Question for people in the Los Angeles area.

[Krak-At-Arms]

I'm moving to Cali in about 2 weeks. I'm kinda just going out there without a place to live yet. I don't really trust getting apartments online. What are good areas with decent neighborhoods and cheap rent where I should look for an apartment? I'm trying to stick to no more than $550 a month for rent...if that's possible. I'm not trying to really live right in the city a LA but maybe more like the valley. Thanks in advance.

[Isao Kanemasa]

$550 a month? Besides a studio apartment in Koreatown's more scuzzier neighborhoods, I really can't think of anything in that price range. In the valley, chances are even less.

Are you considering having roommates?

[Kronos]

Yeah, two of 'em at least for that price.

[Jim Pappas/Jabba]

Wait just a damn minute. I pay only $440 a month, in Torrance, in a nice, damn nice, neighborhood. The key is to shop around. Don't settle, just check everything out. The best deals are usually found renting in a house somewhere. Forget apartments. That is an Eastern concept. House are where we all live, out here. . .

[Jim Pappas/Jabba]

Good Neighborhoods: North: Burbank. South: Torrance, Lomita or any of the beach cities: Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach.

Avoid: Carson, Long Beach, North Hollywood, Hollywood, Los Angeles proper. If your address is Los Angeles, you are not in good stead. I don't suspect I have to mention Compton (although, believe it or not, there are some decent areas in Compton, if you know where to look). Los Angeles and area are not like anywhere else. It is an amazingly sprawled out space, hundreds of square miles of choices. A lot depends upon what you do for a living, or what you want to do. If film is your bent, Hollywood and West Hollywood would be recommended. (Or Burbank, N.Hollywood (despite my earlier warning)), Westwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, God, there are just SO many choices. Even Venice Beach is cool. Basically, just go with what feels right after you've shopped around.

The bottom line is that the closer to the water (Pacific Ocean) you are, in general, the better the neighborhood.

[CTDeLude]

HA!

LadyKoel not only rented a room out to someone for $550 but also a room for $500....in Encino!!!

[Blofeld]

Santa Monica is where I lived ... or $500/month. But you gotta know somebody to get in there.

When CHUDWest occurred, and we had our .... "adventure" in separation, I knew EXACTLY where to go, and where we were, to locate the parties and get them together.

[Krak-At-Arms]

So basically what most of you are saying is expect to get a place with roommates? I was hoping to avoid that. Damn, looks like I may be living in a motel for a while. I already have a job lined up. I'm transferring to a Borders. Of course it's not the greatest pay but Obviously I'm moving out to your area to work in film. OK, so expect to have roommates. This is a big change for me and it'll be an interesting adventure so I might as well prepare for anything and everything. Roommates just freak me out because the last one I had was someone i knew for a long time and it was a horrible experience. Thanks for all the responses guys.

[Carl Cunningham]

Return of the Living Krak:
I already have a job lined up. I'm transferring to a Borders.I hope it's the Borders in Santa Monica at The Promenade. That's a terrific store!

If so, just beware the pantless homeless on the bench to the south of the store entrance. The same creature has lurked on that bench for at least the past three years.

[Krak-At-Arms]

hehe Connecticut has it's share of homeless hanging out at the Borders. I swear that store attracts the strangest people. I know how to deal with em though. I've been hanging out in NY for years. I'm not sure which one it is yet but I gave my manager a list starting from the heart of LA and going out to the surrounding areas. One thing I love about having this job is I get 33% off of CD's, books, and food in the cafe. Worst thing...only 15% off DVD's. Bastards!!

[ladykoel]

Yes... the valley is decent... stay out of Van Nuys, North Hollywood and Pacoima! Areas like Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City are great, but a bit pricey!

btw... I will soon be renting my room for $600.00 beautiful new hardwood floors! :)

Good luck in your search and stay away from the pantless homeless guy! :)

[Krak-At-Arms]

Thanks for the response and god luck with your new place.

[CTDeLude]

Return of the Living Krak:
Thanks for the response and god luck with your new place.How are you doing by the way?

[Krak-At-Arms]

Well I'm not doing anything yet really. I leave on Saturday hopefully if the hitch is attached to my car. I've been doing a lot of research on places online but I'm not the type to get a place without seeing it first. So when I finally get out to the area I will doing mucho looking around until I find a place. I'n sure I'll be OK. I really excited about the move though...as much as I am scared. It's really strange though having these last hang out times with my friends. Especially since I'm moving to a land of the unknown and unexpected. It's going to be the adventure of my life and I just want to get it going. Sorry you asked now? hehe

[CTDeLude]

Not at all. Want to make sure everything is working out for you East coaster!

And it will be a difference. This is a different world and the same ole rules have a hard time applying. Sounds like you got the great attitude to survive. And truth be told if you can survive here you can survive anywhere....NY just thinks that is true of them.

Keep us or just me updated man. Hope everything works out.

[Krak-At-Arms]

Well I got my hitch attached today and will be leaving early tomorrow morning. Hopefully in 2 weeks time my living situation will be hooked up. Once I get an internet connection I'll be back here and let ya know how I'm doing. Damn...2 weeks or more without any internet movie news???? That's the longest I'll ever have been without it. I'll be so behind. I might as well quit smoking while I'm at it. Anyway, it's cool that you're interested. And "Cheers!" to all of the West Coast Chewers(though I'll always be east coast at heart). I look forward to living among the lunacy and keeping myself grounded. See you all in a few.

[CTDeLude]

Alright man as soon as you have that net connection set up let us know what is up!

And have a safe trip here.

No hitchhikers!

[Krak-At-Arms]

OK so I made it here safely. The only thing that went wrong the whole 3,000 miles out here was somewhere in the middle of nowhere texas a tire blew on the trailer I was draggin with my car. The U-Haul guy made it there in less than an hour so all was well again. Thank god I got a cell phone before making this trek. I lived in a hotel for a week and finally found a place to stay for the month of November and I am now searching for a more permanent home and a job so everything is coming together.

I like it out here so far though i haven't really gotten to experience a whole lot yet. I'm sure I have some interesting times ahead. So just letting you know, I'm not dead or anything.

[Jim Pappas/Jabba]

Welcome to L.A.

If you need any help for anything, contact me and I'll be of service.

[CTDeLude]

Good thing you made it out here alive and that you updated for us!

Well I am glad the rains welcomed you because I wouldn't want you to think California was sunny and all.