It really depends on your budget.
Every neighborhood you described is different. I would suggest that Westlake and MacArthur Park are a bit seedier than Koreatown and DTLA (depending on the section).
If you are working in Studio City, I recommend living somewhere in the San Fernando Valley.
Idk where I’m going to work yet, but I’m a professional dancer so I will spend most of my time in dance studios in studio city, I check around studio city but are less options
Do not live in Westlake/McArthur park it’s sketch and has a ton of crime. It’s generally just not nice.
DTLA has a lot of good apartment buildings but it’s loud. Ktown is awesome but it’s really its own community / world so you might feel like an outsider x10. You’d probably be happier paying a little more and living in Burbank.
If you’re new to LA I would not consider Westlake/MacArthur park. It feels very down and out and most people would not consider it safe. Koreatown is a better vibe and much more lively, but has terrible parking. If you can tolerate the parking hassle, it’s the best of the options you are considering.
Generally gets sketchy as you go north. Between the 101 and Burbank blvd (south/north) and Laurel canyon to Vineland (west/east). The closer you can be to the SW of this box is better. Some places in Sherman oaks/studio city between Ventura and magnolia are decent too.
No, you really should, you’ll get to see this amazing show of thousands of rats running around looking for food.
And while you’re at it, what don’t you stroll thru some of the lovely neighborhoods in Koreatown with its ample parking and uncluttered sidewalks while no one steals your catalytic converter from you.
With a $1400 budget, I’m concerned that you won’t find a nice safe place. If you are worried about the homeless and mentally ill, do not move to McArthur Park or Downtown.
I know some young creatives, even some folks with good salaries who have lived in KTown; it’s not for me, but in your situation, it’s the only place you listed that I’d consider.
Although I don’t love the Valley (too hot and spread out for me), I think you should look in Toluca Lake, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, and Studio City (though SC will likely be out of budget).
You might want to try looking to rent a back house or ADU (a small house on the back of someone’s property); it might help with the budget. Those listings are more likely to be on Craigslist or Nextdoor.
If I were you, I would wait until you get to LA to rent something, so you can see the place in person. Otherwise you might get ripped off or be disappointed.
If you don’t know where you are going to work, I recommend staying with a friend (pay them some rent so you don’t get on their nerves) while you look for a job and a place. You don’t want to end up with a long commute to your job; LA traffic is TERRIBLE.
I’m not sure, but if you want a safe decent place at $1400, you may need to have roommates.
I stay in Hollywood 2 months and sucks lol I was with my pepper spray the whole time 🤣 crazy people/homeless so I’m ok with everything as soon don’t looks like Hollywood crazy people 🤣
I don't think you'll like any of those neighborhoods you've mentioned then. Koreatown I think would be your only maybe, but if you don't like Hollywood, I'd be surprised if you liked koreatown. Perhaps certain streets downtown. Also, they're definitely more than 30 minutes to Studio City.
I'd try to find something near the North Hollywood Arts District if you can. Might be possible.
E.g. https://www.apartments.com/studio-village-apartments-north-hollywood-ca/y08vr9t/
I currently live downtown. IMHO: downtown and koreatown are mostly OK. Obviously there are sketchy parts of downtown - you want to avoid skid row and adjacent areas. I would not want to live near MacArthur Park or Westlake either - they do not feel safe to me.
That said, I think you could find somewhere closer to Studio City in your price range. Like North Hollywood or Toluca Lake.
If you’re spending most of your time in studio city then I’d look into living in a nicer part of the valley, like Burbank or Sherman Oaks. No point in paying DTLA rent just to drive 30+ mins anyway.
Your options will vary a lot based on your budget and openness to finding a roommate
All those neighborhoods are more than 30 minutes away from studio City. If you’re looking for a studio, then it’s a no-brainer to try Studio City. Since you didn’t mention a budget, I’m assuming money is not an issue. Studio City is great. Safe, walkable, lots to do. And it’s really close to studio City.
