[jstevenson]

I've been offered a position in California. More specifically Culver City. I've been googling but I'd like to hear LA-GAF's thoughts on that area. Traffic? Cost of living? Would a chemistry major be able to find a job in that area?

Culver City is in a bad traffic area, but otherwise is super central to beaches, downtown, hollywood, LAX. Lots of good food / shopping that are nearby.

Cost of living is crazy, and you have to be mindful that the freeways near there are frequently horrific, but if you can live near work, it'd be a nice spot to be

[Alchemy]

Well it looks like I'm moving to Burbank at the end of month. Anything I should expect?

[jstevenson]

Well it looks like I'm moving to Burbank at the end of month. Anything I should expect?

it to be freaking hot.

welcome to the neighborhood

[Alchemy]

it to be freaking hot. welcome to the neighborhood

Fantastic, I don't even own shorts yet.

[Ermac]

it to be freaking hot. welcome to the neighborhood

Burbank represent +

[SmellyHands]

Well it looks like I'm moving to Burbank at the end of month. Anything I should expect?

There's a nice Taco Bell there and if you like computer stores, I think Frys is easily accessible.

[jstevenson]

Fantastic, I don't even own shorts yet.

good news is June gloom rolls in and it cools down for June a bit... cloudy mornings, warm afternoons.

July/August/Sept has some brutal days though.

our office is across the street from the Burbank airport (which rules)

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Today's Sprinkles abomination:

Vanilla cupcakes with Lemon Lime Frosting.

The frosting.... isn't completely water.

[Alchemy]

There's a nice Taco Bell there and if you like computer stores, I think Frys is easily accessible.

If only I could eat anything at Taco Bell... but Frys is cool! There is one up around where I live in Bellevue currently, so that should be fun. It will be nice to wander around town after I get through this moving madness month.

[PG2G]

Cost of living is crazy

I wouldn't say the cost of living is TOO bad. It is probably the most affordable area in West LA. I guess that's not saying that much though, lol

[beat]

I wouldn't say the cost of living is TOO bad. It is probably the most affordable area in West LA. I guess that's not saying that much though, lol

Affordability of Palms is somewhat counter-balanced by parking insanity. Every available square foot that could conceivably be a parking space is taken up.

[Verano]

I've been offered a position in California. More specifically Culver City. I've been googling but I'd like to hear LA-GAF's thoughts on that area. Traffic? Cost of living? Would a chemistry major be able to find a job in that area?

there's the local pharmacies like Rite Aid, CVS, etc...around Culver or look around Brentwood (bit far from culver), and Westwood (not that far from Culver but better area all around) areas as a pharmacist.

[otake]

Culver City is in a bad traffic area, but otherwise is super central to beaches, downtown, hollywood, LAX. Lots of good food / shopping that are nearby. Cost of living is crazy, and you have to be mindful that the freeways near there are frequently horrific, but if you can live near work, it'd be a nice spot to be

Traffic is bad getting in and out of Culver? Or just in? How bad do you mean? I've been looking around and my fiance would have to work in City of Industry or Buena Park.

[Zyzyxxz]

Traffic is bad getting in and out of Culver? Or just in? How bad do you mean? I've been looking around and my fiance would have to work in City of Industry or Buena Park.

Well with City of Industry your fiance would see morning traffic going toward Downtown but once she's past it should would be able to drive 80. Same thing in reverse assuming she gets off at rush hour times.

To Buena Park it could be just as bad I don't know how the freeways are from Culver city.

[otake]

Well with City of Industry your fiance would see morning traffic going toward Downtown but once she's past it should would be able to drive 80. Same thing in reverse assuming she gets off at rush hour times. To Buena Park it could be just as bad I don't know how the freeways are from Culver city.

How much does one have to make to live okay there? Just curious, not asking for everyones salary. Obviously if your rich everything is easier.

[jstevenson]

Traffic is bad getting in and out of Culver? Or just in? How bad do you mean? I've been looking around and my fiance would have to work in City of Industry or Buena Park.

you're by the 10 and the 405, specifically, you're by the 10 going from Santa Monica to Downtown, and by the 405 going in and out of Santa Monica. So your freeways always will have some level of congestion. The commute for your fiance will be easier once she gets to downtown and then is going AWAY from downtown, and vice versa at night. The basic flows are into downtown and Santa Monica in the morning, and away from them in the evening. If you're going in the opposite direction, it's not that bad.

