An L.A. how-to thread

I've begun getting my ducks in a row for the big move, and I'd like to see a big catch-all thread for any helpful information on Los Angeles. I'll be making a short trip early in the new year to explore a while, and then I'll be moving for good next August, so I'd like any useful information from all the Los Angeles vets that frequent the boards. Anything would be appreciated, from great restaurants that get overlooked and affordable apartment complexes to jobs that can potentially offer a little opportunity. I'm looking for more of the former stuff for now, as I need to get my bearings, a roof over my head, and something to pay the rent before I start worrying too much about getting paid to do what I like. Right now I've got a bit of office, banking, and bartending experience, so I'll probably start of shooting for one of those. I would have just bumped Slater's thread, but I want advice past my first apartment.

To start off, I've been reading a lot of "How to move to L.A." books I picked up from Books-a-Million lately, and most have been helpful, but most are so optimistic and "SUCCESS IN ONLY ___ STEPS" about the whole thing, and I need realistic advice. From what I've read, though, I'm leaning toward Westwood. I graduated recently, so being near a campus with people my age is enticing, especially when moving to a new city on the complete opposite side of the country. I'm also reading that the Valley may be better for my wallet.

Wait all the porn comes out of the Valley? I changed my mind fuck the west side.

It's alright - I don't think I've ever mentioned any Hollywood plans on the boards before. I decided to head out and give acting a shot. I pulled out of law school after my college acting coach told me she honestly believed I was talented, so I suppose I've got a decent fallback if I don't make any progress in the next decade. I wrote nonstop in college, but I honestly don't think I'm good enough to have a shot at making it as a writer. I only ever finished one play all the way through that I thought was worth a damn, but maybe I can try and make something out of it further down the line. Right now I'm happiest when I get to act.

Yeah, I've been planning on bartending. I've already got experience (I payed for a lot of college by bartending), and I think once I get my first week of vacation off from work, I'm going to spend it in Birmingham taking a bar course and get certified, just to improve my chances at landing a job, and hopefully get better pay.

By the time I move, I'll have a minimum of $10,000 saved, so it's good to know that 4-6 grand is a good number to have going out there. I thought it should be more. The only reason I'm waiting until August is because I've got a decent paying job here in a town where it's almost obscenely cheap to live, so it's not difficult at all to save up like that in a year.

As far as apartments go, I know how expensive it's going to be. As much as I'd love to out there and have a place I can afford, I'm still nervous enough about it that I'm working pretty hard on convincing my best friend to go out there with me. Most importantly, I'd like to have my buddy out there with me, but it would definitely cut the living cost a bit.

Yikes, triple post.

...

Too many L.A.'s.