Where should I live in Los Angeles area?

Question

I used to live in Alhambra, CA then I moved to San Bernardino.. But I really want to move back to LA! But Alhambra is too expensive. What are some areas that are okay (not too ghetto, lol), but still inexpensive. I was thinking Montebello, or El Sereno. By the way Im 19, and I want to be near good community colleges. Nice shopping areas, not alot of gang activity. Basically,I want to be able to walk down the street, and feel safe. Unlike here in san bernardino -.- What are some cheaper area's near Los Angeles, that are somewhat safe? Maybe a 1bedroom/ studio for less than 800?

Answer 1

El Sereno has become rougher in the past couple of years. Some is still fine, but even at the north end where it's cut off from South Pasadena, they have had some problems. The areas with apartment buildings tend to have more problems than the areas with houses. The closest community college to Montebello is East LA, it's a good community college, good transfer rate to UCLA.



You might want to take a look at Glendale and Pasadena. See if you can find a studio for around $800 in a nice neighborhood. (Most of both cities is nice, but there are some rough neighborhoods, but they will be obvious.) It may be tough to find anything cheaper. You might be able to find something in Alhambra the same or even a bit less. Alhambra is in between PCC and ELAC, about 5 miles from each. You will likely have the easiest time finding an apartment really close to PCC. Pasadena has decent public transportation in most areas, including the Gold Line and their local ARTS buses. GCC is up in the hills, so lots of houses, but also some apartments, and there is a bus line that goes there.



Drive around neighborhoods and look for smaller apartment buildings with rental signs posted in the front. Those will usually be buildings with less amenities, which often means less expensive. You can also go on campus and look at the boards for rental ads.



What about a job? If you need to work, wherever you find a job should be where you decide to live and go to school.



Glendale Community College and Pasadena City College are both very good community colleges.



GCC http://www.glendale.edu/

PCC http://www.pasadena.edu/

ELAC http://www.elac.edu/



Apartments:

PadMapper http://www.padmapper.com/

HotPads http://hotpads.com/



Neighborhood info:

http://www.lalife.com/ Click on Safety, then Map.



Good luck!

Answer 2

you should move to orange county instead. You can easily find a roommate and pay cheap rent. Community colleges around here are orange coast college, Fullerton college, irvine valley college. Orange coast college is in a very nice and safe city called costa mesa. Fullerton college is in fullerton, and the other one is in irvine. Craigslist for other college students that are looking for roomies. I know of a studio apartment near downtown fullerton, if you don't want roomies, for $750 a month including everything. No paying utilities. It's just down the street from the fullerton college and a very nice downtown fullerton art district. don't pay attention to the stupid people in the reviews. They are probably old: http://local.yahoo.com/info-21104534-ambassador-inn-fullerton

Answer 3

That is a tall order especially considering the $$$ you want to spend.

I lived in the South Bay area...Venice, Torrance et....but it was more than 800.00

I would suggest moving to The OC.

There is a place on the border of Huntington Beach & Westminster the corned of Beach & McFadden...Studio Apt w/ utilities for 895.00.

Answer 4

Try Glendale, Pasadena, or Burbank...however you are probably not going to be able to find an apt. that low in price. Maybe if you get a two bedroom apt. and get a roomate, you would be paying closer to 800. Pasadena and Glendale both have community colleges.

Answer 5

Move somewhere close to work.