L.A. doesn't seem too expensive... (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills: real estate, lease, condos)

[Voyageur]

Originally Posted by sweetheart1311

My friends from Atlanta said the same thing (about groceries) when they moved to LA a year and a half ago. They were extremely surprised! From what I understand, there is no tax on groceries in CA either, right? That saves you a lot right there!

It is astounding that there are any states that impose a sales tax on groceries, but I know some do...

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Voyageur

It is astounding that there are any states that impose a sales tax on groceries, but I know some do...

A walked into a Publix in Huntsville before I moved here, to buy chocolate bars for my kids. They were marked at $0.99 each. I picked up three. The lady rings it up and its like $3.25. They tax food in Alabama. However property tax is like 0.58% so that's only $580 on a $100K home.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Voyageur

It is astounding that there are any states that impose a sales tax on groceries, but I know some do...

Many do..We have lived in 5 states since we were married, 3 had sales tax on groceries. NM doesn't anymore..

Charles, that is more like here, we have a 3% tax on food, but our insurance rates and property taxes are very low.
Nita

[steel7]

Colo taxes food. My sister says groceries are a lil cheaper in ca but everything else is more expensive here such as state & property tax, car registration, gas, etc.

[White_rolex]

I grew up in Orlando and been living in LA for about 2 years now. They cost of living was a shock at first but after the 1st year it became the norm. For some reason it seems like thing in Cali are never on sale, you pay full price for everything. Food cost the same but rent, gas, power and car registration cost more out in Cali. The night life is a little more expensive in LA then in Orlando. The night life in LA is better tho. South Bay has some cool beaches and Hollywood is.....well it's Hollywood. Check out westsiderentals.com they usually have some good deals on places out here.

[sweetheart1311]

Originally Posted by White_rolex

Check out westsiderentals.com they usually have some good deals on places out here.

I am moving to LA In April and have been checking out westsiderentals.com for the past couple of days. They do seem to have awesome deals! One things I don't understand though, is - a lot of times the buildings look like a private house (I am looking for a studio apartment), and not an apartment complex. What's the deal with that?

[uptown_urbanist]

A lot of homes have (both permitted and non-permitted; you'll want the legal kind) mother-in-law suites or have converted garages into living space. It's potentially a great way to find an affordable rental in neighborhoods that don't otherwise have many affordable rental options. I know some people who lived in one in Silverlake. They had a completely separate entrance from the owner, so it felt very private.

[nichole.hopkins]

2/2 , utils included....for $800/month?


You can scarcely get that **** in ABQ.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by nichole.hopkins

2/2 , utils included....for $800/month?


You can scarcely get that **** in ABQ.

you are right, I don't know where some of these people are finding such rentals? I have a gut feeling, they are not for real..'

Nita

[uptown_urbanist]

^ They aren't; the OP has already said she made a mistake in her first post and meant $800 for a room in a 2-BR. In other words, a 2/2 for $1600/month. That's certainly doable in LA.