Would you commute from LB to West LA for 120k? (Compton: apartments, rentals)

[petesplayhouse]

I'll be working near Beverly Hills area off Robertson. I'm renting a small duplex out here in Lakewood but always dreamed of renting and then buying my dream home out here.

I was offered 150k, 30k to relocate for the first year. However all places we looked at were homes ranging from 2,900-3,500 for rent and small apartments nearby for 2,100, however it's a one year lease.

West LA is not where I want to live at. All my family lives out in LB, Lakewood, Compton, Bellflower and OC area. I suffer from anxiety so waking up early in the morning knowing I have to commute causes panic attacks. I'm fine once I'm in the car and moving. However I think I would dread everyday, plus the 30k. My current boss would obviously take the 30k back...i dont know.

I do not want to live in Baldwin Hills....Culver City is great but no home rentals. We are a hispanic family and looking to rent near by work. I don't mind driving 30-40 mins on bad days.

Any suggestions to what cities? I'm not familiar with LA. My friends and family are calling me a wuss for not taking the drive. For 2,600 I could rent an awesome home with pool in lakewood. But I'm too much of a wuss to drive everyday.

[LuckyGem]

#1. Don't take the job. (You don't even have it and it's causing you stress)

or

#2. Move closer to where you work. (See your family on the weekend)

By the way, Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, Park View are all very nice areas.

[petesplayhouse]

Originally Posted by LuckyGem

#1. Don't take the job. (You don't even have it and it's causing you stress)

or

#2. Move closer to where you work. (See your family on the weekend)

By the way, Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, Park View are all very nice areas.

I accepted the offer last week and start next week.

Option 2 is where I think I'm headed at. I just can't seem find anything and the ones I do apply for - I'm going against wealthy people with better credit scores :/

I'm trying so hard to not live in a shoe box apartment near work but have no choice.

[jm1982]

What kind of work do you do that pays $120k? just curious

[majoun]

Originally Posted by petesplayhouse

I'll be working near Beverly Hills area off Robertson. I'm renting a small duplex out here in Lakewood but always dreamed of renting and then buying my dream home out here.

I was offered 150k, 30k to relocate for the first year. However all places we looked at were homes ranging from 2,900-3,500 for rent and small apartments nearby for 2,100, however it's a one year lease.

West LA is not where I want to live at. All my family lives out in LB, Lakewood, Compton, Bellflower and OC area. I suffer from anxiety so waking up early in the morning knowing I have to commute causes panic attacks. I'm fine once I'm in the car and moving. However I think I would dread everyday, plus the 30k. My current boss would obviously take the 30k back...i dont know.

I do not want to live in Baldwin Hills....Culver City is great but no home rentals. We are a hispanic family and looking to rent near by work. I don't mind driving 30-40 mins on bad days.

Any suggestions to what cities? I'm not familiar with LA. My friends and family are calling me a wuss for not taking the drive. For 2,600 I could rent an awesome home with pool in lakewood. But I'm too much of a wuss to drive everyday.

What about Palms or Pico-Robertson? Or even Mid City (certain parts of which are decent/OK)

[petesplayhouse]

Originally Posted by jm1982

What kind of work do you do that pays $120k? just curious

pay per click marketing and seo for a competitive niche in LA/OC

[murfslaw]

Originally Posted by petesplayhouse

pay per click marketing and seo for a competitive niche in LA/OC

That's not the most stable business in the world. I think I would make the easiest and most accommodating living arrangements until I saw a stable future.

Sorry, not everyone one knows what this is. Pay per click (PPC) is wher an advertiser is paid or can be paid when a banner add is clicked while people are doing internet searches. SEO is search engine optimization where competitors try to get the top advertizing spots on a web page that people might be searching. Both are very iffy in a highly competitive global market. one's income is rarely guaranteed.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by petesplayhouse

pay per click marketing and seo for a competitive niche in LA/OC

Oh ok cool that is interesting, congrats on the job!

[socal88]

$120K/year is a great salary so I'd definitely take the job. Plus, it give you leverage if you switch to another job to say that you're worth more now.

As far as trying to find home rentals, compared to Lakewood, it's definitely going to be a lot more expensive in and around Beverly Hills.

You're either going to have do a little longer commute or move somewhere closer even if that means renting a place that is a little smaller. Something is going to have to give.

[BRinSM]

your dream home may have to wait a bit. have you looked into westchester? you can probably find a more spacious apartment in that area and still be ~30-45 minutes from your office.

even at $120k salary, i wouldn't recommend paying $3k/month in rent (which would probably be about 50% of your net income). Add in a car payment and day care and all of sudden you're just scraping by.