Moving to Los Angeles, can someone answer questions? (Hemet, West Hollywood: apartments, lease)

[chrisnolan16]

Hi, I'm planning on moving to L.A. soon. I will be driving there and will have atleast five thousand dollars in the bank before the move. I thought I found the perfect apartment, It's near everything I would want to be near, and seems nice from the website

William Penn Apartments, Los Angeles 92543

but I can't find ANY information or reviews on it, and when I typed the address into lalife.com it said the safety level is 1. but also, it said the safety level at so many places in west hollywood was like 2 or 3. so is that just something you have to deal with, or is that area actually really horribly dangerous?

also, i have a job here, but once I get there with one job as experience and a high school diploma, how easy will it be to get a full time minimum wage job?? beause I will need one ASAP when I get there, as I will only have a few months to live off of money wise.

thanks so much <3

[Charles]

That zip is Hemet.

[uptown_urbanist]

I couldn't see your exact apartment link, but I see there's a William Penn Apartments on West 8th Street near MacArthur Park; is that the place you're talking about? If so, that's a world away from West Hollywood. That area has its share of problems (gangs, etc.), but it also has a busy street life (for both good and bad) and is certainly convenient as far as public transportation, etc. There are definitely safer areas, though, if that's a major concern. If I were you I would NOT sign anything before visiting in person and seeing if you feel comfortable with the location and the building; it may be perfect, but better to spend a couple of nights in a hotel then to make a mistake and get stuck with a lease for a place you don't like.

Be prepared for a long and tough job search, although you may get lucky. That's just the reality right now.

[chrisnolan16]

What does Hemet mean?

[Green Irish Eyes]

Hemet is a town about 90 miles east of L.A. and, FYI, links don't work for new members .....

[chrisnolan16]

well, just go to rentwilliampenn.com please... and let me know what you think

[DowntownVentura]

Chris, I don't know that building specifically but it isn't a great neighborhood. What are the things you want to be near?

If you can find something on the other side of Wilshire, you may be a little better off. There are a ton of apartments north of Wilshire between Western and Vermont. I am just throwing ideas out there, I am not too familiar with that area these days.

[uptown_urbanist]

Then yes, that's the apartment located at 2208 W. 8th Street, right off of Alvarado.

Again, I strongly suggest not moving in until you've seen it in person, as it sounds like you're not familiar with LA. Their website is filled with nice photos, but they take a rather broad definition of "local," and gloss right over not only the negatives (which is to be expected, I guess) but also the positives of their own location. That neighborhood is interesting, centrally located, and has some exciting things going on, but it's not for the faint of heart, either. Whether or not it's right for you is going to depend in part on your own comfort level in a neighborhood that does see a lot of crime.

[BennyPhoenix]

Very dangerous neighborhood. At night you'd be nuts to go outside.
At one time it had the highest murder rate in LA(back in the late 80s I believe). It was MS gang territory once upon a time and probably still is.
Just living 1 mile west would be a big improvement.

[uptown_urbanist]

^ I think the crime rate has dropped dramatically since the '80s and '90s, when it was one of the most dangerous areas around, but it's still pretty high. I agree with the posters above that you'd probably be better off if you could find something either west or on the other side of Wilshire.