Cheaper Rent or Longer Commute (Westwood) (home, colleges, cost)

[Aldous9]

Originally Posted by charlie310

Thanks guys. Yea, maybe it's not going to be worth saving the extra $3-5K. I'm just hoping there is some mysterious unknown area that's cheap and the commute to Westwood isn't too bad, but it probably doesn't exist.

what's your rental budget? You said you could afford $1,100 and yes, obviously you want to play less. But the closer you live to work the more you are saving on other costs.

[charlie310]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

You could try to rent a room in someone's house or share an apartment. The fact is, most people doin't live alone because they can't afford it. Share a room in a one bedroom or sleep on the couch in the living room. What's so bad about that.

Yea, I know. All the things I were talking about in my OP were for sharing an apt/condo. I've never really lived by myself. I was just pointing out that at west LA prices, I could just live by myself with more sqr/ft and more amenities in an area further away.

[charlie310]

Originally Posted by Aldous9

what's your rental budget? You said you could afford $1,100 and yes, obviously you want to play less. But the closer you live to work the more you are saving on other costs.

I really have no budget, but I wouldn't want to pay more than $1,400. And of course, paying less is better.

[Aldous9]

Originally Posted by charlie310

I really have no budget, but I wouldn't want to pay more than $1,400. And of course, paying less is better.

Is that for a 1 bedroom apartment or would a studio apartment suffice?

[disgruntled la native]

If youre really willing to make it 1400, you can get a studio in or near westwood.

People in LA spend a huge portion of their income on rent. OFten 40% or so.

Just figure out your absolute max housing budget (and if its 1400, you can pull something off, at least in West LA or Palms)) and come back to us.

[Aldous9]

For instance, take a unit like this. It's a studio in Brentwood for $1195. It's pretty small (doesn't say how many sq feet but looks to be under 400) But, it's in a great neighborhood and you have a little balcony.

861 Bringham Avenue, Brentwood, CA 90049 - HotPads

[charlie310]

I just checked the traffic this morning via Googlemaps (7:30am - 8:30am) and found that it doesn't take as long as I thought to get to work:

50mins from Torrance
28mins from Sherman Oaks
27mins from Miracle Mile
34mins from Inglewood

I don't know, was today an anomaly?

[disgruntled la native]

That's about how long it takes from each place with light/mild traffic. Monday mornings have the least traffic of the week though. WHile you may sometimes experience those commute times, you need to be prepared for double that on a regular basis.

[charlie310]

Thanks, I will definitely check again tomorrow too.

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

That's about how long it takes from each place with light/mild traffic. Monday mornings have the least traffic of the week though. WHile you may sometimes experience those commute times, you need to be prepared for double that on a regular basis.

I thought Fridays would be the lightest due to the 9/80s.

While you are at it, try mapping the ride home at 5PM