Whats wrong with these apartments? (Los Angeles, Riverside: lease, townhomes, safe area)

[ngonzal1]

So I've been checking places out in the LA area. Me and my girlfriend want to share a studio, and we cant afford much. In fact, anything under $1,400 a month would be ideal. We really dont care how small the place, it doesnt even have to be furnished- all we care about is having a 3-month lease option and that it is in a safe area. Again, really our main concern is it being in a safe area- besides that we are very flexible. So the two areas I have been looking at are Los Feliz and Burbank. I want your opinions on the following options:

Rancho Los Feliz
3205 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Studios in this apartment building are about $1400 a month.

And also:

Royal Equestrian
1200 West Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506

Studios there are $1200 a month.


Anyway, I wanted to know if there were any major drawbacks to the areas these two apartments are in. If there are any "catches" you can think of, or if there is something I'm totally unaware of. I mean I understand the rent being low because they are such small units, but is there something else I need to know? Any help would be much appreciated- I have lurked these boards for a while now, and I have learned A LOT about LA- you guys are really really helpful. Anyway, thanks!


PS- Any recommendations for apartment buildings would be a huge help too!

[VLWH]

Also try the oakwood apartments in Toluca Hills (bordering Burbank). The studio rents are in the range 1365-1485. They are in a real good area on the side of the hill.

[ngonzal1]

so what do you think my chances are of finding something below $1200?

[jessemh431]

I think it's completely possible to find a studio for that price.

los angeles craigslist > apts/housing for rent: search for "mt washington"

Why specifically are you looking at those areas? Maybe I can help you choose a different if you don't need to be there.

[ngonzal1]

I dont have to be in those areas, I am totally open to suggestions. Anything that would be good for 2 20-year olds would be good. I really just wanted safe and affordable Any suggestions? Also, if you can recommend a few apartment buildings, that would be great too!

[jessemh431]

Well do you know where you'll be working?

[ngonzal1]

me and my girlfriend will be working in different areas, but she is most likely going to be working in Simi Valley, and I'm going to be in downtown LA, so thats why I thought Burbank was a good halfway point. Besides Burbank, any other areas come to mind that are student-friendly and have cheap rent?

[jessemh431]

Well, would you like to live a harder life and be kind to you girlfriend or do you want to give her the bad commute? Those areas would give you an easy commute, but at least 1-1.5 hours for her. I would suggest Studio City and Sherman Oaks for a young couple. The nicest areas are south of the 101 Freeway, with the best being south of Ventura Blvd. That is also a pretty lively area. The commute will still be easier for you, but you don't want to live anywhere too close to her job if you are young. It's boring out that way.

$1195 1bd/in Studio City (broken link)
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1BR-1BA in Resort Community on Venura Blvd (broken link)
IMMACULATE 1 BEDROOM APTS! Vista Point 2 (broken link)
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Sherman Oaks Studio Apartment (broken link)
Gorgeous Traditional Prime Sherman Oaks! (broken link)
MOVE IN SPECIAL **BEAUTIFUL STUDIO APT, The Embassy (broken link)
Gorgeous 1 bedroom/ 1 bathroom in Sherman Oaks (broken link)
Gorgeous Traditional Prime Sherman Oaks! (broken link)

[ngonzal1]

awesome! Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, Studio City and Sherman Oaks seem to be good. Even Studio City seems like it wouldnt be that bad- we would both be sharing the long commutes, but I mean, what else can we do, right? So is there anything wrong with Burbank? I'm just wondering... at least compared to Studio City?

[jessemh431]

Burbank and studio city are very similar in terms of lifestyle, but the commute will be worse for both of you. Although it looks like it would take her long on a map, it will be about equal in Studio City and Sherman Oaks. Downtown LA is on the southern side of the mountains while SC and SO are on the northern. With only a few ways to get through mountains, traffic can become horrendous. You have Coldwater Canyon Dr., Laurel Cnyn Dr, and the Hollywood Freeway. 300,000+ people will use those three routes, along with two more that wouldn't make sense for SC and SO residents to use. One alternative for you would to be to take the metro train from Universal Studios in Studio City to downtown LA. That would save you a lot of time. Sadly, nothing like that goes to Simi.