Looking for an affordable neigborhood with a reasonable (<60 min?) commute to Century City/Bev Hills (Long Beach: apartment, rent)

[saradiane91]

I'm considering moving out to LA within the next few months – I'm about 2 years out of college and currently working a remote job as an event planner, which gives me the freedom to live pretty much wherever I want. If I make this move, I'll probably keep my current job for several months while I get settled in in LA but am planning to make a transition into the entertainment industry toward the end of this year. (A cliche, but at least I'm realistic enough to know that I'll start out in the mailroom at CAA/WMA/UTA, which is why I'm hoping for something with a liveable commute to Century City or Beverly Hills)

I'm single, 25, female – I'm coming from DC so not unused to high COL but hoping to keep my rent under $1100 for a studio or small one bedroom if possible. Areas I've been looking at are Long Beach, parts of the Valley, and Koreatown. I've visited LA several times but don't know enough about the area to know which places to avoid and which places would kill me on the commute.

Any advice?

[disgruntled la native]

I don't really know of anywhere under $1100 for a studio or one bedroom. Maybe deep in the suburbs or ghetto. Netiher of which would be a 60 min commute to century city/beverly hills. Think you're going to have to get roommates. split a place in Palms... or that area east of palms, beverlywood/kaiser west la

[nightlysparrow]

Jump on it:
https://ventura.craigslist.org/apa/6120472381.html

[Social Democrat]

I suggest Los Feliz for several reasons.
It is within your desired commute time although maybe a little more than say, Koreatown. I would forget Long Beach as any safe area there will have expensive rents.
The area is strong with your demograhic, trending younger and many are in "the business" at all levels. That last bit would be of great benefit to you in your search for agency/studio employment. I chat with so many folks in the business at the Vista Theater (you have to go there!) and the nearby Los Feliz 3 theater. I'm an older retired guy and don't get out to the whole Los Feliz scene but just from my humble experience, I know there are many connections to make as well as have a great time!
I know you are looking at agencies but Los Feliz puts you in close proximity to Warner Brothers, Paramount Studios and Disney. Disney even has a small studio in Los Feliz; Prospect Studios.
The Mack Sennett Studio is nearby as well.
Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Bowl, etc. are nearby as well.
Here's an ad for an apartment in Los Feliz but of course you can find many more on Craigslist, Trulia.com, etc. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/la...53562.htmlAlso, you may be surprised at what you can find in Beverly Hills too.
Anyway, I hope this is helpful and let me know if you have any questions.
Good luck with everything!

[Tuscan80]

get a roommate. you will be able to find a place closer to your job if you share an apartment, you should be able to get your own room in certain areas of hollywood.

[adr3naline]

Classic roommate situation. $1100/mo might get you a small space within a reasonable commute to BH/CC...but not in a space nor area you'd actually want to live in.

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by saradiane91

I'm considering moving out to LA within the next few months – I'm about 2 years out of college and currently working a remote job as an event planner, which gives me the freedom to live pretty much wherever I want. If I make this move, I'll probably keep my current job for several months while I get settled in in LA but am planning to make a transition into the entertainment industry toward the end of this year. (A cliche, but at least I'm realistic enough to know that I'll start out in the mailroom at CAA/WMA/UTA, which is why I'm hoping for something with a liveable commute to Century City or Beverly Hills)

I'm single, 25, female – I'm coming from DC so not unused to high COL but hoping to keep my rent under $1100 for a studio or small one bedroom if possible. Areas I've been looking at are Long Beach, parts of the Valley, and Koreatown. I've visited LA several times but don't know enough about the area to know which places to avoid and which places would kill me on the commute.

Any advice?

The entertainment industry is a broad term and it's certainly not centered in Century City/Beverly Hills. Fox is in Century City and Netflix is in Beverly Hills. But you have Paramount and a lot of independent studios/music in Hollywood. ABC/Disney in Burbank, Universal in Universal City. Sony in Culver City. A lot of stuff in Santa Monica/Venice and a lot of other stuff scattered around SFV. Without a job it will be hard to determine a livable commute.

With your budget as others said you will need roomate. Try to find something flexible so you can move again if you get a job and that's not close to where you initially are living

[Happy in L.A.]

Originally Posted by saradiane91

I'm considering moving out to LA within the next few months – I'm about 2 years out of college and currently working a remote job as an event planner, which gives me the freedom to live pretty much wherever I want. If I make this move, I'll probably keep my current job for several months while I get settled in in LA but am planning to make a transition into the entertainment industry toward the end of this year. (A cliche, but at least I'm realistic enough to know that I'll start out in the mailroom at CAA/WMA/UTA, which is why I'm hoping for something with a liveable commute to Century City or Beverly Hills)

I'm single, 25, female – I'm coming from DC so not unused to high COL but hoping to keep my rent under $1100 for a studio or small one bedroom if possible. Areas I've been looking at are Long Beach, parts of the Valley, and Koreatown. I've visited LA several times but don't know enough about the area to know which places to avoid and which places would kill me on the commute.

Any advice?

With a budget of $1,100 you might be able to find a Studio in Korean Town (K-Town) but it's going to be an older building and you'll probably have to pay for off-site monthly parking.

If you move to the West San Fernando Valley (Canoga Park, Reseda, Chatsworth, Sylmar, etc) you'll have an easier time finding a Studio with on site parking, within your budget. However, you're commute from the West Valley to the Century City area will suck. I'd comment on Long Beach but I don't know that area very well.

The reason I didn't mention 1 bedrooms is because, on your budget of $1,100 a month, you can find one bedrooms but they're likely to be in lower income, high crime rate area.

BTW I lived in DC for 4 years back in the early 90's and loved it. I lived near the Red Line, Friendship Heights Station.

[Ceece]

Totally doable in a decent area with a roommate, which could also help you settle in and meet people if you find the right one.

[69Charger]

Have you checked Hawthorne, Gardena, and Carson?