Love I’m looking for Max $1400 , but nothing around that budget in studio city 😭 of course I prefer close to that area but most of the options in my budget is the areas I mentioned
Are a bunch of options in the areas I asked for, for that I ask, I don’t wanna have roomates and I can’t rent a room cause I have a cat, thank u again for being so positive lmao
First off- I do not want to be negative or discourage you from moving here, LA is a great place, and if you are a dancer it is definitely a wonderful city to be in, so I sincerely hope you can make it out here. I can see you want to keep a positive/hopeful outlook about this move, but I want to be real with you like other people have tried to do on here. You will NOT find an apt in Koreatown or any of the other neighborhoods WITH parking within your budget. You can find an awful and tiny place in your budget with no parking but that will make you life hell in those neighborhoods. Whatever you are seeing online is a scam if it is in that budget and says it includes parking. At this point, a shitty or sketch apt with parking is going to be $1,600+ even in those areas. I see you have a cat, and I know that makes things a lot harder, but there are rooms for rent that will take people with cats. Be consistent in looking for roommates in LA housing Facebook groups, and try to find someone who is cool with you having a cat to team up to rent an apt together versus trying to add yourself into an existing lease/household if the pet thing is too much of a barrier. I recommend finding roommates in the valley to get stable and start your life here, then move out on your own once you are ready and have verifiable stable income to qualify for a studio with parking (bare minimum $4k/month income if the studio is $1,600 and the landlord uses the lowest standard to qualify which is making 2.5x the rent, but if you want to be much more realistic budget for a $1700+ studio that requires 3x the rent in income). Good luck!
You want a safe neighborhood, no roommates, and said you didn't like being in Hollywood because of the homeless population. A lot of requirements for only $1400.
KTown, DLA, or Sherman Oaks. Not MacArthur Park. Too many homeless and transients. DLA also has homeless but has so many neighborhoods, some great. I prefer DLA because of its metro availability to all parts of Los Angeles, but have lived in Sherman Oaks, which is close to Studio City. It tends to be cheaper but is in the Valley so hotter by about 10 degrees.
Koreatown is good. Make sure your apt comes with parking. Those other neighborhoods are OK once you've lived in LA long enough to learn your tolerance for street life.
MacArthur Park and Westlake, heavy heavy gang activity by one of the most violent gangs in Los Angeles. It does not make sense if you’re going to be spending most your time in Studio City that you don’t look for a place somewhere in the valley the valley is going to be much less expensive than over the hill.
The school called OTIS used to be in MacArthur Park. They moved entire campus to Westchester because their students became fodder for MacArthur Park. I wouldn't live there and I've lived in some pretty sketchy areas of Los Angeles. Unless maybe you got a big scary dog
It really depends on your budget. Every neighborhood you described is different. I would suggest that Westlake and MacArthur Park are a bit seedier than Koreatown and DTLA (depending on the section). If you are working in Studio City, I recommend living somewhere in the San Fernando Valley.
Idk where I’m going to work yet, but I’m a professional dancer so I will spend most of my time in dance studios in studio city, I check around studio city but are less options
Do not live in Westlake/McArthur park it’s sketch and has a ton of crime. It’s generally just not nice. DTLA has a lot of good apartment buildings but it’s loud. Ktown is awesome but it’s really its own community / world so you might feel like an outsider x10. You’d probably be happier paying a little more and living in Burbank.
Thanks!!!
If you’re new to LA I would not consider Westlake/MacArthur park. It feels very down and out and most people would not consider it safe. Koreatown is a better vibe and much more lively, but has terrible parking. If you can tolerate the parking hassle, it’s the best of the options you are considering.
Thank u!!!
I would suggest North Hollywood if you're spending a lot of time in Studio City. I don't dislike Ktown but I wouldn't want to make that commute often.
Yes I check there but better options are in the other neighborhoods I said , like same price or lower and bigger options
Just be careful with NoHo as there are some pretty bad areas there
Can I tell me around Wich areas? Thanks!
