May be moving to LA near the grove need advise. (Pasadena: apartments, rental)

[SeveredTiesHawaii]

My wife may be getting a job transfer to the grove and we live in hawaii right now. So its hard to know where a decent place to live is we want some where near her work with in 30 mins and some where safe. Looking to spend around $1000-1200 a month on rent. She will be making about $550 a week. While I still will need to find a job. Just looking for a decent place that isn't run down, safe, decent management, and not a rip off. Also any feed back if you live or have lived in that area would be great.

[Chava61]

The Miracle Mile area might be an option.

[disgruntled la native]

With that budget miracle mile might even be tough. I guess you can live in mid city, it's far from the nicest or safest area but it's pretty close to the grove and affordable.

[SeveredTiesHawaii]

ITs not as close as id like but im thinking maybe south pasadena decent places for around $1200 and what i have been finding is it is pretty safe.

[HarryKerryJr]

South Pasadena is expensive and certainly out of reach on your wife's income. Further, it is a bit of a distance and difficult to get to the Grove from South Pasadena depending upon time of day. It can be a challenge to drive--EVERY DAY as opposed to an occasional visit, and not the easiest or fastest by transit because even if you are close to a rail line, The Grove has no rail near and requires a transfer to a bus, not always the efficient option. The areas immediately around the Grove are also too expensive. Why not stay in Hawaii, if things are OK there? Working at The Grove and living not too far from there is more than a challenge on your wife's earnings.

[SeveredTiesHawaii]

We are moving there because she is pursuing her career in makeup artistry, and we have lived in hawaii our whole lives. There just isnt much here especially on the island we live on, also I am in to building cars and trucks and the scene here is basically nothing. The place i chose is Arizona because of the cost of living and the Automotive scene there is huge. But for her career Hollywood is where she has to be to get any further Then working a 9-5. Also we are still young and agree that if it dont work out in a year or two we can relocate.

[yby1]

I would definitely look into mid-city or koreatown.

[OpenD]

Moving from The Big Island to a busy city that is bigger than the whole, mostly rural island you're coming from is going to be... an adventure! Since I used to live in LA, and now live in Volcano, I've got a different perspective than most.

One thing I noticed is that you are asking about a rental range you won't qualify for. The rule of thumb is that you need a verifiable income 3X the rent, so the most you'll qualify for on your girlfriend's income is about $725. That will get you a studio in an iffy neighborhood, or a long commute from The Grove. And don't be surprised if you need to come up with 3 months rent for first and last month's rent plus security. That's not legal in Hawai'i, but it is in L.A. so plan for it.

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Moving from The Big Island to a busy city that is bigger than the whole, mostly rural island you're coming from is going to be... an adventure! Since I used to live in LA, and now live in Volcano, I've got a different perspective than most.

One thing I noticed is that you are asking about a rental range you won't qualify for. The rule of thumb is that you need a verifiable income 3X the rent, so the most you'll qualify for on your girlfriend's income is about $725. That will get you a studio in an iffy neighborhood, or a long commute from The Grove. And don't be surprised if you need to come up with 3 months rent for first and last month's rent plus security. That's not legal in Hawai'i, but it is in L.A. so plan for it.

I'm looking for larger, more expensive apartments but that is not very typical of the apartments I have been looking at - usually it is first month's rent plus a security deposit (though I have seen a few with 1st + last + deposit). You are correct that most places want you to make 2-3 times the rent.

I think the OP's best bet is to look for a studio in the Mid-City / Beverlywood area. These are relatively safe though also quite dense, relatively low-income and highly majority Hispanic neighborhoods, so it may come as quite the culture shock (but basically anywhere they can afford in the city will be like this). For what it is worth, my wife and I are looking at Mid-City for apartments so we consider it safe enough to live in.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Maybe Poinsettia near Melrose.