24 Year Old Model/Actress Moving from NY to LA (Los Angeles: real estate, apartments)

[badgyal]

Hello Everyone,

I currently live in manhatten, NY. I also lived in Miami and I briefly lived in ATL.

My goal is to move to LA by May/June 2009. My budget is 950 a month. Where is some good websites to look for 1 bedroom or studio apartments? What areas are nice and safe for me to live? I currently live in Harlem, NY. Its currrently undergoing gentrification here, and its a pretty safe place. Its also close to all of the casting and events that occur in NYC.

I'm looking for an apartment close to all of the modeling and acting castings. Where is some good areas to look? Also what websites should i look on besides CL?

Can you guys help me out? Any info is appreciated, i never been to LA before.

Thanks!

[Green Irish Eyes]

You'll probably get better answers on a forum that's dedicated to acting. The ones I'd recommend are Actors Access and Backstage.

[NYC2CA?]

Housing I would say keep checking out Craig's list, and also check out West Side Rentals. You can also give some real estate agents a call, because unlike NY the landlords pay the realtor fee in LA and so it doesn't cost you money to get a rental agent.

[NYC2CA?]

Also, as someone who is just doing that move too, I would *strongly* recommend you go visit for a few weeks before you decide to move out there full time. New Yorkers tend to have a very strong reaction to LA -- you either love it or HATE it, so you really do want to check it out. Keep in mind you'll need a car too, especially if you'll be doing a lot of casting calls.

[nmnita]

Just wanted to add, the studios etc are all over the place in Los Angeles, very different from NYC> Yes, a car is a must...

there is no one area to find an apartment that will be convenient to what you are trying to do. I agree, you need to come out, look around and make sure this is something that you want to do and will prove a good move. You might be just as well off to stay in NY and make a name for yourself..

Good luck,

Nita

[buckeyenative01]

Your budget is way too low to live in LA.

[Brandon26pdx]

Craigslist would be the place to start for housing leads...good because you can search by monthly price range. I've seen "doable" stuff in that price range, especially in rougher times when owners are just a little bit more thankful to even have a tenent generating income for them.

You would probably want to stay in a central area of the city because you'll be all over the place doing what you do. Maybe Los Feliz or Hollywood area, but wherever you end up landing you'll need a car if you don't have one. Again, Craigslist is your friend for a cheap set of wheels to get around in.

[cmw2133]

OP, does your budget for rent factor in the likely need for a car to get around? If not, I would think about potential car costs and consider whether you're willing to live with a roommate. You can save some money that way.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by cmw2133

OP, does your budget for rent factor in the likely need for a car to get around? If not, I would think about potential car costs and consider whether you're willing to live with a roommate. You can save some money that way.

yes a room mate would help, as for a old junker of a car, that isn't a much better solution than no car. You will need something that is dependable, new, $20,000 or more? No, but you will need something that is reasonably dependable and the funds for the insurance as well.

Nita

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by buckeyenative01

Your budget is way too low to live in LA.

I agree with that