Top Tips for Los Angeles Apartment Hunting, for Newbies
Top Tips for Los Angeles Apartment Hunting, for Newbies
The number one question I see from new-to-Los-Angeles peeps: which neighborhood should I live in? This is actually a very difficult question as it depends on your budget, your job (especially if you expect to commute there regularly), your lifestyle, and your values. Thus, it is a varied, multi-dimensional question that will get you a variety of answers.
Brand new unit in Jefferson Park
By all means, ask those around you for recommendations, but you will often find that what they like is not 100% aligned with your preferences! It can take over a year for you to find your “place” in Los Angeles, as there are so many neighborhoods, areas, things to see and do - that you will want to do it all, to experience it all, before you settle down into a perfect-fit home and most important neighborhood, vibe, and feeling of safety and comfort.
Thus, I am sharing my top learnings after moving to Los Angeles from the East Coast, and now being year many-many years, and in speaking to many transplants and newcomers about their learnings:
It is very hard to find the best-fit neighborhood for you from recommendations alone
The people who are giving recommendations are reflecting what they value, what they want, and what resonates with them. I’ve heard many recommendations on neighborhoods, and later - when I got to know the city, was so glad I did not listen to them.
The best advice I gathered by asking recommendations, was if they felt safe in their neighborhood. What makes people feel safe varies, and I take their experiences with a grain of salt, however, I value safety above all else. Let’s admit it, some neighborhoods are more unsavory than others - so do your research and make sure after your basic needs are taken care of, you can uncover the real gems that fit your lifestyle.
2. You will be overwhelmed, and may very well want to live in many areas of Los Angeles
I feel that many newcomers really want to live near the beach, on the Westside. That was my dream, to live as close to the ocean as possible. Then once I got to know the city, and uncovered many other gems - I became more open to other experiences.
You gravitate to what you know, and if you understand the beach, and the lifestyle there - you want to go there. But once you explore other areas, and understand what they are about - it opens more doors. Which is good because the Westside is pretty expensive overall!
Once I was open to other neighborhoods, Los Angeles opened up to me, as I was able to expand beyond my initial bubble.
Multi-family unit in Echo Park
3. After a year in Los Angeles, you will finally start to understand the city, and pinpoint your favorite places to hang out and live
For me, I started in a newer, commercial luxury apartment complex in Marina Del Rey. It was obnoxious with a brick-lined courtyard, and mermaid water fountain out front; everyone who picked me up commented on how I lived in a high-end place. It just wasn’t me.
I eventually moved to a 50-year-old building that faced an inner courtyard; where I knew all of my neighbors by name. From the outside, it didn’t look pretty non-descript but once you entered the courtyard, it was very quaint and cute! This experience resonated much more with my values and I felt at home immediately.
Multi-family units in South Los Angeles (Leimert Park)
4. Newer apartment builders will have smaller units, and will list themselves as luxury, but you will be able to find the same amenities in older and smaller builders
After my awful experience at my own luxury apartment complex, I wanted to live at a place where I knew the owner by name, and they knew who I was. I didn’t want to be faceless person. I had stopped by my apartment complex’s office to ask for a copy of my lease - and then was accused of not being on the lease! I told them firmly, that I remembered signing the lease, and perhaps they had misplaced it - but confirmed I was on the lease. After gaslighting me, they eventually found a copy and provided it to me. I could not leave fast enough!
At my smaller unit apartment complex (only 8 other units), they knew me by name. The neighbors would stop by and ask to borrow a bike pump. We were able to negotiate acceptable terms with the owner, even though my roommate did not have a steady job at the time. All of these would not have been possible if I was just a face among a sea of nobodies. So I am grateful I got to live in a building that was smaller, and reflected that local feeling I so craved! Not to mention it had great restaurants nearby, was within walking distance to Culver City, and was more centrally located than the Marina!
Amenities: Downtown Los Angeles, rooftop views, poolside living
5. You have to experience for yourself where to live and what kind of building you want
This might be tough to accept, but no one else can tell you how to live your life! The same goes for selecting the best neighborhood to live in Los Angeles. Some people are fervent about the Valley, whereas other people hate it with a passion! You will find no in-between!
I find the best questions to ask are: Why do you like living where you live? What are some things you do not like about where you’re living? That way you get the pros and cons - and can see for yourself if that aligns with the things you want!
6. I would not judge an apartment just by its exterior looks. I recently found many gems that were beautifully remodeled on the inside!
Of course, I love living in mom-and-pop-owned buildings! I love the homey elements of a smaller builder. I like knowing who I am renting from, and for them to put a face to a name!
City life in Downtown Los Angeles
Because apartments are so expensive in Los Angeles, basic amenities elsewhere are considered add-ons in Los Angeles. For example, AC and in-unit washers and dryers are not a given! You have to ask, look, and filter by those amenities - and those units are priced accordingly!
Since housing is so expensive to buy and maintain in LA, many owners keep the original look (especially on the outside)! So be ready to see a lot of dated units! That being said, look through the photos beforehand to see if it’s even vaguely aligned to your expectations, and go out and see the unit IRL to confirm you want it.
7. In the end, it will be hard to know if the building is good or not until you live in it.
Some old buildings have been completely gutted and re-done. So there are zero problems. Other old buildings have old plumbing, old furnaces, and older appliances. So as you live there, you may have a lot of maintenance calls!
One building I lived in, had the kitchen sink connected to the adjacent kitchen sink. One tenant kept disposing of their used coffee grinds down the garbage disposal. After several months both their sink and their neighbor’s sink backed up! The plumber had to enter both units to resolve the issue. And the neighbor was giving that tenant the evil eye for putting coffee grinds down the sink, to begin with!
Gated community in South Los Angeles (Leimert Park)
In the end, no one knew the two kitchen sinks were draining to the same source until the plumber assessed and confirmed it. So many systems are interconnected, so you never know what can go wrong until it does.
C’est la vie! You eventually have to leap with the best knowledge you have - and once you find a gem, stick to it. Especially if it is rent-controlled, as after a few years, it tends to be a great deal since rent has historically only risen in LA!
In the ever-evolving journey of Los Angeles apartment hunting, these insights underscore the importance of a personal journey in discovering the perfect home. Whether navigating through diverse neighborhoods, exploring the hidden treasures behind unassuming exteriors, or delving into the dynamics of different builders, the process is a unique adventure. I hope as you seek your ideal dwelling, you find a home that not only meets your practical needs but also aligns with what makes Los Angeles uniquely yours. I often joke, that if you do not like Los Angeles or its people, then you are looking in the wrong place. In the second largest city in the USA, it has everything you can hope for and more! Good luck on your rental journey!!
If you really want my opinion, check out:
LA Unveiled: Unlocking The Top 4 Neighborhoods for Tourists and Visitors
About Linhda
Linhda loves being a tourist in her own city and sharing her 10+ years of Los Angeles knowledge with others!
She is an avid bike-to-work cyclist (aka commuter), and has recently taken up roller skating. If you have any LA questions drop her a line and/or say HELLO! She loves meeting new peeps. Cheers.
