Moving to Southern California soon- I'm cheap...where should I live?

Question

Currently I live in NC and it's just too boring for me here. I'd love to move to Southern California. I'd like to live in a place where I could actually afford the rent (under 1k for a 1 bedroom). I don't want to live anywhere scary either. Also- traffic would be a big concern for me. Where are some good places to live? As a tourist, I really loved the Silverlake and Los Feliz areas of LA.

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Pasadena would be a great choice - convenient freeway access, a charming old town area, great restaurants, quiet, more reasonably priced than other LA places. Check it out: http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/

Answer 2

Most of LA, or really anywhere near a big city like LA, San Fran or San Diego is probably going to be out of your price range, at least in a decent neighborhood. We lived just north of LA until about a year ago and were paying 1300 for a 1 bedroom, and that was a pretty good deal. I would recommend you check out North County in San Diego, it's about the cheapest I know of for a good neighborhood. Some cities are Vista, San Marcos, etc. We lived there a couple of years ago and we paid 700 something for a 1 bedroom. Most of the the other cities in North County are pricier. This area is pretty much suburbia but it isn't too far from fun places and you can get to both San Diego and LA in an hour or so.

Answer 3

You can find a lot of places in the price range in North Hollywood or Van Nuys... at least you could two years ago. I moved out of my place which was a 2 bedroom rathole for 950 a month. I would suggest you look north in the Antelope Valley (which is still part of Los Angeles County). Prices out there aren't as expensive, and you can get a pretty nice place for around 600 or 700 a month.

Answer 4

Lots of North Hollywood are scary, stay to the south Sherman oaks. Get a friend to split the rent, you can get a 2+2 for 1300 right off Ventura Bl, great area. One bedroom will be almost the same amount. Valley Village not too bad near sherman oaks. I've been in my home in Valley Glen near Valley college 35 years, not too bad an area, central location.

Answer 5

if traffic is a concern then where will you be driving to? The riverside county or San bernadino county are the cheapest areas esp the areas around perris and redlands. but it does matter where you will be working and driving to work as traffic has multiplied tremendously. I hear N.C. people are really nice people so good luck to you. I'm trying to move to the west L.A. area. Love Santa Monica but it is costly. A lot of people rent rooms in other homes or check with craigslist los angeles and put in the city you are interested in. a lot of people advertise for places there .

Answer 6

You could try the Mid-Wilshire area or North Hollywood. Those areas are inexpensive and not "scary".

Mid-Wilshire is cool because you are right in the middle of everything. You would be right near public transportation (the MTA red line train is right there). Just be sure to live off of Wilshire (that way you can get to anywhere quickly).

North Hollywood is located in the valley, but it is inexpensive and located near the MTA red line (you can get into the city in less that 15 minutes on the train). The apartments are nice and you can get away with paying less than a $1,000 per month for a one bedroom without sacrificing quality.

Be sure to check out: http://losangeles.craigslist.org & http://www.westsiderentals.com & http://www.fpm2000.com/Current%20FPM%20Rentals.htm

Good luck to you. :)

Answer 7

There really is no place in Southern California that you can escape the traffic. But Palmdale is a little out of the way.
Temecula
Quail Valley
San Diego (surrounding areas, not really that cheap though)
San Bernardino County
Riverside County
and so on...........

Answer 8

Long term lease available on 1 bedroom close to Hollywood and Vine. Fantastic view, close to amenities. Airy and well suited for new comers. Parking at rear. Asking $850.00 utilities included. Ask for Karl at third refrigerator box on left side of alley. Moving to NC where the people are friendlier.

Just a joke. Hope you find what your looking for.

Answer 9

Check out the Inland Empire you get more space for that price than the coast city check the Press Enterprise website for rent you would be amaze on the cost.

Answer 10

Are there one bedroom apartments available in LA for under 1000 a month in a nice neighborhood? You make me laugh! We pay 4K a month for our 1000 square foot 2 bedroom 2 bathroom house! You better look at www.apartments.com before you pack up.

Answer 11

The dumpster behind the TA truck stop in Ontario. That's about as cheap as Its gonna get. Other wise have a good career in mind with great income potential.