Where in Los Angeles should I live?
February 28, 2012 9:05 PM Subscribe
Where in Los Angeles should I live? I work in Beverly Hills.
I'm new-ish to LA, and recently got a new job and am looking for a new apartment. Right now, I'm sharing a bedroom with a friend, and I want half of a two-bedroom instead. I'll look on Craigslist and padmapper, but I'm looking for general advice of what neighborhoods I should look.
I think my priorities are likely the following (in descending order):
1) Cost
2) Proximity to work (Wilshire and Beverly)
3) Overall "niceness" of the neighborhood: walkability (close to grocery store? public library?), greenness (trees? parks?), etc
4) Proximity to the Santa Monica Blvd gay bars.
And really, only 1 and maybe 2 actually matter much -- one could probably weight each priority at 70% of what I care about, 20%, 8%, 2%, respectively. (Actually, 4 is only really importnat because I would prefer to live with a gay roommate, and that'd be easier to find in West Hollywood.)
So... cost. This is the big one. I'm not paid much. Specifically, $575 a week. Before taxes. I won't get my first paycheck for a week and a half, but let's say take off 15% for taxes, multiply by four weeks, and one gets $1955. Using the general rule of thumb on here of 1/3 of money going to rent, that comes out to $651.
I'll be honest -- I think I can afford a little more. I own my car outright, have no debt, and am rather frugal ($35/month phone bill with Virgin Mobile instead of an iPhone, try to cook as much as possible instead of eating out), etc. I think I can do $750. Maybe even $800?
Anyways, we can bicker about how much I can afford. Where more or less in LA should I be looking?
I'm new-ish to LA, and recently got a new job and am looking for a new apartment. Right now, I'm sharing a bedroom with a friend, and I want half of a two-bedroom instead. I'll look on Craigslist and padmapper, but I'm looking for general advice of what neighborhoods I should look.
I think my priorities are likely the following (in descending order):
1) Cost
2) Proximity to work (Wilshire and Beverly)
3) Overall "niceness" of the neighborhood: walkability (close to grocery store? public library?), greenness (trees? parks?), etc
4) Proximity to the Santa Monica Blvd gay bars.
And really, only 1 and maybe 2 actually matter much -- one could probably weight each priority at 70% of what I care about, 20%, 8%, 2%, respectively. (Actually, 4 is only really importnat because I would prefer to live with a gay roommate, and that'd be easier to find in West Hollywood.)
So... cost. This is the big one. I'm not paid much. Specifically, $575 a week. Before taxes. I won't get my first paycheck for a week and a half, but let's say take off 15% for taxes, multiply by four weeks, and one gets $1955. Using the general rule of thumb on here of 1/3 of money going to rent, that comes out to $651.
I'll be honest -- I think I can afford a little more. I own my car outright, have no debt, and am rather frugal ($35/month phone bill with Virgin Mobile instead of an iPhone, try to cook as much as possible instead of eating out), etc. I think I can do $750. Maybe even $800?
Anyways, we can bicker about how much I can afford. Where more or less in LA should I be looking?
You could probably live in Westwood and share a place with a bunch of UCLA kids and get by on $800. No guarantees on the gay factor there, but it'd be close to Beverly Hills and would most likely yield the greatest concentration of roomies (hence lowering the shared rent to a level you can afford). There are some nice places, definitely a walkable neighborhood, and good cultural resources (Hammer Museum, Royce Hall, a movie theater or two), and grocery stores nearby (both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's).
I'm not sure you'd be able to find a place to split for $800 all-inclusive in WeHo proper, although I will say that this is L.A. You don't have to limit yourself to the gay ghettos to find a gay or gay-friendly roomie nowadays. You could probably also find a place in Hollywood (my old building on Leland is right in your price range), but there's nothing in the way of greenery, and some people are more sketched out than others by the prospect of walking around Hollywood after, say, 1 or 2 AM.
posted by mykescipark at 10:06 PM on February 28, 2012
I'm not sure you'd be able to find a place to split for $800 all-inclusive in WeHo proper, although I will say that this is L.A. You don't have to limit yourself to the gay ghettos to find a gay or gay-friendly roomie nowadays. You could probably also find a place in Hollywood (my old building on Leland is right in your price range), but there's nothing in the way of greenery, and some people are more sketched out than others by the prospect of walking around Hollywood after, say, 1 or 2 AM.
posted by mykescipark at 10:06 PM on February 28, 2012
From your description, you really, really want to live in West Hollywood.
Unfortunately, you probably aren't going to be able to live anywhere near West Hollywood on your budget without several roommates.
If you're trying to live on your own on your budget, you aren't going to live anywhere near Beverly Hills, and it's not going to be a very nice neighborhood.
Check out Craiglist and WestSideRentals.com to get a decent idea of apartment prices around the city. The're a pretty good barometer of what you should expect to pay.
posted by erst at 10:06 PM on February 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately, you probably aren't going to be able to live anywhere near West Hollywood on your budget without several roommates.
