I have to decide where to move. Can you help me?

[doit92]

Hi, I am a 23 yo guy (pre everything) who is planning to start transitioning soon.
I work as a music producer and songwriter and I live in Italy.
As I don't like italian mentality towards transgender people, and there are no many chances in the italian music industry, I decided that I want to move.

The best place I could go for my job at the moment are Los Angeles and Stockholm.

Los Angeles is a beautiful city, I love the weather, I love the lifestyle, the music etc
But it can be a bit hard to me to get a visa to stay there and to find a good job that can allow me to afford a good health insurance (let me know if someone can help me or has some advices about the visa, jobs or health insurance).
But I am planning to go there for 3 months and see what will happen.

Stockholm, I never been there, but people told me it's a good city for pop music and is very open minded.
I actually don't like the weather, but I would not need any visa and health insurance as I am an european citizen.
And I would be closer to my family.
So It may be easier for me to go to Stockholm but my dream is to go to LA.

What do you think about those two cities? Which one do you think is the best for trans people? Where the trans community is bigger and efficient?
I hope you can help me cause I am really confused

[Emileeeee]

I don't really know much about any of them. The last time I was in Italy was 20 years ago and nobody anywhere really accepted us. Never been to Sweden. Was at SF several years ago and considered it as an option myself, but I've since heard that just because a place is very pro LGB, doesn't mean they're pro TQ. US politics are a bit scary right now for LGBT, so I'd personally wait until after the election when you know who's at the helm and what they're doing before deciding on a permanent move to SF.

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. I lived a long time in Orange County which is just south of Los Angles and while the weather is nice, it's wall to wall people. Many people enjoy city living but I am more of a country person. Living cost are high and when I sold the 1200 square foot condo, there was more than enough money left over to buy a 2000 square foot house in Phoenix. As you are interested in the entertainment industry, you are near Hollywood and several other companies who would benefit from your abilities. Transgender treatment is available most anywhere but you will find a large community in the LA areas. The final decision would be your but you might consider a vacation at both location to get a feel for the place before deciding.

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[purplewuggybird]

The U.S. Isn't the greatest. I dream of living in Sweden....


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[doit92]

The U.S. Isn't the greatest. I dream of living in Sweden....


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Are you from the USA? Why would you like to live in Sweden?

[purplewuggybird]

Are you from the USA? Why would you like to live in Sweden?

The United States isn't liberal enough for my liking--especially areas that aren't Washington and Oregon. The "American Dream" is a mirage for many and inequality is rampant. Although many of these issues exist internationally, I want to move as soon as I can.


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[doit92]

I don't really know much about any of them. The last time I was in Italy was 20 years ago and nobody anywhere really accepted us. Never been to Sweden. Was at SF several years ago and considered it as an option myself, but I've since heard that just because a place is very pro LGB, doesn't mean they're pro TQ. US politics are a bit scary right now for LGBT, so I'd personally wait until after the election when you know who's at the helm and what they're doing before deciding on a permanent move to SF.

Are you scared about Trump? Do you think that if he wins, LGBT rights will get worse?

[Semira]

Los Angeles is very expensive so you'd need a great job to avoid living in a cardboard box. The coastal areas and affluent areas are nice but like a lot of large cities most of it is quite grungy with copious amounts of air pollution, light pollution and noise pollution. Public transportation is poor at best so you have to drive everywhere and the traffic is a nightmare unless you drive at 2am. The city is also very spread out so you'll be doing a lot of driving.

Are you scared about Trump? Do you think that if he wins, LGBT rights will get worse?

As bad as Trump sounds, he isn't really the problem. He is just a big narcissist who just says whatever to get attention. He is only running for president so that he can say "look at me, I'm president!". It's who he will surround himself that may or may not be the problem as those people will be the ones who probably do most of the work. You could always wait a few months and see what happens if this is something that would sway your consideration.

