Santa Monica vs Hollywood vs West Hollywood (Los Angeles, Pasadena: cheap apartment, rentals) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

ffknight918 · 03-05-2008, 11:33 AM

Well it looks like there is a VERY good chance that I will be moving to LA withing the next year.

I am going through my background check with the LAFD right now. If I make it through, I would most likely be starting the academy in Fall/Winter.

If I do not get the job, I am most likely moving out there anyway for school. I will be graduating with my AA Fire Protection Technician here in Milwaukee, WI in December. There aren't many places that offer a BS in Fire Administration, but Cal State-LA does.(They require you to have your AA first) Then apply to LAFD again once my driving record cleans up a bit.(I was told I could skip straight to the interview which I would pass if I said the same things that I did to pass this time)

In the situation that I moved there for school, I would be starting spring quarter in March(I think?) I would most likely work part-time for a private ambulance since I'm already a Firefighter/EMT in WI. Then during the summer, I would try to work as a seasonal wildland firefighter for Angeles National Forest.

If I got the job with LAFD, I would of course have decent money from that job. They work a lot of overtime and they told me that I would be making about 100k/year after I'm out of the academy. After awhile, it would go up.(Avg is 120k/year)

If I went for college, I would be taking out student loans. It comes to about 11k/year for my first year. After I become a resident(1 year), I think it will go to around 3k/year. I would only be working part-time as an EMT making about $10/hour. However, during summer, I've been told to expect about 24k for those few months.

So that's my whole background situation. My main question would be about where to live.

I would really like to live in Santa Monica. I haven't been there yet(I would never get a place without going there first), but I know that it is very walkable. This is something that I would like. I want to be able to go out to the bars and clubs(I'll be 21 in Sep.), and be able to walk home. However, I'm not sure that I could afford a place there. I wouldn't need more than a small studio. There is only one place that I think would be alright.(Maybe 1k?)

Barry Investment Group in Los Angeles, CA

Otherwise I was thinking maybe the Hollywood/Highland area? I saw a cheaper place around there. I'm not sure if that's considered Hollywood or West Hollywood.

I would really like a walkable area. I will most likely have a car no matter what.(just worried about insurance) However, I would like to also get around whenever I can without it. I know Santa Monica is easy without one, but if I'm leaving the city, there is no subway. Hollywood area would have the red line which I could take to Union Station. Then the Metrolink to CSULA.

So which area would be better for a 21 year old?

How long would commute times be? I know they aren't too bad without traffic, but what could I expect? Also, if I'm going to college or even with the full time LAFD job, I probably won't be driving at normal work hours.

What are the advantages of Santa Monica vs Hollywood vs West Hollywood?

Remember, it is just me though. No family or anything. If I got the job and was starting a family, I would probably pick Santa Monica because of the schools. However, I wouldn't have to worry about that for awhile.

Thanks and sorry for this being so long.

aj2007 · 03-05-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffknight918

Well it looks like there is a VERY good chance that I will be moving to LA withing the next year.

I am going through my background check with the LAFD right now. If I make it through, I would most likely be starting the academy in Fall/Winter.

If I do not get the job, I am most likely moving out there anyway for school. I will be graduating with my AA Fire Protection Technician here in Milwaukee, WI in December. There aren't many places that offer a BS in Fire Administration, but Cal State-LA does.(They require you to have your AA first) Then apply to LAFD again once my driving record cleans up a bit.(I was told I could skip straight to the interview which I would pass if I said the same things that I did to pass this time)

In the situation that I moved there for school, I would be starting spring quarter in March(I think?) I would most likely work part-time for a private ambulance since I'm already a Firefighter/EMT in WI. Then during the summer, I would try to work as a seasonal wildland firefighter for Angeles National Forest.

If I got the job with LAFD, I would of course have decent money from that job. They work a lot of overtime and they told me that I would be making about 100k/year after I'm out of the academy. After awhile, it would go up.(Avg is 120k/year)

If I went for college, I would be taking out student loans. It comes to about 11k/year for my first year. After I become a resident(1 year), I think it will go to around 3k/year. I would only be working part-time as an EMT making about $10/hour. However, during summer, I've been told to expect about 24k for those few months.

So that's my whole background situation. My main question would be about where to live.

I would really like to live in Santa Monica. I haven't been there yet(I would never get a place without going there first), but I know that it is very walkable. This is something that I would like. I want to be able to go out to the bars and clubs(I'll be 21 in Sep.), and be able to walk home. However, I'm not sure that I could afford a place there. I wouldn't need more than a small studio. There is only one place that I think would be alright.(Maybe 1k?)

Barry Investment Group in Los Angeles, CA

Otherwise I was thinking maybe the Hollywood/Highland area? I saw a cheaper place around there. I'm not sure if that's considered Hollywood or West Hollywood.

