Moving to LA to work in UCLA and looking for advice (Los Angeles: apartments, rentals)

[jonny mo]

Hi everyone,
I'm a 30 year old guy from Ireland who will be moving over to L.A. in June, I'm going to be working in UCLA medical centre in westwood, have only visited the area twice, and am in serious need of advice!
The most important thing is getting a place to live. The job is early starts and late finishes, so I want to live somewhere close to work. But also i'm moving over on my own so i want to live somewhere that has a few places to go out for fun, food or a few drinks. My budget is somewhere in the 2000-2500 range.
So if anyone has any advice, or tips before moving, that'd be great
Thanks

[missionhome]

Live in Westwood. You can wake up and walk to work! You'll avoid the hell of commuting in Los Angeles. Plenty of shops and places to go in Westwood Village. Santa Monica and the beach is short drive west or you can hop on a frequent Metro or Big Blue Bus down to there from Westwood.

Your budget is fine for finding a nice condo in the area.

[nmnita]

I would give the same advise. If you can find something you like in Westwood that would be your best bet. There are other areas that are within a 15 minute to 1/2 hour drive, considering you won't be computing during rush hour. Your budget should be fine as long as you are not expecting to get a mansion.

Nita

[jonny mo]

Thats great, thanks. Are there good and bad sides to westwood, or is it all pretty much the same? Could anyone recommend a good place to look for a place to rent?

[missionhome]

I think Westwood is a great area. It is very safe and walkable. At 30 years old, I would concentrate on looking at rentals south of the medical center for a more professional enviornment and less of a frat scene. It seems the buildings to the west of UCLA (streets like Gayley, Landfair, Veteran, etc..) are heavily concentrated with students in their 20's that are undergrads or grad students at UCLA.

You can try westsiderentals.com or craigslist (los angeles apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist) and search Westwood.

[Bruin5]

There should be some good apartments in your price range just south of Wilshire. The North Village has sections that can get really noisey with either Frat or house parties. There are a few blocks in that area that don't have as many undergrad tenants. Westwood, in general, is a very safe area though you are still in the big city and there have been instances of robbery, theft, groppings and sexual assault reported in the area but you will find those kind of issues in any large city-regardless of whether the area is good or bad. Overall, the area is pleasant and a good place to live.

[jonny mo]

Thats great, thanks a lot, some really good stuff there. Appreciate it

[55555]

I used to work @ UCLA & it's a nice neighborhood, Westwood. You'll enjoy it & it'll be nice to have another mic here.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

With that budget I agree Westwood and surrounding hoods. An excellent situation.

[jonny mo]

Living locally in westwood seams like the plan so, thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated, and any more you have would be great too