[FTMax]

My advice is not to come to the US needing any kind of medical stuff, unless you have a good deal of money. Healthcare is certainly available, but it is generally quite expensive. Most insurance options are also quite expensive unless you have an employer covering a percentage of the cost.

If I were in your shoes, I'd go to Sweden. You may have to go through a slower state run transition program for transgender people, but you wouldn't lose the thousands of dollars it would cost you to do the same thing in the United States.

[Gertrude]

Have you thought of coming as a student? I work at a state university and they have affordable health plans that cover trans care. You could also consider other cities too. New York has a great music scene and better Italian food and culture than LA. The other music center is Nashville but Tennessee sucks for lgbt rights. 


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[Peep]

I feel like Sweden will be more liberal... also is there a reason you can't do both? Go to Sweden first because it's in the EU, save up or wait and see if the political climate in the USA changes, and then go to LA...

[Tama-Ann]

Sweden seems great! Especially from other people from this post -
It's also very easy to get to Germany and the UK from, which is the 3 & 4 in 'Global Music Industry Market Share'.

Which would give you great opportunities and if you'd rather not travel so much - I know from living here that the UK is pretty good with LGBT+ issues. (Though you do get the odd person who calls you derogatory words)
Though the Country obviously had Brexit and there's been cases of racial attacks - which irritates me. (But that's another topic)

Generally the UK public is open minded and the new ADULT generation which I am apart of generally are very liberal. And even the Conservative party is pretty liberal for their name.
(If cost of living is an issue - then I would advise against the UK - especially London | £15 for a burger..)

Germany, however I cannot speak for as I haven't been there to experience any sort of negative vibes, or positive. Nor know the economy and so on.

[CarlyMcx]

I grew up in West Los Angeles, just a stone's throw away from Sunset Boulevard (the heart of the music industry during the rock and roll era).  I still live about 25 miles south of Los Angeles. 

Life here is very expensive, and extremely difficult if you do not have a legal right to work here.  Yes, you can live here without an immigrant visa, but you will never have any health insurance, which means you will have to pay cash out of pocket for everything on your transition.

I have health insurance, which costs me $400.00 per month, and because of a high deductible, I have to pay cash for my hormones, another $250.00 per month.  Fortunately my wife and I both have very high paying jobs.

In addition to that, the music industry here is very, very competitive.  As in, every high school kid here is some kind of DJ or mix master or whatever, and half of them already know people in the recording industry. 

If you really want to come to Los Angeles, do it after you make a name for yourself in Stockholm.

[Soli]

Montréal is the best city    it's THE place for musicians. But if I was European like you, I'd chose Amsterdam, Stockholm, U.K., Germany, Paris, Prague...

[sarah1972]

Have you considered Berlin? There is a very vibrant young music scene and a very large LGBTQ+ community. Also a few larger labels. Many great clubs and overall very tolerant. Original population can be a bit rough on the outside initially. Certain districts are appealing to a younger crowd and still have affordable rent.

[SlateRDays]

I'd say Sweden or any where around where you live. Country wise that is. I would not come to the US right now. No matter who gets in office, I just have a not so good feeling about the country in the next few years. Hopefully more suggestions come in to help you explore some other countries, but US is not it right now, maybe later, but not now.

[Emileeeee]

Are you scared about Trump? Do you think that if he wins, LGBT rights will get worse?

I wasn't really focusing on Trump specifically. There's just a lot of scary stuff in politics countrywide right now, despite having a pretty pro LGBT president right now. I imagine having someone that's clearly for whatever makes people like him at the top of the food chain is probably not something that would turn out well.

[Gianna2014]

Not to be a Debbie downer but acquiring a work visa in the United States isn't an easy process and for some an impossible prospect especially acquiring one without a sponsor or a specialized trade that is in high demand . There are a limited number of work visas alotted each year , and priority is given to individuals who can fill voids in the American workforce such as doctors , people in the  technology fields and individuals with specialized trades. The chances of a work visa being awarded to someone without a job waiting in the states is highly unlikely . I just want to be realistic with you .