Moving to LA looking for some advice

[YdoUwant2know]

Thanks in part to all of the awesome competitions hosted here at Game Artisans and the models I have created for them, I have been offered a job in LA in the Marina del Ray / Santa Monica area. (basically just a bit north of LAX)

However, currently I live in Michigan, and I am not that familiar with the LA area, and trying to find a place to stay online is well, challenging. So here is my question to all of the awesome people of Game Artisans: Where should I be looking?

I know I want to try to get a place as close to work as I can just for commute purposes and such. But beyond that, what areas of the city should I be looking at? What areas of the city should I avoid?

Shameless plug: If anyone knows of someone that has a room to rent close by let me know :inocent:

[dustinbrown]

I assume you're looking for an apartment, not a condo or house. I'd just Googlemap the address of the company you'll be working for and start looking on Craigslist for stuff that's nearby. Not terribly difficult.

Congrats on the new gig :)

-Dustin

[blankslatejoe]

I've got no advice on the LA area, but congrats!

Craigslist has worked in the past for me.

You could also find an 'Extended Stay' hotel, which could be a good solution temporarily (a few weeks or a month or so) to help you figure out the area. That way you're not signing a year long lease without ever having visited a place before, and you can scout out places during your first weekends there.

goodluck!

[JacqueChoi]

Congrats!

Most companies put you up in a hotel for a month, and then hire a relocation agent to show you the apartments in that area within your price range.

:)


If not, craigslist works really well!



^_^


BTW Santa Monica is amazing. It's a bit pricier compared to many parts of LA, but I think its well worth it. Amazing food, very central to everything, and really nice beaches.

IF you're really into the night life, maybe check out the North Hollywood area.

:)

[Shadownami92]

I'd say that Santa Monica is filled with a lot of cool people and a lot of crazy people. But yeah I suggest finding some place relatively close, because if your taking any freeways around Pasadena and LA your going to be stuck in traffic for hours. I visited a guy who worked in Santa Monica for my senior project in highschool and the only way he could really get to work in good time was to take the freeways around 4am. Of course the trip back took a few hours though. And their is some really good local small restaurants their as well.

[YdoUwant2know]

Thank you everyone for the congratulations. I am very excited myself.


I assume you're looking for an apartment, not a condo or house. I'd just Googlemap the address of the company you'll be working for and start looking on Craigslist for stuff that's nearby. Not terribly difficult.

Congrats on the new gig :)

-Dustin

That in essence is what I have been doing, however, not being from the area, its hard to know if the place im looking at in a good neighborhood or not. That more or less is the reason I asked. I want to make sure that I wont have to invest in Kevlar bed sheets so to speak ;)

[Cyrael]

Congrats!

you're i luck. I live in LA. you're going to love it and hate it. :-D in the best way possible.

padmapper (www.padmapper.com) is an awesome graphical way to search for apts.. Venice beach is really close to marina del rey and cheaper (but you gotta be careful bc there are some really sketchy parts to venice) Marina del rey is beautiful but very family oriented but there is not a lot going on. So if you're looking for some night life close, there is not so much there. Santa Monica is an amazing area but of course will be the priciest simply because of its proximity to everything and the fact that its like the nicest part of LA...


The best advice i can give you is def get a pad like 5 min away from your job and you will be the happiest person in the world. Currently my job is 12 miles away from where I live. you'd think that wouldn't be so bad but it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get to work every morning. Traffic is the worst thing you've ever seen in your life. Nothing is five minutes away, Thats why I suggest getting something as close as possible to your job. Lucky for you, your job is at the BEACH! :-). If you have any questions feel free to pm me or email me and we can chat more.. LA is an amazing town. you're gonna love it. I might have a friend vacating a room that lives in Venice beach soon I'll keep you posted on that


EDIT* sorry for the Wall of text. :-)

[dustinbrown]

Currently my job is 12 miles away from where I live. you'd think that wouldn't be so bad but it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get to work every morning.

You should invest in a road bicycle :) I own a car, but I ride my bike everywhere I can. Saves gas and it's great exercise which, let's face it, in this line of work we all need.

[Cyrael]

You should invest in a road bicycle :) I own a car, but I ride my bike everywhere I can. Saves gas and it's great exercise which, let's face it, in this line of work we all need.


haha yea I know.. I've been thinking about it ever since the second week I got the job.. only problem is that sometimes I work well into 8 o clock and the fastest road I take to get home isn't well lit so I'm afraid of some idiot in a car either hitting me or something like that. You've reinvigorated my desire to do so though.. I might give it a try this week :think:

[womball]

Congrats!

Most companies put you up in a hotel for a month, and then hire a relocation agent to show you the apartments in that area within your price range.

:)


If not, craigslist works really well!



^_^


BTW Santa Monica is amazing. It's a bit pricier compared to many parts of LA, but I think its well worth it. Amazing food, very central to everything, and really nice beaches.

IF you're really into the night life, maybe check out the North Hollywood area.

:)

They do!?! That's a huge relief.

[Lamont]

Watch out for hookers and knife wielding hobos.