Typical question - Where to live in LA?

Question

I'm taking a job based 1/2 in Northridge, CA and the other 1/2 traveling so I'll need access to LAX (or another commercial airport) about 4 times a month. I'll be renting either a condo or apartment and my budget is about 1500-1700 a month. Where's the best place to start looking for a place? I'm 30, single, male, straight... looking for fun community and it doesn't have to be the center of nightlife but does need to have a personality.

Sounds like Sherman Oaks, Burbank and Studio City are being consistently recommended. I am a bit worried about the heat/climate. What kind of commute would it be for Santa Monica. I was told the sea breeze cools off this part of the city and keeps the smog away. That might be a murder commute, however. I'm not sure which airport would be used more. Bob Hope APT is a possibility but more likely LAX.

Answer 1

There are no "fun" communities near Northridge. I'd recommend Santa Monica...close to LAX, very fun community, and the weather's pretty decent too. Even though the 405 is a congested freeway, you will be going counter to the predominent traffic pattern. The worst of the traffic goes south in the morning and north in the afternoon (although there's plenty in the other direction, too). Assuming you'd go to Northridge presumably in the morning and return to Santa Monica in the pm, there's a bit less traffic.

Santa Monica is pretty expensive but you should be able to find an apartment for what you're looking to spend.

I use to live in Chatsworth, which is next to Northridge (for financial reasons) and drove to the Santa Monica area frequently as the Valley area is really pretty depressing if you are a single person.

(I don't think that Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Burbank are very interesting communities to live in, certainly "fun" wouldn't be a word that would fit here. More affordable, yes. Interesting, no.)

Answer 2

For $1500.00 to $1,700.00 a month you will get nothing more than a one bedroom place around 600 to 800 square feet at the most if you want to live in a half way decent neighborhood. Los Angeles next to San Fran and New York has the highest rent & highest housing cost in the country. Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills & Tarzana (South of the Ventura blvd). are the nicest areas to live where you have best access to Burbank Airport or LAX International airport and within roughly 30 minutes of Northridge & withinh 30 to 40 minutes to LAX or Burbank airport depending on traffic. There are some nice parts in Chatsworh and Northridge as well but these are the hottest parts of the Valley. Burbank is nice but to far from LAX if you need to fly out of there. Valencia and the Santa Clarita Valley is quite nice but a little farther out. These towns I mentioned are the only ones worth living in...period !!!!!!!!!!! if you want to live in a nice or safe area !! Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Woodland hills will be the most expensive and for the money you are looking at, have a better chance of getting a real nice Studio apartment or an older 1 bedroom apartment. Anything South of Ventura Blvd is prime area and you will spend alot for a place. More like $2,000.00 for a one bedroom. Chatsworth and Northridge you will have a better chance of finding a one bedroom for you price range and a one bedrroom that is around 600 square feet. Good Luck !!

Answer 3

I hate commuting and the 405 (which runs between northridge and LAX) is awful. Your quality of life in LA is directly related to how close you live to work for must of us. If you cant fly out of Burbank (which is dominated by Southwest which means it has good connections in California but no so good anywhere else) I'd think about where I lived carefully. Northridge and West LA ( the two basic choices at either end of your 405 route) will cost about the same in terms of rent/ sales for housing. However you will get more space for your money in Northridge and likely a newer unit. The downside to northridge is the climate, air quality and LAUSD schools. The West side has better a better climate a more urban rather tahn suburban lifestyle and opportunities for better schools (see Culver city, Santa Monica and the south bay cities--all of which will cost more due to the better schools and public services than LA).

You may want look into North Hollywood and Studio City especilly if you can fly out of burbank

Answer 4

Look for apartments on Dickens Street, which runs south of Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. It's a great place to start out in L.A., and it will be an easy commute to Northridge- but within walking distance to stores and restaurants.

Answer 5

Well it is likely you will be taking the 405 to LAX...so you probably want to live someplace between say Sherman Oaks and Calabassas. I think you will find Nortridge to be a more family oriented bedroom type community....but it depends what you are into.....As a general rule in L.A. live near your job as much a possible although I suspect you will find most the singles action to be around West Hollywood...

Answer 6

Your airport: Bob Hope Airport, Burbank CA.

Best nightlife:
along Ventura Blvd E-W.

Places for condoes:
Burbank
No Hollywood
Northridge
Simi Valley
Studio City
Encino
Van Nuys
No Hills
West Hills
Sylmar

Use Rental guides & Maps & online.
Rents HIGH in CA.
Avg 1K for Rent alone.
(plus food etc).