Tips for Renting in LA

Moving to LA can be the first step in launching a great new career, or maybe you’ve always dreamed of living the California lifestyle.

No matter where you’re from, you’ll find Los Angeles is very different from what you’re used to. With the right rental in the neighborhood that suits your needs and style, moving to LA can be the beginning of a great new adventure.

LA Neighborhoods

LA is a big city with an urban vibe unlike any other. It’s broken up into neighborhoods that each have their own distinct flair.

You won’t find a neighborhood exactly like your hometown, but you can find a niche that resonates with your preferred style of living:

Downtown

— Once known for crime and street gangs more so than culture and the arts, downtown LA experienced a renaissance about a decade ago and offers some desirable living accommodations. Full of urban flavor with an artsy twist, lofts and high-rise condos downtown come with pools, gyms and other amenities. Styles include both historic and modern buildings.

Some of the remaining historic charm in downtown LA is evident in the Central Library that includes art exhibits housed with the books in an ornate example of 1926 architecture. Nearby, you can ride the Angel’s Flight Railway to the top of Hill Street in one of two original 1901 rail cars.

For more modern transit, the downtown neighborhood is covered by a subway system that makes traveling around easy and headache-free. No need to tangle with traffic or parking woes.

The Westside

— Brentwood, Santa Monica and Venice are the epitome of California living, with tree-lined streets leading to the beach. Houses and small apartment buildings linked by wide sidewalks where tanned pedestrians travel to yoga classes is what you’ll find here.

Westside LA attractions include outdoor concerts on the Santa Monica Pier and all other activities that can be performed outdoors. The neighborhoods are bike-friendly, which is a great way to move around town and soak up the sun at the same time. A winding waterway in Venice is reminiscent of Venice, Italy and twice as picturesque.

Culver City

— This tiny neighborhood in the heart of downtown features accessible rents and an artsy, hip vibe. The fact that it’s anchored by The Museum of Jurassic Technology gives you a sense of the quirky nature of Culver City.

Rentals in the neighborhood include apartments of small or modest size and some single-family houses. Culver City is on the Metro Express line for convenient travel around downtown LA. For art galleries, museums and stylish boutiques, you won’t have to leave the neighborhood, though.

The Eastside

— The domain of the young and the hip is in Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Echo Park, where you will find a diverse mix of music and art. The Eastside neighborhoods are home to an eclectic mix of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, which is evident especially in the food selections.

The Eastside is filled with 1920s architecture and mid-century construction in the form of single-family homes and moderately-sized apartment buildings. While some of the older buildings are updated, it is still possible to find a fixer-upper in this neighborhood.

The elevation in the Hills affords some of the best views in LA, especially from the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park. The Eastside also boasts The Vista, one of the most iconic movie theaters in LA. Most neighborhoods in this area contain many popular shops and restaurants.

The Valley

— As the name suggests, this low-lying region encompasses Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Burbank, and it includes some of the best examples of mid-century architecture in the greater LA area. Single-family homes are available for rent in this neighborhood, along with some apartments and condos in newer buildings. This is LA’s answer to suburban living.

Ventura Boulevard is one of the main attractions in The Valley. Everything you need can be found there, including some of the best sushi in LA. Free parking is also abundant in this neighborhood, making it convenient to get around and pick up what you need.

Hollywood

— Don’t be fooled by its reputation. Hollywood is not as glamorous as it once was, although it is making a comeback to being a decent, livable location. Living in Hollywood means contending with the tourists and red carpet events that bring out all sorts of traffic. Most of the actual movie industry work doesn’t happen in Hollywood anymore, but it still draws tons of tourists all day and all night.

Rental houses in the Hollywood Hills boast some amazing views, but they aren’t easy to find. Most Hollywood rentals are apartments in older buildings, and there are some new buildings and lofts sprinkled throughout. If you can’t find what you are looking for, expand your search into West Hollywood which has more of the same types of housing.

The biggest draw for residents in Hollywood is the great outdoor amphitheater that hosts music acts from around the world every summer. The Hollywood Bowl is legendary in the music industry and is a great place to discover your new favorite band. If you live in Hollywood, it’s right in your backyard.

LA is a big place, so it is a good idea to narrow your rental search by neighborhood. Pick out one or two neighborhoods that you think would make you comfortable, and then learn more about the rentals available in those areas.

Mistakes to Avoid When Renting in LA

Moving to Los Angeles is an adventure that could be all good if you avoid some common pitfalls. Learn from the experience of those who have gone before you and avoid making these mistakes when renting a place in LA:

1. Don’t Think You’re the Only One Looking

When you find the place you want, assume there are several others interested in it as well. You have to act fast and negotiate hard if you really want it. Don’t expect you’ll be able to go in with a low-ball offer and get a great deal. Instead, believe that there is at least one other person who wants the property as badly as you do. The best offer usually takes it, so go in with a strong offer, even above the asking price if necessary.

