Out-of-state guy attending SMC,need help... (Los Angeles, Santa Monica: low income, apartments, renters)

[123565]

hi everyone.
im 19 and planning to attend Santa Monica College in spring 2008. since i never been to the states, this is my adventure to go to LA.

i have no friends,relatives,houses,cars, and credit in LA and i think i could rent a room near SMC. Where can i rent online???? i dont think i would be allowed to leave Guam without a prospective shelter in the destination.

WHere can i rent rooms??

IF i rent rooms online(99%), how can i avoid being duped or cheated?

When should i go to LA? (the spring semester begins in 11th Feb., and i dont want to be there too early)

How do i pay for the bills ? (i have no credit cards, but i dont want to bring too much cash)

IS it hard for me to find a job in LA without a car? i know english and chinese.

in addition, i dont know how to prepare for my trip and need some more suggestions. can you guys help please?

i really appreciate it.

Jack

[lalagonegaga]

As to your housing problem, SMC should be able to put you in contact with people needing roommates. Contact your school for this because they probably have a program for students from overseas. If they can't help, try craigslist for roommates in the Santa Monica area.

Also, for paying your bills, open an account online. You can do this from Guam or wherever you are. Bank of America, Washington Mutual and many others will let you open an account online so you'll have a place for your money. Do NOT walk around L.A. or Santa Monica with lots of cash. EVER. And don't tell anyone about your financial situation, that's between you and your bank. Just get an account, they'll send you a debit card and you're good to go.

It will be difficult without a car, but Santa Monica has a wonderful bus service called The Blue Bus that will get you where you need to go.

You can find a job on campus. Again, ask your school about this because they really do have some services for you to make use of. Just ask them for help. Contact the Financial Aid office and tell them your situation and ask for job assistance.

Good luck to you and have fun at SMC.

[SurekRZA]

From what I see, all you know about your trip to Los Angeles is that youre going to attend Santa Monica College. February is far too close and I seriously think you should wait 'til the fall. You will definitely need a vehicle to get around and a good amount of money to start off with. Also, if you come for the fall semester you can have much more time to find a job, an apartment, and a car. Plus, you can come during the summer, settle in, and get used to your new enviornment before you start school.

Here, try to look for an apartment using these links. I already set the location of your search for the west side of Los Angeles.

westside-southbay-310 apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

Rent.com: Search Results

Los Angeles Apartments for Rent with Ratings & Reviews by Los Angeles Renters at ApartmentRatings.com

Also, try finding a job using this link. All you need to do is provide them your information and turn in a resume.
My Monster: Create Account

Good Luck

[TheRealAngelion]

Originally Posted by lalagonegaga

As to your housing problem, SMC should be able to put you in contact with people needing roommates. Contact your school for this because they probably have a program for students from overseas.

This is good advice. You really should get in touch with SMC. They have a variety of offices that cater to student needs, like housing among other issues.

Santa Monica College (http://www.smc.edu/homex.asp?Q=Homepage - broken link)
Out-of-State Students Information

[greggd]

SMC non resident tuition rates are pretty high, at least last time I checked. I would suggest you find an apartment in Santa Monica, downtown. Craigslist has quite a few listings. Look for a modern, new studio apartment. They are very nice & cost about $2,500 per month.Living At It's Best= Archstone (broken link)

If you actually are on a budget, there are older places in the $1,400 range per month.
You will be in a nice area with many services within walking distance.

Santa monica college has a shuttle bus so you can ride to campus free.

There are several hotels in the santa monica/west los angeles area that you can apply for a job. Speaking two languages is always a plus. Get yourself a suit for the job interviews unless you are ok with low income labor.

I say come out to La and have a look around, visit the campus, fill out your paperwork, look for employment, and stay at a hotel while you find an apartment.

[123565]

Originally Posted by SurekRZA

From what I see, all you know about your trip to Los Angeles is that youre going to attend Santa Monica College. February is far too close and I seriously think you should wait 'til the fall. You will definitely need a vehicle to get around and a good amount of money to start off with. Also, if you come for the fall semester you can have much more time to find a job, an apartment, and a car. Plus, you can come during the summer, settle in, and get used to your new enviornment before you start school.

Here, try to look for an apartment using these links. I already set the location of your search for the west side of Los Angeles.

westside-southbay-310 apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

Rent.com: Search Results

Los Angeles Apartments for Rent with Ratings & Reviews by Los Angeles Renters at ApartmentRatings.com

Also, try finding a job using this link. All you need to do is provide them your information and turn in a resume.
My Monster: Create Account

Good Luck

thank you guys~~~~
im checking the website you give me. it's useful!
for some reason i have to leave Guam the coming spring. so i cant wait till the FAll. so what time should i go ?

[123565]

by the way, how can i prevent being cheated while rent rooms online?

[123565]

Originally Posted by lalagonegaga

As to your housing problem, SMC should be able to put you in contact with people needing roommates. Contact your school for this because they probably have a program for students from overseas. If they can't help, try craigslist for roommates in the Santa Monica area.

Also, for paying your bills, open an account online. You can do this from Guam or wherever you are. Bank of America, Washington Mutual and many others will let you open an account online so you'll have a place for your money. Do NOT walk around L.A. or Santa Monica with lots of cash. EVER. And don't tell anyone about your financial situation, that's between you and your bank. Just get an account, they'll send you a debit card and you're good to go.

It will be difficult without a car, but Santa Monica has a wonderful bus service called The Blue Bus that will get you where you need to go.

You can find a job on campus. Again, ask your school about this because they really do have some services for you to make use of. Just ask them for help. Contact the Financial Aid office and tell them your situation and ask for job assistance.

Good luck to you and have fun at SMC.

thank you for your help~!

how can i build my credit history?

[lalagonegaga]

I can't help you with that, but you're a student so you really won't have much credit history anyway. No one will expect you to , either. Just focus on being a student and really, contact your school because they have all the programs and services in place to help you. You should really direct all your questions to your school because you are not the first student to deal with these issues. Try not to worry so much about being ripped off or cheated. Just deal with other students and young people like yourself and you should be OK.