I will be moving to LA in a few weeks to work at UCLA. Can anyone suggest a good place to live-maybe Van Nuys?

Question

I am single, looking for a place with a commute less than 20 miles. Will probably look to rent a 1 bedroom (no more than $1100) in a clean, safe area!

Answer 1

Driving in LA, you will learn that mileage means nothing. People calculate the distance by time it takes to travel from point A to point B.

Van Nuys is NOT recommended. The traffic and the heat in the summer will kill you.

West LA is the ideal place, but the housing market is full to capacity and with the amount of rent you're willing to pay, it's best that you look for a roommate or two if you want to live in West LA/Brentwood.

Culver City (South of UCLA) is another close sleepy neighborhood with modest rent prices in a relatively safe area. You can also look for a place in North Hollywood (NoHo). It's pleasant, relatively safe and not as crowded and pretentious as WLA.

Answer 2

Here's the problem. You only have $1100 and you want to live in a "clean, safe" area. These two facts are somewhat in conflict.

As far as a reasonable commute to UCLA goes, I would agree with the others that West LA is best, however I don't think you can afford it, short of rooming with others. I grew up in Van Nuys and attended UCLA; it took about an hour when you factored in parking. (I took Sepulveda or a canyon road---not the 405). But Van Nuys is not a place I'd recommend. You might try Encino or Sherman Oaks (just south of Van Nuys), but again, you'll probably have trouble with that $1100/month number. But it'll be easier than West LA.

Answer 3

What are you looking for? A place to raise kids, an affordable place to live, a place with a lot of activity, a short commute?

UCLA is located in Westwood, a very fun and trendy area close to the beaches (driving) and hiking areas (driving).

Van Nuys is in The Valley. You will have to take the 405 to get to work. The 405 is a nightmare, regardless of the day or time.

Beverly Hills and West LA are close to UCLA. You could take surface streets and they are also fun and accessible places to live.

A 20 mile commute in LA can is an hour. Mind you, LA driving is stressful.

Check www.craigslist.com to find areas in your price range.

East LA, Compton and Inglewood are bad neighborhoods.

310 area code is pretty safe (except for the areas above).
323 area code is OK (except for the areas above)
818 is the Valley (405 - YUK YUK YUK)
626 is the Pasadena area (Over 20 miles)
562 is the Long Beach area (over 20 miles)

Email me at [e-mail] for specifics.

Answer 4

Ok first off Van Nuys isn't all that great of a neighborhood. Second it's in the valley meaning it will take you at least an hour to get to work every day. However, rental rates ARE cheaper in the valley, and the valley tends to be a little less congested than we are "over the hill".