Last updated on February 9th, 2022 at 04:18 pm

Los Angeles is sprawling. Anything seems possible… but where do you start? Where are the best places to live in Los Angeles for you?

What are the best places to live in Los Angeles?

The first challenge is finding a safe neighborhood in LA. Then, filtering for neighborhoods you can afford to rent or buy. Finally, each neighborhood has a distinctive personality; where do you fit?

Your first year in particular can make or break the experience. Los Angeles can be a lonely place. I got lucky, I loved my first neighborhood. This article can help do the same for you.

Choosing the best place to live in Los Angeles depends on what you’re looking for. First we’ll look at safe neighborhoods in LA. Then we’ll explore some of the best places to move for families and single, young professionals. Finally, for those renting, we’ll cover how to find an apartment in Los Angeles.

(Moving to Los Angeles soon? Click here to learn the best time to move (hint: when rents are lowest), how much to save, and whether you really need a car.)

10 Safe Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

When you move to LA, finding a safe neighborhood should be your top priority. Here are 10 safe neighborhoods in Los Angeles to explore:

1. Playa Vista
2. North Hollywood
3. Westwood
4. Palms
5. Tujunga
6. Sawtelle
7. Mid-Wilshire
8. Sherman Oaks
9. Pacific Palisades
10. Toluca Lake

Playa Vista

• Walk score: 68
• Transit score: 48
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Playa Vista crime rates are 34% lower than the Los Angeles average[efn_note]All crime rate data from https://www.areavibes.com/[/efn_note]
• Average rent: $3,361[efn_note]All rental data from https://www.rentcafe.com/[/efn_note]

My first memories of Los Angeles involve late night drives in Playa Vista. Sea salt on the tongue and crisp breeze off the ocean, I remember thinking: places like this are precisely why people move to Los Angeles.

This safe Los Angeles neighborhood occupies prime real estate on the Pacific Coast, without the tourist and traffic drawbacks of Santa Monica or Venice.

The modern conveniences start with the apartments, with the gym and pools offered in most apartment buildings in Playa Vista. Head outside and you’ll find picturesque trails, playgrounds, and parks. At Runway Playa Vista, you can grocery shop at Whole Foods, catch a movie, and attend the outdoor farmer’s market.

Finally, Playa Vista’s proximity to Silicon Beach (the backyard of companies like Google, Microsoft, and Snap) makes it one of the best places to live in Los Angeles.

(Looking for help landing a role at one of these top tech companies? Here’s my in-the-trenches advice to get you started.)

North Hollywood

• Walk score: 67
• Transit score: 47
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: North Hollywood crime rates are 10% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,177

North Hollywood (or NoHo) is a neighborhood in LA with its unique blend of suburban life and culture, in the San Fernando Valley. The crown jewel of the neighborhood is the NoHo Arts District, which has continued to expand and create a walkable “urban oasis,” even as chain stores like Target and Home Depot open up shop.

The distinct feel of this safe Los Angeles neighborhood comes from the mix of both long-term residents and transplant artists.

What seals the deal on NoHo being one of the best places to live in LA? The convenience of public transport. You have the Orange Line taking you further into the Valley, and the Red Line gives you 15-minute access to Downtown LA.

(Bringing a car to Los Angeles? Don’t lose hours of your life waiting in line at the DMV with the wrong form. Bookmark this guide on getting your California driver’s license.)

Westwood

• Walk score: 69
• Transit score: 65
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Westwood crime rates are 56% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $3,410

Westwood’s proximity to UCLA makes it one of the best places to live in LA if you’re single. Everywhere you look there are students and young professionals. But the fact it’s one of the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles makes it one of the best places to live, full stop.

You’re close to everything you want to do on the west side: from the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica to The Grove in Mid-Wilshire. You’re also a hop and skip away from popular LA neighborhoods, like Brentwood, Century City, and Palms. To head further east, you can hop on the Metro Expo line.

Not that you have to go far for entertainment: both the Fowler and The Hammer Museum are right in your backyard. Or if it’s culture you’re looking for, check out the Geffen Playhouse, Billy Wilder Theater, or The Crest Theater.

