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Old 06-25-2014, 09:04 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,279 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi all,

Job offer finally came through for a company based in Santa Monica with salary of $50,000 before taxes. It's not as much as I was expecting, but I've been looking for opportunities to move out to Los Angeles so I'd really like to take it.

Judging from LA's reputation of traffic, is Santa Monica the best place to look for a studio apartment?

I researched online today and it seems like every studio apartment I have stumbled upon is priced at $1495. Not sure how much my paycheck will be after taxes, but I'm thinking $1495 might be too high of a price tag on my salary because I'm still paying for my car - any comments? Are there any studios in Santa Monica for $1000-$1200?

For a little bit more info about me, I'm 24, single, female, recent (2 years ago) graduate, who will be living alone and do not know a single person out in Los Angeles, so safety is one of my main concerns.

If Santa Monica is not do-able, I'm open to suggestions for other neighborhoods that are safe and will not require me to spend two hours in traffic everyday.

Thank you!

Last edited by starry37; 06-25-2014 at 09:15 PM..
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Old 06-25-2014, 09:22 PM
 
Location: Southern California
4,451 posts, read 6,799,364 times
Reputation: 2238
Palms, mar vista, del Rey.
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Old 06-25-2014, 09:28 PM
 
Location: West Hollywood
3,190 posts, read 3,185,202 times
Reputation: 5262
$1495 a month would basically be half of your take home pay. I would suggest you either find a roommate(young women are always looking for other young women to share an apartment with so it shouldn't be too difficult) or looking in the surrounding area for something more affordable. Try this-

Affordable Apartments for Rent in Santa Monica, CA - realtor.com®
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Old 06-25-2014, 09:38 PM
 
248 posts, read 310,506 times
Reputation: 182
Quote:
Originally Posted by starry37 View Post
Hi all,

Job offer finally came through for a company based in Santa Monica with salary of $50,000 before taxes. It's not as much as I was expecting, but I've been looking for opportunities to move out to Los Angeles so I'd really like to take it.

Judging from LA's reputation of traffic, is Santa Monica the best place to look for a studio apartment?

I researched online today and it seems like every studio apartment I have stumbled upon is priced at $1495. Not sure how much my paycheck will be after taxes, but I'm thinking $1495 might be too high of a price tag on my salary because I'm still paying for my car - any comments? Are there any studios in Santa Monica for $1000-$1200?

For a little bit more info about me, I'm 24, single, female, recent (2 years ago) graduate, who will be living alone and do not know a single person out in Los Angeles, so safety is one of my main concerns.

If Santa Monica is not do-able, I'm open to suggestions for other neighborhoods that are safe and will not require me to spend two hours in traffic everyday.

Thank you!
Hang your head up high. 50k is a fabulous salary for two years out of college (or for anyone for that matter)

You won't find a studio apt for $1200 in Santa Monica. In Santa Monica its either ridiculous high rent or rent control.

Try Venice, Mar Vista, Palms, Culver city.
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Old 06-26-2014, 07:00 AM
 
1,256 posts, read 2,492,556 times
Reputation: 1906
I don't know what your timeline is, or whether you have time for a house hunting trip, etc.

But there are *some* rent control buildings in SM with studios that go for around $1200. My DS's bf currently lives in a "bachelor" on 2nd. St. and pays $1200. It isn't anything fancy, mind you - shower-only bath, sink, no dishwasher. But it is clean and pretty and 2 blocks from the beach. Very safe, too.

He found this place simply by walking around the neighborhood. He was very motivated because he also works in SM and wanted to be near the beach. Saw a "for rent" sign and grabbed it.

So it can be done....
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Old 06-26-2014, 09:20 AM
 
Location: Southern California
4,451 posts, read 6,799,364 times
Reputation: 2238
People are qualified to buy homes at 43% of gross. Without getting into all the details your $1495 is about what home buyers are spending and still surviving.
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Old 06-26-2014, 12:31 PM
 
Location: West Hollywood, CA
1,238 posts, read 1,830,409 times
Reputation: 987
Quote:
Originally Posted by thelopez2 View Post
People are qualified to buy homes at 43% of gross. Without getting into all the details your $1495 is about what home buyers are spending and still surviving.
Always the voice of reason.
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Old 06-26-2014, 01:03 PM
 
Location: SoCal & Mid-TN
2,325 posts, read 2,651,885 times
Reputation: 2874
Many landlords have a rule that rent must be no more than 1/3 or your gross month's pay, so keep that in mind. Don't know where you're coming from, but California has a state income tax. If you have a newer car, insurance here might be more as well.
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Old 06-26-2014, 01:35 PM
 
1,963 posts, read 5,622,415 times
Reputation: 1648
you can't live on $50k gross in SM (or Brentwood or Westwood for that matter). If you don't want to find roomies (which you really should do at your stage in life), head eastward to Palms, Mid-City. The truth of the matter is that nightlife in SM is pretty dull for those under 25, compared to Hollywood or Downtown.
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Old 06-26-2014, 02:44 PM
 
Location: West Hollywood, CA
1,238 posts, read 1,830,409 times
Reputation: 987
Quote:
Originally Posted by smokingGun View Post
you can't live on $50k gross in SM (or Brentwood or Westwood for that matter). If you don't want to find roomies (which you really should do at your stage in life), head eastward to Palms, Mid-City. The truth of the matter is that nightlife in SM is pretty dull for those under 25, compared to Hollywood or Downtown.
Yes, you can. Ignore this comment.
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