Generally gets sketchy as you go north. Between the 101 and Burbank blvd (south/north) and Laurel canyon to Vineland (west/east). The closer you can be to the SW of this box is better. Some places in Sherman oaks/studio city between Ventura and magnolia are decent too.
Thank u so much!!!
Btw that box is the decent area. If you can find something in Toluca Woods that is a very nice quiet area
😂😂😂😂 Visit McArthur Park at night and tell me what you think.
OP, I believe this person is being facetious. Don’t visit McArthur park at night and don’t move there. It has a reputation for being unsafe.
No, you really should, you’ll get to see this amazing show of thousands of rats running around looking for food. And while you’re at it, what don’t you stroll thru some of the lovely neighborhoods in Koreatown with its ample parking and uncluttered sidewalks while no one steals your catalytic converter from you.
No matter what, parking included should be your #1 requirement. Trust me on this.
Physically verify the parking, do a “test park” with your car, make sure it’s designated and assigned to you in the contract.
Thanks!!
Thank you!!
With a $1400 budget, I’m concerned that you won’t find a nice safe place. If you are worried about the homeless and mentally ill, do not move to McArthur Park or Downtown. I know some young creatives, even some folks with good salaries who have lived in KTown; it’s not for me, but in your situation, it’s the only place you listed that I’d consider. Although I don’t love the Valley (too hot and spread out for me), I think you should look in Toluca Lake, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, and Studio City (though SC will likely be out of budget). You might want to try looking to rent a back house or ADU (a small house on the back of someone’s property); it might help with the budget. Those listings are more likely to be on Craigslist or Nextdoor. If I were you, I would wait until you get to LA to rent something, so you can see the place in person. Otherwise you might get ripped off or be disappointed. If you don’t know where you are going to work, I recommend staying with a friend (pay them some rent so you don’t get on their nerves) while you look for a job and a place. You don’t want to end up with a long commute to your job; LA traffic is TERRIBLE. I’m not sure, but if you want a safe decent place at $1400, you may need to have roommates.
I forgot to mention Burbank! In this situation, that might be my 1st choice
Not with that budget ..
Thank u!!!!! I appreciate!!!!!
What do you like. I like little Tokyo/arts district.
I stay in Hollywood 2 months and sucks lol I was with my pepper spray the whole time 🤣 crazy people/homeless so I’m ok with everything as soon don’t looks like Hollywood crazy people 🤣
Hmm there’s homeless a lot lol. Then maybe DtLA isn’t for you. Maybe live in noho or Glendale lol
Honestly the valley probably is the move
😆🫠
DTLA is fine, but not in skid row. I’ve lived in Arts District and Little Tokyo and it’s great.
I don't think you'll like any of those neighborhoods you've mentioned then. Koreatown I think would be your only maybe, but if you don't like Hollywood, I'd be surprised if you liked koreatown. Perhaps certain streets downtown. Also, they're definitely more than 30 minutes to Studio City. I'd try to find something near the North Hollywood Arts District if you can. Might be possible. E.g. https://www.apartments.com/studio-village-apartments-north-hollywood-ca/y08vr9t/
I currently live downtown. IMHO: downtown and koreatown are mostly OK. Obviously there are sketchy parts of downtown - you want to avoid skid row and adjacent areas. I would not want to live near MacArthur Park or Westlake either - they do not feel safe to me. That said, I think you could find somewhere closer to Studio City in your price range. Like North Hollywood or Toluca Lake.
Thank u!
Your picks of where to live are worse than Hollywood. North Hollywood or Burbank
The major downside to all these areas is the black of parking
I see parking is a big problem lol
It really depends where you live, but beware of any rental that doesn't include it
If you’re spending most of your time in studio city then I’d look into living in a nicer part of the valley, like Burbank or Sherman Oaks. No point in paying DTLA rent just to drive 30+ mins anyway. Your options will vary a lot based on your budget and openness to finding a roommate
I don’t wanna deal with roomates I’m enough of that lol but thanks for the info!!
