Moving to LA, working downtown. (Pasadena, Alhambra: apartment, for rent, lawyer)

[recentour]

Hello,

I am a 28 year old lawyer (county not corporate) moving down to LA from Norcal. I am looking for a neighborhood that would suit me best as well allow me to use mass transport of some sort. I'd like to pay ~$1000 a month for rent in a shared home or apartment. I work closer to 110/101 downtown.

About me: I am single, comfortable at a dive or a uppity dance club, enjoy the outdoors. Looking for a relatively young environment that is walkable.

Here are some neighborhoods I am considering:
Los Feliz: Seems really cool, in terms of commute and the walkability. But I am not much of a hipster..

Hancock Park/Fairfax/Miracle Mile: Seems vibrant enough,but the commute looks scary to downtown. Is it possible to take a bus/metro into downtown? How long would it take?

WeHo: Too far I am thinking?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[jamesandveybe]

LA is too big and various to generalize well, but $1000 will get you a nice room with a private bath in someone's home, or a studio apartment downtown. Check out craigslist.org for availability and pricing.

[timelesschild]

Pasadena is another good option. There are walkable areas, plenty of young nightlife, coffee shops, not excessively hipster-oriented, it's close to the mountains, plenty to do outside, etc., and the city is very pretty as well.

South Pasadena is pretty and walkable but less young and more expensive.

The northern part of Alhambra (around Main Street) is very pretty, clean, walkable and has a wonderful multicultural feel. GREAT food options.

[BRinSM]

if you do go with the hancock park/miracle mile area, i would definitely live closer to beverly rather than wilshire. although both have rapid bus lines that go downtown, wilshire is the busiest street in the city and constantly choked with traffic. using the beverly rapid bus should get you downtown much faster.

los feliz is a cool area, with plenty to do and at the base of griffith park. however, the nearest subway station is still a bit of a walk from the village and closer to some seedier neighborhoods. i would check out the area first and see how close to the subway station your comfort will allow for.

you shouls also definitely look into pasadena as others have mentioned.

[lesallimc]

Pasadena and South Pas are both good options, and you might be able to find something in your price range there. I live in the Miracle Mile area and wouldn't want to commute that to downtown each day. I used to live in Pasadena, and I would take Pas over MM between those two areas for where you are working.

[CESpeed]

Advice number one: Buy a car. You will need it to have a decent social life. About your living: The neighborhoods you are considering are very nice, but for your budget, you will need a roommate. If you insist on taking the bus, Wilshire buses run very frequently and from Fairfax it should normally take about 30 - 45 min.

[recentour]

I do have a car, just a preference to use public transport if at all a possibility. I got used to riding on BART/Muni in the bay area. Just a peace of mind thing.

I will look into Pasadena.

Do most of the buses stop near the metro stations?

Thanks guys.

[timelesschild]

Pasadena has the Gold Line Metro train, which is good for you as well. The buses and how they interact with the trains -- that is still a mystery to me. I'm trying to learn it myself, because it's nice to be able to ride rather than driving. I'm with you on that one!

[prim2007]

The Gold Line drops right off at Union Station downtown. You should be fine commuting from Pasadena. One of the easier commutes you'll have and I enjoy living in Pasadena (I work downtown).

[CESpeed]

If you can stick to the train, you'll be okay. If you need the bus, do yourself a favor and drive. Though, I will concede the routes that service Pasadena/DLA are better than the mid-city routes (fights, smell, driver attitude, etc.). You will probably need to take both the Gold and Red lines to get to the area you are describing. if you are talking about the courts you'll need to exit Civic Center/Tom Bradley station.