Thought about the move, now I need some opinions and facts (San Francisco: apartment, rent)

[89david98]

So I'm moving to the LA area on October 23rd. But I'm not going to transfer with my job like I thought I was. So now I'm just moving. I need maybe some links or just opinions of some nice areas near but outside of the LA area maybe 30 min to an hour away. I'm trying live in the area but keep it's affordable until I can get on my feet and the Eco picks back up. What are some nice cities or areas around LA that's affordable. Just looking for about 1000 in rent for a 1 bdrm. I have a motorcycle so my living expenses are down now that I don't have a truck payment or the expensive INS that goes with it. All in all I currently have 600 in living expenses here in Texas. I'm expecting that to go up a bit but I'm trying to keep it reasonable. Thanks for you comments, concerns, and insights.

[SoCal35]

Try punching in $900 to $1,000 per month for a 1 bedroom on LA/craigslist.org. While LA is not a cheap city, the rents here are not as bad as one MIGHT be led to believe. Oh sure, it will hurt by comparison to Texas but you'll find it much easier than say San Francisco or NYC.

Here is a link to a listing in Silverlake: $995 for 1 bed/1 bath in Silverlake, all utilities included. Silverlake is a "close-in" neighborhood not far from Hollywood or Downtown LA. Generally a safe area with a mix of young prof.s, artists, musicians, etc.

I can NOT speak to this specific building but it certainly looks nice. Has a sort of classic LA/Silverlake 1920's exterior.

including utilities. Silver Lake/Sunset Junction/1929 French Village (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/apa/1809281700.html - broken link)

[JohnG72]

1,000 a month gets you a one bedroom in an older building in most areas of LA.

There aren't any outlying areas within a 30min-1 hour drive. Driving from downtown LA, 30min-1 hour is still all suburbs of LA.

You can rent cheaper in a shared housing arrangement or renting a room in someones house.

[89david98]

thanks SoCal. i didnt even think of craigslist for some odd reason. these type of
questions must get kinda annoying. lol

[allenk893]

You'll have more money to spend on things like food and furniture if you rent a shared apartment or house on Craiglist in stead. A shared house/apartment rent for LA goes for $400-700 at the most. Because you'll be getting your own room and sometimes a bathroom. Amenities I see that are offered are TV, Cable, Internet but you'll paying $50 a month for each of those. I don't think it's that bad in my opinion. Because you'll be going alone and it's great way to save money for the first few months your in LA.

[SoCal35]

Originally Posted by 89david98

thanks SoCal. i didnt even think of craigslist for some odd reason. these type of
questions must get kinda annoying. lol

No worries. Craigslist is used by most landlords in LA and therefore most apartment hunters. Best of luck!