Sean Richwine
Member
deleted by moderator
Last edited:
Moving to L.A. - Housing Questions
- Thread starter Sean Richwine
- Start date
Michael Friedman
Active member
I can't imagine any career benefits to living near the studios. I am guessing that a majority of freelance work is done on location and not on a studio lot. You won't get on a lot without a job. There is no 'door' to knock on.
Having said that, a lot of people live around Burbank, Studio City, etc. because housing is genereally cheaper in the Valley than 'over the hill' in Hollywood and West LA.
I would not recommend Orange County at all for working in film and television. With LA traffic, you might as well live in Vegas and fly in - I have a friend who does just that! Orange County feels very far away for production work. Pasadena is a bit far, but not unreasonable.
1,600 should be enough for a very modest/decent place (2Br) in the Valley. I would look in these areas:
Studio City, Toluca Lake, Burbank, North Hollywood, Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Encino.
If you look on a map you will see the geographical area I am talking about.
You can also try Hollywood, Miracle Mile, Mid-city, etc, but the areas are much more hit and miss.
You can use a service like WestsideRentals to help in your search. It is pretty popular out here. Or you can do the Craigslist thing...
I highly recommend that you ask locals about specific locations before you sign a lease. Having lived here my whole life, I notice that the out-of-towners always rent the places that people tend to avaid because they are in a dicey neighborhood, etc. I can't tell you how many times I cringe when people tell me where they just signed a lease. Hollywood and Venice are the two worst culprits since they both are 'famous' and have some hip areas, but also have low rent areas that are to be avoided. If something seems 'too cheap', you can assume it is in a bad neighborhood.
I am not trying to scare you off. Just don't want you to get burned. I am sure you will find something you like and can afford.
Hope that helps.
Good luck.
Last edited:
Batutta
Major Contributor
I can recommend Glendale as I've lived there for several years. It's safe, and close enough to all the studios (except Sony) so that you won't go out of your mind with a commute, and rents are somewhat affordable, especially for the range you're looking for. The mall there is great, plenty of theaters, and in Spring they are opening a massive new complex attached to it. Also Silverlake/Los Feliz is cool if you're into the bohemian hipster thing.
I might piss some people off, but avoid the valley if you can. It's always 15 degrees hotter there and the pollution is worse. Plus any time you have to cross over the hill into LA, you'll want to hang yourself, as there are only two highways to do so, and they're always packed. I guess if you found work in the valley it would make sense, but I'd avoid it if you can. If you absolutely have to, I'd recommend studio city or burbank.
But I'd stay in the LA area and here's where I'd look. Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills Adjacent, Palms, Marina Del Ray, Playa Del Ray, Venice, Culver City, Mid-Wilshire, La Cienega Heights, and mayyyybe Silver Lake (though that's getting pretty east). Some of these places will have harder to find housing in your price range than others (Santa Monica, Venice) but all of these places are centrally located. Oh, and I would second NOT living in the O.C. It's sooooooooooo far away. Expect 80-120 minute commute to LA area.
I would avoid Hollywood like the plague. A lot of people who don't know LA get excited about living in Hollywood because it's... HOLLYWOOD! But Hollywood is so dirty and disgusting. It's like a cesspool for hookers and drug dealers. I'm serious - stay away. Downtown is to be avoided as well. People say that downtown is "coming up". I haven't seen it.
Feel free to PM me regarding places you find and if it's a good idea to live there. I know the area well and I'm constantly looking for places to live so I know prices pretty well too. Good luck!
But I'd stay in the LA area and here's where I'd look. Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills Adjacent, Palms, Marina Del Ray, Playa Del Ray, Venice, Culver City, Mid-Wilshire, La Cienega Heights, and mayyyybe Silver Lake (though that's getting pretty east). Some of these places will have harder to find housing in your price range than others (Santa Monica, Venice) but all of these places are centrally located. Oh, and I would second NOT living in the O.C. It's sooooooooooo far away. Expect 80-120 minute commute to LA area.
I would avoid Hollywood like the plague. A lot of people who don't know LA get excited about living in Hollywood because it's... HOLLYWOOD! But Hollywood is so dirty and disgusting. It's like a cesspool for hookers and drug dealers. I'm serious - stay away. Downtown is to be avoided as well. People say that downtown is "coming up". I haven't seen it.
Feel free to PM me regarding places you find and if it's a good idea to live there. I know the area well and I'm constantly looking for places to live so I know prices pretty well too. Good luck!
DevonKrain
Well-known member
I cant possibly disagree with CG more.
None of those place are "centrally located". They are all either West of the action, South of the action, or East of the Action. Hollywood would be central with the rest around it. That is, of course, unless your place of business is in one of those outer edge cities - which there is a lot of industry out there, but they aren't central. And the Marina to Burbank (there's a TON of work in Burbank) will run you more than an hour drive. And that doesnt even touch on Marina rent rates. The only affordable places in your list are Culver and maybe Palms, but I wouldnt live in those affordable sections.
