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Old 04-26-2011, 10:30 PM
 
8 posts, read 21,437 times
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Hi, guys! After searching around the web, I found this to be the best place for some answers. I am a college student who was offered an internship in the video gaming industry in Santa Monica from May to August this year.

I will have temporary housing for a month (May to June) in the Marina Del Ray area, during which I plan to look for an apartment for my remaining 2 months of stay. I've looked at a few apartment searching sites, but I'm wanting some recommendations from people who have lived or are living there.

My girlfriend will be with me the entire time to look for a job in LA, so finding and living with another roommate is not ideal. I'd prefer a 1-bedroom apartment close to where I work (Santa Monica Blvd & 26th St.). And I plan to rent a car for 3 months, because I heard the public transportation is not that great in LA. I can't lease a car for that short amount of time, can I? What other options do I have other than renting a car for 3 months?

In short, do you guys have any suggestions for a 1-BR apartment in the Santa Monica area that's affordable for 2 college students (around $1200 rent)? How easy is it to find a short-term furnished apartment? If not furnished, should I consider renting furniture? How much would that cost?

Thanks!
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Old 04-26-2011, 10:50 PM
 
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If you only want to pay 1200 for a one bedroom, you're gonna probably have to live in West LA, since one bedrooms in the city of Santa Monica go for considerably more. That's not bad at all, may only be a 8-10 minute commute to Santa Monica and 26th.
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Old 04-26-2011, 11:26 PM
 
8 posts, read 21,437 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by disgruntled la native View Post
If you only want to pay 1200 for a one bedroom, you're gonna probably have to live in West LA, since one bedrooms in the city of Santa Monica go for considerably more. That's not bad at all, may only be a 8-10 minute commute to Santa Monica and 26th.
That's perfectly fine. How bad is the traffic from West LA to Santa Monica & 26th at around 9:30 a.m.? Still 8-10 min commute? And which areas does West LA include?

Last edited by bei337; 04-26-2011 at 11:55 PM..
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Old 04-27-2011, 01:25 AM
 
1 posts, read 4,561 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bei337 View Post
In short, do you guys have any suggestions for a 1-BR apartment in the Santa Monica area that's affordable for 2 college students (around $1200 rent)? How easy is it to find a short-term furnished apartment? If not furnished, should I consider renting furniture? How much would that cost?

Thanks!
Have you considered inquiring with the on campus housing department at UCLA to find out if they are offering dorms for rent?

This would be your best bet to find a short-term furnished living place for the summer, IMO.

UCLA is only about 5 miles from 26th and Santa Monica (prob 15 min commute). I'm sure there's a bus route that would get you pretty close to both destinations, if you were worried about driving.

You may also check with UCLA's off-campus housing office about available student subleases in Brentwood, Westwood, and Santa Monica.

I live about 1/2 mile from where you will be interning - there are likely no short term furnished apartments available to rent in this area, unfortunately. I could be wrong though - you should check Craigslist for subleases (I think UCLA undergrad and grad student subletting opportunities are your best bet).
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Old 04-27-2011, 10:14 AM
 
Location: South Bay
7,226 posts, read 22,190,547 times
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short term rentals tend to be considerably more expensive than rentals where you sign a 12 month lease. odds of finding an apartment for 2 months for only $1200/month is highly unlikely. you'll probably need to find a share situation (even though you don't want to go that route) or look into the large complexes like oakwood or archstone that offer short term stays and pay the price (probably closer to $2k/month). good luck.
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Old 04-27-2011, 12:37 PM
 
1,800 posts, read 3,911,349 times
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Look into subletting from a UCLA student in Westwood, Brentwood, or West LA. A lot of them leave for portions of the summer.

West LA is a neighborhood on the "Westside." It is in between Santa Monica and the 405 freeway, but is part of the city of LA.
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Old 05-04-2011, 02:14 PM
 
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Hey guys, thanks for the information! I just got good news from my company, who is offering temp housing for me throughout the entire duration of my internship! So I no longer have to worry about housing. But I still need to find a car for the 3 months I will be there... is renting a car from places like Enterprise\Budget my only option?
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Old 05-04-2011, 02:34 PM
 
Location: South Bay
7,226 posts, read 22,190,547 times
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you could buy a junker for $1000 or so and sell it before you leave.
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Old 05-04-2011, 02:46 PM
 
362 posts, read 817,646 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BRinSM View Post
you could buy a junker for $1000 or so and sell it before you leave.
This... or rent-a-wreck maybe.

Also, if your place doesn't come furnished, don't rent furniture. Just buy it used on craigslist. Craigslist is still good for furniture these days (both buying and selling).

Good luck.
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Old 05-05-2011, 01:28 AM
 
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Thankfully my place comes furnished...so car is the only problem I'm worrying about right now.

What's rent-a-wreck?
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