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Old 09-19-2012, 09:57 PM
 
8 posts, read 23,354 times
Reputation: 10

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So, a little bit of background - I'm not a felon, drug dealer or sex worker, but I've been through some rough times lately and need a cheap and easy place to stay. I've been with family and friends lately and the last time I rented was about seven years ago in another state at a place whose name I don't even remember. Also, my credit is not quite stellar and I am self employed with somewhat sporadic (but wholly legal and respectable!) income. So, that being said, finding even a "normal" room to rent is a challenge. In a nutshell, I am a close-to-starving artist and somewhat successful copywriter who is willing to live almost anywhere but on the streets, as long as I have a room to myself.

I make enough to live on and am poised to see a significant growth in my business within the next sixth months. But I need a new place to stay starting in about two weeks.

I've stayed in some places that would make the proverbial roach motel look like a 5-star resort, so I have no problem with the seediest of the seedy. But I do have some requirements:

- MUST allow pets; I have two kittens and I will not leave them behind
- MUST offer reasonable weekly or monthly rates
- WI-FI would be VERY nice or at least a nearby hotspot I can jump on ...even if that means buying a coffee
- Cash/Credit option - I can pay cash most of the time but I do have a decent enough credit limit I can leverage if I need to in between clients paying their invoices
- No need for kitchenette - I can bring my coffeepot and hot plate
- TV not required - I don't watch it

I figure if crack whores and meth lab chemists can put a roof over their heads, so can I. My work is honest and I work hard. But I'm coming out of a rough patch and it might take me a few months to build up my business enough to get a "real" home.

So, any suggestions?
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Old 09-20-2012, 10:26 AM
 
Location: Grosse Ile Michigan
30,312 posts, read 75,268,061 times
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Just stay at a shelter. Not much worse than an awful hotel and free. The only one I know of is in LA but I know there are some in OC. A friend of mine just lived in the back of his car for a while. There was a fmaily in Santa Ana years ago who lived on a platform they put up in a tree. The seedy places I know of have all been spiffed up and probably are not cheap anymore.

The used to be a campground in Newport back bay. There is a campground out at Santiago Oaks park. That is probably cheaper and cleaner than a sleezy hotel and A tent is pretty cheap at wallmart.

Good luck.
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Old 09-24-2012, 04:15 AM
 
15 posts, read 20,413 times
Reputation: 15
Define "reasonable" rates? How much can you spend weekly/monthly?
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Old 09-24-2012, 10:15 AM
 
8 posts, read 23,354 times
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Up to $1000/mo but ideally closer to $800. Obviously the cheaper the better.
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Old 09-24-2012, 11:11 AM
 
Location: California / Maryland / Cape May
1,548 posts, read 2,886,307 times
Reputation: 1242
Wouldn't renting a room in someone's home be an option? It seems to meet all of your criteria, including cost. Perhaps I misread something. If I did, ignore my suggestion.
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Old 09-24-2012, 11:13 AM
 
8 posts, read 23,354 times
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It is an option; but with a mediocre credit score and no references, I'm thinking a motel may be the best short-term option. But yes, I am investigating rooms for rent as well. Although I must admit a strange fondness for seedy motels
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Old 09-24-2012, 11:18 AM
 
Location: California / Maryland / Cape May
1,548 posts, read 2,886,307 times
Reputation: 1242
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShipOVFools View Post
It is an option; but with a mediocre credit score and no references, I'm thinking a motel may be the best short-term option. But yes, I am investigating rooms for rent as well. Although I must admit a strange fondness for seedy motels
lol, Well, if you have a fondness for seedy motels, go for it.

But don't be scared to stick your neck out for a room/studio for rent, either, just because of a less than perfect credit score and lack of references. Not all, but some people will rent to you. I rented to a person in a similar situation. He had no rental history because he'd owned a home for many years with his ex-wife. He had poor credit because he wasn't good with money (and was honest with me about that). We had a strict understanding: he missed rent, he was moving out. He never missed rent, and was one of the best tenants I've ever had. Was I nuts to rent to him? Probably. But sometimes you can just tell by meeting someone that everything will work out fine.
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Old 09-24-2012, 11:21 AM
 
8 posts, read 23,354 times
Reputation: 10
Thanks for the feedback. I may have to look more closely at rental options.
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Old 09-24-2012, 12:45 PM
 
Location: California / Maryland / Cape May
1,548 posts, read 2,886,307 times
Reputation: 1242
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShipOVFools View Post
Thanks for the feedback. I may have to look more closely at rental options.
You're welcome. You may get a few no's before you get a yes, but you never know. I'd absolutely stick with a room for rent or a landlord over a chain complex. Some people either have good hearts, are risk takers, or were once in your shoes and will sympathize. It will likely cost less than a motel, too, and will probably be a bit safer. Then, after living there, you'll have your first reference for the next time you're looking for a place. Win/win.

A motel is an option, too, but it's not your only option. Try everything and see what sticks, as the saying goes. Good luck.
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Old 09-24-2012, 08:40 PM
 
3,787 posts, read 4,152,438 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShipOVFools View Post
Up to $1000/mo but ideally closer to $800. Obviously the cheaper the better.
Hubby and I rented a studio for a year in Anaheim called the Arbor Park apartments. It's on State College, near La Palma and right across the street from a huge Mosque.

(714) 533-7200

It's an older apartment... has some issues for sure like they have to turn the water off every so often because of pipe leaks, and it also get really really hot in the apartments. I think they warned us the walls had asbestos and not to poke too many holes putting up pictures! Also, when we first moved in, we saw some roaches and I screamed and yelled till they were gone!! LOL! Zero tolerance for roaches!!! They sprayed and didn't have a problem after that.
The only other down side is you HAVE to get yourself a big water jug and buy water for drinking, and even for making coffee, or cooking. The water around there tastes like #^$(*. But there's a convenient water supplier right next to the Stater Brothers.

The plus side to that place is the people we met there were real nice, (quite a variety of folks there!) the office staff and maintenance guys were cool, it was month to month, and maybe because of the asbestos, the insulation was very very good. We were on the top floor, and never heard a peep from our downstairs neighbors, or the ones on either side. Anyway, it gets horrible reviews on "Apartment Ratings" but it was a good overall place for the time we needed it a few years back! Oh and since your looking for "seedy" anyway, I don't have to tell you to keep your doors locked. It's not in the best area of town!

Good Luck!!
p.s. Check on the pet policy... we had our two cats with us, but we paid a deposit.
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