And as for Glendale, there is no easy/quick way into Hollywood. You can take the 2 to Verdugo to the 101, but everyone else is doing that, and the 134 doesnt transition to the 101S. So you take Forest Lawn to Barham, but then the rest of Studio City/Burbank are taking Barham over. And this doesnt even cover the 134 or Verdugo traffic back home at night (and the fact that the 101N doesnt transition to the 134.
I made the mistake of moving out to Glendale. I was out as soon as the lease was up.
None of those place are "centrally located". They are all either West of the action, South of the action, or East of the Action. Hollywood would be central with the rest around it. That is, of course, unless your place of business is in one of those outer edge cities - which there is a lot of industry out there, but they aren't central. And the Marina to Burbank (there's a TON of work in Burbank) will run you more than an hour drive. And that doesnt even touch on Marina rent rates. The only affordable places in your list are Culver and maybe Palms, but I wouldnt live in those affordable sections.
And as for Glendale, there is no easy/quick way into Hollywood. You can take the 2 to Verdugo to the 101, but everyone else is doing that, and the 134 doesnt transition to the 101S. So you take Forest Lawn to Barham, but then the rest of Studio City/Burbank are taking Barham over. And this doesnt even cover the 134 or Verdugo traffic back home at night (and the fact that the 101N doesnt transition to the 134.
I made the mistake of moving out to Glendale. I was out as soon as the lease was up.
Michael Friedman
Active member
Another thing I should add is that different production types have varying central locations. In other words, if you work in commercials it is mostly in Hollywood and everything west of there. TV (studio work) is going to be mostly in the Valley and some in Hollywood. Film production is all over - whether on location or on the lot - and your call times typically are before traffic. Reality TV is all over the place. I am sure you know this, but be prepared to drive no matter where you live....
There is no perfect central location. I am pretty happy with Century City because I mostly work in Santa Monica, Hollywood and the Valley. I get most places in 20 minutes.
If you find a two bedroom apt (that you would actually live in) on the westside for $1600, you should consider a career in real estate, because you have a gift!
There is no perfect central location. I am pretty happy with Century City because I mostly work in Santa Monica, Hollywood and the Valley. I get most places in 20 minutes.
If you find a two bedroom apt (that you would actually live in) on the westside for $1600, you should consider a career in real estate, because you have a gift!
Last edited:
Silverlake is great, for Warner and Disney and Universal and Prospect and the Lot and Raleigh and Paramount and Hollywood Center and Quixote (Glendale and Hollywood) and NBC and Sunset Gower Studios. And you might find a good sublet or rental on Craigslist.
You might also consider Hollywood around Cherokee, Glendale, Eagle Rock, North Hollywood and Los Feliz. I assume you're not hung up on living in style, and if you are willing to forgo style for economy, you can probably find something reasonable in those areas.
Culver City and surroundings will put you closer to Fox and Sony and Lightstorm and the Manhattan Beach stages and Culver Studios.
FWIW I wouldn't care to live east of the 710, north of the 118, or south of the 105, at the very outside limits. From anywhere inside that box a commute to most of the working production facilities is practical.
Brand to Hyperion to Sunset, and there you are, in Hollywood.
Anyway, as most everyone I know has discovered, picking a place near the eastern studio cluster will guarantee that all your gigs are located in the western ones, and vice versa.
You might also consider Hollywood around Cherokee, Glendale, Eagle Rock, North Hollywood and Los Feliz. I assume you're not hung up on living in style, and if you are willing to forgo style for economy, you can probably find something reasonable in those areas.
Culver City and surroundings will put you closer to Fox and Sony and Lightstorm and the Manhattan Beach stages and Culver Studios.
FWIW I wouldn't care to live east of the 710, north of the 118, or south of the 105, at the very outside limits. From anywhere inside that box a commute to most of the working production facilities is practical.
DevonKrain[/i said:
Brand to Hyperion to Sunset, and there you are, in Hollywood.
Anyway, as most everyone I know has discovered, picking a place near the eastern studio cluster will guarantee that all your gigs are located in the western ones, and vice versa.
Last edited:
Well yeah, everything depends on where you work. The thing is, since it's film, you're always working in different places. But I find with the places I mentioned, they're all mainly close to highways and they're all decent areas for the price you mentioned. I stand by my original suggestions.
Regarding Glendale - wouldn't do it. I have a friend who moved there recently and she doesn't like it. Not that it matters - but Glendale is about 95% Armenian. I found there's a cultural possesiveness there bordering on racism. If you're not Armenian, you're not really accepted. These are only my own experiences and I have no idea if they reflect the general population or not. But I definitely felt unaccepted there.
Regarding Glendale - wouldn't do it. I have a friend who moved there recently and she doesn't like it. Not that it matters - but Glendale is about 95% Armenian. I found there's a cultural possesiveness there bordering on racism. If you're not Armenian, you're not really accepted. These are only my own experiences and I have no idea if they reflect the general population or not. But I definitely felt unaccepted there.
Last edited:
DevonKrain
Well-known member
Easy to say, not that quick to drive.
Sean Richwine
Member
Good lord, that's crazy!
Thanks all. All the responses are absolutely terrific. Not always in agreeance with each other, but I expected such.