Palms

• Walk score: 90
• Transit score: 58
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Palms crime rates are 38% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,370

Palms gets the vote for the most tranquil of the best places to live in Los Angeles.

Don’t let the neighborhood’s quietness deceive you; with libraries, green spaces, two Trader Joe’s nearby, and restaurants on Motor and Overland, it’s a remarkable quality of life. Palms delivers on the unique experience of belonging to a real neighborhood without missing any of the action.

The location isn’t bad either. The rest of Los Angeles all feels like it’s 10 minutes away: Westwood, Culver City, Santa Monica, and Mid-Wilshire are around the corner. And if you need to head out further, you can easily access both the 405 and the 10.

Tujunga 

• Walk score: 63
• Transit score: 34
• Bike score: 30
• Crime rates: Tujunga crime rates are 40% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $1,775

Tired of city life? Ready for a suburban, safe neighborhood in LA? Look no further than Tujunga. Whether you’re looking for one of the best places in LA for families or looking for your first apartment, Tujunga is a solid bet.

Tujunga is situated in San Fernando Valley, nestled against the rolling hills of the San Gabriel Mountains, and a short drive to the Angeles National Forest. It remains in touch with its rustic rural roots, as the community opposes big box stores (if you’re looking for a Home Depot, drive to nearby Pacoima and Sylmar). However, it’s this opposition keeping housing affordable.

Great dining options are close by, on La Crescenta, La Canada, and Montrose. And you have multiple options to get back to Downtown LA: the 210 is wide and open during non-peak times. At rush hour, your best bet is the Metro’s 90 Line, which takes you into Downtown LA’s South Park neighborhood.

Sawtelle

• Walk score: 95
• Transit score: 63
• Bike score: 86
• Crime rates: Sawtelle crime rates are 11% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,805

One of my first bosses in the entertainment industry was a burly, native Los Angeleno named Brian. Typical Hollywood agent, loud, crass, and never afraid to remind you you were wrong. But his bark was worse than his bite. Most importantly, he loved to eat and had a Rolodex of the best spots.

One day we headed out to lunch, and I said I was in the mood for ramen. His face lit up. “The best Ramen is in Sawtelle,” he said. As usual, he was right.

Sawtelle boasts all the amenities and conveniences of West LA while maintaining its small-town feel, making it one of the best places to live in Los Angeles. Situated just west of the 405, Sawtelle is surrounded by more terrific communities: Brentwood to the north, Palms to the South, and Santa Monica to the west.

The highlight of Sawtelle is Sawtelle Japantown: restaurant row of the best ramen, curry, and sushi joins in LA. Sprinkled throughout you’ll find Japanese toy shops, grocery stores, and boba tea.

Finally, you also have Stoner Park, which has green spaces, a baseball field, a skate park, and the kid-friendly Stoner Park Pool.

Mid-Wilshire

• Walk score: 90
• Transit score: 61
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Mid-Wilshire crime rates are 7% higher than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,701

One of my favorite past times happens at Mid-Wilshire: grabbing a matzo ball soup from Canter’s, then walking off my food coma with a stroll along Fairfax to The Grove.

Mid-Wilshire earns its name by dropping its flag in the middle of everything: museum row on Miracle Mile, a short drive to all-you-can-eat heaven in Koreatown, plus the bars and restaurants of the revitalized downtown Culver City.

With its central location, traffic can get more clogged than your arteries on a 3 Double-Double Animal Style per day habit. Fortunately, you’ll find buses on all the major streets, plus the new subway station at Wilshire and La Brea.

Sherman Oaks

• Walk score: 62
• Transit Score: 44
• Bike Score: 52
• Crime rates: Sherman Oaks crime rates are 11% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,191

In Sherman Oaks, you’ll find a peaceful slice of suburbia in the proverbial heart of the San Fernando Valley. As friends couple up and settle down, they all follow a similar refrain: move over to a safe neighborhood in LA where they can raise their new families. With its proximity to the 101 and the 405 for their commute, Sherman Oaks fits the bill.

