Help! Looking f/an apartment in CA - how much is your rent?

[imported_Tomato]

My current living situation isn't working out, and I'm set to leave by the end of February.

Westsiderentals is a little too pricey, and I'm actively looking for something in the Los Angeles/Culver City/Venice/Santa Monica area. Private bedroom, private or shared bath, with or without a roommate. Something in the $400-600/month range would be great... I'm currently paying $450/month for my own bedroom and bathroom, with one roommate. Utilities run about $50/month.

Can anyone suggest a helpful website or publication I should check out?

How much do you pay per month in rent, and are you happy with your area?

Thank you!

Peace,
Dezign

 

[imported_Tomato]

*push*

 

[notfred]

I pay $740/month for a 1 bedroom apartment in a pretty nice part of town in Sacramento. No idea about So. Cal.

 

[Fatwhiteslug]

I tried roommateservice.com it was ok. I found the place I live now in the Penny Savor. The La Times has a good Classified on Sundays also that should help.

Roommates.com

 

[KevinH]

Dezign,

Go to any of the local colleges like SMCC or UCLA. Usually there's a spot where people post their "looking for a roommate" messages. Just ask around.

 

[gregshin]

prepare to get raped....for some unknown reason i got really really lucky for my rent in Pasadena. I pay $350 a month for my room with no utilities. I am 2 blocks away from PCC and 6 blocks away from old town pasadena. My rent should be at least $700 a month! Pasadena is a very nice place to live...more the on the conservative side but the town feels more laid back then the west side. I would try also looking in the Los Feliz area or silver lake too!

 

[imported_Tomato]

Fatwhiteslug, how would one go about obtaining a "Penny Saver?"

Thanks KevinH... I kinda live near UCLA, so that's an option.

gregshin, I wish... I work in Santa Monica, and would prefer a <30 minute commute on the way home. That's why those areas are preferable...

Peace,
Dezign

 

[JawaJedi]

http://www.apartmentguide.com/

 

[dakata24]

Penny Saver

 

[slikmunks]

Originally posted by: Dezign
Fatwhiteslug, how would one go about obtaining a "Penny Saver?"

Thanks KevinH... I kinda live near UCLA, so that's an option.

gregshin, I wish... I work in Santa Monica, and would prefer a <30 minute commute on the way home. That's why those areas are preferable...

Peace,
Dezign

the closer to ucla u get, the higher your rent... good luck... my friend has an apartment near santa monica and bentley, paying what, 1900/mo for a 3 bedroom apt with a huge living room and kitchen... i'd live there, but it's a bit too far from campus

 

[HamSupLo]

Go get your listings at Craiglist. It's free and generally good.

You might want to check out the Palms area south of the 10 fwy. Just drive south on Overland. It's not as nice, but it's usually cheaper. You can also check out "Beverlywood"...south of Pico. The area is around Pico/Robertson blvd.

 

[pulse8]

You probably won't find a place like that for that kind of money without it being a complete sh!thole.

I live in Hollywood with a roommate. We pay $1200 a month with water included.

 

[NutBucket]

You should also get a Pennysaver every week in the mail.

Hmm, my friends keep telling me I should move out

 

[dakata24]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
You should also get a Pennysaver every week in the mail.

Hmm, my friends keep telling me I should move out

hey, maybe you two should room together..

 

[NewSc2]

I hate my place, but i pay $620/month for my own bedroom in a 2 bedroom apt. that costs $1380/month. Moving out in July when the lease expires to a better place with better roommates

 

[imported_Tomato]

Quick update... thanks so much guys! Thanks to all your tips, I'm checking out three places after work today.

#1: $500/month which includes utilities, 5 minutes from where I live now (off Venice). Not too many details, but I'd have my own bedroom and bathroom. The girl I talked to sounds 20-ish. She needs someone "who is reliable but also fun and laid back." This one would be cheaper than the one I'm renting now...!!

#2: $595/month which includes utilities, Room in Beverly Hills Penthouse with terrific views. Description: Single room with a view for females only in Beverly Hills apartment. Amenities include shared kitchen, bathroom (2 sinks), laundry (coin-operated), as well as a swimming pool in the building. Street Parking.

Roommate: a piano/voice teacher and use the apartment for teaching during the day and some early evenings.

#3: $595/month which includes utilities, Fully FURNISHED room. Desciption: Master bedroom and bath on one side, living room with balcony and open kitchenette in the middle, and another bedroom with adjoining bath on the far side. The master bedroom and bath would be all yours. The bedroom has a queen-size bed, desk, end table, lamp, bureau with large mirror, table and two chairs, two closets and a large cupboard. There are some pictures on the walls which you can leave up or replace. The living room, balcony (where you could leave a bike) and kitchen are shared.

Telephone: You install and pay for your own. Mine is not shared.
Parking: side by side in the garage. No tandem.
Roommate: very friendly, (mostly) non-judgmental, older
Other requirements: No smoking. No loud music. No partying.
Overnight guests: OK once in a while.


ATOT is the best.

Peace,
Dezign

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: NewSc2
I hate my place, but i pay $620/month for my own bedroom in a 2 bedroom apt. that costs $1380/month. Moving out in July when the lease expires to a better place with better roommates

I feel you on the roommate situation, believe me... I'd take a worse place with a better roommate than an amazing place with a sucky one.

My current roommate is a 30-year-old "actress" who hasn't gotten any work in five years. She's very bitter, she stays home every night, she has a cat which we're BOTH allergic too that rubs itself all over my stuff, and she's quite anal-retentive about everything. Needless to say, I'm moving on...

Peace,
Dezign

 

[trmiv]

I just signed a lease on a place in San Jose, ca. 1 bedroom, 1 bath, $950/month! You gotta love the bay area! lol

 

[Gimpy]

PBM Management

They own a bunch of units in the West LA/culver city area.

I share a 2 bed 2 ba apt for 1350 + utilities. Most of their units are pretty decent.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Gah... no luck yesterday. The $500/month place was a sh!thole. Trying again today...

Peace,
Dezign

 

[pulse8]

The $500/month place was a sh!thole.

For a 2 bedroom, I wouldn't look at anything that's less than $1100 a month. I would also recommend trying to look for guest houses. They are usually in very nice neighborhoods, are really cheap, and sometimes include utilities.

 

[Entity]

Another vote for Craigslist (LA area).

Rob

 

[amnesiac]

Look around the Los Feliz area.

SOme of my friends found INCREDIBLE bargains there.

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
Look around the Los Feliz area.

SOme of my friends found INCREDIBLE bargains there.

Los feliz is closer to glendale.. she wants west la.. not hollywood.. though i must say los feliz is a nice area.. in the summer its so close to griffith park that it makes living there such a blast.

 

[slycat]

i pay $1950 in SF