Expert Tips For Finding The Perfect Apartment In Los Angeles
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Searching for an affordable place to live is a painful process and one that almost everyone in the Southland has experienced at some point.
A week after aspiring actor John Carroll moved out here, he realized finding a decent apartment for a decent price can seem like a pie in the sky.
"I figured $800, $900. I should be good for a studio," he said.
Instead, Carroll is currently crashing with an old friend.
"I'm sleeping on his floor. I actually slept in my car the first night I was here," he said.
Even a $1,000-per-month studio wasn't what he expected.
"One of the guys pulled a knife on the other guy," he said. "It's very frustrating. It makes me want to tear my hair out, actually."
So, he's still looking for a place and now says he can afford to spend up to $1,300 a month on rent.
CBS2/KCAL9 connected Carroll with Kevin Miller, the president of Westside Rentals, for help.
The U.S. Census found rents in Los Angeles are rising faster than inflation and incomes. With rents rising at five percent, that's twice the national average.
Miller says some areas have seen rents jump between 5 percent and 15 percent over the past two to three years.
"Santa Monica, Venice, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey have increased the most," he said.
SmartAsset.com found the average rent of a two-bedroom apartment in L.A. is more than $2,900 a month. To afford that kind of rent, the website suggests that the occupant would have to earn at least $124,000.
Miller insists good deals do exist, but those on the hunt need to have a rental strategy. He recommends the following:
1. Get rid of expectations.
"There's nothing wrong with moving a little bit inland or a different neighborhood right next door. Rent might be hundreds of dollars cheaper. There's some great pockets in Hollywood. In the South Bay. Torrance is a great up and coming area," he said.
2. Give up some space!
"The trend lately in just the last two to three years has been smaller units in more urban areas," he said.
3. Prepare to pounce: Have your application and deposit money in hand, and be ready to say "yes" quickly.
For more information, visit the links below:
• Apartments.com
• Trulia.com
• Westsiderentals.com
• Zillow.com
• Realtor.com
• Padmapper.com
• Forrent.com
• Apartmentfinder.com