Moving to LA area--Any advice on where to live?

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Hello,

I'm a 43-year-old writer/editor who will be relocating from Santa Fe, NM to the Los Angeles area in a couple months. I'm trying to narrow down neighborhoods that will be safe, affordable, and fun to live in. I can spend up to about $1,000/month in rent. I'm seeking proximity to creative/cultural stimulation, shops that are funky and housing that's not. Inland is fine--I don't need to be near the ocean. So far, I'm considering Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Los Feliz/Silverlake. Can anyone help me sort out the differences among them or suggest other areas I might like as well?

Thanks so much for your help!

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Hey. You're going in the wrong direction. We're all caravan-ing to NM.

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Well, caravan away! NM can be a fine place to be...as long as you're not interested in making money or having a relationship (LOL).

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you're going to L.A. expecting to acquire a relationship? You are a silly goose.

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OK, we're not helping.

anon and...who else? Apisa? lived in SF. I think our transvestite did as well, but he/she may be down for the count.

Who lives in SF?

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I like Venice, Mar Vista, Culver City - for all you describe, inland from the immediate beach area - but not sure the rent is enough. Ocean Park is good, probably more expensive. Santa Monica, again, expensive.

Look at some ads re prices.

Ask some folks - a certain few blocks are moderately dangerous, but the danger territory is quite capsulized, usually. Except for the beach, where much of the crime stats happen on summer weekends.

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I'd live close to work, otherwise you're on the road most
of the time. If this is not important, than I'd prefer the
beach communities, as Pasadena is unbearable hot during
the summer months.

Santa Monica is beautiful, but rather expensive. You
might look into craigslist.com for cheaper apartements.

I would not want to live in east LA, southest, Compton,
Watts, or Hollywood.

The beach communities are far better.

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And by inland, I meant fifteen blocks or so. The immediate few blocks near the beach get too many visitors, too much traffic - in my opinion.

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Thank you both. (Love that corgi!!) Good advice about the work, and when I have to commute, I'll heed it. For now, I'm going to be telecommuting, so I want home to be as pleasant as possible. Yeah, I plan to avoid Compton and Watts--getting lost there last summer was enough fun for me.

Is the rental market there cutthroat competitive, as in NYC and San Fran?

Anybody know of a good rental agent who could show me around some of these areas?

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The only real estate agent I know there is a friend who deals with houses..
The LA Times real estate section is thick in the Sunday paper, but good places go fast.
On the other hand, I found a wonderful apartment once by just driving around - not that I'd recommend that as a primary mode, but it can help you figure out where you like.

I agree with Calamity Jane, I'd check Craig's List.

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The Evening Outlook used to be a not-bad paper for rentals too.

Aside from having listings that might not be in the paper, a real estate person can give you tips on neighborhoods (and so can the local police department re certain addresses.)

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Re Silverlake, I don't know it that well. It might be a "which block?" question too.

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Look here http://losangeles.craigslist.org/apa/

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Thanks for the craigslist link. That should be helpful.

Can anyone characterize (in broad stereotypes) the types of people who tend to live in SMonica, Pasadena, and Los Feliz/Silverlake? I'm trying to figure out where I'd "fit in."

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I only know Santa Monica and Pasadena, but have friends
living in Los Feliz and they like it.

Santa Monica - trendy, youngish, professionals on the more
affluent side. In the summer times it can get very crowded
due to beach visitors and tourists. If I had a choice I would
definitely live in Santa Monica.

PICTURES

Pasadena has historical value, but more family oriented and typical suburbia.
There are some very beautiful and interesting neighborhoods
in Pasadena, yet, as I said: very hot in the summer.

PICTURES

And here are some Pictures of Los Feliz

PICTURES

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Vielen danken! And thanks so much for the photo links! I really appreciate your help.

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Bitteschoen! My pleasure Wink

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Moving to LA area--Any advice on where to live?

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