From NYC to LA: Starting a New Chapter
The NYC-metro area has been home to me for the past 21 years! Since moving here in 2004, I’ve been inspired by the city’s nonstop energy, which has helped me build my creative practice in so many different ways. As my interests in film and entertainment continued to grow, the idea of moving to Los Angeles had been on my mind for the past few years - but it was never the right time. Until now.
I arrived in LA on August 26, right in the middle of a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees and above starting early in the day! Angelenos told me this kind of extreme heat wasn't normal - I sure hope so, because that extreme heat definitely made an impression!
One of the first things I noticed was the intensity of the sun. Now that the temperatures have come down, the mornings and evenings can actually feel quite cool, while afternoons are often around 80 degrees. And this is where I’ve noticed another difference from NYC: even when the temperature is 80°F, the sun feels much more intense here. An 80-degree afternoon in LA just feels hotter to me than an 80-degree afternoon in NYC!
First Impressions: LA Is NOT NYC
Of course LA is not NYC and I always knew that, but when you live here vs. visiting here, you really notice the difference. For one, the huge size of LA - it is just vast. The roads are large and busy with traffic. While I did live mostly outside of Manhattan in more residential areas like Jersey City, West New York and Union City, I was always within walking distance to the NYC skyline and used to living among large high-rise buildings! So I do miss the amazing skyline views, the concrete and the skyscrapers, but on the flip side, I also love being surrounded by mountains, the numerous palm trees and seeing the Hollywood sign!
One thing that has surprised me is how gritty LA can be. In some ways, it reminds me of NYC — the dirt, graffiti, garbage and general grittiness are definitely here too. But I think because I lived in the NYC area for 21 years, I had become so accustomed to it that I didn't really notice it as much anymore. The sheer number of people in NYC also made the city feel different. Here in LA, the grittiness and graffiti stand out to me more, partly because there are fewer people on the streets in many areas.
The prettier sides of LA are the more coastal areas around the water — Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, to name a few. I’ve been to these areas on previous visits, but I haven’t ventured there yet since moving here. I definitely plan to soon!
I do not have a car and so have been primarily looking for walkable neighborhoods, which I have found — but walkable here is different from walkable in NYC. It is much longer! But the good thing is that I am getting my steps in! In NYC, I could walk out my front door and immediately feel surrounded by people, businesses, restaurants and activity. LA requires a little more intention. You have to decide where you're going and how you're getting there.
West Hollywood, however, is probably the part of LA that has felt the most familiar to me so far. It reminds me a lot of the neighborhoods like Hoboken, Jersey City and NYC - very walkable, people out on the streets, lots of restaurants and things happening. I definitely feel at home here.
I’ve found rideshares like Uber to be a convenient and relatively affordable way for me to get around, and next month I plan to venture more into the bus and train system. I’ve also tried Waymo, the driverless rideshare service, which can be really convenient - although sometimes it actually ends up being more expensive than an Uber with a driver!
If LA does become a more permanent home, I’ll eventually get a car, but not for at least a year.
One thing I’ve really enjoyed so far is the networking. There are so many people here who are creative or somehow connected to the entertainment industry, and I definitely love that aspect of being in LA. I finally get to attend events hosted by organizations like Film Independent and Women in Film and start becoming part of the creative community here.
Starting Next Month
During this transition period, I haven't been able to engage in my daily art practice the way I had hoped. Moving, unpacking, and getting settled has taken up a lot of my energy!
As I settle into my new apartment, I’m excited to get back to my daily sketchbook practice, inspired by new LA landscapes, people, and things around me. Along with that, I’m looking forward to exploring the LA art scene and finding new opportunities to share my work.
New York Is Not Goodbye
And of course, this is not goodbye to New York! After 21 years in the NYC-metro area, I know I’ll be back. I’d love to eventually live a bi-coastal life, spending time in both LA and NYC, and ideally making it back to NYC at least once a quarter.
Hopefully, some of those trips will be for work, which would give me the perfect excuse to also catch up with friends and family, dive back into NYC’s amazing food scene (which I definitely miss!), and of course do some shopping. I’m already missing the NYC shopping experience — especially the clothing tax advantage compared with LA!
NYC will always be an important part of my story, and I’m excited to see how LA becomes part of what comes next.
New Career Path and What's Next
I’m excited to pursue a new career path at the intersection of entertainment, creative production, and project management - with a focus on areas such as post-production, production operations, entertainment marketing, and media.
At the same time, I’ll continue developing my own narrative IP through visual storytelling, filmmaking, and creative projects.
I don't know exactly what this next year in Los Angeles will look like yet. And honestly, that's part of what makes it exciting.
I'm here to build, create, meet people, explore, and see where the opportunities lead.
Here's to a new chapter in LA!
