My job offered me a promotion and transfer to LA from Las Vegas, I have a few questions. (Los Angeles: neighborhood, living)

[RationalExpectations]

Originally Posted by D.A.Lobo

The job (entry level IT for a small Co.) will pay slightly above 50K.

While 50K per month isn't going to make you rich, you should be able to get by.

[Dane_in_LA]

Originally Posted by CALGUY

Personally, I wouldn't live in downtown, if the rent were free.
I never go downtown.
I see more than enough of it on the tv news.

Seriously?

[Dane_in_LA]

Originally Posted by Winston Smith

Agree. Homelessness is a problem just about everywhere now.

To the OP, as others have stated, I would try not to limit yourself to an apartment downtown, which is well served by commuter rail. If you can find a place near Metrolink or one of the light rail lines, that would open up your housing possibilities. A friend of mine rents a two-bedroom house in Highland Park for $2k a month, just a few blocks from the Goldline.

Check out the LADOT Commuter Express buses, too. They converge on downtown, they're very comfy (motorcoaches, not downtown buses), they're as fast or faster than driving, and you have downtime to read or work.

[Angelino19]

Originally Posted by D.A.Lobo

I have been offered a promotion along with a small raise and a "California cost of living" bonus. The job (entry level IT for a small Co.) will pay slightly above 50K. Their office is in downtown LA. I know it's cheaper to live farther away from downtown LA but I'd hate the commute.

My question is, is 50k enough for a single person with no kids to live in downtown LA? I'm talking about a small 1bed Apt or studio?

You can find decent Studio Apartments in DTLA for between $1,700 and $2,000. There are some newer units in the Little Tokyo area that fall within that price range.

[saybanana]

Rent in Downtown is very expensive because before the boom in the last 10-15 years, the limited housing stock was SROs, they were senior housing complexes, or they were high priced Downtown apartments built before that in like those near Disney Concert Hall.
Then developers given the green light to turn the old buildings into lofts especially around Main/Spring street.
Then all these new apartment complexes built all over and now all these high rise condos built like around Staples Center.
So overall most units are new compared to most of LA City/County were most are older than 20 years. Because there is always people wanting to live in new buildings/towers with views and city living, they are willing to pay for it thus keeping prices fairly high. Doesnt help that there is a housing crisis and that homes are so expensive that renters would rather stay renters in nice new buildings than buy a half million dollar home in South Central. Thats why there is still high demand for luxury units.

There are cheaper areas just outside Downtown. Westlake, Koreatown, East Hollywood, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights., Historic South Central. So you dont have to live far away like Corona or Oceanside or Simi Valley. Koreatown is pretty cool these days. Lots of mostly older buildings from 1980s or older. Recently some newer buildings built especially near along Wilshire Blvd like near Vermont Ave.

[pwright1]

Do not, I repeat do not move to the San Fernando Valley. Never understand why people suggest places that are way too far and make for a miserable commute.
If you work downtown live downtown or as close to downtown as possible. Living close to your job in Los Angeles makes life so much better. Koreatown is a great alternative if downtown is too expensive. Two major subway lines have stations in Koreatown. Metrobus service is 24 hrs a day 7 days a week from downtown to Santa Monica along Wilshire Blvd. I live downtown and it is the most enjoyable neighborhood I have lived since moving here 9 yrs ago. Do not listen to people who talk **** about it but never go. They know nothing about downtown. It's the hottest and fastest growing neighborhood in Los Angeles.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

I have not been downtown in 8 or 9 months. The news keeps talking about the trash problem and the homeless downtown. Is it as bad as they say on the news?

[Csonka]

Originally Posted by pwright1

Do not, I repeat do not move to the San Fernando Valley. Never understand why people suggest places that are way too far and make for a miserable commute.
If you work downtown live downtown or as close to downtown as possible. Living close to your job in Los Angeles makes life so much better. Koreatown is a great alternative if downtown is too expensive. Two major subway lines have stations in Koreatown. Metrobus service is 24 hrs a day 7 days a week from downtown to Santa Monica along Wilshire Blvd. I live downtown and it is the most enjoyable neighborhood I have lived since moving here 9 yrs ago. Do not listen to people who talk **** about it but never go. They know nothing about downtown. It's the hottest and fastest growing neighborhood in Los Angeles.

You have the subway and Metrolink from the East Valley / Burbank

I commuted downtown for years from No Hollywood area. Takes 25 minutes

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by Csonka

You have the subway and Metrolink from the East Valley / Burbank

I commuted downtown for years from No Hollywood area. Takes 25 minutes

That is a nice alternative. Many times we come in from Oxnard and park in Santa Monica, to take the Metrolink to down town. I have done this for USC games as well, when we were not planning on tailgating. It always seems to be clean on the metrolink as well. People for the most part. at least when I rode it, were nice and kept to themselves.

[Kaphawoman]

Originally Posted by vincenze

You should be able to find a studio for $1,100 in Westlake near Alvarado St where Latinos live.
Or in Koreatown.

Parking will be additional $100.
Public transportation is super good there.
https://hotpads.com/westlake-los-ang...ments-for-rent

Downtown LA is a hub for public transportation, so you can get there from the surrounding areas easily.
Alhambra, Monrovia via the Gold Line subway.

Where Latinos live? Um Latino people live in all areas of Los Angles. OP don’t move to that area unless you want to be miserable and surrounded by filth and graffiti.

As far as downtown it’s hit or miss depending on what block you’re on. Little Tokyo is nice but other areas are kind of run down.