The time has finally come to plan my big move up to Los Angeles from San Diego. I recently finished school down here (with a film degree), and most of the work that I will find will be up north. I was there recently to look for places in Santa Monica, Downtown and the Los Feliz/Silverlake areas. Most of the work that I will do will be in Culver City or Burbank.
I'm not sure if I want to live in those areas, but still want to be closer to where I work. I can afford roughly up to $1300 on rent, which doesn't leave me much. It seems like as a whole, L.A. is more expensive to live in (the parts to actually live in, not Inglewood) than San Diego.
I was set on finding some loft space, but the buildings I visited in Downtown were pricey. The buildings got cheaper the closer they were to skid row and the more sketchy areas. Jumping bums and dodging piss puddles was a real eye-opener as to the certain state of areas in Downtown. The buildings themselves were heavily secured, and nice once inside. Parking seems like it would be a pain, but one of the buildings I visited had a nice underground structure.
Santa Monica was just incredibly expensive, which is to be expected as beach property usually is. ~$1200 doesn't go very far.
Los Feliz was a really interesting area, and I liked it the best out of the areas I visited. I only worry that it is to far removed from the areas I'd work in.
I've browsed City-Data and read some of the users' there recommendations, but I want to know what you guys would suggest? I need something that is (relatively) safe and not too far out (like say, Pasadena). I know L.A. well having been hundreds of times, but have never lived there. Thanks for the advice guys!
I'm not sure if I want to live in those areas, but still want to be closer to where I work. I can afford roughly up to $1300 on rent, which doesn't leave me much. It seems like as a whole, L.A. is more expensive to live in (the parts to actually live in, not Inglewood) than San Diego.
I was set on finding some loft space, but the buildings I visited in Downtown were pricey. The buildings got cheaper the closer they were to skid row and the more sketchy areas. Jumping bums and dodging piss puddles was a real eye-opener as to the certain state of areas in Downtown. The buildings themselves were heavily secured, and nice once inside. Parking seems like it would be a pain, but one of the buildings I visited had a nice underground structure.
Santa Monica was just incredibly expensive, which is to be expected as beach property usually is. ~$1200 doesn't go very far.
Los Feliz was a really interesting area, and I liked it the best out of the areas I visited. I only worry that it is to far removed from the areas I'd work in.
I've browsed City-Data and read some of the users' there recommendations, but I want to know what you guys would suggest? I need something that is (relatively) safe and not too far out (like say, Pasadena). I know L.A. well having been hundreds of times, but have never lived there. Thanks for the advice guys!
