Moving to samo/weho area for school (Santa Monica, Culver City: rentals, appliances)

[92vwboy]

Moving to the Los angeles area from Souther Oregon for schooling at Toni and Guy Academy and looking to get some information from people who have experience in the samo/weho area. I have to budget my monthly living expenses so I know how much I need to save and the amount of loans that I will have to take out to supplement not having an income,

As far as living situation goes, I would preferably be living alone although a roommate or shared living situation situation may be necessary to cut costs.

What I am really looking for is some information on monthly costs in the area such as:
-Rent (Studio or 1BA,1BD)
-Average Utility costs for the area
-Internet

information regarding what neighborhoods to stay away from renting in and where I would get the most for my money would be great.

[1200RT]

for Santa Monica/immediate surrounds:

-Rent (Studio or 1BA,1BD) --- Studio - $950-1200 (full kitchen on the higher end); $1100-1300+ 1br
-Average Utility costs for the area. Electric $20-40; Gas $10-20; Cable $40+; Most rentals will include water, but if not, $20+. Electric/Gas will vary depending on which appliances run on what.
-Internet $40-50? Depending on provider. Time Warner Internet is about $50/month IIRC by itself, normally bundled w/ TV, not sure as a standalone option.

[92vwboy]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

for Santa Monica/immediate surrounds:

-Rent (Studio or 1BA,1BD) --- Studio - $950-1200 (full kitchen on the higher end); $1100-1300+ 1br
-Average Utility costs for the area. Electric $20-40; Gas $10-20; Cable $40+; Most rentals will include water, but if not, $20+. Electric/Gas will vary depending on which appliances run on what.
-Internet $40-50? Depending on provider. Time Warner Internet is about $50/month IIRC by itself, normally bundled w/ TV, not sure as a standalone option.

Thanks for the information!

As far as neighborhoods go, what surrounding areas should I refrain from renting in?

[1200RT]

In santa monica, the only really "bad" area are the streets immediately surrounding virginia ave park - say 17th street to centinela, pico/10frwy on the n/s.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

for Santa Monica/immediate surrounds:

-Rent (Studio or 1BA,1BD) --- Studio - $950-1200 (full kitchen on the higher end); $1100-1300+ 1br
-Average Utility costs for the area. Electric $20-40; Gas $10-20; Cable $40+; Most rentals will include water, but if not, $20+. Electric/Gas will vary depending on which appliances run on what.
-Internet $40-50? Depending on provider. Time Warner Internet is about $50/month IIRC by itself, normally bundled w/ TV, not sure as a standalone option.

Whoa, 950-1200 for a studio in SM and 1100-1300 ? What year is this, 1991?

950 for a studio is more liek Culver City or Koreatown.

SM prices are past 1400 for both types of living arrangements. Decent one bedrooms are getting close to 2000 these days.

[1200RT]

You're overestimating. I just helped a cousin relocate to SM for SMC, studio with a full kitchen for 1100. Not a bad place either. There are lots of 1 bedrooms in the 1200-1300 range.

We're not talking about north of Montana here.

Granted, there are plenty of $2k+ 1bedrooms, but there are also many in the mid teens as well, south of the 10.


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[disgruntled la native]

Mid teens, yes. But not 950 for a studio and 1100 for one bedroom USUALLY. If he goes south of the 10 it might be more like 1200 for a studio and 1400-1500 for a one bedroom. Your cousin got an amazing deal.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Mid teens, yes. But not 950 for a studio and 1100 for one bedroom USUALLY. If he goes south of the 10 it might be more like 1200 for a studio and 1400-1500 for a one bedroom. Your cousin got an amazing deal.

It was only an amazing deal because there are not that many studios in SM, esp surrounding SMC. We looked at several, one for 1000, no kitchen (small fridge and hot plate) on Pico, was kind of a dump. Another few around 17th, in the 1150-1200 range, finally found the one on 20th street that he liked.

Anyway, you're probably right on my call on 1br prices, something 'okay' will likely be in the $1500+ range.

[disgruntled la native]

Yeah and the area by SMC is by far the cheapest (and probably only affordable) part of Santa Monica. Downtown, Main St, and North of Montana (which constitute nearly the rest of SM) are all extremely expensive now.