You're 33,married,no kids,can spend up to 2500 a month,don't have to commute... (Los Angeles: fit in)

[sadchanel]

what would be your choice to live in LA;.?As I'm an artist,i can pretty much move around the city whenever i want..I'm a 33 year old living in Switzerland,visited LA many times,and i wanna give it a try now...thanks so much,this forum is pure gold.

[lalagonegaga]

I would give Los Feliz, Silverlake and a few areas in the Hollywood Hills a try. The area of the Hills close to the Hollywood Bowl has some interesting rentals and you're close to the Bowl, the 101, and Hollywood proper(take it or leave it, but it has some things to offer that are fun).
As an artist myself, I know I loved living Downtown. I lived first at Bunker Hill Towers (upscale, more like condo living) then I moved into the Pacific/Electric lofts. I LOVED living in that building. If loft living is for you, you'll love Downtown. Although Downtown is still not really adviseable in terms of walking around at night alone, it has sooooo many of the things in this city that make it feel like a "city", from a cultural standpoint. MOCA, all of the galleries (try the LA Weekly for new openings and such), and retaurants like R-23 (the BEST sushi you'll ever eat and it's a hard to find location in an arts wharehouse distict), Nick and Stef's, Philipe's Original, The Pantry all make living Downtown a fun place for an artist.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by sadchanel

what would be your choice to live in LA;.?As I'm an artist,i can pretty much move around the city whenever i want..I'm a 33 year old living in Switzerland,visited LA many times,and i wanna give it a try now...thanks so much,this forum is pure gold.

You have a total of $2,500 or do you have $2,500 to spend on rent? If you want to live in a nice area I don't know if you can survive on $2,500 a month in LA. I live in Oxnard, California and my rent is $1,375 a month for a 2 bedroom. To live in a nice area of LA would be more than that. If I had my way I would live in Malibu on the beach, but that can cost $4,500 a month starting out. A home that I would like to rent there cost $9,000 a month. There are areas that you can find I am sure, but they aren't areas that I would want to live in. That is why I am an hour up the coast in Oxnard. There is a saying that I heard. Directors live in Brentwood, Actors live in Malibu, and writers live in Oxnard. At least that is what we say in Oxnard, since there are so many screen writers living up here it seems. Beaches are just as nice, your just up the coast an hour. Another great area that would fit in your budget is Ventura California also on the coast. Oxnard has nearly 200,000 inhabitants, and Ventura has just over 100,000 inhabitants. Both sit right between Santa Barbara to the north and Malibu to the south. Just east of the area is Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, where the Ronald Reagan Library and last resting place of the president is. You can find a 1 bedroom in the area for around $1,000 a month. As for me I am soon to be in Surprise, Arizona because I am tired of the housing cost. Buying a home there for less than the rent here and I can still write in Arizona.

[sadchanel]

thanks for these quick posts,i can spend around 2500 just for rent...ventura and oxnard are a little too far away,I'm represented by a gallery who is located in culver city...so i guess i'll spend some time there plus friends live around east hollywood...,lalagonegaga:thanks for the note on downtown,something really to consider..already thought about too renting a loft,otherwise i'd rent a house and transform the garage into a painting studio/office.(maybe cheaper???)..right now I'm thinking about:Pasadena;Los Feliz,Silverlake;and...don't know about that but i will be here in the summer so i thought the south bay may be something to think about...but i don't know how crowded its gonna be..and i'm not so keen on the whole flip flop hang loose-mentality...,anyways thanks again,this is really helping.

[nicolepsy]

i dont have any advice for you but wanted to tell you how envious i am! and youre an artist with such luck ($$$) also? wow-you got it made!
hats off to ya!

[UB50]

Originally Posted by lalagonegaga

I would give Los Feliz, Silverlake and a few areas in the Hollywood Hills a try. The area of the Hills close to the Hollywood Bowl has some interesting rentals and you're close to the Bowl, the 101, and Hollywood proper(take it or leave it, but it has some things to offer that are fun).
As an artist myself, I know I loved living Downtown. I lived first at Bunker Hill Towers (upscale, more like condo living) then I moved into the Pacific/Electric lofts. I LOVED living in that building. If loft living is for you, you'll love Downtown. Although Downtown is still not really adviseable in terms of walking around at night alone, it has sooooo many of the things in this city that make it feel like a "city", from a cultural standpoint. MOCA, all of the galleries (try the LA Weekly for new openings and such), and retaurants like R-23 (the BEST sushi you'll ever eat and it's a hard to find location in an arts wharehouse distict), Nick and Stef's, Philipe's Original, The Pantry all make living Downtown a fun place for an artist.

I like all of your suggestions -- plus, if you live in any of these areas, you are relatively close to LACMA, the Huntington Library, Norton Simon, the Getty... There is also a neat art library in the hills above Glendale (Brand Library? or something like that -- it's a public library run by the city of Glendale).

[TheRealAngelion]

Originally Posted by sadchanel

thanks for these quick posts,i can spend around 2500 just for rent....

With that kind of budget just for rent, you will do fine in LA and will have a lot of options available to you. I would suggest you consider areas like Los Feliz, Silverlake, Hollywood, downtown, Miracle Mile, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica. These areas have a large number of "artists" types and resources in addition to having a lot of rental housing options.

Try the following web sites to search for housing, typing in the names of the areas I listed above to get an idea of what's available in your price range.

Apartment Rentals in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego
craigslist: los angeles classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events
Apartments.com - Free Nationwide Apartment Search with the Most Visual Rental Listings Online.

[Sorcerer68]

Old Pasadena-stunning, walkable urban village. It's safe and is served by light rail. Of all the places I've lived, it's my favorite.

Los Feliz-Nice architecture and vibe, Los Feliz Village is a great place to hang out.

Hollywood Hills East-I like the close proximity to Hollywood and the gorgeous views/nice houses.

Hancock Park-nice units available, has that "old money" feel but it's close to Hollywood/3rd and Fairfax.

Good Luck.

[LA01]

You can get a great apartment in the Hollywood Hills your close to Runyon Canyon Park, close proximity to Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Hancock Park. Living in Hollywood Hills you live by a lot of celebs.