Buena Park would be sort of a nightmare maybe, the 5 is shitty too during rush hour, though she might be able to use some weird combo of 110/105/91/405 to get there without too much hassle.

[Luap]

Brace yourselves, fellow beach cities residents... summer is almost here. Ugh I hate it when all the kids are out of school.

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Brace yourselves, fellow beach cities residents... summer is almost here. Ugh I hate it when all the kids are out of school.

I know, the Baskin-Robbins near my house is always crowded.

[Zyzyxxz]

How much does one have to make to live okay there? Just curious, not asking for everyones salary. Obviously if your rich everything is easier.

Depends on how much you pay for rent, your spending habits, blah blah blah so hard to say.

I wouldn't move out there unless I was making $3K a month (pretax). I know a former coworker was living out there in a two bedroom for ~$1400 a month but no idea which part.

[otake]

I'm very nervous about this. Some people would say it's a great opportunity but all I hear about California is traffic jams and taxes.

Is it common to be stuck in traffix for over an hour?

[teruterubozu]

I'm very nervous about this. Some people would say it's a great opportunity but all I hear about California is traffic jams and taxes. Is it common to be stuck in traffix for over an hour?

Yes.

I used to have an 8 mile commute from Burbank to Wilshire - it would take me 1 hour during rush hour. Pent up road rage everywhere you turn.

[donkey show]

Traffic is bad getting in and out of Culver? Or just in? How bad do you mean? I've been looking around and my fiance would have to work in City of Industry or Buena Park.

Oh man, good luck to your fiance. She's pretty much fucked in terms of traffic going to and from either of those places, especially if she's going to be working the normal 9 to 5.

[PG2G]

Oh man, good luck to your fiance. She's pretty much fucked in terms of traffic going to and from either of those places, especially if she's going to be working the normal 9 to 5.

Wouldn't she be going against traffic because she'd be leaving LA? Assuming she'd take 405 instead of the 10 through downtown. City of Industry she'd definitely be screwed though.

[otake]

Yes. I used to have an 8 mile commute from Burbank to Wilshire - it would take me 1 hour during rush hour. Pent up road rage everywhere you turn.

Well fuck. I'm making more money but my quality of life is going down!

Currently, I live in Florida. My commute is 35 minutes on a bad day.

[Verano]

I'm very nervous about this. Some people would say it's a great opportunity but all I hear about California is traffic jams and taxes. Is it common to be stuck in traffix for over an hour?

depends where and when you're commuting from or to. Also, taking the streets is another alternative to freeways.

[donkey show]

Wouldn't she be going against traffic because she'd be leaving LA? Assuming she'd take 405 instead of the 10 through downtown. City of Industry she'd definitely be screwed though.

Not really. For her to get to Buena Park, she'd have to either take the 10 to the 5 or 405 to 105 to the 5. The 405, 5 and 10 suck either way during rush hour. It's going to take more than an hour and a half regardless.

[jstevenson]

I'm very nervous about this. Some people would say it's a great opportunity but all I hear about California is traffic jams and taxes. Is it common to be stuck in traffix for over an hour?

All depends on your commute. It hardly ever happens for me, but I live where my wife has a 1 mile commute, and where I have a four mile commute. Neither of us takes freeways to work.

Even if your commute is along a bad stretch, if you can be somewhat flexible with work hours (ie, work 7-4, or say 10-7), you can avoid some of it.

It's not doom and gloom like we are making it out to be, though if your fiance is working in Buena Park/City of Industry and you are in Culver City, that's about a 30-mile difference and presents logistical challenges in terms of where you live and traffic situations/patterns.

Not really. For her to get to Buena Park, she'd have to either take the 10 to the 5 or 405 to 105 to the 5. The 405, 5 and 10 suck either way during rush hour. It's going to take more than an hour and a half regardless.

But from Culver City, taking the 405 to the 105 in the morning shouldn't be too bad, and then you can take all those smaller freeways (105/91/710/110 or some combination thereof). I have to think there is a better route there then just blindly taking the 10 / 5 or the 405 through long beach.

[otake]

Not really. For her to get to Buena Park, she'd have to either take the 10 to the 5 or 405 to 105 to the 5. The 405, 5 and 10 suck either way during rush hour. It's going to take more than an hour and a half regardless.

