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LOS ANGELES
Welcome to Hollywood-land
New arrivals will find Los Angeles to be somewhere between an American Eden and a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah.
Palm trees sway beneath constantly sunny skies, bikini-clad beauties frolic in the sand by the glittering Pacific, nightclubs throb with hot young stars, and swingers cruise the boulevards in the latest pimped-out rides.
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The vision of Hollywood as a neon hotbed of craven back-stabbers clawing their way to the top of the "industry" only takes into account one segment of this sprawling metropolis. Los Angeles extends ever outward as the second largest city in America, an endless expanse of culturally, ethnically and socially diverse neighborhoods.
But most young people do move to L.A. to make it in the entertainment biz, and it's never easy. You'll have to network, pitch and audition like crazy while still finding a way to pay the rent. That struggle creates a communal feel among aspiring actors, writers and filmmakers who spend their days as waiters, bartenders or personal assistants while pursuing their big break.
When your shift is done, the recreational options abound, from glitzy West Side nightspots to modish East Side dive bars. Nightly house parties are off the hook, and as long as you know someone who knows someone you're in. You'll want to dress sharp but casual. Blue jeans are standard issue, and tattoos abound.
Neighborhoods
Locating an apartment in L. A. won't prove difficult. Craigslist offers plenty of new listings every day. You should probably also sign up on westsiderentals.com, the best site for finding new digs. While L.A. boasts a vast array of neighborhoods, a few stand out as particularly attractive to young arrivals.
 East Side: Los Feliz, Silverlake, Echo Park
On the East Side, Los Feliz, Silverlake and Echo Park combine to form an extended community where up-and-coming creative types find cheaper rents (though they're already on the rise), a more alternative vibe, and hipster bars aplenty. These neighborhoods were once heavily Latino, but gentrification has begun radically altering the mix. Driving downtown or to Hollywood is a snap, but the ocean can seem all too far away. On weekends, many locals take advantage of nearby Griffith Park, the city's largest and most beautiful outdoor space, home to a first-class observatory and only a beautiful hike away from the "Hollywood" sign.
Santa Monica, Venice
To the west, Santa Monica and Venice both offer a serene lifestyle by the sea. Santa Monica exudes a laid-back elegance, and features the 3rd Street Promenade. Lined with cool shops, movie theaters, and restaurants, it's one of the rare public places in L.A. where you can actually walk amongst the public! Santa Monica's somewhat grungier cousin, Venice, offers a mix of hippies, homies, tourists, artists and street performers along its famous beach boardwalk. Both might feel a little remote from the rest of L.A., but they sit close to the business centers of Century City and Westwood. It will cost a pretty penny to live right by the ocean, but reasonably priced apartments can be found just a mile or two back from the water.
West Hollywood
Closest to the center of things stands West Hollywood, the place most people think of when they think of L.A. With the Sunset Strip, fancy cars, fancier stores, and sidewalks cluttered with drop-dead gorgeous women, this is one happening place - if you can afford it. Rents are high, freeway access can be a pain, and the streets often become congested, but land a job in entertainment and you'll likely have a short commute.
Transportation
L.A.'s traffic often proves infuriating. Find a place to live near where you work, or your commute might drag on for hours. Make sure to arm yourself with the Thomas Guide, the bible of L.A. navigation. It will help you unlock the unending labyrinth of freeways and boulevards as you discover the delights of your new home.
Local Lingo
Another city that's been famously influenced by a diverse group of residents, LA is also well known for its Pacific surf culture and the glitzy Hollywood set. The city is trendy and fun, and locals are constantly coming up with new slang that works its way throughout the United States. There's also some tried and true native-speak to learn before you go.
One of the most infamous things about LA, the traffic, has spawned many local terms, like Sigalert. You definitely don't want to be stuck in the vicinity of one of these - it's a traffic accident that will tie up traffic for at least two hours.
Speaking of traffic, when you're talking about a highway or major road, it's referred to as "the (road number)" for example, "the 405." If you're a public transit kind of person, then you'll be taking The Metro in the city.
The general lower region of California is known to natives as SoCal.
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Sam Lanckton graduated from Columbia and worked at The New York Times for four years before moving to Los Angeles. He will soon be absurdly rich and famous.
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Entertainment
• Walt Disney Company
• DirecTV Group
• 20th Century Fox
• Sony Pictures
Consumer Products
• Hilton Hotels
• Guess?
• Sunkist
• Mattel
What do you love about working here?
It's always exciting. If you're pursuing something in the creative field, you're never totally secure in your work. It's a positive and negative. It can switch on you. For me it's challenging and creatively stimulating. I see the lack of consistency as a positive.
Andrew, 24
University of Michigan, Film Director/Editor
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