College grad moving to LA in January w/ huge dog! (Paradise: apartment, leases)

[reibish]

I know there are so many transplant threads on here, about people moving! It's not an uncommon thing at all, so I will try to keep my info brief here. I'm seeking advice regarding places to rent and of course, prices. Apartment sites only offer so much.

Limitations/Preferences:
--I have a big dog. BIG dog. 100 lbs. I currently live in a house w/o a yard, we go on 3-4 walks daily. I'll be looking into possibly/likely hiring a dogwalker for his midday walks. He will be 9 years old when we move, is a malamute mix. Not neutered.

--I am looking for something with 12-month renewable leases. I'm in my mid-20s and just finally finishing college, so I'm not adverse to either living in an area with more working professionals or more students, or completely removed from either, if that makes any sense. I enjoy nightlife, but it doesn't have to be accessible by foot, but preferably by transit, at least?

--I've gotten over the sticker shock of LA rent rates (Between MN/WI, you pay an average of $1 per square foot, to give you an idea of the difference, lol), but the max I'd go on a studio is $1k...and that's only if it's perrrfeccct. I'm more flexible/open with 1 or 2 bedrooms.

--Totally cool with/prefer 1beds/studios.

--Will have a car...require parking

--If it helps, my field is in recreation - water parks, theme parks, amusement parks, zoos, museums, etc. No, I'm not looking to work for Disney, lol.

--Also, HOW THE EFF do you deal with the catch-22 of apartment hunting for new residents? You can't apply to most places w/o a job, but most jobs won't hire you w/o a current CA address. Or is this a myth?

--What is availability like in January?

Thanks!!

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by reibish

I know there are so many transplant threads on here, about people moving! It's not an uncommon thing at all, so I will try to keep my info brief here. I'm seeking advice regarding places to rent and of course, prices. Apartment sites only offer so much.

Limitations/Preferences:
--I have a big dog. BIG dog. 100 lbs. I currently live in a house w/o a yard, we go on 3-4 walks daily. I'll be looking into possibly/likely hiring a dogwalker for his midday walks. He will be 9 years old when we move, is a malamute mix. Not neutered.

--I am looking for something with 12-month renewable leases. I'm in my mid-20s and just finally finishing college, so I'm not adverse to either living in an area with more working professionals or more students, or completely removed from either, if that makes any sense. I enjoy nightlife, but it doesn't have to be accessible by foot, but preferably by transit, at least?

--I've gotten over the sticker shock of LA rent rates (Between MN/WI, you pay an average of $1 per square foot, to give you an idea of the difference, lol), but the max I'd go on a studio is $1k...and that's only if it's perrrfeccct. I'm more flexible/open with 1 or 2 bedrooms.

--Totally cool with/prefer 1beds/studios.

--Will have a car...require parking

--If it helps, my field is in recreation - water parks, theme parks, amusement parks, zoos, museums, etc. No, I'm not looking to work for Disney, lol.

--Also, HOW THE EFF do you deal with the catch-22 of apartment hunting for new residents? You can't apply to most places w/o a job, but most jobs won't hire you w/o a current CA address. Or is this a myth?

--What is availability like in January?

Thanks!!

It doesn't sound like you have ....

[jaypee]

IMO, you've got the cart before the horse.
Get a job first then look for a place to live that fits your lifestyle and budget near work.

[SalParadise]

I would dump the dog and find a job first.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by SalParadise

I would dump the dog and find a job first.

ever had a dog?

[mayorhaggar]

Originally Posted by jaypee

IMO, you've got the cart before the horse.
Get a job first then look for a place to live that fits your lifestyle and budget near work.

Yup, reducing your commute distance is really key in LA, it's a huuuuuge geographic area with awful traffic. And don't be surprised if landlords turn you down because you have a big dog, I don't really know what the market is like here for pets but in the Bay Area any pet is forbidden by most landlords, even a small cat.

[BBSLM]

Originally Posted by SalParadise

I would dump the dog and find a job first.

Im guessing (hoping) you've never had a pet.

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by BBSLM

Im guessing (hoping) you've never had a pet.

Ok...perhaphs "give" the dog to a friend or family member would be a better way to put it.

A cross country move is hard enough.....I wouldn't want the extra burden.

[EscapeCalifornia]

You're going to share a studio with a 100lb dog and leave him alone all day while you're at work? eeek

[blind spot]

I suggest you rent a room from someone in a house who likes big dogs and is fine with yours. Don't leave a malamute in a studio apartment all day. If your max is 1k, you can't swing anything on your own that would make your dog comfy. You could also try to go in with a roommate or two on a house. I am just thinking a malamute really needs a yard.