Relocating to Los Angeles and Orange County : Everything You Need to Know Before You Move and After You Get There!

Rating:
Summary: Only contains the most basic advice...
Review: Abundant useful information, organized in five sections (within most, alphabetically by city/community): PLACES TO LIVE ("Neighborhood Descriptions" are most interesting, especially if you're a clueless Easterner; realtors also listed), PACKING UP AND MOVING OUT (no surprises for the frequent mover but comprehensive check-lists for the novice), GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TOWN (insightful suggestions for community involvement), FINDING THE ESSENTIALS (name, address and telephone for services and goods you'll be needing), and FINDING A JOB (resources and employment agencies). Statistical profiles on demographics, crime, income, and housing costs dates variably from the late 1990s. "Moving Tips" and "City Facts" are scattered throughout, as are many useful Internet website URL's. One basic map to help you get your bearings before reading. In going beyond "just the facts, ma'am," Seidman's wields his sardonic humor with a light touch. His introduction contains much distilled wisdom and balanced viewpoints. I found the book very useful as a research tool before heading to LA County for a job interview. "God knows that the places has its faults. But its openness and diversity allow anyone who comes here to choose a new life or improve on an old one." California dreamin'....

Rating:
Summary: Practical Facts for Invading La-La Land
Review: Abundant useful information, organized in five sections (within most, alphabetically by city/community): PLACES TO LIVE ("Neighborhood Descriptions" are most interesting, especially if you're a clueless Easterner; realtors also listed), PACKING UP AND MOVING OUT (no surprises for the frequent mover but comprehensive check-lists for the novice), GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TOWN (insightful suggestions for community involvement), FINDING THE ESSENTIALS (name, address and telephone for services and goods you'll be needing), and FINDING A JOB (resources and employment agencies). Statistical profiles on demographics, crime, income, and housing costs dates variably from the late 1990s. "Moving Tips" and "City Facts" are scattered throughout, as are many useful Internet website URL's. One basic map to help you get your bearings before reading. In going beyond "just the facts, ma'am," Seidman's wields his sardonic humor with a light touch. His introduction contains much distilled wisdom and balanced viewpoints. I found the book very useful as a research tool before heading to LA County for a job interview. "God knows that the places has its faults. But its openness and diversity allow anyone who comes here to choose a new life or improve on an old one." California dreamin'....

Rating:
Summary: No info on Silverlake or Los Feliz
Review: Important note: This book doesn't contain information about Silverlake or Los Feliz

Rating:
Summary: Only contains the most basic advice...
Review: Most of the advice contained in this book can easliy be found on the web. It was a mistake to combine Los Angeles and Orange County into one book. Most people have already made up their mind that they are moving to either one or the other. Having information on the county you're not moving to is a waste. Information on various neighborhoods is very limited. The neighborhoods that are included receive only a cursory look, and many neighborhoods are left out.

Rating:
Summary: A Repeat of Other Prima Guides
Review: Relocating to Los Angeles and Orange County is the highest-ranking book on the topic, but a much better book for your money is the Newcomer's Handbook for Los Angeles. All the books in the Relocating to... series published by Prima (of which I've seen several) provide little original information. The bulk of the book is a word-for-word repeat of generic moving information that has nothing to do with Los Angeles in particular. Additionally, the part of the book that *is* specific to Los Angeles appears to leave key areas out. The Newcomer's Handbook series, on the other hand, is completely specific to the L.A. area -- no boilerplate information here. You'll find more-detailed neighborhood info, better maps, and more pertinent information on services that can help you find places to live. The Relocating to... series doesn't provide anything that you couldn't find by looking in the Yellow Pages (in print or online).

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Guide
Review: Relocating to Los Angeles, by David Seidman, is an idispensable resource for anyone moving to the city of Los angeles. The book gives an in-depth descriptions of the more popular neighbourhoods, including a breakdown of crimes committed in each neighbourhood and average housing prices. The major weakness in this book is the lack of detailed maps. If you're planning on going appartment hunting, pick a good street map before hand. The book also gives advice on moving, fiting in to your new home, and getting around the city. Beware of some of the e-mail and internet addresses; there are some typographical errors. ... Little errors like this don't hurt the over all value of this book. Relocating to Los Angeles, by David Seidman, is a definite must for anyone thinking of moving to Los Angeles.