Work in Brentwood, live in...? $1500 budget (apartments, for rent, neighborhood)

[Nachokitty]

Hi. I just got a job in Brentwood, just off the 405. I'm single, no kids. My initial budget for rent will be around 1500. A studio would be fine for me. No idea about commute times. My work hours would be 8-4:30. Where should I look for an apartment? I've been thinking of Encino since it looks to be a straight shot down the freeway, but I don't know what the commutes or areas are like. Moving from the Bay Area.

I'm not a party person but don't necessarily want to live in soccer mom world either. My ideal neighborhood would have some cafes or coffee joints within walking distance, good people watching. I like art stuff and outdoors stuff. Just looking for a place to land this first year in the job. Thanks for your ideas!

[Kings Gambit]

Where do you live now?

[nightlysparrow]

Encino is fine. I'd jump on this one:

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lg...812008760.html

[Big-Bucks]

Originally Posted by Nachokitty

Hi. I just got a job in Brentwood, just off the 405. I'm single, no kids. My initial budget for rent will be around 1500. A studio would be fine for me. No idea about commute times. My work hours would be 8-4:30. Where should I look for an apartment? I've been thinking of Encino since it looks to be a straight shot down the freeway, but I don't know what the commutes or areas are like. Moving from the Bay Area.

I'm not a party person but don't necessarily want to live in soccer mom world either. My ideal neighborhood would have some cafes or coffee joints within walking distance, good people watching. I like art stuff and outdoors stuff. Just looking for a place to land this first year in the job. Thanks for your ideas!

Just letting you know that you will be in for traffic jams if you live in Encino. Everyone commutes from the valley to LA in the morning and then drives back in the late afternoon.
Sigalert

Places in Brentwood like Barrington Plaza start at $1,840 though.

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by Nachokitty

Hi. I just got a job in Brentwood, just off the 405. I'm single, no kids. My initial budget for rent will be around 1500. A studio would be fine for me. No idea about commute times. My work hours would be 8-4:30. Where should I look for an apartment? I've been thinking of Encino since it looks to be a straight shot down the freeway, but I don't know what the commutes or areas are like. Moving from the Bay Area.

My mom commutes from Encino to West L.A. (a couple of 405 exits south of Brentwood). She tends to commute at off hours because of the traffic. If you end up living in that area of the Valley, you should probably budget anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and I would NOT take the 405. Sepulveda/Havenhurst+Mulholland to Sunset are probably your best bets.

I'm not a party person but don't necessarily want to live in soccer mom world either. My ideal neighborhood would have some cafes or coffee joints within walking distance, good people watching. I like art stuff and outdoors stuff. Just looking for a place to land this first year in the job. Thanks for your ideas!

Sherman Oaks might work for you, but $1,500 is actually a pretty decent budget for a studio in West L.A., even in today's market.

[adr3naline]

Great tool:
www.Padmapper.com
Good luck.

[disgruntled la native]

West LA/Sawtelle... $1500 might be a little on the low side but there could be a studio somewhere from that much. One bedrooms can still go for $1600-1800 there. And it's 5 minutes from Brentwood.