LA'ers
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- Chief
i got a job and am moving out there next month. i'd like to live somewhat close to the office, but seeing as i've never been to LA, i'm not sure if that's smart. the office is located near santa monica & n. la brea. i've heard los feliz is nice, and somewhat similiar to the town i'm leaving so it might be an easier transition. budget for rent is around $2000/ month. any ideas/help would rock.
also, it's been suggested i look at mt. washington, silver lake, and eagle rock. would the commute be terrible from these places? i've been trying to figure it out w/ the help of google maps, but it's still tough not being there.
- mitee_0
hmmm commute is about 20 minutes with traffic from silverlake area, mt washington maybe 25. i live in burbank, and its like a 10 minute ride into hollywood, 15 to where your office is. i used to have a office on la brea and sunset area and it took me 15 to get there, skipping most traffic. rent is cheaper here too, not as cool, but def cheaper. whats the name of the company?
- digitalswarm0
LA is huge, there are plenty of places to live. I wouldn't settle for a place that's just close to your office.
$2000 a month for rent isn't terrible either. You could find a small house to rent, like I do in Culver City, or an apartment anywhere on the Westside for that much.
If you're a hipster, or enjoy their local music venues, then Silver Lake, Echo Park, are for you.
I'm more of a Westsider, which means nicer neighborhoods, and closer to the beach. Of course, things will be more expensive over here.
You should start with
http://www.westsiderentals.com/I think it's about $60 or so to sign up- but it's a must-have for people looking to move in LA, if you're renting.
You'll be able to see pics of the available places, and you can map everything out for your commute. Hope that helps.
- Momentum20
I would seriously recommend living closer. I'm in eagle rock now and I used to work out there. Since your new your going to be taking the freeways. And in the morning it will take you about an hour or more and the same coming back home.
- Chief0
thanks for the info.
mitee- the company is ripe digital entertainment.
digitalswarm- word, i've been looking at westsiderentals; it was recommended by a friend. there are tons of listings. i'm just trying to narrow it down to specific areas. i really don't want to spend a ton of my day sitting in traffic. i realize it's LA, but if there's anyway to shorten the commute while still living in a nice area i'm all for it. how is culver city? it's definitely closer to the beach. would it be a tough drive to work in the mornings and afternoons?
momentum2-that's what i was thinking. i don't want to have any part of the freeways if i can get away with it.
i'll be flying out there the 26-29th of this month to find a place and just trying to do my homework. again, thanks for the help.
- TResudek0
Los Feliz is great, man. Really nice neighborhood with a lot of stuff to walk to and it close to where you are working.
Stay the hell out of hollywood and by no means let anyone tell you the valley is livable.
TR
- OSFA0
there are some nice places, but it would depend on whether you like to wear red or blue...
- tommyo0
The Valley is livable.
- Soler0
I live very close to Santa Monica & laBrea, and i really dig Hollywood. I like the dirty dirty though. Just depends on what you like. I would definitely just rent a hotel for a month and see where you wanna be considering you got $2k a month
- RADNESS0
There are also some nice places close to your work in the miracle mile / La Brea area. Kinda near the Grove. The Valley might be cheaper but its hot as ballz and lame!
- digitalswarm0
Chief-
If you want to be smart about it, I'd print out a bunch of house listings and fly out here for a weekend. Have someone drive you around town.
- tommyo0
Yeah the Valley is pretty damn toasty sometimes. I do like Los Feliz, however I doubt I could live among all the hipster scum for too long. I dig Burbank and Pasadena too.
sidenote, you guys ever go to that Tiki Tea (sp?) place over in LF? Pretty funny little place.
- CincodeMayo0
I live near SM and La Brea...just off of Melrose and Highland, which is like 1/4 of a mile away. It's the lower end of Hollywood, bordering Hancock Park which is full of million dollar homes. The area isn't seedy at all. You're close to Melrose which has some decent bars and restaurants, and you're down the street from Larchmont Village which is a quaint little street with a farmer's market on Sundays. You get the convenience of living in H'wood but you feel like you don't.
I live in a building that's about 2 years old and I pay less than $1800 for a 2bd/2bth and I was the first tenant. No pool, but 2 parking spots, granite counters, hardwood and tile floors, and a nice balcony. Great deal.
I work in North Hollywood (the tip of the Valley) and the commute is great because I'm going against traffic. If you live out of Hollywood you'll be going with traffic and the commute will be longer.
I'd say your best and most convenient bet would be to look in the lower NEWER Hollywood area. It's just smack close to everything. 20 minutes to the beach with no traffic, 20 to the airport, 20 to the Valley.
That's my 2 cents.
- Chief0
awesome.
digital, that's the plan. i'll be out there for four days, hopefully with places already picked out. i'm hoping to stay with a friend who i'll be working with, so he can show me around, take me by the offices and stuff. his wife's parents will be in town that weekend so i'm not sure yet.
cinco, that sounds pretty perfect. do you know if there are any open units? $1800/ month with 2br's would be killer.
again, thanks for all the info. it's a ton of help. it's sounds like maybe los feliz, definitely not the valley, and maybe lower hollywood.
- Momentum20
2 br for your budget is real easy to find! You'll get a nice spot man.
- CincodeMayo0
Chief - I'll keep my eyes out. My building and the one next door are identical (about 16 units each) and units open pretty frequently. Someone just took the open one in my building but rumor is a couple people may move out. When are you planning to move out here? Shoot me an email when you know and I'll take a look and see if anything is open.
I hear good things about Silverlake, but the downside is that you can't really take freeways to get to Hollywood (not that you would want to) so morning traffic is a bit slow. But it's definitely up and coming and whatnot. I can't say for sure, but find a Silverlakian who commutes to H'wood and find out for sure.