You’ll find classic, Old LA architecture juxtaposed with the modern Sherman Oaks Galleria and open-air ArcLight Movie Theater. Take a stroll on Ventura Blvd for your fix of high-end fashion boutiques and chic restaurants.

All of which is a short drive from Sherman Oaks Park. You can dip in the public pool, work out at the gym, and hoop it up at the indoor and outdoor courts. With all this and more to do, no wonder my friends all agree that Sherman Oaks is one of the best places to live in Los Angeles.

Pacific Palisades 

• Walk score: 36
• Transit score: 27
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Pacific Palisades crime rates are 39% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $3,612

When my boss, Joel, left Santa Monica, his family settled on the Pacific Palisades as the idyllic neighborhood to raise their daughter. Thus, he joined the rest of the Hollywood contingent calling that neighborhood home.

You’re always a short drive to the mountains, with plenty of hiking routes like Backbone Trail and Skull Rock. Just two miles away are the white sand beaches and the quiet serene of Will Rogers State Beach. It’s no wonder why the Pacific Palisades easily makes it on the list of best places to live in Los Angeles.

Some elements can dampen the mood: “June Gloom” and its accompanying fog make for gray mornings, and the traffic along the Pacific Coast Highway can be downright dreary. However, the Sunday Farmer’s Market has a bustling local vibe, and the year-round temperate climate more than make up for it.

(Looking to break into Hollywood? Here’s how I cold-emailed my way to a writer’s assistant job – including the exact email I sent.)

Toluca Lake 

• Walk score: 38
• Transit score: 39
• Bike score: 58
• Crime rates: Toluca Lake crime rates are 15% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,490

Toluca Lake is one of LA’s best-kept secrets. It’s tucked in the San Fernando Valley, hidden behind the allure and reputation of Hollywood, Burbank, and Universal City. Rolling estates and mansions shelter celebrities and retirees from the bright lights, but still want the proximity to the studios. Home prices are high, but if you’re looking for your first apartment in Los Angeles, there are still deals to be found in this safe neighborhood.

When you get bored of gazing at the Santa Monica Mountains or watching the swans in the lake, take a walk along Riverside Drive and shop at high-end boutiques like Pergolina and Rose & Sage. Afterward, catch a show at the storied Garry Marshall Theater.

6 Best Places to Live in Los Angeles for Families

If you’re moving to Los Angeles with your family, there’s plenty to be excited about. Not only are there great schools, but the year-round beautiful weather, beaches, and mountains make getting that crucial outside time (learn more about the 1,000 hours outside challenge) a joy for the kids. Here are six of the best places to live in Los Angeles for families:

1. Eagle Rock
2. Manhattan Beach
3. Studio City
4. Irvine
5. Playa Vista
6. Sherman Oaks

Eagle Rock

• Walk score: 70
• Transit score: 47
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Eagle Rock crime rates are 36% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,068

Eagle Rock is where local Los Angelenos retreat to raise their kids (Sherman Oaks is another popular destination).

Put another way: “It’s the place where hipsters go to die or raise kids—which some people consider the same thing,” actor Mark Duplass said. With great schools and an ethnically diverse population, he’s not wrong.

You can find apartment complexes, small bungalows, and Spanish-style villas to rent or buy. Keep in mind to check the AC before you move in, as summers can get hot.

The main drag, Colorado Blvd, is lined with underrated restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. You’ll find other trappings of suburban life: green areas and sports fields, playgrounds and dog run. As a bonus, Occidental College is nearby, too.

Manhattan Beach

• Walk score: 73
• Transit score: NA
• Bike score: 52
• Crime rates: Manhattan Beach crime rates are 9% lower than the California average
• Average rent: $3,075

Hard to believe, but true: Manhattan Beach is one of the best places to live in Los Angeles for families. It’s part of the glorious strip of beaches known as the South Bay (Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beach) and home to surfers, volleyball players, and the wealthy alike. Personally, it’s my favorite beach, easily outshining Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach.

