Is Los Angeles ready for the 250-square-foot apartment?

[LALady]

Originally Posted by think.reciprocity

This building is BEAUTIFUL!!!

I certainly appreciate the positive perspective. I often wonder "how much space is enough" for some folks. They must have these big fancy houses with countless rooms but work endless hours to pay for them - therefore rarely being able to enjoy the space in the first place.

I want SOOOOO badly to move to the LA area & feel like I am willing to have less to get more (if that makes any sense), BUT, a one room apartment with no kitchen at nearly 40 years old? I realize some other areas and/or cultures deal with far less, but I think this could almost drive me stir crazy. I suppose the fact that I am currently disabled & confined to my home a great deal of the time does factor into my thinking greatly.

But, still. YIKES. How do grown folk manage not having any kitchen? And their bed in their living room - eliminating much reality of having company? I have very little material possessions - but I would at least like a small living room, kitchen, bedroom, & full bath (actually I don't need the shower - but REALLY want the bathtub).

As an aside: Can anyone explain to me why a refrigerator is not a standard appliance in rental units in the LA area? I see full kitchens but no fridges & often no stoves either... do renters really own their own? Also, seems like a lot of buildings don't have laundry facilities, is that true? Lastly, any other hints about LA renting that may likely differ from my area (Mpls - things like maybe that fee that all rental units have in LA that we don't have here or is air conditioning units a standard offering in all units?)

Thanks all...

Oh, and what should a transplant such as myself know about housing / building code regulations as they relate to earthquake safety/durability/whatever?

I'd estimate that stoves are almost always standard and fridges are standard in about 2/3rds of units. Most buildings have laundry facilities.

Regarding 'bed in the living room". I lived in a studio or bachelor for many years. I had a sofa bed or futon couch during these times in anticipation of folding them up every morning. No such thing happened... The bed usually remained a bed unless I was expecting company.

Suggestion - check out websites that demonstrate how to living in small place, how to organize a small apartment. You'll find good tips there.

[think.reciprocity]

Originally Posted by LALady

I'd estimate that stoves are almost always standard and fridges are standard in about 2/3rds of units. Most buildings have laundry facilities.

Regarding 'bed in the living room". I lived in a studio or bachelor for many years. I had a sofa bed or futon couch during these times in anticipation of folding them up every morning. No such thing happened... The bed usually remained a bed unless I was expecting company.

Suggestion - check out websites that demonstrate how to living in small place, how to organize a small apartment. You'll find good tips there.

Maybe it depends upon the price range, because I am seeing A LOT of apartments without fridges & of the ones that do have them - many are mini fridges. I am looking in a price range of up to 1200 dollars for a one bedroom in the Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City (and anything reasonable near Culver) areas. And, I'd have to have a regular bed as I have some serious back injuries that require a quality mattress - although I clearly may need to get rid of my KING sized bed before moving...

[majoun]

Originally Posted by LALady

It will be interesting to see who rents these studios... the family of 10 or the professional.

There are still enough single individuals coming to L.A. that I see that as the market - maybe not the "professional", more like students, musicians, would be actors, etc. - I don't really picture families of 10 moving in.

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by think.reciprocity

This building is BEAUTIFUL!!!

I certainly appreciate the positive perspective. I often wonder "how much space is enough" for some folks. They must have these big fancy houses with countless rooms but work endless hours to pay for them - therefore rarely being able to enjoy the space in the first place.

I want SOOOOO badly to move to the LA area & feel like I am willing to have less to get more (if that makes any sense), BUT, a one room apartment with no kitchen at nearly 40 years old? I realize some other areas and/or cultures deal with far less, but I think this could almost drive me stir crazy. I suppose the fact that I am currently disabled & confined to my home a great deal of the time does factor into my thinking greatly.

But, still. YIKES. How do grown folk manage not having any kitchen? And their bed in their living room - eliminating much reality of having company? I have very little material possessions - but I would at least like a small living room, kitchen, bedroom, & full bath (actually I don't need the shower - but REALLY want the bathtub).

As an aside: Can anyone explain to me why a refrigerator is not a standard appliance in rental units in the LA area? I see full kitchens but no fridges & often no stoves either... do renters really own their own? Also, seems like a lot of buildings don't have laundry facilities, is that true? Lastly, any other hints about LA renting that may likely differ from my area (Mpls - things like maybe that fee that all rental units have in LA that we don't have here or is air conditioning units a standard offering in all units?)

Thanks all...

Oh, and what should a transplant such as myself know about housing / building code regulations as they relate to earthquake safety/durability/whatever?

We're the same age...I don't think I'd live without a kitchen either. How much space do you think you need? How much can you spend on an apartment? My sister just rented a small 1 bedroom house with a yard and a garage in Pasadena for $950 a month. This is a great deal, it took a month with my help for her to find it. Price determines everything here. Look at Craigslist rentals and you'll get a feel for what's out there. Most people NEVER look as hard as we did.

Refrigerators are E A S Y to get here. I see them for free all the time on Craigslist but they go quickly. I almost bought my sister a really nice one for 50 bucks a couple days ago at the Salvation Army in Pasadena...along with a $30 stove...but she said she already had one coming. Oh well. You won't believe what people give away here. Many places do have appliances. The more incredible the deal, the more likely it won't have them.

I lived in studios and had company. I never had a rollaway. I always had a queen sized bed on one side of the room and a small sofa, chair and coffee table making a "living room area". Those kind of studios are usually 400+ square feet. I usually lived in the old studios with the separate kitchen large enough for a kitchen table. Some old places have murphy beds. No shame if you have a studio, lots of people live in them here. Some people embrace it and use the bed as a sort of flop sofa with huge pillows. Futons are popular. They have many more kinds than they used to. If you can afford a 1 bedroom, often they aren't much more.

Some buildings have laundry, some don't. Usually there's a laundry mat in the neighborhood. There's no fee here for rentals unless you pay Westside Rentals for their list. Air conditioning is not a given. $100 bucks or so will buy you a "through the window" 1 room job that takes a few minutes to install.