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Old 08-03-2009, 11:02 AM
 
5 posts, read 42,831 times
Reputation: 13

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We (my husband and I) will move to LA soon. Right now, we live in Detroit, MI. And we are thinking about where to live.
We hate the suburbs and their sometimes very artificial flair. To be honest, we are scared of the 'plastic-ness' of some LA suburbs. We do not like gated communities and big apartment complexes with this sterile and clean feeling.
I am from a big city in Europe originally and I like diverse areas where people live together from different cultures and where I can walk to restaurants, the beach, etc.
After I did some research, I think, that Santa Monica or Venice might be a good pick for us. (Although Santa Monica could be too far away from the workplace. Would you agree?)
We are not afraid of homeless people and/or a little dirt. We have lived in downtown Detroit downtown for 5 years. And after that everything will be like paradise. Nothing can be worse than that!

Could you please tell me about Venice a little bit? I've heard it's pretty diverse and edgy and laid back, (even with some galleries and small restaurants). Is that true? What neighborhood in Venice is nice? I heard Abbott Kinney is a nice area. Would you agree? Or is it better to live closer to the ocean/beach?
We have approximately 1500 $ avaliable for rent (I know it's not much) and are looking for a studio or 1bedroom. And we have a a very sweet dog (60 pounds). Oh, and we are in our mid-thirties.

Are there any other areas you would recommend? I think Manhattan beach (too expensive) and Hermosa and redondo beach will not be a good fit for us.

I haven't found much info on Marina del Rey. How is that?

I am looking forward to any help/info/input. After 5 miserable years in Michigan, I am so looking forward to moving to a nice place (with nice weather!) again. So please help!

Thanks so much!
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Old 08-03-2009, 01:22 PM
 
Location: South Bay
7,226 posts, read 22,223,289 times
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$1,500 is not very much for even a 1br in any of the coastal areas you mentioned. if you go inland a couple of miles there be lots of options, but if you want to be walking distance from the beach it will be difficult stay in your price range. as for location, MDR, venice, and santa monica are all close, so it shouldn't matter which you choose as far as your commute unless an extra 5-10 minutes is a big deal to you.
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Old 08-03-2009, 03:00 PM
 
916 posts, read 3,703,948 times
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Look into coastal Long Beach (downtown, belmont shore, etc.). But really if you'll be commuting live close to your work.
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Old 08-03-2009, 04:21 PM
 
1,465 posts, read 5,151,995 times
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Where is the workplace?

I like all the places you mentioned (including Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach). But, as was said, $1500 is going to be tough.
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Old 08-03-2009, 04:30 PM
 
5 posts, read 42,831 times
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Workplace is in Hawthorne.

Then, the apartments I found online for 1500 or under are scams? Or in very bad areas?

Do you think it's a good idea to drive around and look for for rent signs and the call the owner?
Or how should I look for apartments? Are there any websites thatare respectable?

Thanks for your input!
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Old 08-03-2009, 04:38 PM
 
Location: Earth
17,440 posts, read 28,645,057 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anjala View Post
Workplace is in Hawthorne.

Then, the apartments I found online for 1500 or under are scams? Or in very bad areas?

Do you think it's a good idea to drive around and look for for rent signs and the call the owner?
Or how should I look for apartments? Are there any websites thatare respectable?

Thanks for your input!
$1500 for a one bedroom in Venice is on the lower end but common enough that it would not be a scam or in a bad area. Most likely said apartment would be old and run down and wouldn't have onsite parking but it doesn't seem suspiciously low.
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Old 08-03-2009, 04:47 PM
 
Location: USA
2,362 posts, read 3,000,834 times
Reputation: 1854
Quote:
Originally Posted by anjala View Post
Workplace is in Hawthorne.

Then, the apartments I found online for 1500 or under are scams? Or in very bad areas?

Do you think it's a good idea to drive around and look for for rent signs and the call the owner?
Or how should I look for apartments? Are there any websites thatare respectable?

Thanks for your input!
Try a membership at westsiderentals.com.

As for living in Venice, it's the anti-suburb. There's hardly any chain stores or restaurants because we cherish our local businesses. It's expensive, but you can find 1BR apartments around $1500 a month. (Just not on the beach.)

If you're working in Hawthorne, you might want to consider the South Bay beach cities like Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach.
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Old 08-03-2009, 04:52 PM
 
1,465 posts, read 5,151,995 times
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How about El Segundo?
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Old 08-03-2009, 05:12 PM
 
5 posts, read 42,831 times
Reputation: 13
Venice = anti suburb. Sounds great to me!
What areas/neighborhoods are nice in Venice? Does anybody know?

El Segundo: I could not find much info about it. Could you tell me about it?

I have the impression, that you guys are not recommending Venice that much. Is there a reason? Do you think the commute is too far?
What about Santa Monica( but that's even more expensive, right?)?

I am really afraid of living in a clean, sterile suburb, it depresses me just thinking about it.

Thanks!
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Old 08-03-2009, 05:46 PM
 
Location: Earth
17,440 posts, read 28,645,057 times
Reputation: 7477
Quote:
Originally Posted by anjala View Post
Venice = anti suburb. Sounds great to me!
What areas/neighborhoods are nice in Venice? Does anybody know?
Everything is except Oakwood, to simplify things. There are many threads about Venice here. If you want more detail feel free to look up said threads.

If you don't like "clean, sterile, suburban" than El Segundo and much of Santa Monica wouldn't be for you.
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