It's only 28 miles. google maps claims it's 45 minutes. This is why I'm glad this thread exists, there's nothing like asking people who live there.

[Nekobo]

What's a good place for a date around Cal State Northridge?

[staticneuron]

Anybody know if someone is hiring IT Support Tech in the LA area? It is amazing that I am finding this job search so difficult.

[Ermac]

Yes. I used to have an 8 mile commute from Burbank to Wilshire - it would take me 1 hour during rush hour. Pent up road rage everywhere you turn.

Where on Wilshire? I drive from Burbank to Downtown. I take San Fernando and it 40 mins every time

[Ermac]

All depends on your commute. It hardly ever happens for me, but I live where my wife has a 1 mile commute, and where I have a four mile commute. Neither of us takes freeways to work. Even if your commute is along a bad stretch, if you can be somewhat flexible with work hours (ie, work 7-4, or say 10-7), you can avoid some of it. It's not doom and gloom like we are making it out to be, though if your fiance is working in Buena Park/City of Industry and you are in Culver City, that's about a 30-mile difference and presents logistical challenges in terms of where you live and traffic situations/patterns. But from Culver City, taking the 405 to the 105 in the morning shouldn't be too bad, and then you can take all those smaller freeways (105/91/710/110 or some combination thereof). I have to think there is a better route there then just blindly taking the 10 / 5 or the 405 through long beach.

Insomniac is in Burbank??

Can I get a studio tour

[jstevenson]

Insomniac is in Burbank?? Can I get a studio tour

yessir, right across from the airport and Fry's (other side of the railroad track). I live in Studio City myself.

we usually reserve studio tours for our community days, especially with how busy we are on sekrits. But if an opportunity comes up I'll let ya know.

[HP_Wuvcraft]

yessir, right across from the airport and Fry's (other side of the railroad track). I live in Studio City myself. we usually reserve studio tours for our community days, especially with how busy we are on sekrits. But if an opportunity comes up I'll let ya know.

NeoGAF is a community.

[donkey show]

yessir, right across from the airport and Fry's (other side of the railroad track). I live in Studio City myself. we usually reserve studio tours for our community days, especially with how busy we are on sekrits. But if an opportunity comes up I'll let ya know.

Oh damn, I know where that is. And that's pretty sick with the tour jstevenson, y'all are good peeps. I wouldn't mind asking either, but I'm in the UK now. xD

[Zyzyxxz]

For anyone looking for a place to watch the Laker game tonight we are offering Yelp check in offer, free burger with purchase of an alcoholic drink.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/spirit-house-bar-monterey-park

[Alchemy]

yessir, right across from the airport and Fry's (other side of the railroad track). I live in Studio City myself. we usually reserve studio tours for our community days, especially with how busy we are on sekrits. But if an opportunity comes up I'll let ya know.

Oh snap, game industry people. I'm moving down to be a game designer at a smaller studio Rebel Entertainment. I think I applied to a few positions at Insomniac and never heard back :(

Finishing up my last month on a super secret AAA game up here that is close to release.

[quaere]

I would actually trust Google with the traffic situation.

Before I started doing a Pasadena to downtown commute (about 10 miles) I heard a lot of half an hour if you're lucky one hour on the bad days. I was prepared for the worst after hearing that but in reality it never takes more than 35 minutes. Remarkably consistent in the 25-35 minute range.

Point is, Google has actual data not guesses.

[Verano]

I would actually trust Google with the traffic situation. Before I started doing a Pasadena to downtown commute (about 10 miles) I heard a lot of half an hour if you're lucky one hour on the bad days. I was prepared for the worst after hearing that but in reality it never takes more than 35 minutes. Remarkably consistent in the 25-35 minute range. Point is, Google has actual data not guesses.

pretty much this. Also, I do recommend LA-GAF to visit SIGALERT to view traffic conditions on the freeways. It automatically refreshes itself for a much more up to date conditions on traffic so ya its quite handy.

[Fidelis Hodie]

Doubling up the suggestion on Sigalert. As a production assistant delivering tapes throughout the greater LA area, it was always the go to on traffic.

[golem]

Yeah mostly I use sigalert..