The Manhattan Pier draws in tourists in the summer, but not nearly with the same fervor as Hollywood or the 3rd Street Promenade. The Strand, a path traversed by joggers and bikers, runs parallel to one of the cleanest beaches in Los Angeles.

Schooling at all levels is exceptional. The Manhattan Beach school district regularly ranks among the best in LA County and the country.

There are plenty of small apartment complexes and condos, but beachfront property is expensive. If you rent or buy, get parking included as fighting for street parking is like guerilla warfare in the South Bay.

Studio City

• Walk score: 65
• Transit score: 44
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Studio City crime rates are 5% higher than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,460

Studio City enjoys a welcoming, local vibe and boasts access to every major freeway. If you work in the entertainment industry (or you’re trying to break in) you’re close to the major players. It makes for a great location in Los Angeles for families.

Once you’ve entered the residential neighborhoods, it’s surprisingly serene for a highway hub. Note you can also take local routes through Coldwater Canyon to head south, reaching Century City in 20 minutes without traffic. You’ll find a large number of both small and large houses, and both apartment complexes and condos.

Along Ventura Avenue is every type of restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and lounge. Depending on exactly where you live, Universal Citywalk is within walking distance. And if you need your dose of home-grown organic produce, hit up the Farmer’s Market Faire by Laurel Canyon and Ventura Boulevard, open every Sunday.

Irvine

• Walk score: 43
• Transit score: 26
• Bike score: 69
• Crime rates: Irvine crime rates are 40% lower than the California average
• Average rent: $2,901

Irvine isn’t just another safe neighborhood in Los Angeles. It’s ranked one of the safest places to live in the world. According to FBI studies, Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more.[efn_note]https://www.cityofirvine.org/2021-2018-awards[/efn_note]

Besides the low crime rate, Irvine’s cleanliness, weather, and convenience all make it one of the best places to live in Los Angeles for families. Drive through and you’ll find swept streets and manicured lawns. Its proximity to the coast keeps the city temperate all year long, with over 280 days of sunshine and low humidity.

Irvine is close to several serene beaches, like Laguna Beach and Salt Creek Beach, neither of which get the same crowds as beaches in West LA.

If you work in Irvine, you’ll find daily life incredibly convenient – everything from your workplace to your doctor’s office to schools is all less than 15 minutes away. And speaking of schools, the Irvine school district offers some of the top-rated schools in California from K-12.

6 Best Places to Live in Los Angeles for Singles

Los Angeles has a storied history of attracting young people to its shores. Now as both an entertainment and tech hub, gorgeous mountains and beaches, and 280 days of sunshine, young professionals have more reasons to settle in LA than ever.

Here are some of the best places to live in LA for singles:

1. Hollywood
2. Silver Lake
3. West Hollywood
4. Los Feliz
5. Westwood
6. Manhattan Beach

Hollywood

• Walk score: 88
• Transit score: 63
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Hollywood crime rates are 71% higher than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,531

Advice for moving to Hollywood: embrace the kitsch. Where else can you expect to run into Winnie the Pooh and Captain America, arm-in-arm, posing for pictures?

The touristy veneer is part of the allure. Remember that people fly all over the world to see the Chinese Theater, the Dolby Theater, and the Wax Museum. Once you become a resident, you’ll see all the other benefits of living in Hollywood.

The neighborhood has grown denser and taller over the years. Supplementing older, affordable apartment complexes are luxury high-rises. Located along Vine, these imposing towers are within walking distance from the pulsing nightlife of the main drag. You’ll find rooftop pools next to dive bars across from glamorous restaurants. This diversity in people and experiences makes Hollywood one of the best places to live for singles and young professionals.

Silver Lake

• Walk score: 81
• Transit score: 54
• Bike score: 2
• Crime rates: Silver Lake crime rates are 11% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,250

My first $6 cup of coffee was bought at Intelligentsia in Silver Lake. It was a remarkable experience. The quality was good; the vibe was better. Just like the rest of the neighborhood.