I would really like a walkable area. I will most likely have a car no matter what.(just worried about insurance) However, I would like to also get around whenever I can without it. I know Santa Monica is easy without one, but if I'm leaving the city, there is no subway. Hollywood area would have the red line which I could take to Union Station. Then the Metrolink to CSULA.

So which area would be better for a 21 year old?

How long would commute times be? I know they aren't too bad without traffic, but what could I expect? Also, if I'm going to college or even with the full time LAFD job, I probably won't be driving at normal work hours.

What are the advantages of Santa Monica vs Hollywood vs West Hollywood?

Remember, it is just me though. No family or anything. If I got the job and was starting a family, I would probably pick Santa Monica because of the schools. However, I wouldn't have to worry about that for awhile.

Thanks and sorry for this being so long.

Santa Monica is a very nice beach community but nightlife isn't life it is in other areas. If your a surfer or love the ocean that is the place for you. Hollywood is nice but can be pretty gritty. Think of it like the Brooklyn of LA. West Hollywood is nice yet very expensive. You also shouldn't live there in your homophobic because it has a high concentration of gay people. I've visted Santa Monica and WeHo but I have lived in Hollywood. Parts are okay but some are horrible. With that being said rent for a studio/1bdrm will be about atleast 1,200 for a nice place. Places in Santa Monica can be about 1,500.

ffknight918 · 03-05-2008, 11:29 PM

I thought most people on here said Santa Monica had some of the best night life. What would be the best?

Also, I heard that they are expanding the subway to Santa Monica. When is this supposed to happen?

dereistic01 · 03-05-2008, 11:35 PM

probably west hollywood.

Sorcerer68 · 03-06-2008, 01:09 AM

Santa Monica is a great place to live. If you don't like homeless people, live away from the beach. Rent is higher here than Hollywood, about the same as WeHo.

Hollywood gets a bad rap. Yes, there are nasty parts and a good portion of Hollywood is "gritty" but Melrose Hill, Larchmont and especially the north part of Hollywood along Franklin, Whitley Heights, Camrose, Hollywood Dell, Beachwood Canyon and the rest of the Hollywood Hills are an L.A. dream come true...really nice with killer views and tons of celebs for neighbors. For nice yet reasonable, I say Melrose Hill or you might get lucky along Franklin. Resist the temptation to move into that cheap apartment below Sunset in East Hollywood unless it's Melrose Hill.

West Hollywood is 3 towns in one. The south end is Boystown (a gay refugee camp) which will either be a wonderful or awful thing for you depending on your outlook. Apartments aren't exactly cheap. The center of it (to the north) is a gorgeous neighborhood that has been used in many films as midwestern neighborhoods....nice old homes on tree lined streets populated by lots of Industry. There are also quite a few apartment buildings cloustered in the same area and they aren't cheap. The northern part is the Sunset Strip and those spectacular cliff-hanging "above Sunset" homes. In this neighborhood or the last, you'll need some money. The further north you go, the more expensive it gets. To me Larchmont is a good place if you want WeHo as it rides the border.

tk712Scott · 05-21-2008, 05:49 PM

Sorry to be off subject, but after your first oral review with LAFD, did you know about the background check immediately, or did you wait for a letter to be mailed indicating you passed the first portion of the interview process?

Angelinochihuahua · 05-21-2008, 10:06 PM

Santa Monica is not the best place for walking to clubs, I think WeHo would be better for that. Santa Monica is however considerably more clean and has good public transportation.

greggd · 05-21-2008, 11:14 PM

There are so many little neighborhood bars around LA its pretty hard to offer suggestions.

It's really going to have to rely on where your commuting to each day.

Ive been hitting up places along melrose, fairfax and beverly. All have its own unique locals who walk a few blocks to their apartment.

Downtown santa monica has several bars, but the rent may be out of reach. Unless you go for an older bldg. The bums are in the park and you most likely cant afford that street anyways "ocean Ave" along the bluffs.

I may sound like a recording, but seriously... 3-6 month rental agreement and go from there.

happ · 05-21-2008, 11:46 PM

Santa Monica, West Hollywood & Hollywood [to a lesser degree] are fantastic areas for so much to do. Beach culture to clublife. But if public transport is very important then you might want to consider Pasadena for central-city living/nightlife in beautiful city. Gold Line to Union/LA as well as direct bus from Pasadena to the university. Lots of students live in Pasadena [ie Cal-Tech] so many apartments are available. It is hotter, of-course, in summer.

matt345 · 05-22-2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happ

Santa Monica, West Hollywood & Hollywood [to a lesser degree] are fantastic areas for so much to do. Beach culture to clublife. But if public transport is very important then you might want to consider Pasadena for central-city living/nightlife in beautiful city. Gold Line to Union/LA as well as direct bus from Pasadena to the university. Lots of students live in Pasadena [ie Cal-Tech] so many apartments are available. It is hotter, of-course, in summer.

Pasadena would be another great choice. Honestly, in terms of true urban living, I can't think of many other LA neighborhoods that do it as well as Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and Pasadena.