Has this been posted yet: http://wheninla.tumblr.com/

Relevant to discussion: http://wheninla.tumblr.com/post/2316...e-i-leave-work

[otake]

Culver City is in a bad traffic area, but otherwise is super central to beaches, downtown, hollywood, LAX. Lots of good food / shopping that are nearby. Cost of living is crazy, and you have to be mindful that the freeways near there are frequently horrific, but if you can live near work, it'd be a nice spot to be

One of my co-workers originally from the area called me and said even with $80K a year I'd be starving in LA. He's about to retire, it's actually his territory I will eventually be taking over. BS?

[teruterubozu]

Where on Wilshire? I drive from Burbank to Downtown. I take San Fernando and it 40 mins every time

Burbank to Downtown is nothing. I had to drive to Beverly Hills.

[PG2G]

One of my co-workers originally from the area called me and said even with $80K a year I'd be starving in LA. He's about to retire, it's actually his territory I will eventually be taking over. BS?

In Culver City, around $80k is the median household income. I think a family of two can live pretty decently off that. If it was a family of four I'd probably consider living in a cheaper area.

[Fidelis Hodie]

One of my co-workers originally from the area called me and said even with $80K a year I'd be starving in LA. He's about to retire, it's actually his territory I will eventually be taking over. BS?

Yeah, that's a bit of a stretch. My first year out here I lived and made $10k on the entire year.

Now that I kind of starved on.

$80k would be banking it, respectively (obv). Really depends on your means. If you've got a family, which I don't and didn't (single dude, starvin' for his dreams type deal), I can definitely see how pulling that in culver wouldn't suffice, but if it's just you and your respective other and she's working also, seems like a great start.

Burbank to Downtown is nothing. I had to drive to Beverly Hills.

On South Park I drove Studio City to Marina Del Ray both ways through rush hour. Absolutely abysmal.

[jstevenson]

One of my co-workers originally from the area called me and said even with $80K a year I'd be starving in LA. He's about to retire, it's actually his territory I will eventually be taking over. BS?

not true. I made far less than that when I moved out here. You'd need a roommate at a certain level, but if you and your fiance are sharing an apartment, and if you have 80k, you're doing more than ok to start. Having two car payments would hurt, but if you own your cars, live close to at least one person's work (minimize gas) - you can be fine.

It is expensive here, but it's totally doable on cheaper budgets then 80k a year. Culver City/westside hurts a little in that regard, and you'll have to be frugal, but there is so much free stuff to do here (beach, events etc) and the weather is always great.

[Alchemy]

Yeesh, all the talk of 80k being a *good start* is scaring me. I'll be on 50k with my girlfriend (who is looking for work once we move), but we're looking for one/two bed apartments right now. Thankfully she is the only one with a car and its paid off for, but I'm still sweating it now (or maybe its because its hot down here, waiting for our next apartment walk through). Hopefully the Burbank area is more reasonable than LA.

[Fidelis Hodie]

Yeesh, all the talk of 80k being a *good start* is scaring me. I'll be on 50k with my girlfriend (who is looking for work once we move), but we're looking for one/two bed apartments right now. Thankfully she is the only one with a car and its paid off for, but I'm still sweating it now (or maybe its because its hot down here, waiting for our next apartment walk through). Hopefully the Burbank area is more reasonable than LA.

You'll be completely fine. I'm a single male and have lived off way less than 50k for the first two years.

I don't know who could starve on $80k. I really don't. That's just ridiculous.

[teruterubozu]

Yeesh, all the talk of 80k being a *good start* is scaring me. I'll be on 50k with my girlfriend (who is looking for work once we move), but we're looking for one/two bed apartments right now. Thankfully she is the only one with a car and its paid off for, but I'm still sweating it now (or maybe its because its hot down here, waiting for our next apartment walk through). Hopefully the Burbank area is more reasonable than LA.

LOL. No. Burbank is a very desirable neighborhood and rent has been skyrocketing.

[jstevenson]

Yeesh, all the talk of 80k being a *good start* is scaring me. I'll be on 50k with my girlfriend (who is looking for work once we move), but we're looking for one/two bed apartments right now. Thankfully she is the only one with a car and its paid off for, but I'm still sweating it now (or maybe its because its hot down here, waiting for our next apartment walk through). Hopefully the Burbank area is more reasonable than LA.

If you did a big one bed you will be fine. Burbank is cheaper than Studio City / Sherman Oaks and the beach communities. I the rent is too high there, Glendale isn't bad either or say Eagle Rock or something