Cheaper Rent or Longer Commute (Westwood) (Torrance, Inglewood: apartment, to rent, house)

[charlie310]

So I'm moving back to LA from OC. My new job is in Westwood. I really like OC because much less congestion, & much cheaper rent. I'm used to getting a private room, private bath, attached garage parking, & central A/C in a really good neighborhood in OC for $800/month. But, I'm finding any areas near Westwood (even the not-so-good ones) are essentially $1,100+ for that. I can definitely afford it, but I obviously would rather pay less. I'm just not sure how bad the commutes would be driving from the outskirt areas like Torrance, Sherman Oaks, etc. I'm also thinking of living in the bad areas like Inglewood just so I can save money.

Any input would be helpful. It's been a long time since i've lived in LA.

[thelopez2]

Take the shorter drive from Inglewood. The other two you are looking at 40-60 minute drives

[charlie310]

I guess I should have phrased it like this:

Where can I find cheap rent that's not too far from Westwood. I want to find the "sweet spot" like 30min commute and $900 rent for private bed, private bath, assigned parking, a/c.

[disgruntled la native]

Extend the 30 min commute requirement to an hour in traffic and you get a lot more options. Much of the Valley, Mid-City, and as you said Inglewood... you will get a studio for 900 in those areas.

[Aldous9]

Originally Posted by charlie310

So I'm moving back to LA from OC. My new job is in Westwood. I really like OC because much less congestion, & much cheaper rent. I'm used to getting a private room, private bath, attached garage parking, & central A/C in a really good neighborhood in OC for $800/month. But, I'm finding any areas near Westwood (even the not-so-good ones) are essentially $1,100+ for that. I can definitely afford it, but I obviously would rather pay less. I'm just not sure how bad the commutes would be driving from the outskirt areas like Torrance, Sherman Oaks, etc. I'm also thinking of living in the bad areas like Inglewood just so I can save money.

Any input would be helpful. It's been a long time since i've lived in LA.

calculate your fuel costs per month and add it to that $800. That's the real cost for living that far away from work. I'd also add wear and tear on the vehicle but its hard to calculate exactly what that would be.

[Donn2390]

Originally Posted by Aldous9

calculate your fuel costs per month and add it to that $800. That's the real cost for living that far away from work. I'd also add wear and tear on the vehicle but its hard to calculate exactly what that would be.

...and the wear and tear on your physical and mental health sitting in traffic for two, three hours a day.
Those two, three hours a day are the worst part of the day, and you don't get paid for them..!

[Aldous9]

Originally Posted by Donn2390

...and the wear and tear on your physical and mental health sitting in traffic for two, three hours a day.
Those two, three hours a day are the worst part of the day, and you don't get paid for them..!

good point

I pay $200 more in rent than I budgeted for but I moved two blocks from work. I was spending $130 a month on fuel. Now, I can fill up and it lasts me 2 months. Plus, instead of getting home after 630 I'm home at 5 and not exhausted from the commute.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by Aldous9

good point

I pay $200 more in rent than I budgeted for but I moved two blocks from work. I was spending $130 a month on fuel. Now, I can fill up and it lasts me 2 months. Plus, instead of getting home after 630 I'm home at 5 and not exhausted from the commute.

yep. #1 rule of living in LA - live where you work. of course, often easier said than done since jobs can come and go and even move locations

[charlie310]

Thanks guys. Yea, maybe it's not going to be worth saving the extra $3-5K. I'm just hoping there is some mysterious unknown area that's cheap and the commute to Westwood isn't too bad, but it probably doesn't exist.

[disgruntled la native]

You could try to rent a room in someone's house or share an apartment. The fact is, most people doin't live alone because they can't afford it. Share a room in a one bedroom or sleep on the couch in the living room. What's so bad about that.