If you're trying to live on your own on your budget, you aren't going to live anywhere near Beverly Hills, and it's not going to be a very nice neighborhood.
Check out Craiglist and WestSideRentals.com to get a decent idea of apartment prices around the city. The're a pretty good barometer of what you should expect to pay.
posted by erst at 10:06 PM on February 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
I just realized how negative I sounded. LA is a fantastic city; I've lived here for 10 years and loved every minute of it. Hollywood and West Hollywood are really awesome places to live (although short on green space, there are a ton of "walking neighborhoods"), and if you love the lifestyle here, the high rent prices are absolutely, totally worth it.
posted by erst at 10:09 PM on February 28, 2012
posted by erst at 10:09 PM on February 28, 2012
He's not trying to live alone:
Right now, I'm sharing a bedroom with a friend, and I want half of a two-bedroom instead.
I used to live in West L.A. and share a two-bedroom. I think I paid around $760. It's doable there or in Hollywood, or in the shadier eastern portions of WeHo. If you live in Hollywood you're at the foot of the hills, near Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park (the biggest urban park in the U.S.) Hollywood is certainly more desirable if you like going out at night; while buildings tend to get newer as you move west.
L.A. is incredibly full of green space for a big city (though it may be more like brown space in the summer, it's still wilderness. You can get attacked by a mountain lion 5 minutes above Sunset Blvd.)
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:14 PM on February 28, 2012
Right now, I'm sharing a bedroom with a friend, and I want half of a two-bedroom instead.
I used to live in West L.A. and share a two-bedroom. I think I paid around $760. It's doable there or in Hollywood, or in the shadier eastern portions of WeHo. If you live in Hollywood you're at the foot of the hills, near Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park (the biggest urban park in the U.S.) Hollywood is certainly more desirable if you like going out at night; while buildings tend to get newer as you move west.
L.A. is incredibly full of green space for a big city (though it may be more like brown space in the summer, it's still wilderness. You can get attacked by a mountain lion 5 minutes above Sunset Blvd.)
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:14 PM on February 28, 2012
And I wouldn't rule out finding a place in Beverly Hills itself. There are regular apartment buildings there- it's not all mansions. Who knows, you might find a deal.
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:16 PM on February 28, 2012
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:16 PM on February 28, 2012
Westwood, West Hollywood, and Miracle Mile (and possibly some corners of Beverly Hills) all come to my mind, too; you might get lucky and find a nice 2-BR to share within your budget (I shared a lovely vintage 2-BR in Miracle Mile for less than $750 up till a few years ago), but realistically, I think you may not be able to rule out sharing a 3-BR.
A little further east, there are more affordable places to be found in Koreatown and Hollywood, though they have a lot more variation in nice vs. not-so-nice streets/areas. But they are more likely to fit in your budget, and they'll still be a decent drive to work.
In my experience, Westwood has almost all new buildings, Miracle Mile has mostly old buildings (but often very nice ones), and the other neighborhoods are a real mix between old and new.
posted by scody at 10:20 PM on February 28, 2012
A little further east, there are more affordable places to be found in Koreatown and Hollywood, though they have a lot more variation in nice vs. not-so-nice streets/areas. But they are more likely to fit in your budget, and they'll still be a decent drive to work.
In my experience, Westwood has almost all new buildings, Miracle Mile has mostly old buildings (but often very nice ones), and the other neighborhoods are a real mix between old and new.
posted by scody at 10:20 PM on February 28, 2012
You're working in Beverly Hills, equidistant between Westwood and West Hollywood.
You can definitely find something in your price range in Westwood. I lived in Westwood for two years. It's not that bad, but it's not great either. You should be aware that the parking is terrible - you need to have an included parking spot, and your friends will have difficulty parking when they come to visit you. Depending on where you live and your tolerance for noise and college students, you might have no trouble at all with the noise level (I didn't), or you might find it absolutely intolerable.
I'm not sure of the apartment prices in West Hollywood, but given that you want a gay roommate and to be close to the gay bars, and would prefer more places in walking distance, I would check there first. I think if you spend some time looking, you'll be able to find something in your price range. If you're willing to be more flexible about distance, and look at something further away (like in Hollywood, further east), I'm certain that you can find something even cheaper.
posted by insectosaurus at 10:34 PM on February 28, 2012
You can definitely find something in your price range in Westwood. I lived in Westwood for two years. It's not that bad, but it's not great either. You should be aware that the parking is terrible - you need to have an included parking spot, and your friends will have difficulty parking when they come to visit you. Depending on where you live and your tolerance for noise and college students, you might have no trouble at all with the noise level (I didn't), or you might find it absolutely intolerable.
