Questions temp lodging near Paramount Studio & commuting by bus (Highland: rental car, apartments)

[eevee]

Hi guys,

My school offers a 5 week program in the spring out in LA, specifically at the Raleigh Studios (across the street from Paramount). I'm trying to lock down some details before I apply for it and had a few questions:

-what are some options for temp places in the area. I already now about Oakwood Apartments-Toluca Hills which was recommended by the program, but I was wondering if there were more options. I'd really like not to spend more than $1K for the five weeks and don't care if it means sharing a room/sleeping on a couch/sleeping on an air mattress on the floor. of course, the cheaper, the better! I'm not even sure where to look neighborhood wise in order to check CL listings

-the big issue I have is I don't know how to drive. I'm hoping to learn and w/ any luck, will have a license by next March, but then I don't want to drive around in LA w/ so little experience (not even sure I could rent a car w/ so little experience). I noticed that there appears to be a bus route, #10 with stops close by to Melrose and Bronson. does anyone have any experience w/ this route? I think the classes would be 9-5. I could figure out splitting the cost of a rental car w/ a classmate, but would prefer to save money by taking public transportation, even if it takes longer (I don't mind up to an hour long commute)

-I'll probably have about $4k saved up that will hopefully cover housing, transportation, food, and other stuff. is this a feasible amount for 5 weeks? would it be feasible for under $3K? don't really see myself eating out or hitting the clubs much, if at all.

any advice would be much appreciated

[eevee]

okay, no response. To simplify, can anyone recommend an area w/in my budget that would make it easy to commute by public transportation to the studio? Any specific neighborhoods to look at? info desperately needed!

[BRinSM]

have you checked with the school to see if they have other housing options for you besides oakwood? maybe check this place out as well http://www.thehotelhollywood.com, it's a hotel offered through www.westsiderentals.com.

[tommu]

Originally Posted by eevee

okay, no response. To simplify, can anyone recommend an area w/in my budget that would make it easy to commute by public transportation to the studio? Any specific neighborhoods to look at? info desperately needed!

Oakwood are a corporate apartments company, they've got a few places around LA - are they giving you a discount? Staying in the Hills would be pretty relaxed compared to Hollywood, but your commute will be no fun without a car, and even with a car it will be annoying. Maybe check the prices for Hollywood and Highland from Oakwood, that will be a bit more interesting. I will say that LA is easy to drive in, just know what lane you need to be in and the traffic's so slow you can't go wrong ;-)

Hollywood can change block by block, Melrose Avenue itself gets cheaper the further East you go, until you get to Hoover (follow it on a map). At the point you're getting to Silver Lake which has been getting trendier for the last decade or so. Melrose/Van Ness the some of the surrounding areas to the North and East has been a cheap part of Hollywood to live in. Cheap means rough and ready.. not sure where you're from but you may find some areas a little intimidating. They no way as bad as some areas East of Down Town and further South.. but you get what you pay for.

Directly South of Melrose, Wilshire, Miracle Mile may be more what you're looking for. Check out the LA Times Neighborhood pages, and read the comments there. It should give you more of an idea.