Want to move to LA. How to survive as a 27 year old Bachelor (Los Angeles: sales, renters)

[Mr_Geek]

Originally Posted by rmreel

Okay... they are all dumps or scams. Do you have any specific suggestion for getting an apartment for $1500?

Increase the budget, look further out, drive around in person, or find a roommate situation.

[disgruntled la native]

$1500 could work if you dont need to be in the popular areas. Deeper into the valley or my favorite suggestion, Burbank.

[adr3naline]

Agreed with ^Mr_Geek. A roommate situation is really the way to go here.

$1500/mo will get you a crap studio in a sh*tty area...and I'm guessing you want to avoid that. Rooms in nicer areas go for ~$1100. Rent month-by-month so you can up and leave if you land a engineering position and want to get your own place.

Can't speak to the mechanical engineer market, unfortunately.

Don't switch your car insurance to be LA-based, if possible. Costs here are much higher than SEA.

It's entirely possible that you end up not liking LA, being that visiting LA vs. living in LA are very different experiences. So don't run and sign a 12-mo lease until you have been here for 6mo+.

Good luck

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

$1500 could work if you dont need to be in the popular areas. Deeper into the valley or my favorite suggestion, Burbank.

I would expect Burbank to be super expensive?.. Anyways I am fine with increasing my budget to 2,000 if needed at most. the thing is what kind of jobs should I look at because working at the mall or at grocery store may not cut it but I'm not sure depending on minimum wage.

I was born in LA and lived there till I was in my mid teens. Always love coming back.

[Mr_Geek]

Unless you have a huge stash of cash saved up I'd recommend renting a room for as cheap as possible month to month. The location and pay of the job you land would determine where you live more permanently and your long term budget. Don't blow through 2k/month when you have no clue if you'll make minimum wage or 100k or live in Thousand Oaks vs Long Beach.

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

Unless you have a huge stash of cash saved up I'd recommend renting a room for as cheap as possible month to month. The location and pay of the job you land would determine where you live more permanently and your long term budget. Don't blow through 2k/month when you have no clue if you'll make minimum wage or 100k or live in Thousand Oaks vs Long Beach.

A close friend of mine just got a studio in Korea town for 950/month. It has a fridge but no kitchen lol. its right in between Hollywood and DT. I've been considering that but dont know much on Korea town. I'm waiting to see what he thinks of the place. As far as I know Now ill have to deal with a minimum wage job or something a bit better if possible with my degree. Till I land a legitimate Mech. Engr job.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by 69Charger

OP, you're in the middle of a housing shortage, and rental crisis. Not enough to go around.

That being said, Glendale could have what you need. I lived there for a few years, the southern area around Central / Chevy Chase is livable, and close to their vibrant downtown. It's close to Atwater, Highland Park, and not far from Hollywood or DTLA.

$1500 is low rent these days

Not enough to go around? I constantly see " Apt for rent" signs out in front of buildings.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by varun2123

I would expect Burbank to be super expensive?.. Anyways I am fine with increasing my budget to 2,000 if needed at most. the thing is what kind of jobs should I look at because working at the mall or at grocery store may not cut it but I'm not sure depending on minimum wage.

I was born in LA and lived there till I was in my mid teens. Always love coming back.

Burbank is not super expensive. I guess because it's in the Valley and not the "hot" part (Studio City, Sherman Oaks). Also it's large and spread out. It's LA county's last city that combines relative convenience, decent city services, safety and affordability. Glendale sort of too but it's further and junkier.

If you raise your budget to $2000, you can start affording studios in nice areas or unremodeled one bedrooms in decent areas (like West LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood)

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Burbank is not super expensive. I guess because it's in the Valley and not the "hot" part (Studio City, Sherman Oaks). Also it's large and spread out. It's LA county's last city that combines relative convenience, decent city services, safety and affordability. Glendale sort of too but it's further and junkier.

If you raise your budget to $2000, you can start affording studios in nice areas or unremodeled one bedrooms in decent areas (like West LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood)

West Hollywood is fine with me but I'd expect that place to be pricey as hell..Burbank is great from what I hear.

Location is fine its just what kind of jobs can I depend on that will get me by till I find the ideal engineering position?

And ideas on something that is easy to get for a person with an engineering degree?

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Burbank is not super expensive. I guess because it's in the Valley and not the "hot" part (Studio City, Sherman Oaks). Also it's large and spread out. It's LA county's last city that combines relative convenience, decent city services, safety and affordability. Glendale sort of too but it's further and junkier.

If you raise your budget to $2000, you can start affording studios in nice areas or unremodeled one bedrooms in decent areas (like West LA, Hollywood, West Hollywood)

Anything in downtown Glendale and north is as nice or nicer then Burbank. North Glendale (Montrose, La Cresecneta) is much nicer then any part of Burbank unless you are way up in the foothills area of Burbank but then again you can be the that same area on the Glendale side in multimillion dollar homes. It's getting harder to find a one bedroom for under $1500 in either city. South Glendale is still "junky" and you can find find a one bedroom for $1100-1200 if your lucky and it's still very safe