Want to move to LA. How to survive as a 27 year old Bachelor (Burbank: for rent, insurance)

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by ryanms3030

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

If were talking safe what are the possible threats in areas like Glendale? just homeless bums? I'd imagine the gang activity is more in the south central/East LA areas

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by varun2123

If were talking safe what are the possible threats in areas like Glendale? just homeless bums? I'd imagine the gang activity is more in the south central/East LA areas

From my experience and what I've heard the homeless issue is nowhere near as bad as in the city of L.A

Glendale and Burbank are independent cities within Los Angeles just like Beverly Hills ,Santa Monica etc

This means that they have their own police departments and other city services .

Los Angeles is a huge city and spread out and not very well run in general .

I haven't heard too much about gang activity or violent crime in Glendale really .
Personally I fell overall Burbank is nicer . I never really feel unsafe in either Glendale or Burbank though .

lots of retail dining options in both areas they aren't just like bedroom communities where you have to leave the area to do anything

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by ryanms3030

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

yeah I was referring to south glendale but that's where most of "glendale" is.
burbank is just a little more conveniently located to most of LA so its a slightly better choice, particularly for entertianment industry jobs

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by ryanms3030

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

That sounds like a decent value for $1100-1200 for a 1 bedroom in Glendale even if it's junky .. I haven't really looked in that area .

I know back in 2009 I rented a 1 bedroom in Hollywood for $1100 and rents have gone up considerably since then

I drove through my old block recently and saw several new construction buildings . It's actually surprising there are so many older buildings around in that area

[varun2123]

what are some good jobs to look at to make ends meet if I were expected to drop 1600-1800/month on rent?

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by varun2123

what are some good jobs to look at to make ends meet if I were expected to drop 1600-1800/month on rent?

If not something in your field ( for right now ) perhaps something in the service industry where you can make good tips . Not sure if you have experience in this field .

Otherwise perhaps the sales industry, if you are good at sales or could be good at sales

If you can sell you don't need a degree and can make a lot of money .

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by jm1982

If not something in your field ( for right now ) perhaps something in the service industry where you can make good tips . Not sure if you have experience in this field .

Otherwise perhaps the sales industry, if you are good at sales or could be good at sales

If you can sell you don't need a degree and can make a lot of money .

Appreciate the feedback

[jacktravern]

Originally Posted by JustMike77

I'd budget closer to $ 2,000 + for a decent apartment in a safe area.

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Actually, the cost of living is quite affordable with decent apartments readily available for $3500/month.

Originally Posted by 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

I swear some of ya'll are jacking up prices for the sake of trolling, are severely mis-informed, or doing your best to keep another car off the road. It sounds like the OP has a degree and is looking for a professional job, not go and beg for work in your local Home Depot.

OP, if you go on craigslist right now, you will some Apartments in areas such as Tarzana, and Sherman Oaks for 12-1500 per month. Hardly crap areas. Burbank and Valley Village as well.

Some posters apparently have this Hugh Hefner idea of what is good living and anything less is considered uncivilized. Ridiculous.

[varun2123]

Originally Posted by jacktravern

I swear some of ya'll are jacking up prices for the sake of trolling, are severely mis-informed, or doing your best to keep another car off the road. It sounds like the OP has a degree and is looking for a professional job, not go and beg for work in your local Home Depot.

OP, if you go on craigslist right now, you will some Apartments in areas such as Tarzana, and Sherman Oaks for 12-1500 per month. Hardly crap areas. Burbank and Valley Village as well.

Some posters apparently have this Hugh Hefner idea of what is good living and anything less is considered uncivilized. Ridiculous.

Appreciate your honesty that helps a lot. I just got tired of flying to LA so much in one year for job interviews I'd rather just move down there and interview much more conveniently till something happens.

1500/month I know is realistic in many areas. Its just the type of job I should look at getting prior to moving there is my biggest question now

[BVitamin]

1500 is fine, you could find something in k-town for that much. Just remember to add car expenses to that budget. Honestly L.A. is becoming more expensive than NYC metro (if you include car expenses) at the moment for renters - and you wouldn't have to deal with "traffic".

But as someone else suggested, do the roommate situation first if you don't have family here willing to help you out.