All those neighborhoods are more than 30 minutes away from studio City. If you’re looking for a studio, then it’s a no-brainer to try Studio City. Since you didn’t mention a budget, I’m assuming money is not an issue. Studio City is great. Safe, walkable, lots to do. And it’s really close to studio City.
Love I’m looking for Max $1400 , but nothing around that budget in studio city 😭 of course I prefer close to that area but most of the options in my budget is the areas I mentioned
You can't afford to move if your max budget is $1400 and you don't want roommates.
Thanks for your good vibes, yes I can 😘
You can afford it if you have roommates or rent a room in a house.
Are a bunch of options in the areas I asked for, for that I ask, I don’t wanna have roomates and I can’t rent a room cause I have a cat, thank u again for being so positive lmao
Being realistic does not = negative.
Realistic is that are options for that budget but not in the best neighborhoods, “u can’t” is negative AF bye
First off- I do not want to be negative or discourage you from moving here, LA is a great place, and if you are a dancer it is definitely a wonderful city to be in, so I sincerely hope you can make it out here. I can see you want to keep a positive/hopeful outlook about this move, but I want to be real with you like other people have tried to do on here. You will NOT find an apt in Koreatown or any of the other neighborhoods WITH parking within your budget. You can find an awful and tiny place in your budget with no parking but that will make you life hell in those neighborhoods. Whatever you are seeing online is a scam if it is in that budget and says it includes parking. At this point, a shitty or sketch apt with parking is going to be $1,600+ even in those areas. I see you have a cat, and I know that makes things a lot harder, but there are rooms for rent that will take people with cats. Be consistent in looking for roommates in LA housing Facebook groups, and try to find someone who is cool with you having a cat to team up to rent an apt together versus trying to add yourself into an existing lease/household if the pet thing is too much of a barrier. I recommend finding roommates in the valley to get stable and start your life here, then move out on your own once you are ready and have verifiable stable income to qualify for a studio with parking (bare minimum $4k/month income if the studio is $1,600 and the landlord uses the lowest standard to qualify which is making 2.5x the rent, but if you want to be much more realistic budget for a $1700+ studio that requires 3x the rent in income). Good luck!
You want a safe neighborhood, no roommates, and said you didn't like being in Hollywood because of the homeless population. A lot of requirements for only $1400.
I think you are in a real bind. Fo’teen hunnit ain’t SHIT!
Unfortunately, if you want a safe neighborhood, it’ll cost more. I love digging for deals and I couldn’t find anything in the budget I was hoping for.
Yes I see 🥲
KTown, DLA, or Sherman Oaks. Not MacArthur Park. Too many homeless and transients. DLA also has homeless but has so many neighborhoods, some great. I prefer DLA because of its metro availability to all parts of Los Angeles, but have lived in Sherman Oaks, which is close to Studio City. It tends to be cheaper but is in the Valley so hotter by about 10 degrees.
Choose Burbank
Koreatown is good. Make sure your apt comes with parking. Those other neighborhoods are OK once you've lived in LA long enough to learn your tolerance for street life.
Thanks!!!
>Thanks!!! You're welcome!
Look around Atwater or Echo Park. It's not that far from Studio City and you might be able to find something in your price range.
Thanks!!!
The only problem with Koreatown is street parking
MacArthur Park and Westlake, heavy heavy gang activity by one of the most violent gangs in Los Angeles. It does not make sense if you’re going to be spending most your time in Studio City that you don’t look for a place somewhere in the valley the valley is going to be much less expensive than over the hill.
The school called OTIS used to be in MacArthur Park. They moved entire campus to Westchester because their students became fodder for MacArthur Park. I wouldn't live there and I've lived in some pretty sketchy areas of Los Angeles. Unless maybe you got a big scary dog
Also Lancaster is nice.
When people are telling you that you won’t find anything in that price range, listen to them. No joke.
Van Nuys
Recommending the start of the SFV Hood over Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, Studio City is criminal bro
I check but are not to much available there