what are some of the different neighborhoods like? (Los Angeles, Glendale: salons, real estate)

[John Serrano]

I'm moving to LA at the end of the month and I'm looking at apartments. Location isn't really a factor for me because I'm not really sure where I want to live. I've never been to LA (unless you count all the times we went to Disneyland when I was a child) and I chose to move there because I want to be around the film industry (cliche, I know. At least, i'm not trying to be an actor). I'm gonna be looking for work (preferably in film production but i might settle for something in corporate communication/marketing) and most of the jobs I'm applying to are around Burbank, Vernon, El Segundo, Santa Monica and other places. And most of the apartments I've found in my budget (500-1000) are around Central LA (Westlake, Wilshire), South LA (near Leimert Park) and Culver City. Thing is, I don't what any of these neighborhoods are like, so I don't know if they are good places to work or live. I'm talking about "good" in terms of crime, public transit, traffic, shopping, accessibility etc. What do you guys think?

[ccm123]

In LA, you ideally want to live close to work. The traffic congestion will put incredible stress on you, otherwise.

[Cheektowaga_Chester]

Originally Posted by John Serrano

I'm moving to LA at the end of the month and I'm looking at apartments. Location isn't really a factor for me because I'm not really sure where I want to live. I've never been to LA (unless you count all the times we went to Disneyland when I was a child) and I chose to move there because I want to be around the film industry (cliche, I know. At least, i'm not trying to be an actor). I'm gonna be looking for work (preferably in film production but i might settle for something in corporate communication/marketing) and most of the jobs I'm applying to are around Burbank, Vernon, El Segundo, Santa Monica and other places. And most of the apartments I've found in my budget (500-1000) are around Central LA (Westlake, Wilshire), South LA (near Leimert Park) and Culver City. Thing is, I don't what any of these neighborhoods are like, so I don't know if they are good places to work or live. I'm talking about "good" in terms of crime, public transit, traffic, shopping, accessibility etc. What do you guys think?

I understand what you are asking but it is too wide open to provide a response. We really need a better idea of where you will be working.

Personally, I think the safety issue not a problem for 98% of LA County. I just wouldn't worry too much. And, public transportation is a possibility - something we'd consider when providing recommendations of where to live - but we'd have to know where you're working. Shopping is ubiquitous. Traffic is as mentioned above a huge factor - again, we need to know where you'd be working.

[timtemtym]

Oooh, if you found something under 1000 in Culver City, jump on it! Lots of studios in the area though you'd be far from the hub which seems to be Burbank, Studio City areas. I don't know what production happens in Vernon. You mentioned being close to El Segundo and Santa Monica, Culver City would be that.

According to a local rental expert who was on KCRW the other day, the current "bargains" (by LA standards) are in the Valley (she didn't specify an area), Burbank, Glendale, and Koreatown. I'd be happy with a place in any of the last three choices and certain parts of the valley.

[jm1982]

OP, best area to live would probably be Culver City. Areas mentioned in Central LA and South LA are going to be higher crime and probably not as nice places to live.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

Oooh, if you found something under 1000 in Culver City, jump on it! Lots of studios in the area though you'd be far from the hub which seems to be Burbank, Studio City areas. I don't know what production happens in Vernon. You mentioned being close to El Segundo and Santa Monica, Culver City would be that.

According to a local rental expert who was on KCRW the other day, the current "bargains" (by LA standards) are in the Valley (she didn't specify an area), Burbank, Glendale, and Koreatown. I'd be happy with a place in any of the last three choices and certain parts of the valley.

The nice part about renting in L.A is that rents don't vary that much by area compared to buying property.

Oftentimes the nicer areas would be too much more than a sketchy area.

I agree that $1,000 for Culver City would be a good deal.

I think there is a lot that is appealing about the NoHo arts district and it's growing with new trendy type businesses.

It won't be long before it gets nationwide exposure as a 'hip area' as Echo Park, Silverlake are now .

Also with the metro redline right there you are literally 12 minutes from Hollywood and under 30mins to Downtown L.A and not far from many other areas.

[Ceece]

Culver City. But plan on moving again when your lease is up. If you get REAL LUCKY you may not have to but just plan on it anyway.

[hjt123]

Originally Posted by jm1982

The nice part about renting in L.A is that rents don't vary that much by area compared to buying property.

Oftentimes the nicer areas would be too much more than a sketchy area.

I agree that $1,000 for Culver City would be a good deal.

I think there is a lot that is appealing about the NoHo arts district and it's growing with new trendy type businesses.

It won't be long before it gets nationwide exposure as a 'hip area' as Echo Park, Silverlake are now .

Also with the metro redline right there you are literally 12 minutes from Hollywood and under 30mins to Downtown L.A and not far from many other areas.

noho 'arts' district is totally artificial, there's no organic momentum behind it its just real estate branding

a few new american $12 sandwich gastropubs does not an arts district make

and it's not even cheap

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

According to a local rental expert who was on KCRW the other day, the current "bargains" (by LA standards) are in the Valley (she didn't specify an area), Burbank, Glendale, and Koreatown.

Just to clarify for the OP, "the Valley", when mentioned in that way by Angelenos(people from Los Angeles and L.A. County) usually references the San Fernando Valley, which is located on the north side of the Santa Monica Mountains(Los Angeles is the only major U.S. city that is bisected by a mountain range) and is home to the major studios(Burbank, Studio City, etc...)

There are other valley's(Harrier tends to call the San Gabriel Valley "the valley" since he lives in closer proximity to that particular region, but "the Valley" is an L.A. idiom for the San Fernando Valley.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by hjt123

noho 'arts' district is totally artificial, there's no organic momentum behind it its just real estate branding

a few new american $12 sandwich gastropubs does not an arts district make

and it's not even cheap

Real estate branding?.. new business are opening up and more planned. Plus there have been existing business and tons of live theaters (which have been there for decades),a new movie theater, salons, dance studios, clothing shops ,etc etc

There are some chains but it's mostly mom and pop/indepedent small businesses..