Silver Lake (and the adjacent Echo Park) is the Williamsburg of the West. Once a gritty neighborhood bordering Downtown LA, it’s earned its reputation as a creative oasis with a vibrant nightlife scene. Head to Sunset Junction to check out boutique shops, vintage stores, and tasty caffeinated beverages. Downtown LA, Chinatown, and Dodger Stadium are convenient draws for both residents and tourists alike.

Besides the nightlife, there are plenty of accessible outdoor recreation spots like Echo Park Lake, Elysian Park, Silver Lake Reservoir, and the Greek Theater.

West Hollywood

• Walk score: 91
• Transit score: 60
• Bike score: 58
• Crime rates: West Hollywood crime rates are 49% higher than the California average
• Average rent: $3,260

West Hollywood (or WeHo) is one of the most walkable parts of Los Angeles, perfect if you’re living in LA sans-car. Residents reap the benefits of dense urban living. You can find everything you need (bank, grocery store, parks, restaurants, etc.) a short walk away.

The flip side: getting into West Hollywood is not the easiest. It’s far from the major freeways and the local streets teem with traffic.

But if you’re interested in nightlife, look no further. Bars, clubs, and famous live music venues (The Viper Room, Whiskey A-Go-Go, The Roxy) reside in your backyard. For shopping, there are boutiques galore on Melrose Avenue, Sunset Plaza, and Beverly Center.

More than 40% of West Hollywood identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and the city is a champion of equal rights for the LGBTQ community. In June, the neighborhood hosts the world-famous street party known as the LA Pride Parade.

Los Feliz

• Walk score: 89
• Transit score: 62
• Bike score: 49
• Crime rates: Los Feliz crime rates are 17% lower than the Los Angeles average
• Average rent: $2,056

Los Feliz promises the best of both worlds. More impressively, it delivers.

Enjoy the comfort and convenience of suburban life with wide, tree-lined streets and beautiful Spanish-style houses. A short drive away, you’ll find a diverse collection of eclectic bars and shops that one expects from the best of LA nightlife. This juxtaposition makes Los Feliz one of the best places to live in Los Angeles for singles.

You’ll find the nightlife scene on Hillhurst Ave and North Vermont. When you need a break, drive two miles out to Griffith Park, where you’ll find the Griffith Observatory. Lounge at the Griffith Park Pool. Take in a show at the Greek Theater.

Finally, as a bonus, you’re 15 minutes away from Burbank airport. One flight out of there and you’ll never use LAX again.

So we covered safe safe neighborhoods in LA, plus best places to move for families and singles. Next let’s cover finding an apartment in Los Angeles.

How to Find an Apartment in Los Angeles

Someone emailed me asking for help finding her first apartment. I asked her to describe what she was looking for:

My next idea for a job would be as a music therapist in various elementary, middle and high schools in L.A. (basically, anyone who would take me) so if that were to happen, it wouldn’t really matter where I lived b/c I would be traveling from school to school anyway. 

I don’t exactly know how to describe the feel that I’m looking for, but I’m hoping to find somewhere that’s artsy, but also consists of young professionals in their mid-late 20s. It would be a plus if there were a few families with children around too. It would also be a plus if I could get to the beach easily. I’m hoping for a place that has access to nature b/c I’m a big nature girl, maybe someplace that has a big park to hike in.

I’m also looking for a safe place that I could get for under $1,000. I’m willing to have a bachelor’s or a studio apartment.

I also don’t wanna get stuck in a pocket of people that are too snotty or not friendly at all.

Is there a place that fits these things or a place that has most of these things I’m looking for?

Sounds like an amazing place to live. Unfortunately, it’s not realistic.

We need to set the right expectations. Otherwise, no matter where you end up or how good a deal it is, you’ll be disappointed.

Your apartment search comes down to three “C’s”:

• Commute
• Cost
• Community

Get these right and you’ll be all set.

The Commute

Pick an LA neighborhood as close to your work as possible.

