Affordable, safe, convenient neighborhoods? (Los Angeles, Long Beach: apartment, lease, find a job)

[watermelonpig]

Hello!

Any recommendations on affordable, safe, convenient (near stores, public transportation/parking, etc) neighborhoods in Los Angeles county?

I'm gonna be moving out there in a couple months and I need suggestions!

[LEFT]Thanks!
WP [/LEFT]

[Charles]

Job? Location?
Budget?
Alone? Married? Family? Kids? Ages?

[watermelonpig]

Me and my boyfriend (both in our late 20s). No kids. Budget would be somewhere around $1000: for an apartment. Haven't got a job yet.

Thanks!

[Charles]

Would probably get the most apartment for $1000, located near most amenities, with relatively safe neighborhoods:

Lancaster
Palmdale

[timelesschild]

Don't move to LA without a job. It really isn't a good idea.

[ZenMaster2008]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

Don't move to LA without a job. It really isn't a good idea.

But .... But .... The weather is great!!

[bhcompy]

You might be able to get a studio for that in Long Beach if you look hard enough. And Long Beach suits your needs

[jlcox2]

Look for a temporary lease/sublet. You will need to save a little bit more money before you come, once you do that, check out a site like Craigslist for a two or three month sublet. That way you will have a place while you search for a job. If you don't find a job after that time, then pack your stuff and head on back home. It's as simple as that. Don't sign a long-term lease until you find a job. But don't be scared to come out here just because you haven't landed a job yet. Uncertainty is a part of life, and it's fun to be young and not know what the hell is going to happen next. As long as you have a base plan (in your case, a place to sleep for a few months while you job hunt) you'll be fine. Let the rest just happen.

[mrsltd]

Originally Posted by watermelonpig

Hello!

Any recommendations on affordable, safe, convenient (near stores, public transportation/parking, etc) neighborhoods in Los Angeles county?

I'm gonna be moving out there in a couple months and I need suggestions!

[LEFT]Thanks!
WP [/LEFT]

There are literally TONS of neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.......

You will have to do YOUR OWN research to find out exactly what YOU want and need.

I don't know that you aren't doing that, but what you are asking is what A LOT of people are asking.....

Do you have a job lined up already or are you just moving here because of the hype and the thought of near-perfect weather?

Do you have family or friends here?

Have you considered other Southern California counties? In some areas Orange County is a tad less expensive than what would be typical for something in West LA (usually northern and western pockets). San Bernardino and Riverside are even less expensive (at least for housing).

[fatmancomics]

Lancaster or Palmdale? Really?

You don't have to be that far away. You can get something decent for that price in North Hollywood. Specifically, on Chandler Blvd between Laurel Canyon and Lankershim Blvd.

It's a recently gentrified neighborhood on the cusp of the bad areas so it's relatively safe but don't risk it by walking by yourself late at night (shouldn't do that anywhere anyway unless you're scay looking like me) so the rent is decent, there are places to hang out. Lankershim Blvd has some trendy spots like Tokyo Delves for overpriced sushi and the HaHa cafe for cheap stand up comedy and the metro station is on Chandler and Lankershim if you feel like taking some public transportation to Universal Studios, Hollywood or downtown.