For our price range, it sounds like an apartment in either Studio City or Burbank will provide a pretty good standard of living. My only real concern is the day-job and school. How many IT jobs are nearby?
When do the freeways get packed? Here in VA Beach, I'm pretty much good except for 5pm-6pm M-F and even then - the car's always rolling. What can I look forward to in LA?
Last edited:
I have found it satisfactorily quick, when those are the points I'm connecting.
YMMV.
Concerning traffic, you can look forward to virtual morning/evening gridlock three out of any five days on the major freeways, and some of the feeder roads.
There are frequently surface-street paths that can save you time. Some are already heavily exploited, and some are for some reason relatively unknown...
If you really want to get anywhere within a reasonable time-frame, consider a motorcycle. Lane sharing is legal here.
Last edited:
bill totolo
Veteran
Believe it or not there simply is no rhyme or reason to LA traffic. Expect delays at all times of day. It gets intense around 3pm - 7pm in the eve's, mornings are tight between 8 and 9am, I'd say.
I've been living in Mar Vista/Culver City for 8 years and love the area. Always about 73 degrees year round and close to plenty of restaurants.
Whatever savings you bring, expect to burn through it about twice as quickly as you anticipate.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I've been living in Mar Vista/Culver City for 8 years and love the area. Always about 73 degrees year round and close to plenty of restaurants.
Whatever savings you bring, expect to burn through it about twice as quickly as you anticipate.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
adkimery
Veteran
A scouting trip would be a good idea, and don't try and pick a perfect place off the bat. I'd go by price first, maybe someplace that does 6 month leases, and once you are out here and have a better idea of where you are working then you look for a nice place in an area that you like that has do-able commute. Also, with the writers strike and such has many people are going to their "fall back" jobs as well so now isn't exactly the best time to move to LA unless you have 6-12 months worth of living expenses saved up and you're not the type to freak out when you don't have a steady job.
W/all that being said, personally I like living along what I call the "Olympic Corridor". Olympic is a major E/W street that stretches from the ocean to downtown LA. It's far south enough that it avoids a lot of congestion (relatively speaking), but not so far south that it is out of the way.
-A
W/all that being said, personally I like living along what I call the "Olympic Corridor". Olympic is a major E/W street that stretches from the ocean to downtown LA. It's far south enough that it avoids a lot of congestion (relatively speaking), but not so far south that it is out of the way.
-A
Tom Marshall
Actor!!!!!!
I used to do the Forest Lawn to Barham thing and it's not fun once you get to Barham and are about to get on Cahunga (I hate the freeways, usually). Then it sucks.
Burbank and surrounding cities are great for Disney and Universal as well.
You don't necessarily have to limit yourself to Studio City or Burbank. There are quite a few surrounding areas. Valley Village is inexpensive and just north of Studio City. Parts of North Hollywood are nice, but you have to be a little careful. I'm in North Hollywood and and quite happy with where I live. My rent, for a bachelor unit is 750 a month and the best part is I don't have to deal with any roommates.
As far as IT jobs, they're sort of scattered around. Most of the heavier IT jobs, so to speak, are in Thousand Oaks, which is a bit of a drive. You'll want to avoid that area for a job or even for living. It's too far west. There are a few web design / development firms located in central Hollywood.
The freeways are packed from about 7am to 2pm and then from 4 pm to around 8 or 9. The best time to drive on the freeway is after 10pm... really... Try and find side roads that you can take wherever you go. It's usually quicker that way.
For community colleges, there are quite a few. There's one in Glendale, one in Santa Monica, one in Van Nuys. That's not something you'll really need to take into cosideration. You might want to think about what 4 year colleges you'd be near if you plan to finish school and get your degree...
Sean Richwine
Member
It would be a smart thing to do. I'm thinking about scouting two months before we move. I'm a little worried about spending $600 on airfare + car rental, but it's probably better than just driving out to LA and realizing we're utterly, utterly screwed.
Concerning four-year college, it'll realistically take me 18 months to get transfer requirements in order, so being close to one isn't too important.
This is true. You just can't win.
Even 2am on a weeknight, guess what? Time for Caltrans to shut the freeway down for repair!
Batutta
Major Contributor
Bah. All the Armenians I've know there have been cordial. I didn't make friends with them, but I have friends already, and you'll make them at work. Also, the Armenian teenagers are generally polite and not hooligans. You can walk the streets at night and not feel the least bit threatened.
I will say if you are going into post-production, move to the westside, as that's where most of the post houses are.
DevonKrain
Well-known member
I didnt want to mention it, but since it's been brought up, I agree 100%.
And this wasnt the reason I didnt like Glendale, but it didnt help. Glendale also has a prominant Armenian organized crime ring. And I have 4 friends on Glendale PD that have told me all the stories that dont make the newspaper.
And this wasnt the reason I didnt like Glendale, but it didnt help. Glendale also has a prominant Armenian organized crime ring. And I have 4 friends on Glendale PD that have told me all the stories that dont make the newspaper.
Batutta
Major Contributor
All I know is I lived there for 4 years without encountering a single incident. However, when I lived in Silverlake, I was robbed twice, and got caught in a gang crossfire while out for a jog.