Where Should I Live in West LA? (Santa Monica, Culver City: apartments, rentals)

[fortgreene26]

Hi everyone,

I came across this forum while looking for potential apartments, and some of the responses were so thoughtful that I decided to register and post some questions for the LA experts out there.

My name is Nick and I'm a 26 year old male living in New York (originally from the UK) and I just accepted a job that is based out of Culver City beginning in mid-Jan. My girlfriend is going to be moving with me, but not until June-ish, so I am looking to find a temporary 6 month studio or 1br lease until she moves out to join me.

Given that I will be living by myself, I am looking for somewhere that is in close proximity to lots of good take out restaurants, but that also has a decent number of young people and bars close by. I also love going for long bike rides, so being close to a bike path along the beach would be amazing.

My budget is in the $1500 - $2000 range, but i could be willing to go a bit higher is the right apt comes along.

So what do people recommend? Marina Del Rey? If so, what are the best apt buildings to look at? Or should I also consider Venice or Santa Monica? Which would have the quickest commute to Jefferson blvd and Overland?

Thanks for any input you may have. I'll be sure to return the favor if anyone plans to move out to NYC.

--Nick

[jessemh431]

Culver City, Marina Del Rey, and Playa del Rey should be your top choices. It will be easy to get to your work from those. Maybe even Venice. Check out rentals on craigslist.com.

Marina Del Rey
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/507339856.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/504772172.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/502859993.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/502829369.html (broken link)

New in MDR
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/500914824.html (broken link)

This is the best complex in Marina del Rey
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/508808337.html (broken link)

Playa Del Rey
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/507033303.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/502693293.html (broken link)

On my block (great area)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/508748474.html (broken link)

In PDR, brand new, beautiful (I know...live 2 blocks away)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/503826439.html (broken link)

Venice
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/500865560.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/503084292.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/503894107.html (broken link)

[majoun]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

.

Venice
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/500865560.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/503084292.html (broken link)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/apa/503894107.html (broken link)

Those first two you listed in Venice are in nice areas but I wouldn't recommend the third building as it's in Oakwood, the worst neighborhood on the west side. Most of Venice is just fine but steer clear of anything between Rose on the north, Abbott Kinney on the southwest, Lincoln on the east, and California on the south.

[dsuday]

i moved in recently near venice to a studio apt priced at 1300 Bucks which is pretty insane...West side is okay...I did not search for long though.one of my previous posts here gave me an idea on where to look...I used rent.com and apartmenthunterz on those areas and drove down around these areas and selected one I liked almost immediately as there is some availability issue going on here...

I am also looking for bike paths here and would like to know if there are any biking clubs around here....ALso If there are bikers in West LA maybe we can go on group rides....