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Former Notre-Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt capitalized on his successful college career with a first-round NFL draft pick. Along with this pick, he received a signing bonus of $20.9 million from the Chargers.
While he is grateful for the incentive and for the team that signed him, he is having trouble adjusting to life in Los Angeles.
Alt is from North Oaks, Minnesota, a town with fewer than 5,300 residents according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
The average rent for an apartment in the area, which is just outside of St. Paul, is Rent a cafe. The website also states that this is similar to the typical apartment rental prices Alt experienced during his time at Notre Dame.
Let’s just say it took him some time to adjust to life after college.
The lineman spoke to Kay Adams on Friday and said the move to LA was a big adjustment.
“I’m a Midwestern kid,” he said. “So LA is a little different. I’m getting used to the prices of everything, and transportation, which is a little different. I’m used to five miles taking five minutes, not 25 to 30 minutes… The rent was a little interesting. I wasn’t expecting that. Coming from the Midwest, I was like, ‘Wow!’ That was a little more than I expected.”
#Chargers Rookie first-round pick Joe Alt is still getting used to the LA lifestyle and cost of living 😭💸🔊
“I’m from the Midwest, so LA is a little different… I’m used to 5 minutes for 5 miles, not 25 to 30 minutes.” @heykayadams @Chargers #Screwing pic.twitter.com/sgc9CdfBbQ
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) 16 August 2024
Alt was shocked by the cost of living in Los Angeles, but said he liked some aspects of the move.
“You pay for what you see. On one side you have the beach and on the other you have the mountains. You really couldn’t ask for a more beautiful geographical location.”
-Joe Alt
That $20.9 million signing bonus should help!
Alt is expected to have an immediate positive impact on Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers, who grabbed the lineman with their fifth overall pick.
He seems ready to get to work with a humble attitude toward his NFL future. Hopefully, he can fully adjust to his recent move by the start of the season.
