How close to Santa Monica will $800/mo get me? (safe area) (San Bernardino: low income, subletting)

[NomadicPhotographer]

Santa Monica's weather is my ideal:



That said, my budget appears to fall short of typical housing costs there. Are there 'hidden/secret' rentals in Santa Monica that never hit the likes of craigslist? If so, where might I look for them; but if not, how close can I get to Santa Monica on my $800/mo budget; safe & quiet areas preferred.

For context, it's just me and my 24-pound, well-behaved dog. A 1-bedroom would be ideal but a studio (with kitchen) would be ok, too. As for me, I'm retired (don't need employment), quiet, and hoping to wake up everyday in -- or as near as possible -- to the kind of weather Santa Monica offers.

Thanks, Everyone!

[disgruntled la native]

You're not going to get a one bedroom in LA area unless it's far far away or a low income...

Studio for 800 is doable, I've heard of studios going for that much around Culver City and Palms, which is not too far from santa monica and mild weather. But those studios can get pretty small

Consider splitting a two bedroom for 800 each (1600), that will greatly increase your options. Won't find anything IN santa monica but west la, palms, mar vista without question, and additionally much more space..

[Ceece]

You could sign up for Westside Rentals and see if there are better rentals than you find on CL but you need to up your budget if you don't want to share a place.

[305MIA]

How close to Santa Monica will $800/mo get me? (safe area)

$800 near Santa Monica will get you a card board box.

[1200RT]

the dog really constrains your search.

and you're like $150 short of a budget for a studio, neighboring SM (900-950 range), expect to pay in the 1000-1200 range for a studio in SM.

[brian_k]

Look in West LA. I'm currently subletting a bedroom in a 2BR apartment for $700/month. It's a safe area and everything's within walking distance, but at the same time it's a neighborhood in between a bunch of more well-known hoods, so it flies under the radar.

West LA borders Santa Monica and the weather here is nearly as amazing. Hasn't been too hot during the days, and at night it is downright cool! I sleep with only a sheet, but some nights when I wake up I wish I had a comforter — and this is late July! You definitely feel the cool, sea breezes even in West LA.

The first thing people have to understand about apartment hunting in a big, expensive place like LA is that you can almost always find a great deal, but it takes a lot of work. Hours upon hours of browsing listings, sending correspondence (most of which won't be replied to), etc. You have to keep at it and eventually you find something. And with an $800 budget, you're going to get way more bang for your buck living with roommates.

I've sort of been bumming around LA from place to place and even with limited time to search, I've always managed to find a new place at a reasonable price — but it's taken lots of emails and craigslist searches.

Try Craigslist, Westside Rentals and Padmapper.

[NomadicPhotographer]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

... Studio for 800 is doable, I've heard of studios going for that much around Culver City and Palms, which is not too far from santa monica and mild weather. But those studios can get pretty small

Consider splitting a two bedroom for 800 each (1600), that will greatly increase your options. Won't find anything IN santa monica but west la, palms, mar vista without question, and additionally much more space..

Good information. TY disgruntled.

Originally Posted by Ceece

You could sign up for Westside Rentals and see if there are better rentals than you find on CL but you need to up your budget if you don't want to share a place.

Will look at Westside Rentals. TY Ceece.

Originally Posted by 1200RT

the dog really constrains your search.

and you're like $150 short of a budget for a studio, neighboring SM (900-950 range), expect to pay in the 1000-1200 range for a studio in SM.

Yeah, I know having a dog puts a dent in things. I just love her too much to give her away, even to a good home. Choices & consequences, I know TY for your reply 1200.

Originally Posted by brian_k

Look in West LA. I'm currently subletting a bedroom in a 2BR apartment for $700/month. It's a safe area and everything's within walking distance, but at the same time it's a neighborhood in between a bunch of more well-known hoods, so it flies under the radar.

West LA borders Santa Monica and the weather here is nearly as amazing. Hasn't been too hot during the days, and at night it is downright cool! I sleep with only a sheet, but some nights when I wake up I wish I had a comforter — and this is late July! You definitely feel the cool, sea breezes even in West LA.

The first thing people have to understand about apartment hunting in a big, expensive place like LA is that you can almost always find a great deal, but it takes a lot of work. Hours upon hours of browsing listings, sending correspondence (most of which won't be replied to), etc. You have to keep at it and eventually you find something. And with an $800 budget, you're going to get way more bang for your buck living with roommates.

I've sort of been bumming around LA from place to place and even with limited time to search, I've always managed to find a new place at a reasonable price — but it's taken lots of emails and craigslist searches.

Try Craigslist, Westside Rentals and Padmapper.

Very helpful info, brian; TY.

I'm driving to Santa Monica this weekend and will spend a few days drinking it all in.

Originally Posted by 305MIA

$800 near Santa Monica will get you a card board box.

Who knows, MIA... a cardboard box may be the perfect starting point of my stay there

[305MIA]

Originally Posted by NomadicPhotographer

Who knows, MIA... a cardboard box may be the perfect starting point of my stay there

Try it out.. Let me know how it goes

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by NomadicPhotographer

Santa Monica's weather is my ideal:



That said, my budget appears to fall short of typical housing costs there. Are there 'hidden/secret' rentals in Santa Monica that never hit the likes of craigslist? If so, where might I look for them; but if not, how close can I get to Santa Monica on my $800/mo budget; safe & quiet areas preferred.

For context, it's just me and my 24-pound, well-behaved dog. A 1-bedroom would be ideal but a studio (with kitchen) would be ok, too. As for me, I'm retired (don't need employment), quiet, and hoping to wake up everyday in -- or as near as possible -- to the kind of weather Santa Monica offers.

Thanks, Everyone!

How close? Maybe San Bernardino. Oh wait....you said safe and quiet, nevermind.

[305MIA]

Actually.. You know what.. Just be homeless, Santa Monica isn't known as "home of the homeless" for nothin ya know..