Wishing to relocate to LA (Los Angeles, Santa Monica: apartments, rentals, neighborhood)

[laback2back]

I am mid 20s, single Jewish (not religious) man, looking to relocate to Los Angeles from a major Midwest city. I am self employed so commute isn't really a problem because I can grab a small office anywhere (office space is much cheaper than residential rental!)

I am looking to spend up to $1200 for a place. It doesn't have to be the greatest apartment ever since I'm pretty able to adapt.

Can anyone tell me about apartment rentals that would meet my needs in the following areas:

Santa Monica
Hollywood
Hancock Park/Miracle Mile

Thanks!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by laback2back

I am mid 20s, single Jewish (not religious) man, looking to relocate to Los Angeles from a major Midwest city. I am self employed so commute isn't really a problem because I can grab a small office anywhere (office space is much cheaper than residential rental!)

I am looking to spend up to $1200 for a place. It doesn't have to be the greatest apartment ever since I'm pretty able to adapt.

Can anyone tell me about apartment rentals that would meet my needs in the following areas:

Santa Monica
Hollywood
Hancock Park/Miracle Mile

Thanks!

Not sure if this will help, but it can't hurt.

HousingMaps

[laback2back]

Yes this definitely helps with the apartment search. Does anyone know about any of the areas?

[DowntownVentura]

Do you need a separate work space or could it just be a bedroom in your apartment?

If you need a separate office will you have customers/clients? Things like accessibility and parking will be important.

If you can get away with it, at least in the short term, I would look for a 2 bedroom apartment and work from home. That should open your budget over $1200 and provide more options.

Good luck and welcome to LA

[laback2back]

I would prefer a separate office because I would need separate work space. All of the office locations I have looked at are pretty reasonable with accessible parking. The office would be along Wilshire which is why I am looking at Hancock Park/Miracle Mile, Hollywood, and if necessary Santa Monica (which I heard is slightly cheaper in terms of rent than other places).

[CrossCountryUrbanite]

when looking at apartments- do so during the day, but also at night- then you'll know how the parking situation really is.

now, Santa Monica is quite "far" from Hancock Park traffic wise. You may spend 2 hours to and back from the two some days= 4 hours a day for commuting. The 10-hwy is not kind during rush hour(s).

Hancock Park is quite ritzy. It's neighboring Korea Town (to the East and South) is cheaper, but you'd be hard pressed to find a place with decent parking.

Santa Monica is very cute, but the west-est you can get, so you may feel removed from everything in the greater Hollywood vicinity.

depends on what you're looking for - easy access to nightlife, quieter neighborhood, etc.

[laback2back]

I'm looking for easy access to nightlife, but it doesn't have to be around the corner. I figured Santa Monica wouldn't be good for the commute, but I could try to find office space closer.

Would it possible to find an apartment in Hancock Park and the Miracle Mile or Hollywood for about $1200?

[Melissa R.]

You could probably find something in the Miracle Mile area in that price range. You also might want to check out getting a roommate.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by laback2back

Does anyone know about any of the areas?

Here's a neat tool to get lots of basic demographic information. Plug in zips from those three communities and you can do a comparison:

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Click for a Zip Code Boundary Map.

[laback2back]

Thanks guys! I am not looking to move just yet, so I will continue to keep my eyes and ears open.