LA pics (Los Angeles: housing, rent, lease)

[FutureCop]

I'm 16 and I'm going to be joining LAPD after I graduate from high school and two years of college. But I really want to see some pics of LA. Anybody who has pics of LA please post them.

And since I'm having a hard time getting answers for this question in other forums, how much of as house could I afford off $50,000 a year with no kids in the city? Police officers get free health insurance, dental, and prescription so that'll save me a good chunk of money and more to spend on a house. And reasonable overtime hours will get me another $10,000 along with that $50,000. So about $60,000 a year...

[Keithns]

Originally Posted by FutureCop

I'm 16 and I'm going to be joining LAPD after I graduate from high school and two years of college. But I really want to see some pics of LA. Anybody who has pics of LA please post them.

And since I'm having a hard time getting answers for this question in other forums, how much of as house could I afford off $50,000 a year with no kids in the city? Police officers get free health insurance, dental, and prescription so that'll save me a good chunk of money and more to spend on a house. And reasonable overtime hours will get me another $10,000 along with that $50,000. So about $60,000 a year...

Try: www.zillow.com, sort of like maps.google.com with prices on the roof tops.

[jdavid93225]

I don't think I would even consider what I could afford if I was making about 50 to 60K per year. If I were you, I would consider where I could rent in a decent area, and start saving. Currently, with housing costs as high as they are, about the only way to afford even a basic home in a not-too-great neighborhood, you would still need to arrange some creative financing.

The other alternative is to buy something well outside of the city, and make the hour(s) long commute, like so many of us do. Depending on where you are working in the city, you can find more affordable places to live within an hour or so. If you go this route, though, remember to factor in your commuting expenses before figuring out how much home you can afford.

The good news is that LAPD is an excellent employer, and you will likely see your base wage increase fairly quickly as you go through your career. I would not be at all surprised to see your wages nearly double within five years. On top of that, many of the LAPD officers I've talked to over the years have made quite a bit more than the 10K per year you cited for overtime. Of course, as you're starting out, you will make less, but that will be a temporary situation.

When the time comes that you can afford to purchase your own home, hopefully wages will have caught up with housing prices, so you'll be able to afford more home. Until then, keep striving toward your goal, and I'm sure you'll do well with it.

[TheRealAngelion]

FutureCop, here are some links to great photos of LA. Enjoy!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=421270

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=443508

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=128067

[fairweathergolfer]

Thanks so much for the picture links!

Originally Posted by TheRealAngelion

FutureCop, here are some links to great photos of LA. Enjoy!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=421270

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=443508

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=128067

[FutureCop]

Originally Posted by TheRealAngelion

FutureCop, here are some links to great photos of LA. Enjoy!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=421270

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=443508

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=128067

Amazing. Thanks.

[FutureCop]

Originally Posted by jdavid93225

I don't think I would even consider what I could afford if I was making about 50 to 60K per year. If I were you, I would consider where I could rent in a decent area, and start saving. Currently, with housing costs as high as they are, about the only way to afford even a basic home in a not-too-great neighborhood, you would still need to arrange some creative financing.

The other alternative is to buy something well outside of the city, and make the hour(s) long commute, like so many of us do. Depending on where you are working in the city, you can find more affordable places to live within an hour or so. If you go this route, though, remember to factor in your commuting expenses before figuring out how much home you can afford.

The good news is that LAPD is an excellent employer, and you will likely see your base wage increase fairly quickly as you go through your career. I would not be at all surprised to see your wages nearly double within five years. On top of that, many of the LAPD officers I've talked to over the years have made quite a bit more than the 10K per year you cited for overtime. Of course, as you're starting out, you will make less, but that will be a temporary situation.

When the time comes that you can afford to purchase your own home, hopefully wages will have caught up with housing prices, so you'll be able to afford more home. Until then, keep striving toward your goal, and I'm sure you'll do well with it.

Yeah, renting first sounds like a better idea. Can't wait to move there! Thanks so much for your help.

[Hungry For Cheese]

Those pics are great. But maybe someday I can get some "real pics"

[PastFutureCalifornia]

Hello there,

I'm a Los Angelino (actually living in one of the many many suburban cities 15 miles away) and the LA Times had an excellent article about a German tourist who has taken over 1700+ photos of LA architecture/buildings/cities. Here's the link:

www.you-are-here.com

Really an amazing sight for anyone interested in Los Angeles. Not a lot of pictures of people, but you always got www.flickr.com