CalArts student moving to Santa Clarita from Florida. Lots of questions! (Los Angeles: apartments, for rent)

[KatieThePiano]

I was recently accepted to attend CalArts for an MFA in Composition - and I intend to go there for at least two years. CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) is located in Valencia in the Santa Clarita Valley. I've never moved in my life - even while getting my undergraduate, I lived at home with my family. I'll be transplanting from DeLand, FL, which is located near Daytona Beach, FL. I also have a husband who will going to CalArts as well.

Is it convenient enough to get around the Santa Clarita area without a car? Should I consider selling it to offset LA area rent, gas prices, and car insurance? Central Florida has minimal transportation, and it's always been more convenient to drive, so I drive ALL THE TIME, but I know I can adjust. My husband and I also have bicycles.

Also, how expensive are LA groceries in comparison to the rest of the country?

I've found an apartment for $950 a month - 1 bed/1 bath and about 700 square feet, includes washer and dryer, water and trash. Is this a reasonable price? It's within four miles of the CalArts campus. Keep in mind that I'm used to $525 a month for rent in central FL.

I've heard that most folks keep the windows open most of the year in LA - is this true for the most part?

Does anyone know of a church in the area that needs an experienced choir director/ accompanist/ contemporary worship leader/ singer? I'll need a job right away.

If anyone lives or has lived in Santa Clarita and would like to offer advice not pertaining to either of these things, I would surely appreciate it.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by KatieThePiano

Is it convenient enough to get around the Santa Clarita area without a car? Should I consider selling it to offset LA area rent, gas prices, and car insurance? Central Florida has minimal transportation, and it's always been more convenient to drive, so I drive ALL THE TIME, but I know I can adjust. My husband and I also have bicycles.

No, no, no! Bring the car! The Los Angeles area is not mass transit friendly except in a few specific areas (depends on where you work, live, etc.). Expect a rude shock when you get your insurance quotes. And of course the cost of gas but you already know that. I hope your car is an economy model.

You're in luck with the bicycles, bring 'em too! There's lots of bike paths and bike lanes, plenty of places to go.

I worked in the Valencia & Santa Clarita area for about 5 years. (I live in the San Fernando Valley just to the south of the Santa Clarita valley.) I'd be happy living in Valencia or Santa Clarita, lots of nice recent construction, nice shopping, pretty area, clean streets.

Originally Posted by KatieThePiano

I've found an apartment for $950 a month - 1 bed/1 bath and about 700 square feet, includes washer and dryer, water and trash. Is this a reasonable price? It's within four miles of the CalArts campus. Keep in mind that I'm used to $525 a month for rent in central FL.

I've just the last week went apartment hunting helping a friend who is moving back to SFV and your $950 for 700 square feet sounds like pretty reasonable rent compared to the apartments my friend was looking at, particularly if you're in a newer building. He was looking for 1-2 BR about 850 square feet and found prices in the $1100-$1200 area, saw one much smaller 1BR in an older building for about $850. I'm not sure how SFV prices compare to SCV prices, but probably not too far off, probably higher here. Be very careful to understand which utilities are included and which you pay yourself.

Originally Posted by KatieThePiano

I've heard that most folks keep the windows open most of the year in LA - is this true for the most part?

I open my windows most good weather days and most days are good enough weather for that. I almost always leave my bedroom window open a bit at night even in bad weather because I like the fresh air and sleep better when it's cold. SFV and SCV weather are very similar although SCV is higher in elevation and very rarely can get snow, but it's so rare and so little that it's a novelty and not anything to expect most years. It can get quite hot in both valleys in summer and fall, and you will definitely use your air conditioner. I hope your apartment building has a swimming pool!

Originally Posted by KatieThePiano

If anyone lives or has lived in Santa Clarita and would like to offer advice not pertaining to either of these things, I would surely appreciate it.

You're moving to a nice area, plenty of shopping, plenty of restaurants, great for outdoors lovers. I'd be happy to live there too except I just retired and I'm moving out of state to find lower cost of living to stretch my retirement dollars. I hope you have a good time there!