I'm not sure of the apartment prices in West Hollywood, but given that you want a gay roommate and to be close to the gay bars, and would prefer more places in walking distance, I would check there first. I think if you spend some time looking, you'll be able to find something in your price range. If you're willing to be more flexible about distance, and look at something further away (like in Hollywood, further east), I'm certain that you can find something even cheaper.
posted by insectosaurus at 10:34 PM on February 28, 2012
You could also take a look at Culver City. The rents are fairly low there, and you're still close enough. Nice walking areas, the neighborhoods aren't really upscale, but they aren't seedy, either.
posted by visual mechanic at 10:40 PM on February 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by visual mechanic at 10:40 PM on February 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
I live in West Hollywood and regularly travel to where you work. Here is your issue...
Right now, and for the next bajillion years, there is roadwork on the 405. Plus, The 405 is a effing parking lot at most times. You want to live on the "right" side to the 405 in connection to where you work.
The Palms area will give you that rent price (with roommates) and keep you on the "right" side of the 405.
The Palms area and Culver City are almost synonymous, so that's your craigslist tip!
I agree that you ultimately want to live in WeHo, but your rent cap prohibits this for now. Don't settle down the road,
posted by jbenben at 11:49 PM on February 28, 2012 [2 favorites]
Right now, and for the next bajillion years, there is roadwork on the 405. Plus, The 405 is a effing parking lot at most times. You want to live on the "right" side to the 405 in connection to where you work.
The Palms area will give you that rent price (with roommates) and keep you on the "right" side of the 405.
The Palms area and Culver City are almost synonymous, so that's your craigslist tip!
I agree that you ultimately want to live in WeHo, but your rent cap prohibits this for now. Don't settle down the road,
posted by jbenben at 11:49 PM on February 28, 2012 [2 favorites]
BTW, I've managed apartment buildings in The Palms area, your rent requirements are spot on for that neighborhood. It's nice enough, but inexpensive and VERY centrally located. Via short cuts, I've made it there regularly from WeHo in high traffic in !5 to 18 minutes. You could do Beverly Hills in less time.
Memail for routes.
posted by jbenben at 11:55 PM on February 28, 2012
Memail for routes.
posted by jbenben at 11:55 PM on February 28, 2012
One of my good friends was a grad student at ucla and lived in Venice beach for years. You can take the bus and Venice is a lot more fun than westwood.
posted by fshgrl at 12:20 AM on February 29, 2012
posted by fshgrl at 12:20 AM on February 29, 2012
Seconding jbenben - Palms for sure. You can even get a bachelor apartment for $750 in Palms.
posted by synchronia at 1:03 AM on February 29, 2012
posted by synchronia at 1:03 AM on February 29, 2012
When I worked in Beverly Hills I lived in the sweet spot of LA between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. You know, near the Beverly Center. Great part of town (affordable, easy to get places, reasonably quiet).
posted by Pineapplicious at 5:57 AM on February 29, 2012
posted by Pineapplicious at 5:57 AM on February 29, 2012
I'll nth the recommendation for Palms. I'm currently living in Palms and paying a pretty reasonable rent to share a comfortably sized three-bedroom apartment. Palms is a nice neighborhood, parking isn't quite as crazy as Westwood (though depending on your street, you may have to do like I do and park a few minutes away from your apartment), and there are plenty of grocery stores in the area within an easy walking/driving distance.
And I'll second that it's crucial to be on the "right" side of the 405 relative to where you work. Not being on the right side could double or even triple your commute time.
posted by yasaman at 7:55 AM on February 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
And I'll second that it's crucial to be on the "right" side of the 405 relative to where you work. Not being on the right side could double or even triple your commute time.
posted by yasaman at 7:55 AM on February 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
I work at Beverly/Wilshire, too! Many co-workers live in Palms, Culver City and near the Beverly Center or around Melrose/Fairfax area. If you look around enough you should be able to find some roommate situation in your price range.
Also, message me if you want to grab lunch or an after work drink sometime! Welcome to the neighborhood!
posted by buzzkillington at 8:20 PM on February 29, 2012
Also, message me if you want to grab lunch or an after work drink sometime! Welcome to the neighborhood!
posted by buzzkillington at 8:20 PM on February 29, 2012
Response by poster: Palms is something I hadn't quite considered, but it's a wonderful suggestion!
I'll look everywhere mentioned, but this has been all very helpful :-)
posted by lewedswiver at 12:13 AM on March 1, 2012
I'll look everywhere mentioned, but this has been all very helpful :-)
posted by lewedswiver at 12:13 AM on March 1, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
I like nice bathrooms -- nice tiles, walls that aren't yellowing, a sliding shower door instead of a moldy curtain. It's the one amenity that means most to me, if any do. Obviously this varies from apartment to apartment, but I notice newer buildings are FAR more likely than older buildings to have nice bathrooms.
So, how new the apartment building is could be something to take into account. If some neighborhoods generally only have old buildings but other neighborhoods frequently have new complexes, that could be worth thinking about.
posted by lewedswiver at 9:12 PM on February 28, 2012