Anyone here live in the downtown L.A. area?
 

Thinking about making the big move from FL to downtown L.A. area.

Was looking online at apartments and it seems the range is from 1500-2500 for that area....any better areas of LA to live in?

Stuff to do in downtown? just looking for some general info and if anyones in that area?

Why downtown LA? It really isnt the best place to live unless you work there.

What is important to you in choosing a place to live?

I wouldn't really recommend downtown as a place to live. The lofts/apartments are really cool, but there is nothing to do down there (with the exception of a couple of hotels, like the Standard). Lots of homeless people and no where to buy groceries etc.

You probably want to look toward the west side, southbay or in the Valley.

Well I like big cities, also interested in other areas such as Valencia or Chatsworth or other nice areas.

Why isn't downtown or near downtown the best area to live unless i work there?

Well first of all, as Pamie said, if you are single, theres not much to do there.

It is also a bitch getting in and out of there and forget about leaving home when there are events at Staples Center.

With the prices that you quoted, you can live in Westwood, Brentwood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills. All of them are nice areas with fun things to do.

I see, yes I'm single so I would like to have some decent bar's in the area. I was just thinking downtown as I like big cities / big buildings heh. Guess not though.

I had a loft in Downtown for a year, it's changed a lot recently a lot more to do down there, they are trying to redo the whole area. But, personally I didn't like it, very dirty, can't really walk around much at night unless you are ok with being mugged from time to time. My place was on 4th and Pine, lots of movies were shot in my lofts and in the alley behind it, that was pretty cool.

The big buildings downtown block out the sun and breeze if you ask me.

thanks for the info

Good God know... you couldn't pay me to live down there...

OC all the way for me...

Hmm alright looks like it's not a good place to live

LA is not like most other cities... There is no one COOL city center like other places... Its way more spread out and sprawling and has mutli little hot spots in all the different areas... For LA, downtown is really kinda a hole and not the best pick to live in most the time... :2 cents:

I moved from FL to here 11 years ago.

As has been mentioned, I'd stay out of downtown.

At the higher end of the prices you're quoting, I'd get a place in Santa Monica, myself.

However, not able to justify spending that much on a place that I do not own, Valley Village works well for me. Studio City's a nice neighborhood - and always something going on.

same price range for one bdr apts in valley village and studio city area?

Looks a little cheaper in that area which is nice

Silverlake is a kickass place to live.

Okay ruled out downtown, looking at places in west la or san fernando valley area

I moved into what I'd consider a nicer, spacious 1 bed/1 bath with a balcony (overlooking a wooded community garden), central air, fireplace (never use it), garage parking, gym, swimming pool, etc. in Valley Village a little over a year ago...

Paying a bit over $1,200. I do feel I got a bit of a deal on it, though... offering a few months up front gives you a bit of wiggle-room in bartering. :winkwink:

But overall, it's a bit more inexpensive - still central to everything (10 mins from downtown with no traffic), right next to the NoHo Arts district, a quick 10-minute driving experience over Laurel Canyon into Hollywood, and never more than walking distance from a sushi bar. :)

For me, it'd either be here, Pasadena, or Santa Monica, I think... dig the vibes in each of those places.

thanks for the info!

Is it pretty easy to get an apartment in that area (studio city/valley village) my credit is like 690. Like if I came out for a week would I be able to get a place or do I need more time?

Yeah... no problem.

If I were you, I might call the Holiday Inn in Burbank, and ask them about renting a room for a moth or two while you scout for a place. I rememeber a couple friends of mine holing up there temporarily for whatever reason, and although I'm not sure how much it was, I remember them both mentioing that it wasn't comparably that much... and you're 45 mins from anywhere in the greater Los Angles Area, traffic permitting.

And if you maker it out here, let's grab a few other GFY yokels, and get a few beers.

f you have the goal of moving into any place asap, you should have no problem finding a place and moving in inside a week, I'd think... plenty of "for rent" signs around these parts.

Finding the _right_ place might take a bit more time.

I'm for sure going to make it there :) looking at about two months, and I'm deff down for some drinks. Also, show me some good sushi places, my treat :)

not in any rush to get a place, just was wondering how to go about doing it since it's such a far move, getting a hotel for a month sounds like a good idea.

Sounds like a plan, man - be sure to hit me up. :)

I'm know a few different places, with a few different ambiances... all good.. and all local to various watering holes. I'll look forward to it.

We'll compare FL war stories. :1orglaugh

smells like piss downtown

haha yeah I scratched out that idea

I have a very nice apartment in the valley, $1750 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with a large loft and a HUGE private balcony (the size of a large bedroom) overlooking the mountains, hardwood floors, 2 garaged parking spots and the place has vaulted ceilings and is sound proof. You can't hear shit in the hallways or from outside. Totally quiet.

It was about $400 than I wanted to pay, but it's sweet and is great for shooting. But downtown, forget it!!!

Better areas than downtown? :1orglaugh

I suggest you at least visit a place before you move there.

I dont know about hwo easy it is to get an apt in those areas but it was really hard for me to find a place when I moved here since I just changed jobs. Landlords are really picky here since I guess people are transitional in LA and dont stick around too long sometimes and cant make rent. Depending on where you look, deposit is two months rent and, for some odd reason, not all places in LA come with a refrigerator standard.

I would take D's advice and get a hotel for a while. I lived in a hotel for a month and a half before I found a place.

L.A. is a shithole, I wouldn't move there if I were you. Southern California as a whole is pretty shitty. Fucked up traffic, smog, gangs....

West Side = WORST TRAFFIC IN THE WORLD!

D has a point - Studio City is a good bet.
10 minutes from Hollywood.
:thumbsup

I've been to LA a bunch of times, family used to live there.

I also like big populated areas, lived in downtown Milwaukee and Miami and loved both of them. Yeah, traffic sucked, crime rate was high but I still liked it.

Yeah, I don't think Downtown LA is worth it unless you actually work in the area. Try places in like, Glendale, Northridge, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, etc. The Valley basically. They are kind of close to most places in LA and some area are a lot cheaper to rent in those towns.

looks like you never go downtown, i lived there for a bit and there are quite a few things going on..

a very good local art scene, lots of resturtants and bars, little tokyo, chinatown, and a super ralphs going in.

the homeless problem is getting better and anything above los angeles ave is perfectly safe at night


i love how ppl who dont know what they are talking about give their 2 cents :1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Ha, I just saw that you said this. I lived in that hotel for 3 months. It was one of the few hotels that has concrete walls that definitely come in handy.

Nice place.

San Clemente, California

http://www.orangecounty.net/cities/i...ges/SCPier.jpg

:thumbsup

what lubna said.

downtown is a shit hole. you can't walk down the street at night, homeless everywhere, shanty cardboard homes all over the place. i hear it is getting better like testa says, but its still not that safe. woodland hills, santa monica, studio city, all great places and within what you just quoted. i personally am moving from the valley to woodland hills.

lots going on within 3-5 miles in any direction.

sorry cant help wish icud, but not from ther...good luck tho