22 year old son wants to move to LA with no job - some questions
 

No - question not better suited for Lounge. Unlikely I will be able to talk him out of this - I am well aware of the insecurity in doing this, the financial situation of California, etc. Unfortunately, this is exactly how I ended up in Boston over 30 years ago - and have no regrets (but I still think this is a stupid thing for him to do).

Acknowledging that LA area is huge, if one were to move to the area without geographic restrictions, what area would you suggest as a place to rent an apartment - reasonable balance between price and safety. He has lived in dangerous areas in Savannah, and is reasonably street smart. He will be looking for a crummy job doing anything while he seeks a future in the art and animation industry (with a degree) - but right now just wants to taste the West Coast.

So if someone were going to do something so foolish, what area of LA and surrounding areas would you direct them to?

We have a family member who just made the same move. They inteded to locate in Pasadena, but found more affordable in Glendale. Glendale is in good proximity to the studios in Burbank.

Right now even crummy jobs are a challenge to find. He better plan on hustling over time to land one.

Rough guess on rent for tiny apartment. He has low standards as far as condition and amenities - we just want it to be safe at least during the daytime. (He has spent 3 years in non-dorm Savannah living; first house in area so dangerous there were 3 daylight shootings on his street; the 2nd house is in nice area but owner was unable to get work permit for some renovations since structure is considered unsafe)

gail, sorry can't help but I wish your son luck. He's following his dream but I am sending you the hugs I sure you need! >:D<
He's young and if you can't be foolish when you're young then when can you be :)

If I were a young guy looking to make a move to So Cal, I would rent a place in Irvine, Orange County.

Frank - why Irvine?

Irvine is boring. Young people want to be near excitement.

The west side of LA is the nicest and thus the most expensive. If I was 22 I'd try to find a place in Santa Monica.

I love the Silverlake area of L.A. it's kinda hip, attracts a younger group and is affordable. It's actually an older area that is being revitalized. He should definately check it out.

Another area of L.A. is Westwood near UCLA. There are a lot of affordable places that appeal to college kids. It's not to far from Santa Monica and the beach.

He can also check out the San Fernando Valley area, I have know some young people who find it a self contained area. It's very nice and family oriented.

He shouldn't rent an apartment. Where is he going to get the first + last + security deposit committment? He should stay in a hostel or other transitory houseing until he gets a job. It would be awful to rent a place only to find he has to drive a hour or more on the freeways every day.

What does he want to do in LA?

I like Silverlake and Los Feliz, but his biggest challenge is going to find a place he can afford *anywhere*, let alone in a reasonably safe and nice area. The valley might be more affordable but he will probably find it boring.

Yes PN is right, no one will rent to him unless he already has a job. Everyone does credit checks and asks for proof of employment.

Ditto Silverlake. If I were young(er!) and single, that's where I'd want to be.

Also have him look at Glendale, Burbank, North Hollywood, maybe Hollywood, although some parts are safer than others.

Have him look around on craigslist for an apartment and he can get an idea of prices for locations that way.

If he doesnt yet have a job, maybe he can look to rent a room in a situation where someone else holds the lease.

I agree with Iregeo. I think Westwood will be out of reach and he's competing with students. However during the summer he might be able to get a sublet.

Although it isn't near the employment he is seeking, he might look into Long Beach. There is a small artsy scene, and he can take the Blue Line connecting to the Red Line to Hollywood.

I would check craigslist to get an idea about prices just for a room in a house.

Or the ultimate...housesitting (i.e. no rent!)in Malibu! Those kinds of situations really are out there if you look hard enough.

Gail,
Irvine has PLENTY for a young guy, like plenty of attractive smart young women with good jobs. He should find a place to share in Woodridge or Westpark. He can bike to most areas of Irvine, and perhaps find a job that he can bike too. Its safe clean and there is plenty of recreation.

no, they're not, they are myths that some kid from out of town is going to get a longterm job housesitting for free in Malibu

I moved to LA with no job when I was in my 20s, and I think it's a great place to do that, as long as you have some savings. Rents in LA are a lot cheaper (and there is a lot more available) than a lot of other big US cities, because there is more land. ALso, you can always pick up temp jobs, it's a lot easier in LA because it is so big. I temped all over the city, worked at NBC and CBS and other places, it was a lot of fun.

I don't know current rents, though, but Long Beach isn't a bad idea, or just some cheaper part of West LA. I also liked Los Feliz and Silverlake, but it's not as central. Irvine is a terrible idea IMO, it isn't even LA, so what's the point. It's students and boring people and it's boring.

Culver City is more reasonable and very central, parts of Venice might work or Sherman Oaks or N Hollywood or Hollywood, actually, or Playa del Rey to the south is cheaper. He might just check out Craigslist for house sharing, I think that's the way to go.

I'm curious as to who is going to rent him an apartment without his having a job. Her landlords (even in this economy)typically require first and last month's rent and proof of employment/income sufficient to cover rent. Or is he going to do the illegal sublet on Craig's list thing?

nytraveler
Young Californians typically share homes and apartments. For instance the Irvine Company has several (very nice) apartment communities. Many of the renters there need roomates just to make ends meet. I dont think gails son would have a problem finding a 'share' situation when he arrived.

christina, I went to school in Malibu and I saw several friends live the "myth." Noone said anything about long term.