2. Don’t Assume You Can Park on the Street

Parking is at a premium in most neighborhoods in and around LA. Be sure to ask about parking when you go to look at an apartment. Check for signs on the street in front of the building, so you’ll know what you and your guests will encounter when trying to park there. Unless you don’t have a car and you don’t have any friends with cars, investigate the parking situation thoroughly.

3. Don’t Rely Exclusively on Westside Rentals

Westside Rentals is a popular rental listing service that can be helpful in finding a place to rent in LA. Renting an apartment or a house in LA, however, is not strictly an internet activity. If possible, get out and tour the neighborhoods you’re interested in. Follow up on any rental signs you see with a direct phone call. Talk to friends and strangers about what you’re looking for. A lot of rentals in LA are closed in person and between friends and acquaintances rather than going through the listing process.

4. Don’t Expect All the Appliances

In LA, it’s not unusual for the appliances to be owned by the current occupant and not be included with the rental. Be sure to ask about the appliances because you may have to figure the cost of a refrigerator into your budget —or potentially a stove or washing machine. You will also have to consider moving these big, heavy items, which can be difficult in a small apartment above ground level. Just be sure to ask, so you’re not surprised when you move into a place without any means to cook your first meal.

5. Don’t Find the Apartment You Want Before You’re Ready to Move

LA rentals move quickly. If you find your ideal apartment or house too soon, it may be rented by the time you’re ready to close the deal. The rentals you see advertised today will likely be rented by next month. Shop around for the neighborhood you like, but wait until you’re actually ready to move to look at rentals. It can be a heartbreaker to fall in love with a place and then not get it.

6. Don’t Let the Landlord Sell You a Place That Isn’t Right for You

Less desirable places are harder to rent, so landlords jump on the prospect of a good tenant. When you talk with the landlord, remember that their goal is to rent the apartment, not to be sure you have a safe comfortable place to live. Don’t let the landlord rush you into signing a lease on a place you are unsure about. It’s important to move quickly if you see a place you really want, but if you’re unsure, it’s okay to let it go and keep looking.

7. Don’t Rent a Place Without Trying to Commute First

Traffic in LA is a big thing. Your ideal rental could be just a short distance from your job, but it might take you an hour to get there. Location is especially important in LA for this reason. Before signing a lease, get out and drive the route from the rental to work. If it’s too long, or if the traffic is too heavy at the time of day when you would be heading to your job, check out other ways to commute, including by bicycle or bus. You may have to give up on the rental you thought you wanted because the commute would make your life there miserable.

8. Don’t Rent a Place Sight Unseen

One person’s description of a large kitchen could be completely inaccurate to someone else. Pictures are helpful, but they never tell the whole story. It’s best to experience a rental in person before agreeing to take it. You want to walk through the rooms and see how they feel, check out the view from each window for yourself and experience being in the building first-hand. You might like the way a landlord or rental agent describes the place to you over the phone but get a completely different vibe when you’re in the space.

If your move to LA is fueled by a desire to get work in the entertainment industry, the finer points of renting a place might get overlooked. By avoiding these mistakes, you can save time, money and aggravation. When you finally get settled in LA, you want to love where you live.

Breaking Into the LA Scene

Many people who move to LA are looking for an opportunity in the entertainment industry. Some end up becoming big stars, while others make a good living, and a certain number go back home disappointed. There is no magic formula to breaking into the entertainment industry in LA, but these tips might make it easier for you:

1. Take Any Job You Can Find at First

You have to eat and pay your rent, so grab whatever job you find and earn some money. There’s no shame in waiting on tables or walking dogs while you are looking for the right opportunity. LA is full of people doing menial jobs to support their art.

2. Keep Your Living Expenses Low

The more money you spend on living a lavish LA lifestyle, the harder you will have to work at your day job. Budget your money so you can spend more time going to auditions and looking for that dream job. You’ll have plenty of time to spend your money after you make it big.

3. Maintain Your Integrity

There are no shortcuts to breaking into the LA scene. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s necessary to lie and cheat to make it. LA can be a tough town, but it will be harder to get ahead if you develop a bad reputation. Never lower your standards to get a job. Treat everyone kindly because you don’t know who they know.

4. Get out and Meet People

The LA scene runs on who you know more than what you know. Start with the one person you know in LA and branch out as quickly as possible. Go to trending clubs and restaurants and talk to anyone you can. Meet people in your neighborhood or at the grocery store. When you meet new people, ask them to introduce you to the people they know. Eventually you could make the right connection that gets you the job you were hoping for.

5. Make a Great Impression

Whether you’re shopping for an agent or going directly to industry executives, put together a package that highlights your best features. You want to work with the top headshot photographer in Los Angeles to be sure your materials stand out in this highly competitive market.

No matter your reason for moving to LA, it can be the start of the best chapter of your life. If you’re looking to launch your professional career, contact Michael Roud Photography for the headshots that will get your portfolio noticed.