If you don’t have a job yet, sometimes you have to make your best guess. For example, if you work in tech (or want to career switch into tech) then West LA is a good best.

When you’re researching commute times, don’t just rely on distance. Check Google Maps during rush hour. Even a seemingly reasonable commute in Los Angeles can be miserable. Four miles can take 40 minutes (have you ever tried crossing Wilshire on Friday before a 3-day weekend? Don’t.)

This rule applies for any work I call “money work”: it’s not your passion or dream job. You’re just in it for the money.

If you found your dream job, something you’re passionate about, make the commute. Go anywhere for that job (live out of your car if you have to).

In all other cases, do yourself a favor and prioritize your commute.

(The simplest way to kill your commute time? Get a remote job. Here are 10 remote jobs you can get with no experience required.)

The Cost 

You have a number in your head for how much you want to pay in rent. You tell yourself:

“I’m not going to spend a dollar more! I’ve done my research on Craigslist, there are plenty of places that fit this budget… Plus, it’d be nice if it was close to a park, the beach, and had a pool.”

Yes, such places exist in Los Angeles. But it’s like buying a winning lotto ticket — don’t bank on it.

When it comes to cost:

• Prioritize for commute and community (more on community later)
• Add $300-500 to the number in your head

Where will that extra cash go?

Choosing a safe neighborhood in Los Angeles 

There are decent apartments in all sorts of price ranges. But never compromise on your safety. Add additional buffer so you can pass on neighborhoods too rough for your comfort level.

Protecting yourself from yourself

When I went to find my last apartment in LA, I found everything I wanted: balcony, great location, a jacuzzi-style tub I would rarely use but could brag about.

Except it was $200 over my budget. The logical thing would have been to admit it was out of my price range and find a new apartment.

But how often do we act like reasonable and rational human beings? Rarely. We act against our own best interests every day: eating too much, drinking too often, and not sleeping enough.

Do not count on acting like a logical person when you’re apartment shopping.

I had fallen in love with this apartment. So instead of finding something that “fit my budget,” I negotiated the rent, convinced myself I’d “earn more money” and signed the lease.

You will not “stick to the plan” no matter how strict you think you are. Protect yourself from yourself.

Paying hidden costs

Your rent doesn’t account for hidden costs:

• Security deposit (another whole month’s rent)
• Internet setup fee
• Turning on the gas
• Costs to physically move into the apartment
• Etc.

The initial cost of renting is 2x-3x your rent. Property managers typically want the first month and last month’s rent. Others require the first month, last month, AND a security deposit (another month’s rent).

Having an extra margin will shield you from these hidden costs.

The Community 

The final C stands for Community.

Derek Sivers explains why community is so important in finding an apartment in Los Angeles[efn_note]https://sivers.org/la[/efn_note]:

Not long ago, [Los Angeles] was just a bunch of small towns: Venice, Pasadena, Burbank, Encino, Beverly Hills – but then for tax reasons they drew a circle around about 30 small towns and decided to call it Los Angeles.

So if you go just understanding it’s a bunch of adjacent towns, each quite different in character, and don’t go expecting a city, then it won’t be so frustrating.

When someone says they hate LA, you have to ask, “Which neighborhood?” Because Santa Monica is not like Silverlake is not like Van Nuys is not like Hollywood, but they’re all inside that circle called LA. It’s completely de-centralized. (And “downtown” is just another neighborhood. Unlike most cities, it’s not the center of everything.)

Get your community right. You want to feel at home in your apartment.

Los Angeles can already feel like a lonely place at times. It takes time and work to build up your network, especially if you’re shy. Many transplants don’t stay past their first year. During moments like this, you need refuge. A “safe place” to rejuvenate, recharge, and be yourself.

It’s worth sacrificing on the commute and the cost if you find the perfect community for YOU. Spend the time to research the above neighborhoods and explore ones that fit you best.

How Do I Find My LA Apartment?

