Would Downtown Los Angeles be the best place for me? (San Francisco: apartment, to rent)

[Javier77]

I am from Spain (Barcelona), fully bilingual Spanish-English. I'd like to spend some months/years working in Los Angeles (as an electrician, waiter, cleaner, whatever).

I'd like to live in a Mexican/Latin area, not too expensive, not to dangerous, with everything on walking distance ( I got no driving license so I'd have to rely on public transport, and Los Angeles is a city made for cars and not very pedestrian-friendly).

I like to take walks in downtown Barcelona, look at shop windows, take a café in a terrace while watching the people passing by, etc. I am an inner-city guy, I couldnt live in those boring suburban areas where there's only row after row of houses, I am used to live in apartment buildings.


So I guess my first option is downtown LA, or somewhere East Side. But of course I am not suicidal and I wouldnt go to a place with gang activity and meth labs and stuff like that you see in the movies and documentaries. I'd like a place of normal people, families, parks where you can go and relax reading a book, some nighlife scene, and mexican food. (i love it)


So I'd like some advice from a local Angelino, which areas recommend?

How much can cost to rent a room for a single guy like me?

Is it easy to find job? (as I said, I work here in Spain as an electrician, so I woulnd´t mind any type of job)

How much is an average monthly wage?

Thanks in advance!

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by Javier77

I am from Spain (Barcelona), fully bilingual Spanish-English. I'd like to spend some months/years working in Los Angeles (as an electrician, waiter, cleaner, whatever).

I'd like to live in a Mexican/Latin area, not too expensive, not to dangerous, with everything on walking distance ( I got no driving license so I'd have to rely on public transport, and Los Angeles is a city made for cars and not very pedestrian-friendly).

I like to take walks in downtown Barcelona, look at shop windows, take a café in a terrace while watching the people passing by, etc. I am an inner-city guy, I couldnt live in those boring suburban areas where there's only row after row of houses, I am used to live in apartment buildings.


So I guess my first option is downtown LA, or somewhere East Side. But of course I am not suicidal and I wouldnt go to a place with gang activity and meth labs and stuff like that you see in the movies and documentaries. I'd like a place of normal people, families, parks where you can go and relax reading a book, some nighlife scene, and mexican food. (i love it)


So I'd like some advice from a local Angelino, which areas recommend?

How much can cost to rent a room for a single guy like me?

Is it easy to find job? (as I said, I work here in Spain as an electrician, so I woulnd´t mind any type of job)

How much is an average monthly wage?

Thanks in advance!

Well first off I doubt you have to worry about meth labs in Los Angeles LOL.

Downtown LA sounds like a fine choice but there are plenty of other places that you can live car-free and an inner-city lifestyle (and just about every neighborhood in LA has a decent sized Spanish-speaking population) such as Hollywood, Koreatown, Miracle Mile / Fairfax, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice. Even some of the less "urban" neighborhoods are pretty walkable and could support car free living.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by Javier77

I am from Spain (Barcelona), fully bilingual Spanish-English. I'd like to spend some months/years working in Los Angeles (as an electrician, waiter, cleaner, whatever).

Is it easy to find job? (as I said, I work here in Spain as an electrician, so I woulnd´t mind any type of job)

How much is an average monthly wage?

Will you have an official work permit? This would affect your wage and your ability to work at more than menial jobs. The difference between an electrician's wage and a waiter's is huge.

[mayorhaggar]

If you like cities then move to NYC or the San Francisco area. Good luck immigrating and getting a legal job though, it's not easy. And even if you can work legally, it's not easy finding a good job in LA and a nice apartment you can afford, especially if you can't drive. Getting a driver's license in California is pretty easy though.

[Carlite]

I'd say Downtown LA is best for what you're after, and you'll definitely feel a strong Mexican/Latin American presence there, but the other neighborhoods mentioned by Munchitup would work. From a transit perspective, Downtown is best because rail and bus lines from all over the city converge there, so it's easy to get to anywhere.

[e30is]

I agree with the downtown suggestion, but I think it would be pricey unless you head West to Westlake.