There may be some difficulties with communication. Both in terms of the language barrier and mentality. But these are insignificant points and are not a serious disadvantage.
In the same case, if there are no sources of income, and immigration itself is carried out with funds received from the sale of the only home, then the disadvantages of Los Angeles are quite capable of completely covering up its advantages.
#9: Not all Los Angeles neighborhoods and suburbs are on TV.
If you're traveling to Los Angeles to live by endless sandy beaches dotted with leafy green palm trees, then you should pay attention to areas such as Venice, Santa Monica or the South Bay. But not the entire region looks like them. Many areas are located far from the coastline. There are also exotic trees here, and at night they are illuminated by the neon lights of numerous billboards. But the problem is that without rain, these areas quickly become desert-like. And rain in LA is quite rare.
Where and how to look for work in Los Angeles
The main ways to search for vacancies are:
- Through acquaintances who immigrated to the United States and have already settled in California. Typically, such people are always happy to help their compatriots, since they themselves were once in a similar situation;
- There are local Internet sites that help expats quickly find a suitable job;
- You can find a job while still in your homeland using the same resources designed to help those leaving the country;
- The media can provide assistance in such an important matter. In Los Angeles, newspapers are published in Russian, where there are a lot of vacancies;
- And, of course, you can contact a recruitment agency by paying a certain amount of money.
Recruitment agency office in the USA
Such companies are interested in their clients finding a job as quickly as possible, since their profits directly depend on this. If they could not find anything suitable, the money paid is returned.
When turning to recruitment agencies for help, you should definitely pay attention to the availability of a license that allows you to provide such services to the population in the state of California. Usually it hangs on the wall, where it is clearly visible to everyone. Be sure to sign the contract with all the terms and conditions and receive a receipt after payment is made.
Recommendations
Typically, the first interview will be a telephone conversation. There is no need to immediately say that there is no appropriate permission. This will need to be said when a question on this topic follows. Working in America without a permit is not grounds for deportation. But in this case, tax laws are violated.
You need to agree to a job only with a salary that is at least the subsistence minimum, which is $7.25 per hour.
This does not apply to waiters - the profession is paid in the amount of 2 dollars, since the main income of such workers is tips. Exceeding the 8-hour working day is paid additionally - the hour of payment is multiplied by 1.5. And the release on holidays is at 2.
#10: Living in Los Angeles is expensive
Everything is relative. If you're moving to Los Angeles from New York, you probably won't be as surprised by the cost as you would be if you were moving from a small town in the northern United States. But the fact remains that costs for rent, gas, food and entertainment in the region are among the highest in the country. At the end of 2017, the average level of expenses for a comfortable life (including entertainment and education) per person was about $76,000. Of course, this amount will vary greatly in each individual case, depending on your habits. Many city residents, for example, live on much lower incomes, at $64,500 for a family of three.
Where can a foreigner look for work: common options
There are several ways for Russians and other people considered foreigners to find work in California. The first way is to apply online: on job boards you can choose a position of your choice with the appropriate salary and schedule. The second way is to find a vacancy through friends and acquaintances who also came to Los Angeles from the CIS countries.
Another option to get a job in California is to contact special agencies, but here you will have to pay a certain amount for help. A good free method is to find a job through newspapers and magazines.
#13: Los Angeles is a great place for families
There are different opinions on this issue. Some longtime residents of the region believe that living in Los Angeles is much easier while you're single. But just look at the number of museums, zoos, beaches, parks and children's recreation centers open all year round, and draw your own conclusions.
Letters of cooperation
When it seemed to me that the case was 99% ready and we were about to submit it, I learned about the final stage. I needed to collect at least three letters from American companies that would like to cooperate with me if my visa was approved. Not even a job offer, but an Engagement letter. And the company should not just be an individual entrepreneur of your friend, but some kind of prominent and well-known. I understood that it was very difficult, but not impossible. It will just take two, three, four months to find them, explain the task, negotiate, etc. At first, I even wrote out a list of all the startups and companies I came across founded by Russian-speaking people in the United States. And she started sending out letters, explaining her situation, that the case had already been collected, only these Letters remained. In my dream, I even wrote a letter to Elon Musk. It turned out good, but I didn’t send it. By that time, I was so tired of worrying that I completely calmed down and, with the meekness of a doe, waited for any result.
And then everything spiraled in a way that I couldn’t even dream of. Some of my acquaintances and friends already knew that I was preparing for O1. Help came from them.
First, Yulia Peskova (at that time my director) helped me with letters, introducing me, among other things, to Sasha Masyuk (better known as SashaTattooing). Sasha is a talented artist and tattoo artist with worldwide fame. Under her brand, tattoo studios have been opened in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Barcelona and is now opening in Los Angeles. She is constantly invited to collaborate with various brands to create clothes, shoes, and jewelry, but she has long dreamed of developing her own in this direction. This is where we came together. I have extensive experience in organizing and managing creative production, both my own and that of partners; I have been a designer, art director, and, when necessary, a packer, sales manager and manager. I know the order and pain of each link in this long chain, when an idea from the head turns into a tangible product and ends up on the shelf of a showroom or on the page of an online store. Therefore, now I am in LA, and Sasha and I have already begun to plan so many amazing things that it is unknown how this world will bear such beauty.
#14: There's a lot of economic disparity in LA.
If we talk about overall indicators for the state, it is difficult not to note the overall growth of the economy. However, this does not mean that you will never face economic problems when living in Los Angeles. In the city there is a very clear difference in income between the richest and poorest segments of the population. Most of Los Angeles's poor are immigrants from South American countries. They are the ones who most often receive much less pay for their work, which widens the gap between the poor and the rich in the city. Over the past few years, the number of homeless people has increased by 75%.
Income of citizens
The average income in Los Angeles is 60 thousand dollars (3,975 thousand rubles) per year, or 5 thousand dollars (331 thousand rubles) per month. This is, conditionally, the manager’s salary. The highest salaries, of course, go to filmmakers, IT specialists, politicians and top managers. I think the average figure in this category is around 90 thousand dollars (5,962 thousand rubles) per year, or 7,500 per month (497 thousand rubles). Low salaries, as in other countries, in the service sector: 25 thousand (1,656 thousand rubles) per year and even less. This is approximately 2 thousand dollars (132,500 rubles) per month. The postgraduate scholarship at my university is 34 thousand dollars (2,252 thousand rubles) per year.
There is a stereotype that almost every coffee shop in Los Angeles employs future Hollywood stars. Of course, aspiring actors who go to castings work somewhere, including in coffee shops or as drivers for Uber and Lyft. At least, actors gave me rides more than once.