Here are the tools to get you started:

West Side Rentals

People either swear by West Side Rentals or swear at it. It charges a $29 fee to use their service for 30 days. If you can “borrow” someone’s account for a month, give it a try. Or, try it for a month and if you’re out $29, then so be it. The potential reward outweighs the cost. The website is very organized and has a huge number of listings.

Open West Side Rentals in a new tab

Craigslist

An obvious choice – but did you know you can also create RSS feeds with your search criteria, so your reader of choice is automatically populated via a filtered search? I suggest doing general searches as well (so you don’t miss any diamonds in the rough) but Craigslist RSS’ing can be a huge time saver if you’re having trouble sifting through the crap out there.

Open Craigslist in a new tab

Airbnb

Airbnb isn’t just a great option for short-term stays. It’s great to get leads. Stay at one place for the night and be super polite. The first thing you should do is leave a review. The second thing is to ask them if they have any friends (or friends of friends) looking to rent their apartment out for a longer term.

Open Airbnb in a new tab

Reddit

If you’re a Redditor, you’ve probably already checked out /r/los angeles. Apartments are occasionally listed. However, if you mention that you’re moving to LA or you’re new to LA and would like to meet up, people sometimes come out.

Suggest a public place, get to know other Redditors in LA, and don’t be shy about asking if they know anyone who’s renting their apartment or if there are any available rentals in their neighborhood.

Open Reddit in a new tab

Other tools of the trade:

• The Rental Girl – Mostly house listings here, curated by a group of real estate women, by area
• Padmapper.com – A website with a clean interface that allows you to easily search apartments and visualize where they are on the map. Most results are pulled from West Side Rentals and Craigslist
• Apartmenttherapy.com – Great tips on how to make an apartment feel like home

Find Your LA Apartment Checklist

You found a few apartments you want to check out. How can you make sure you ask the right questions before locking in your new home?

Here’s your checklist for when it’s time to find your Los Angeles apartment.

Your amenities

Which amenities are “must-haves” for you? Which are “nice-to-have?” Write these down before you head out. Here’s a list of the most common:

• On-site laundry
• In-unit laundry
• How many parking spots?
• Is parking covered or uncovered?
• Or is it permit (street) parking?
• Dishwasher
• Outdoor space
• Air conditioning
• Pool
• Fitness center
• Security

On-site inspection

• Be on time for your appointment. This is your first impression on your landlord. Dress and act accordingly
• Find out if the landlord will take a personal check or only accepts a cashier’s check
• Arrive prepared. Have your rental application, your license (or other photo ID), a check stub (to prove income), and your checkbook to pay the application fee
• Turn on all the faucets. See how long it takes for water to heat up
• Check the locks on the doors and windows
• Bring along a phone charger and check the outlets.
• If the laundry is on-site, ask to see the facility. Is it convenient for you?
• Any damages to the apartment?
• Try to talk to neighbors if possible: What do they love about the neighborhood? What do they hate?
• How many roommates are allowed?
• Is the apartment pet-friendly? How much is pet rent?
• Are there any additional fees? e.g. a recurring annual fee to cover scheduled maintenance
• Walk around the neighborhood. Could you imagine yourself living here?
• Come back at night. Is the neighborhood loud or quiet?
• Are you using public transportation? How convenient is it from your apartment?

Questions to ask your landlord

• Are pets allowed? Is there a deposit or “pet rent?”
• How many roommates are allowed?
• Who is in charge of maintenance?
• What happens if you break your lease during the term?
• After the first term, do you renew or is it month-to-month?
• Can you customize your apartment (paint the wall, hang shelves, etc.)?
• How much exactly are you paying to move in? (Rental fee, deposit, first month’s rent, last month’s rent?)
• Which utilities are you responsible for paying? (Water, gas, electric, Internet?)
• Ask your landlord to put unanswered questions into your lease before signing

Before You Sign

• Study and know your Renter’s Rights
• Read your apartment lease. Make sure you understand it — ask questions and get clarification on anything you don’t understand
• Is the lease yearly or month-to-month?
• Get contact information on utilities
• Ask about renter’s insurance (available through most insurance companies)

Thanks for reading. See you in LA.

Sources: