How does the declination change as you move north from where you live?

How much money do I need to live in LA? Read before you answer?

• I know you probably heard this about a thousand times but now Im asking! lol So Ive been living in ATL (Atlanta) for a long time now and Im sick of it pretty much all my life and I dont want to live here for the rest of my life! I would LOVE a career in TV/Film industry in LA behind the scenes not as an actor odds of being an actor over there, you have a higher chance of winning the lottery than being a professional actor out there! lol As of right now I have a job minimum wage but it pays more than what I was getting at my other job so right now Im saving every penny I have besides paying my gas and medication, and Im going back to school to take general ed core classes while saving up money and move out of state. The reason why Im not moving out even though I SO want to is because I will be back here in this house where I dont want to be. So I plan to move out once I finish all my general ed courses I figure by the time I finish that up and transfer or something I will have enough! Hopefully Right now Im living with my strict religious parents even though I just turned 21 and Ive never lived the life I truly am supposed to live because Im gay and they dont approve, and I have to live by their rules since I live in their house. It sucks because Im at my prime age where I should be going out and start having relationships friends and to meet a special person. But anyways How much money do I need to save to move and live in LA, I think I need to win the lottery! lol I know about rent there is at least $1,000 plus a security deposit, Utilities in the apartment Car maintainence (oil change, gas, tires, engine and battery) Car insurance License Plate Tags every year Taxes Food Clothing Doctor Appointments (Doctor,Dental Eye) How much do I need to move out there? I mean I love to work in the TV/Film field but most of all of that is in LA, I know NYC but I dont want to live there plus its even more expensive there than in LA and ive been to NYC I really want to live in a place where my career is mostly at, and that is gay friendly If LA is not the option what other city in the US other than LA & NYC that is gay friendly, fun and has a good TV/Film field other than Atlanta?

• Answer:

  I've been living in my hometown all my life and I, too, am sick and tired of it. As much as I love this town, I feel like I've had enough and I need to move on. But at the same time, I know that's not a realistic move right now, especially in my economic state. Even with my education completed (I'm basically done with community college as I've acquired all the credits wanted) affording a state university is just not in my budget right now. What I don't understand is why you don't think Atlanta is gay friendly. It's about as gay friendly as Los Angeles, pretty much, regardless of the extreme religious fundamentalism (believe me, we have that in LA too.) The problem though, is that it is not going to be an easy move to Los Angeles. Coastal California is one of the MOST COVETED areas in the United States, if not, the WORLD, which means MORE $$$. Affordability does not exist in Los Angeles. Starting prices begin at around $1000+/mo. and that's usually for a studio in a somewhat decent area. And those luxurious, modern looking condos you see in the movies and television programs are not common in a typical Los Angeles neighborhood. Common condos/apartments/studios in Los Angeles are old, ghetto-looking buildings, and those do not come cheap at all as mentioned above. Jobs are also nonexistent at the moment. Unemployment rates have jumped to 13.3% so good luck finding a job. Even if you find a job, assuming that you're 18, you will most likely not an awesome resume, so therefore, you might have to resort to entry level. Don't expect entry level to even pay half the rent, and if you do resort to roommates, only expect it to barely pay rent, if even. TV/Film is one of the MOST LACKING in jobs. There are hardly any jobs, in general, in Los Angeles, let alone jobs in the TV/Film industry. Keep in mind you do need to buy groceries, hygiene products, clothes, gas, electric, water, insurance, car, etc. and none of that is going to be cheap neither. Also, you're going to need to save money for doctor visits and need to keep money in case something critical happens to you (you'll never know!) Speaking of cars, you will need a car in order to live in Los Angeles. The roads in Los Angeles are not bicycle friendly and things are not conveniently located, unfortunately. The insurance for the car is not going to be cheap since the rate in Los Angeles are high and the gas prices are going to make you want to move back to your hometown. Also, keep in mind that there is NO SUCH THING as a "safe" place. Safe is just a comfort term, as crime can happen anywhere. No city, or any particular location, is immune from crime. Bottom Line: I would just finish school completely in Georgia. Out-of-state tuition is a joke and it almost doubles your tuition costs.