Moving. Cleveland, OH to Los Angeles, CA. Nice areas to live?? (Long Beach: apartments, for rent)

[AdamP]

***Sorry. I posted this thread because I wanted to change the title from a previous post ***


Hello,

I am moving to the Los Angeles area by the end of March. To give a bit of an intro, I am a single, 27 year-old, outgoing male with a Bachelor's degree, and 3 years video production experience as a Videographer and Field Producer in the Cleveland sports market. I have some job contacts out in L.A. so I'm not too worried about that. Though, I am open to any inquiries.

I am mainly concerned with finding a studio apartment in a relatively safe area (not in a trashy area). I will have about $5000 saved by that time, and am prepared to pay between $900-1000 for rent. Areas that have peaked my interest through my last 8 months of research are Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Canoga Park, Culver City, Brentwood, Westwood, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Long Beach and Lakewood, and Anaheim area. It's obvious I'm around the map a little bit, but it's tough to research areas when you live over 2,000 miles away. I don't mind driving an hour or more to work, but I don't know if living north, south, east or west of the city is best.

I am well aware and prepared for the fact that L.A. life is expensive and has monster traffic. I know that some people love it there, and some hate it there based on the experiences they have had. I am moving there for the purpose of advancing my career to the next level and to experience an exciting change of atmosphere.

I am interested in well thought out responses and not impulse rants.

I appreciate any and all info you are able to share with me.

Thank you in advance.

Adam

[KnoxTown]

Find out where you are working and draw a 15 mile radius around it. There is your hour in traffic.

[nbus5]

I agree with KnoxTown about the 15 mile radius, however, I would probably make it 10 miles. As for Canoga Park, not sure why you would want to live there. If you want to live in one of the other areas you mentioned for 900-1000/month, you will most likely need a roommate.

[KnoxTown]

I forgot to mention that 5000 in savings isn't very much... I'd double it.

[timelesschild]

Aren't the TV studios mostly in the southern Valley and Burbank? That's where you will probably want to be looking. I think you will have to increase your rent though. $900-$1000 doesn't sound realistic to me, although it is true that rents are just now starting to drop a little.

[AdamP]

That's a great formula! I'll have a better idea of where I may be working in the next month or so, but I will definitely use that to map out where to live. Thanks!

[AdamP]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

Aren't the TV studios mostly in the southern Valley and Burbank? That's where you will probably want to be looking. I think you will have to increase your rent though. $900-$1000 doesn't sound realistic to me, although it is true that rents are just now starting to drop a little.

I am somewhat looking at the studios for work, but I'm also contacting private video production companies who could hire me on a freelance basis. As for rent goes, I have found some apartments (online) around Studio City/Sherman Oaks area. What would be a realistic budget for a studio/efficiency?

[AdamP]

Originally Posted by KnoxTown

I forgot to mention that 5000 in savings isn't very much... I'd double it.

I agree. I calculated an overestimated budget, and if I only have 5000, I would only be able to survive for a max of 3 months, without any additional income. I also recalculated my income over the next 12 weeks and will be able to push that number closer to 8000. Do you know anything about auto insurance prices in the area, or dmv registration costs? I have heard some stories in the past few days that both can be upwards of a few hundred dollars a piece. I have Geico and pay $460/6months for full coverage in Cleveland,OH.

Thanks.

[AKgirlinCA]

Everything is going to be more. Expect your registration and insurance to double, at least.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by AdamP

I agree. I calculated an overestimated budget, and if I only have 5000, I would only be able to survive for a max of 3 months, without any additional income. I also recalculated my income over the next 12 weeks and will be able to push that number closer to 8000. Do you know anything about auto insurance prices in the area, or dmv registration costs? I have heard some stories in the past few days that both can be upwards of a few hundred dollars a piece. I have Geico and pay $460/6months for full coverage in Cleveland,OH.

Thanks.

My car insurance almost tripled from Memphis to LA. When I moved from North Hollywood to Burbank, it went down... I guess it just depends on where you live in the city.