Work in West LA, looking for a house to rent under 2k/mo

[polican]

Yeah Palms, Mar Vista and Culver City are all on our radar, but there's a TON of apartment units to weed through to get to that one "house" listing. And we learned that one thing better than using CL or WSR is actually driving through the neighborhood.

and one great website is this Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Apartment Search for Oodle, Apartments.com, Move.com, and Craigslist Apartments
It mashes listings websites with google maps.

thanks for all of the replies.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by polican

Yeah Palms, Mar Vista and Culver City are all on our radar, but there's a TON of apartment units to weed through to get to that one "house" listing. And we learned that one thing better than using CL or WSR is actually driving through the neighborhood.

and one great website is this Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Apartment Search for Oodle, Apartments.com, Move.com, and Craigslist Apartments
It mashes listings websites with google maps.

thanks for all of the replies.

Palms doesn't have that many SFRs, most were torn down in the 1950s-80s. Those which remain usually have apartments in back. (The exception is the Westside Village area along National which seceded from Palms to join Mar Vista, and that area's more expensive.)

Mar Vista would be on the upper end of that price range for an SFR, maybe something run down in a less than desirable location.

Same for CC. You'd have a hard time finding places in most of CC in that price range unless they were run down and immediately next to a 7-11 or liquor store.

West CC (the cheapest and worst part of CC) would have places in that price range, but there are some streets in that area you'd want to avoid. (Specifically, anything by Culver West Park is to be avoided, or Wade St. which has long been one of the worst streets in CC and MV - otherwise, that area varies a great deal, and you'd really need to check out the street, something NOT true in other parts of CC). Same goes for Del Rey (the area between West CC, MV, MDR, and Venice), which is the cheapest westside area along with Palms - there are good streets but there are also bad streets ( avoid anything too close to MV Gardens). East Venice could also be an option (although Oakwood's problems occasionally spill over, for the most part that's an OK/decent area)

[sm22281]

Originally Posted by polican

Hello all,

My wife and I currently rent a duplex in Hollywood, and we are looking to upgrade our living arrangements, since there are plans of a first baby hopefully in the next year. And by upgrade I mean more living space (in a less trendy area) but for the same amount (or even less) money. We love our area, but we ain’t gettin' any younger and the nightlife and excitement that Hollywood offers we don’t really care for anymore. A bottle of wine and Netflix is fine on a Saturday night, because we’ve already done it all. And don’t get me started about the horrendous street traffic.

Since we have done our share of living in cramped apartment buildings and swear to never do it again, and our savings account won’t let us buy a house anytime in the near future, it’s time to find a house rental. And for the budget that we have ($1800 a month) it limits our search area, and looks like we might have to move over the hill and into the valley (no offense, but ugh). I say that because of the stifling heat in the summer and the horrendous commute over the hill into West LA. We are considering areas in the Valley near the 101, Westlake Village all the way to Studio City, but are there pockets of clean and safe neighborhoods north of the 101 that we should consider? By “clean” I mean no shopping carts on the sidewalk, or chain link fences with dirt front lawns. We have lived in some nitty gritty areas back In NYC and can tolerate some character in a neighborhood. And by “safe” I mean I don’t want my car getting broken into when parked on my driveway or my wife harassed when she’s on a walk with a stroller. Friendly neighbors and a low crime area is all we ask for. We understand our budget and requirements limit us, but we are open to a lot of areas. And finding anything other than a lower rear unit in a multi-unit building near West LA south of the hills for under $1800 is nearly impossible. We would consider a duplex or townhouse, but would love a single family house to rent.


Can anyone recommend areas to consider, and also not to look into? Dont go east of street x, stay away from north of x blvd etc. We are very familliar with areas south of the hills, but because our work and friends are all located there, we dont have much experience venturing into the valley.

Thanks!

Hey, there! I just happened to see your message. I live at 11905 West Pico in an apartment that cost $2150 and we use it as an office. I was walking the dogs around the neighborhood in the street behind my block and talked to a local owner who told me about a house 2 blocks away: 4 bedroom and a garage that rents for $1900 a month. That would be somewhere near Bundy and Exposition. This is a tiny area: west is Bundy, north is Exposition, south is Bundy and east is Barrington -- about 3 streets by 3 streets. Lots of tiny house lots with yards, very safe. This area used to be an old cattle dairy farm a long time ago.

[polican]

hey all,

its been a while, but we are still hunting for that house. It's hard work, sifting through the tons of scam ads, the rest looking ok in the ad and then being dumpy in person.

But i think we narrowed it down to the SFV area at least, having found some gems in eagle rock and pasadena, but deciding that they are too far for my commute to west LA.

We found this beautiful house for rent in Reseda, and i am curious about the general safety of the area. It's in a cute cluster of homes just northwest of the intersection of White Oak and Saticoy.

My wife and i were driving from another appointment west near Pierce College, going eastbound along Sherman Way, and the area didnt look so great. But after leaving the house going down saticoy east to the 405 past the airport, it seemed okay.

Does anyone know what parts to stay away from in the area of White Oak and Saticoy? Lets say my wife needs some groceries at night, does she drive north, east, etc? The neighborhood of the house seemed nice, clean and safe, but what about the overall area west of Van Nuys Airport? We're thinking of applying for this house rental.

Thanks!