Need help on looking for apartments in LA (San Francisco, Downey: new home, college)

[carlifornia]

Hello everyone. I am looking for the apartments in LA but feel it is so confused about this city. I am living San Francisco now and love here! However have to move to LA next month becuase of the job. I find that LA is totally different then SF, it is a HUGE city!!! I have no idea that which area is safe and cozy for the new home. It will be much appreciated if you could give me any advise.

I am looking for the apartment:
1. Safe!!!!!!!! Good neighbourhood!!!!
2. Convenient transportation. My job is in San Ta Fe Spring
3. Conveneint for grocery shopping. That will be great if have cofe, nice restaurants in the neighbourhood.
4. Budget is under 1600 for 1 bed/1 bath.

If you could advise on below that will be much helpful!
1. Which area is good choice for me?
2. Any good way to find the apartment in LA? Angent? Craglist? Or any others?
3. Any good apartment could recommend?
........

I feel so worried about the new home now, and your help will be so grateful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[harahap]

There are way too many apartments in L.A., let alone in the immediate area. If safety is your main concern, general rule of thumb: avoid L.A. proper, and look at the adjacent areas.

[bhcompy]

for santa fe springs you have a decent choice of cities nearby in which to live.

downey is fairly nice, whittier has some good areas, in norwalk you can find some safe housing near cerritos college, parts of bellflower, lakewood, cerritos, etc are good. you could probably look in cypress, buena park, and la palma too..

north and west are probably not the best choices for you(pico rivera, bell gardens, south gate, etc). parts of norwalk also are not suitable.

to the east you have some nicer areas as well in brea, fullerton, etc.

[Chatteress]

If you are planning to use public transportation and will be working in Santa Fe Springs, you may want to look into moving to areas in the Southeast portion of LA County, such as Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, La Mirada, Downey, Norwalk or Cerritos as it would make the commute via public transportation easier. This region is served mainly by Metro and Norwalk Transit. Before settling on an apartment, check the trip planner at www.metro.net to see your commute options. I live within this region and use public transportation and it is not as convenient as what you may be used to in SF. If you have any questions regarding public transportation in this area, I will be happy to assist.