Santa Monica- young and on a budget (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills: apartments, rentals)

[schrunk]

Im a young fresh out of college student with no student debt, I have a job opportunity in Santa Monica on Stewart street that I really want to take hopefully if offered. I estimate the salary to be at 40k annually. Im looking for living in a single room studio or apartment in Santa Monica, dosent have to be big or spacious, just enough to have a adequate neighborhood and decently close to the ocean. One room/bed is just fine. Any ideas or thoughts on what it would run me a month aprox. or anything else to consider?

Im moving from Iowa with a pretty low density of people and cheap living. I have no anxiety about moving to Santa Monica but could use some tips on affordable renting and anything else about the area (both good and bad).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[EscapeCalifornia]

You're better off trying to find a roommate on that salary in Santa Monica. Maybe rent an extra room in someone's house or apartment.

[schrunk]

Yea that would be ideal, but what would a one person hole in the wall in a decent neighborhood run in SM aprox?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by schrunk

Yea that would be ideal, but what would a one person hole in the wall in a decent neighborhood run in SM aprox?

I'm not too familiar with the details of the market up there, but Santa Monica is one of the more expensive areas. I wouldn't be surprised if 1 bedroom apartments started at $1500/mo. With a $40k annual income, you're not going to want to spend more than $1100/mo (1/3rd of your gross). Try looking on craigslist.

[greggd]

Stewart Street is pretty close to the eastern border of santa monica. You can look for places in both santa monica and west la. Santa monica also has a pretty good bus system.

I checked craigslist and saw a few rentals that were in the low $1000 range.

If you really want to save, get something where you can walk, bike or bus to work. Very easy in santa monica and west la. THe $ you save on gas and time will go toward extra cost to rent and live in a very nice area around where you work.

With your budget, you may be drawn toward the southern edge of santa monica, which can get a little undesirable depending on the area. If you find something, post it and many will give you their opinions of the neighborhood etc.
By all means, dont live far from work to save a few hundred dollars. You will pay it back in commuter frustration, time, and gas.

[schrunk]

So something like this would be a decent "cheaper" choice?

Beautiful Brentwood Adjacent Studio (broken link)

1.6 miles away from work, 1050 month.

[schrunk]

Or even anything else useful to know about the area for a young person living in Cali for the first time.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by schrunk

So something like this would be a decent "cheaper" choice?

Beautiful Brentwood Adjacent Studio (broken link)

1.6 miles away from work, 1050 month.

If you move into that building, you are walking distance to Q's and another bar next door.. forgot the name. Also, Banderas, which is a restaurant/bar.

Parking gets a little tight on that street because there is a medical building on the corner, so make sure it comes with a parking spot if you have a car.

Nice area, traffic can be heavy as you will run into the commuters trying to reach the 405.. but since you are coming from stewart, you can catch some side roads home and avoid some of it.

Further west of the 405 you are, the easier it will be to travel home. I think there are others out there too.

Upper BACH, HUGE w/ balcony, NO KITCH, wet bar, full bath, all ult pd (broken link)

BEAUTIFUL SINGLE SPACIOUS HARDWOODFLOORS (broken link)
QUIET SINGLE AT THE BEACH (broken link)

[SurekRZA]

You should look into living somewhere close to Santa Monica but not actually there. Preferrably of the 10 freeway. If youre living on a budget, you shouldnt consider living there. You want to enjoy youre stay or life in Los Angeles. For example, go to nightclubs, comedy clubs, jazz clubs, nice restaurants, theatres or whatever you may desire without having to worry about your budget. It would make your life a lot easier and the beach would be a short drive away from you as well.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by SurekRZA

If youre living on a budget, you shouldnt consider living there. .

Agreed. Santa Monica on a budget is like Beverly Hills on a budget except Beverly Hills MIGHT be cheaper.