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Survive the City - Explore. Dream. Discover...

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain

Moving to a new city is never easy, but we’re here to tell you that you’re not alone. Survive the City’s contributors come from many different locations and backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: they too left the comfort zone of their hometowns to pursue a dream in the City of Angels. Not exclusively for the newbies, we cover everything from ho-hum daily trials to the latest hipster club opening to L.A.-izing your resume, lifestyle and even your vocabulary.

Our stories on how to survive L.A. come from people who have been new to town, and learned a lesson on how to (and not to) make it here. We don’t wanna re-iterate the same blah, blah, blah information about finding an apartment in L.A. We want to dazzle you with our personal stories of triumph and defeat while giving you the facts on how to follow (or avoid) our footsteps.

Our hope is that this site will become your guidebook to launching your new life in Los Angeles. As you move forward, remember that you now live among the few who took a risk to live the life they imagined. Go in the direction of your dreams!

“Heads Carolina, tails California.” – Jo Dee Messina

Name: Heather Broeker

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Reason for moving to Los Angeles: Initially Heather came to Los Angeles in 2004 to participate in a Hollywood Internship program, but her decision to relocate became official when she landed her first job at Fox Searchlight. Her best friend helped her pack up her car, and together they drove east to west, from the beaches of Wilmington, North Carolina straight to the coast of Santa Monica, California.

First Culture Shock: The mail system. Gone are the days of walking to the mailbox at the end of the driveway. In L.A., it’s keys, an inbox, an outbox (if you’re lucky) and some seriously delayed delivery times.

First Celebrity Run-in: Ben Stiller at the Fox lot bathroom.

Hometown Craving: Housing prices. “If I could buy a NC-priced house and plop it down in the hills of L.A., I’dbe the happiest person on earth. Oh, are we talking food? Carolina BBQ. Baby Blues on Lincoln comes close, but nothing beats the real thing.”

Current Gig(s): Heather runs a marketing and public relations company called Head Over Heels, and is the marketing director for ChildrenInFilm.com.

“All I can do is be me, whoever that is.” – Bob Dylan

Name: Lori Bartlett

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Reason for moving to Los Angeles: Lori moved to L.A. in February of 2006 after graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in Journalism for Magazines. She moved cross-country for new experiences, new job opportunities and well, for a boy. That boy is no longer, but she has been enjoying the West coast lifestyle, and even found a new beau.

First Culture Shock: Mountains, beaches and real surf. “Being from the Gulf Coast of Florida, beaches were nothing new. However, beaches with constantly cold ocean temps and giant waves beside towering cliffs are a whole new kind of terrain.”

First Celebrity Run-in: Tim Meadows at the local Blockbuster.

Hometown Craving: Key Lime Pie. “Just one slice of the creamy, tart confection that is yellow (not green) would melt Lori’s heart. Topped with some real whipped cream; it’s heaven.”

Current Gig(s): Lori is the office manager for a visual effects post-production house in Santa Monica, and writes for various entertainment blogs and websites. She is also in the process of developing a cookbook and a film treatment.

“I don’t like riding on the passenger side.” – Wilco

Name: Connie Sommerville

Hometown: Gurnee, Illinois

Reason for moving to Los Angeles: Connie moved to California for love and stayed for the weather. Traveling on a late night Spirit Airlines flight, she came to L.A. with two suitcases and a recent college degree. The boyfriend didn’t last, but she quickly found a million other reasons to stay.

First Culture Shock: Punctuality. “Showing up at a party on time is just not done. Turns out the first guest just ends up helping set up and listen to the host as he buys magazine subscriptions from a door-to-door salesman whom could mistakenly be thought of an invited guest.”

First Celebrity Run-in: Billy Dee Williams in the Ralph’s parking lot.

Hometown Craving: $1 beer night and Chicago Style Pizza. “Both are non-existent in Los Angeles. However, $9 beer night and sub-standard pizza are on every corner.”

Current Gig(s): Connie is the operations manager at the Santa Monica Daily Press.

“Kisses the joy as it flies…” - William Blake

Name: Annie Kotok

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Reason for coming to Los Angeles: Annie came to Venice Beach in a hippie van with her deadbeat boyfriend and a camper stove 13 years ago. She began her L.A. life selling hemp jewelry and doing hair wraps on the Venice beach boardwalk. She is one of the few people who grew more conservative since moving to California. She cut off her dreadlocks, quit wearing patchwork clothing, ate some meat and moved-out of the van.

First Culture Shock: Avoiding Hello. “Back in Omaha, strangers greet each other walking down the street. In those early days in Venice, I had to recondition myself to not smile and say “Hello” to the not-so-friendly crack dealers.”

First Celebrity Run-in: Arnold, The Terminator. “Thirteen years ago, he was often strolling down Main Street in Santa Monica.”

Hometown Craving: Divey places that will never become hip. “The food (believe it or not Omaha has really good food) and The Old Market.”

Current Gig(s): Annie is a full time Psychology student at CSUN.

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