Working remotely vs moving to So-Cal

[Leon Portelance]

I live in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada's. Within a half hour drive from my home there are 4 lakes, giant Sequoias at Big Trees park and Yosemite park. When I look out of the window of my studio, I see my large backyard full green trees and shrubs. The air is clean, you can drink the water right out of the tap. So would I give this up and move to LA?

It's a question I have been struggling with. I want to compose full-time but I currently have to work a regular job to make ends meet. I am a Sr. Construction Project Manager for Wamu and they pay me well, but recently they are talking about outsourcing me to another company which makes me nervous. I have a couple of job opportunities in LA with major architectural firms. One is in Santa Monica and the other is in Irvine. But the cost to live in Santa Monica is crazy. What I pay here for my mortgage on a decent house, would barely cover my rent for a studio apartment. And if I lived in the valley or somewhere else where it is less expensive, I would spend all of time time driving LA freeways and never have any time to write music.

So I guess I am staying put. But what frustrates me is that I miss a lot of events: screenings, forums, meetings, etc. in the LA area that I would like to go to. The internet is great and it has opened up the whole world, but there is still nothing better than a face to face when you are networking. It is 5 or 6 hours driving each way from here to LA depending on traffic.

So are there others out there in Nor-Cal with the same frustrations?

[Dana DiAnda]

Hi Leon,
I'm in the same boat here. I'm living on the coast a couple of hours south of the Oregon border (Eureka/Arcata area). It's beautiful up here - redwood forests, the beach is at the end of my street, etc., but I definitely feel a bit isolated at times. I don't even know any other composers up here. I don't consider moving to L.A. as an option though. I grew up down there. When I was old enough to head out on my own, I packed up and went north. It's fun to go back to visit freinds and family, but I can't imagine living there again.
Luckily, it seems to be a lot more common to work remotely these days. I've been picking up work here and there, and gradually it's getting to be more regular. I haven't quit my other job yet (glassblowing), but I've reached the point lately where I'm making more with my music than I am with the glass work. I'm hopeful that I'll reach a point where I can just give up the other job!

[Leon Portelance]

Yeah, I hear you Dana. I really don't think moving is an option. Too much of a sacrifice in lifestyle and also I can't see how I can make it financially viable. Here I own my own home, built my studio in my backyard. I think I am just going to keep plugging away at it and hope I can eventually pick up enough work to quit my day job which I really don't enjoy but pays really well. And if it doesn't happen: c'est la vie!

[Jamie D.]

Well this looks like an old thread but, if you guys are still around, I am also in Nor Cal, in the central valley ( Modesto) and am contemplating a move to LA, although I am very new to film writing and have little contacts and no work yet. Well I'm not moving anytime soon until I have some reason to (i.e. work), but the idea has crossed my mind. You guys are beautiful areas, but Modesto is not neary as scenic/pastoral so that wouldnt be so much of an issue..haha.