Working in Los Alamitos- where to live? (San Francisco, Long Beach: apartments, lease)

[BKKJames]

Hi guys,

I'm a British guy about to move to California to work in Los Alamitos (I'm on a J-1 visa) and wondered what you guys thought was an appropriate area to live.

I'll probably only be working there for 2-3 months as I will probably be heading to San Francisco (I know, I know) after that for the remainder of my time in California. Would anyone be able to recommend a month by month lease or short term accommodation that is reasonably affordable (im looking at around $800 a month!)

Anywhere that is quite fun (24,single) and not hugely dangerous would be great.

If anyone has any tips then I would be very grateful! I'll be back soon with another thread asking about the joys and wonders of buying a cheap used car

Thanks alot!

J

[EscapeCalifornia]

For that price, you're better off looking for a room rental. Any apartment rental, even a tiny one, is going to be more expensive, especially with such a short term. Have a look in east Long Beach or downtown Huntington Beach.

[JohnG72]

800 is probably too low for a studio. A search on Padmapper shows that the only reasonably close $800/mo apartments are in the ghetto parts of Long Beach.

Your best bet is probably roommates.com and renting a room in somebody's house.

Los Alamitos is just fine, if a bit stuffy, as is nearby Cypress, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Cerritos, Lakewood, and Long Beach(the ghetto part is a few miles further north..the area near Los Alamitos is great).

For instance, this is in a really great area with lots of nightlife in Belmont Shores and probably a 15-20 minute morning commute to Los Alamitos(only a few miles, but its all surface street and actually could be done on a bike):

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/roo/2780525922.html (broken link)

[bhcompy]

Rent a room.. plenty available near Cal State Long Beach and Cypress College. If you up the budget a bit, you can find a single bedroom around Cypress College no problem.

As far as something nice for a 24 year old, Los Alamitos is very close to Belmont Shore, Seal Beach, and Huntington Beach. All 3 areas provide activities you would enjoy. If you're looking more urban, Belmont Shore, Downtown Long Beach, etc fit that mold.

[Chowhound]

Yeah, I agree with others, 800 bucks won't get you anywhere in the area. The crappy parts of long beach maybe.

You'd be better off renting a room if you want to stay in that general area.

I'm voting for seal beach area, really close. Main street has a lot of bars restaurants and stuff like that.

Great area.

[BKKJames]

Hey guys,

Thanks alot for your responses! I've been to the area before quite a few times, but obviously it's different when you're not a tourist!

You're right about the price, I've found some decent rooms in houses on craigslist and roommates at or below that price. I would of loved to of lived in Huntington or anywhere on the coast but I would of thought even a room would've been out of my price range!

Thanks John for that link as well! I'm concerned though that not alot of people will want to lease to someone short term on 2-3 months... and someone without any history in the U.S. (or would that not matter?)

Great help so far!

J

[wrcousert]

Lack of credit may be a problem. Any credit you've established will be in the UK and won't show up on local credit reports.

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by BKKJames

Hey guys,

Thanks alot for your responses! I've been to the area before quite a few times, but obviously it's different when you're not a tourist!

You're right about the price, I've found some decent rooms in houses on craigslist and roommates at or below that price. I would of loved to of lived in Huntington or anywhere on the coast but I would of thought even a room would've been out of my price range!

Thanks John for that link as well! I'm concerned though that not alot of people will want to lease to someone short term on 2-3 months... and someone without any history in the U.S. (or would that not matter?)

Great help so far!

J

Someone renting a room in their home will probably be ok with short term. Not everyone, but someone. Like I said, use roommates.com.

Craigslist has a few issues...you can try though. But roomates.com makes it a little easier to communicate and the listings there are more likely to be completly legitimate.

Los Alamitos is one of the nicer areas of So Cal, and nearby Seal Beach and Belmont Shores are amoung the very best. HB is outstanding too, but theres a bit of a drive. All the communities bordering Los Alamitos are plenty nice.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by BKKJames

Hey guys,

Thanks alot for your responses! I've been to the area before quite a few times, but obviously it's different when you're not a tourist!

You're right about the price, I've found some decent rooms in houses on craigslist and roommates at or below that price. I would of loved to of lived in Huntington or anywhere on the coast but I would of thought even a room would've been out of my price range!

Thanks John for that link as well! I'm concerned though that not alot of people will want to lease to someone short term on 2-3 months... and someone without any history in the U.S. (or would that not matter?)

Great help so far!

J

If you pay up front I don't foresee a problem. Many people rent rooms for short durations around the local colleges because semesters are ~4-5mo long.

[BKKJames]

I guess there's a good chance i'll find temporary accommodation then which is great to hear as I was concerned about the 'no credit history'- I've been told i have to put deposits down on everryything (even mobile phone contracts!) so we'll see.

I'm sure i'll be back soonish asking about 2nd hand cars in the area...

Cheers,

J