One of the producers, in his room under the stairs. Courtesy Warner Bros.

My ambassador duties will come to an end later this summer, and someone new will take the reigns. In the meantime, now that we’ve somewhat adjusted to Los Angeles, it’s my job to prepare you for both Los Angeles and the film industry. Last time I wrote about stuff to consider professionally before making the move. But now, here’s some of the more practical stuff to consider that will benefit you when you touch down in Los Angeles.

Fourteen of us moved here together in March, for our last two months of class. Way back at the start of the program I remember an off-the-cuff suggestion that we all get a place together. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. I moved in with Joe, in Hollywood. It was a one-bedroom apartment, and the living room was mine. Five of the other guys also got a house in Hollywood. It was a two-bedroom artist residence, so two to a room, and then one producer lived in a cupboard under the stairs. You have to remember—whether coming here with your class for the end of Columbia’s MFA, or if you’re just someone moving here to make a start in the film industry—moving to Los Angeles is expensive, so whatever you can do to alleviate costs for the first few months is good. Three of the girls shared a one-bedroom apartment in Los Feliz, two shared a studio in Koreatown, one lived with family in Malibu, and the last found a room in an apartment with one of the Columbia producers that came a year ahead of us.

If you’re looking for something temporary for the first few months, until you finish class and figure stuff out, Air B&B worked out well for some of us, or the sublet section on Craigslist. Beyond that, if you’re looking for something longer term, though Craigslist was still useful, the best was Westside Rentals. There’s like a $60 subscription fee for two months, but between a few of you it’s well worth it.

The sewing machine understands me.

Los Angeles is a vast city, and you’re more than likely going to need a car. I bought a car a month or so ago. It was a private sale from Craigslist, but it worked out okay. There’s plenty of second-hand garages around too. But something to be aware of: in California you have to pay 9% of the purchase price of the car as tax, when you register it at the DMV. Sorry to spoil that lovely surprise!

Something else to consider is the best area for you to live. It’s relative to what you want to do, but I can’t overstate how much I’ve loved living in Hollywood. We were right in between Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd; walking distance to stores, gym, the movie theater, bars and restaurants. We had the best patio, with a grill and a pool. For me outdoor areas are key here, and somehow there was ample parking. Plus it’s central; outside of Hollywood itself, the other film hubs are directly South West, in Santa Monica and Culver City, or the same distance North East, just over the hills in Burbank. It’s wise, considering we don’t know where we might end up. But there are plenty of other nice areas nearby, like West Hollywood, Los Feliz or Echo Park.

I’m sharing with Joe right now in his new place in Studio City. But because we both work in West Hollywood, and now both have cars, it works just fine. We take Laurel Canyon over the Hollywood Hills every morning, and it’s damn picturesque. But, I’ll be moving back to Hollywood, to the same complex we first lived in when we got to Los Angeles, but with Javi on September 1.

In the meantime, if you’re making the move out here feel free to fire any questions you have about setting up shop below.

My new car is such a farmer’s car back home.