How much does it cost to get started in LA?

Question

I'm planning to make the move to LA soon. I'm 24, male and still live much like a college student.

I scouted/visited LA county in the spring and still have some questions. I've done allot of research, but I wanna make the transition as smoothly as possible. Here's a few questions going around my head

#1 How much does it cost to get started in LA County?
I'm willing to live on the cheap and so long as I feel safe and I would prefer to live somewhere north of the 10 and east of the 5. I've got couches to crash for a few months as well.

#2 What are the Pros/Cons of Koreatown?
I know it's cheap- any other reason to live there if you're not korean?

#3 what should I expect to spend on a 24 hour a day gym membership?

#4 The metro? Is it acceptable to ride metro regularly, even if you have a decent car- or is this a big LA culture No-No?.

#5 What's cost costing out there these days?

Thanks to anyone who answers even one of these.

Thanks for responses so far...

#5 is What's Gas cost out there these days, sorry bout the confusion

Answer 1

1. Rent ain't cheap! North of the ten and east of the five pretty much covers the priciest places. Doesn't mean you can't find an okay share on craigslist, but be prepared to pay $750 for the most basic share.

2. Parts of Koreatown are really dangerous, but I live on the border (by mid-Wilshire) and it's very central and great. If you work downtown, it's ideal.

3. About $20 a month for 24-hour fitness, plus whatever initiation fees.

4. The underground metro is fantastic, but doesn't support most of LA. If you commute downtown, it's great. As for other public transportation, I'll be honest, NO ONE takes the bus in LA. If you want to live in a transit-friendly city, try San Francisco.

5. I paid $2.67 to fill up yesterday.

Answer 2

1 Since you'll be required to pay first month's rent plus deposit and it may be awhile to you collect a paycheck, I'd recommend about $7000.

2. Pros of Koreatown are cheep rent and central location. Cons of Koreatown...friend of mine lived there and was held up at gunpoint while walking from her parked car to her apartment door with her husband. They moved away shortly after. And they are Korean. It's a high crime area.

3. Gym membership in the $30 month range.

4. Metro is fine to ride except it won't go to too many place that you want to go to. That's why you need the car...because public transit will either flat out not take you where you need to go, or it will take a really long time to get to your destination...i.e. 2-3 hours for a trip you could make by car in 35 minutes.

5. Gas costs vascilate constantly but figure around $3 a gal.

Answer 3

I will try to answer your questions as best I can as you asked them. I am LA born and raised...so hopefully, my answers will be helpful!

#1 I would say based on the experience of a few of my friends who moved out this way, having about $5K is a safe bet. That will cover your rent and security deposit when you find a place, in addition to living expenses during the time that you are looking for work, depending on what your line of work is. $5K may sound like a lot, but in the first few weeks of living here, you will want to get aquainted with the town/city, and gas/food/fun etc...all costs money!

#2 I would not recommend living in Koreatown. It is okay to visit, but living wise, is not really a safe bet. Yes it is cheap, but once you start looking, you will see, that they places that are really cheap, are because they are less desireable.

#3 For a gym out here such as 24 hour fitness, depending on the level you get...(ability to go to only the club near you vs. ALL 24 hour fitness clubs) your membership can cost you under or above $40. With 24 hour fitness, expect to pay a enrollment fee near $200, and then a monthly fee. There are other gyms such as Bally's, but the issue with them and LA Fitness etc, is they make you sign a contract for 2-3 years and usually your monthly fee is no smaller than the 24 hour fitness. If you had any issues, or unfortunately healthy/physical issues, you would be stuck in a contract with those like Bally's, regardless of a doctors note.

#4 The metro is totally acceptable, and used by many. There is also a public bus line of transportation that is used all of the time, and both have monthly or daily fees.

#5 Not sure I understand this last question...Overall, it can be pricey, but it definitely depends on the area you live and your lifestyle.

Good Luck! LA is a great city!

Answer 4

1- I would say youd want a good 5 or 6,000 to make sure you have some money in case you do not get a job right away, it can be hard to get a job in LA sometimes, according to what you do.

2-Dont know about Korea town, sorry.

3-You are probably looking at $50 or more a month for that gym membership, according to where you are and what the place is.

4-The metro is cool, who cares what anyone thinks, except that they are constantly striking so you need to be aware of that.

5-I am assuming the cost of living???? For one person, I would say with a cheap studio, bills, foods, insurance (if you get a car) and gas, about $1,500 a month and you should be covered.

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

#1
1000-1200 will get you sub-city conditions
1200-1500 will get you above average sub-city conditions
1500-2500 will get you normal conditions

What do I mean by sub-city. LA is a wacky city. I've lived all over the country, and the living conditions in LA are far below most cities. Most apartments provide, no fridge, no gyms, no decent security, blah, blah... I've lived in NYC, and the expensive apartments there make sense; you get a thriving city environment outside your door. LA is a huge suburb. You pay city prices for suburbs. If that's cool to you, then continue, but with caution. I personally work in the entertainment industry, so if your looking for work in the entertainment industry, then LA is the best option around. If you work in almost any other industry (finance, healthcare, tech), then I have no idea why you would move to LA.
Bottom line, make the bucks to live well in LA.
2) Koreatown
Pros: none
Cons: it's the ghetto, need we say more
3) gym membership is on target with all other cities. I think I paid 20 bucks a month once. It's generally normal prices for gym membership.
4) The metro is fine if you don't have to be somewhere quickly. I would highly suggest having a car. It is possible to live and work in the same city, and hence bike to work. You really need a car in L.A. though. The metro is pretty crappy.
5) I'm guessing your asking what is costly in L.A.
Gas, apartments, and housing...

check out westsiderentals.com ; you need to pay for one month, but it's worth it. The best apartments are listed here. Try to live as close to the beach as possible. Stay outta the valley if all possible. I live in the valley now, and it is a hole. I'm moving outta the valley soon.

If you ever want to buy, it's depressing out in L.A. Whenever I leave L.A. and go out to other cities, I always say to myself "ahh, it's nice to be in the U.S. again".

good luck dude! It's fun out in L.A., but you need cash to live a 1st world experience:)

Answer 6

let me tell you! I am 19 and a college student! I moved to california from wisconsin when i was 17 with just my boyfriend and a Uhal with some some items! We had maybe 2,000 to our name and thats it! I live in Long Beach, Ca and pay 1,105.00 but we have 2 cats! thats an exta expense. We also have a gym in out apt! and a pool! It all depends on where you live! check on craigs list! I would think depending on what you bring out You would need about $2-3,000! Make sure to try and have some jobs lined up! It took me and my fiance about a month or so to get settled in with a job!

I wish you the best of luck!