Hey again,
I got a few emails recently, all asking about the same thing: Apartment and roommates.
So let me start with the apartment.
First of: Where to live?
Live wherever you want, but stay away from east LA, preferably downtown (even though you can find great places there too), and North LA. However, in these “bad areas” things are cheaper, so in desperat search of a cheap apartment and not so afraid of rape and murder, sure! Go ahead!
Consider where you are going to spend most of your time. Student? try to live close to school, however if you only go to school two days a week as I did one semester then living close to school is a little waste. Go out a lot? Live in N hollywood or Hollywood. Work? Downtown, or somewhere central close to work. Getting a car? try not to live near a freeway the you HAVE to go on everywhere you go. Traffic is hell in LA. Not getting a car? Make sure you live close to the Metro (the train in LA). That way you can get around more easily. Busses also work, but they are slow and always smell terrible with a lot of sketchy people.
In addition, if you are not getting a car, make sure you live close to a grocery store (no, CVS does not count as a grocery store..)
On more specific locations just google “safe places in LA” or “good places to live in LA”.You can also look at a crime map (google that to), to see what kind of crimes happens in your area. Dont just look at how much crime, but what KIND of crime. There is a difference between murder and robbery..
Here is a forum to check out: http://www.city-data.com/forum/los-angeles/142218-top-10-best-places-live-la.html
How to find an apartment?
So, I know a lot of you have asked me about craigslist and how you dont like using it. I dident like using it before either, but when you get the hang of it you see that there is a lot of good apartments and places to rent up there. So just try it a little.
Also Apartmentfinder is good.
Another tip is to spend first week at a motel in the area to test out the neighborhood, if you like it then go around and look for signs saying:”LEASING NOW”. This means that there is apartments available and in LA there as tons of places that lease out. People move so much in this city that there is always something available some where. When seeing a sign, note the place and number and go on to find other places. Then go on the internet and find the places on Yelp.com. Yelp is website that gives you information about EVERYTHING in LA, and its based on reviews from people who has actually experiences the place. Great place for everything, just be critical to some of the reviews, and remember people like to rather say what they dont like than what they actually like.
A personal tip from me on where to live is to check out the Redwood Urban website, they have nice apartments all over LA, so check it out.
Second question: Roommates:
How to find roommates?
I have answered it before, but I will answer it again:
Facebook: search for: USC students starting fall 13 etc. That way you may find groups that others have created to discuses their admission and some may even be asking for roommates. If you find a group you can also post:”hey looking for roommates. I am nice, clean girl/boy etc who is starting school this fall etcetc.”
Ask the school: Email the school you are attending and say you are looking for roommates and need some help.
also check forums by googling: SMC student starting fall 13 needs roommates etc.
Craigslist: a little sketchy maybe, but make sure to meet the person in public before any further arrangements are made.
Its easy! google it, facebook it etc and you will find someone. You are not the only one starting school remember. Everyone is freaking out just like you, so calm down.
I hope this helps!
Also check out this link :http://www.ehow.com/how-to_4845453_apartment-la.html
