What’s a cheap place to live in Los Angeles that is close to the film studios?

Posted by admin on August 29th, 2009 and filed under los angeles studios | 4 Comments »

I’m planning on interning for Paramount, and I need a cheap place to stay.

What’s the rent? What’s the address?

Also, I might split the rent with a friend who is an actor; where is a cheap apartment that isn’t too far from where he auditions?

There is no such thing as a cheap place to stay that is close to Paramount. At least nothing that an intern can afford.

We see this every day in this forum: Everyone wants to move here, and is looking for “cheap/affordable and safe". However, such a place just doesn’t exist; the two terms are mutually exclusive. It’s all about supply and demand: If it’s in SoCal, then it’s not going to be cheap to begin with. If it’s a safe area, then it’s more expensive. If you need good schools, add a couple hundred bucks a month on top of it.

If you want to live here and enjoy the weather, then you have to pay for it. You put up with the smog and the traffic, enjoy the weather and pay your rent or mortgage. My advice is to start checking out craigslist, rent.com, and apartments.com if you are looking to rent. You’ll quickly see that the minimum rent for a non-war zone is about $1,000-$1,200 per month for a studio or 1BR. Really nice areas (like the West LA area) easily run $3,000 or more. Want to live near the beach? Expect to pay a premium.

"LA" is such a big place, there are so many neighborhoods/cities where you can live. Of course, even within a city or neighborhood, there are safer sections and less-safe sections.

In Los Angeles, some nice sections are West LA, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Eagle Rock, Encino, Tarzana, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Granada Hills, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, Chatsworth.

This is not an all-inclusive list, but it’s a start.

4 Responses

  1. Obviousman Says:

    There is no such thing as a cheap place to stay that is close to Paramount. At least nothing that an intern can afford.

    We see this every day in this forum: Everyone wants to move here, and is looking for “cheap/affordable and safe". However, such a place just doesn’t exist; the two terms are mutually exclusive. It’s all about supply and demand: If it’s in SoCal, then it’s not going to be cheap to begin with. If it’s a safe area, then it’s more expensive. If you need good schools, add a couple hundred bucks a month on top of it.

    If you want to live here and enjoy the weather, then you have to pay for it. You put up with the smog and the traffic, enjoy the weather and pay your rent or mortgage. My advice is to start checking out craigslist, rent.com, and apartments.com if you are looking to rent. You’ll quickly see that the minimum rent for a non-war zone is about $1,000-$1,200 per month for a studio or 1BR. Really nice areas (like the West LA area) easily run $3,000 or more. Want to live near the beach? Expect to pay a premium.

    "LA" is such a big place, there are so many neighborhoods/cities where you can live. Of course, even within a city or neighborhood, there are safer sections and less-safe sections.

    In Los Angeles, some nice sections are West LA, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Eagle Rock, Encino, Tarzana, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Granada Hills, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, Chatsworth.

    This is not an all-inclusive list, but it’s a start.
    References :
    The most common thing I say to actors: "Why yes, I would like fries with that".

  2. pgarox Says:

    Perhaps a sleazy, two-bit motel which is over-run with vagrant bums?

    Are you serious? "Cheap" and "L.A." don’t go together.
    References :

  3. janberridge Says:

    :) Sounds like you are new to L.A. But, to be honest the best place is probably in the N. Hollywood, Burbank, or Tujunga (accessible by taking Glenoaks around the mountain, and fairly easily) areas. Or the back end of a big old stationwagon. Best wishes though! And do keep a constant watch on newspaper listings for private listings.
    References :
    20 years of LifeUniversity

  4. belle Says:

    Burbank. Why don’t you check out Craig’s List?
    References :

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