Cheap but safe place (Los Angeles, Long Beach: apartment, for rent, credit)

[jinglegrace02]

Im looking for a cheap but safe place for me (25), my fiance (21) and our 2 yr old son to live. We both work but we dont make alot of money. We could probably afford around 700 or 800 a mth rent. Any help that anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

[Charles]

Is it OK if it is near the beach?

[jinglegrace02]

yes thats fine we are just in need of a safe decent place for us to live that we can afford and fast.

[Christine Joan]

Originally Posted by Charles

Is it OK if it is near the beach?

With only $700 to 800 to spend a month and the need to have a place large enough to house 3 people, it is highly unlikely that a nice but safe place can be found near the beach unless you would be working as caretakers for someone's home. In fact, I think you'll have a difficult time finding cheap but safe housing anywhere within Los Angeles.

You can try looking on Craig's list, especially under shared housing, where you would be renting a room or two in a large house with others. Also, you might be able to find a large single in Korea Town, which is safe during the day time but becomes more dangerous at night, that will allow you to have 3 people, but you will be rather crowded.

Otherwise, try looking toward Palm Springs. Good luck.

[jinglegrace02]

thanks but palm springs is to far from our family. my husband works nights as a security guard and our family is in the long beach lakewood area. we arent looking for any particular place as long as its a 1 bedroom or maybe a studio, safe, close to our families and affordable

[Christine Joan]

You might be able to find a large single in or near downtown Long Beach for that price range, but you'll probably need to walk the neighorhood streets to locate "for rent" signs because at that price range, it is unlikely that the owners will spend much money to advertise the rental.

Given the new facts that you have provided, I think that the best advice I can give you is to live with your family and pay a modest amount of rent there while upgrading your education and job skills so that you and your husband can earn more money before looking for an apartment. The local community colleges provide low-cost technical skill programs that could help you and your husband to earn more money within one to two years.

[allthingsbeautiful]

Originally Posted by Charles

Is it OK if it is near the beach?

I guess some people don't understand sarcasm.

[jinglegrace02]

Originally Posted by allthingsbeautiful

I guess some people don't understand sarcasm.

Please dont reply to my post if you dont have anything helpful to say.

[gypsystar]

I wish I could be helpful, but I honestly don't think that there is ANY safe place in L.A. where you can find an apt. that cheap. You would definitely need at least a 1 bedroom since you are a family of 3 (a studio is too small with a child) and a decent one in a decent neighborhood will cost you at least $1100. Seriously, I have done a lot of research as we are looking to move to a better area soon. I live in a so-so area of Van Nuys and pay $1325 for a 1 bedroom. I don't even think you can get a 1 bedroom in Compton for $800 anymore! And you certainly wouldn't want to live there.

I agree with the post above. Live with family while you and your husband take courses and steps to improve your income. That is probably the only way you guys will get ahead here, and will make life much better for your family. Classes at the L.A. community colleges cost $20 per credit and you can have a degree in two years. Totally worth it if you plan on staying in L.A.

[gypsystar]

Edited to add: I did a quick search on craigslist.org for 1 bedrooms for $800, and found a few guesthouses and rooms for rent, not sure about the areas though. So, it looks like you could rent a room in someone's house in a decent area for that price. You could also move to the Inland Empire, which is pretty far out there, but is a little cheaper than L.A.