Moving to LA, $70k/yr and 21 years old - Need advice

[kasuga888]

Besides those 2 sites, you can look at the corporate listing like apartments.com or similar sites. Most people i know do their research to get a feel of an area than make a long weekend visit out to LA to go on a mad dash hunt for a place. Altough my friends have always had bad luck renting a room from a stranger, that maybe an option for you for the first few months.

Regarding the amount you can afford. Your approx take home pay is 3900 a month. Do you really want to spend 50% for a roof over your head or do you rather save for a rainy day? But you also have to take into consideration the commute cost. Finding a place cheaper but 1 hr away will prob cost you more in life and gas $.

[SpaceMonkyPunks]

Originally Posted by Nokaiser

Kasuga, that is my max price, the building would have to have a gym, pool and be within walking distance to the office. Thanks for your advice though, will look into it.

For all the bells and whistles, that can easily cost you over 2000 in Santa Monica. 1700 will just get you an average 1 bedroom. And IMO there isn't much benefit to having a complex pool if you're so close to the beach.

You could look in West LA/Sawtelle area too, that's a lot closer to your place of work - a bike ride away. It's marginally cheaper, also.

[Moriarti]

Originally Posted by Nokaiser

Kasuga, that is my max price, the building would have to have a gym, pool and be within walking distance to the office. Thanks for your advice though, will look into it.

Live in Westwood. Everything you could ask for. Food, coffee shops, bars, nightlife. Plus, you can walk to work.

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by Nokaiser

Thanks a lot!!

Sounds like Santa Monica is the most recommended choice. I'm from the east coast so I have really no idea what is a reasonable price range and the methods you use to find housing. I have been looking on craigslist and westside rentals, are those good options? anything else you recommend. Thanks

Those the the good main sites, but you can even drive around on weekend and look for For Rent signs. UCLA is getting out soon and you'll have an influx of students coming and going. Keep in mind living in Westwood and walking distance to work is a luxury you will pay for. Something 20/30 minutes away might save you $300 a month or close to $4000 a year, pretaxed, close to $5000. Which is why so many people drive far an justify spending money on cars.

[bpeeps]

Originally Posted by HarryKerryJr

No WeHo. Getting to and from Westwood durung rush, and some other times, can be maddening. Santa Monica Blvd. becomes a parking lot. FORGET IT. You are better off living on the westside. Santa Monica is good as suggested, but West LA may have some housing that suits your needs/budget. You have to search.

Anyone who takes Santa Monica Blvd through Beverly Hills/Century City doesn't know how to navigate traffic (unless you're taking the Beverly Hilton shortcut over Wilshire). Commuted from WeHo to Westwood (UCLA specifically) easily. As long as you stay off Sunset east of Doheny and west of Beverly Glen, you're fine. Take side streets through Beverly Hills. Took me 20 - 25 minutes to get home when I had this commute last summer.