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Los Angeles
Apartments

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Overview: Since LA is essentially a bazillion cities within a city, recent grads living there recommend that you figure out where you'll be working and then decide what kind of commute you can tolerate (traffic is famous).
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Brokers: Brokers are not a necessity in LA, but they can help you find a place. See page 88 and 89 of our book for more information on brokers.

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Looking: Use the listings in the LA Times (particularly on Sunday) and the LA Daily News. Also try the Daily Breeze for the South Bay and Westside areas. Most people we spoke to found success by simply driving around (particularly from the 15th to 30th of every month) and looking for rent signs on apartment complexes. Apartments go quickly, but turnover is also high.

Other tips: A number of people also recommended West Side Rentals (here) because of their volume of listings. Also try "Craig's List" (here). If you're looking into South Bay, try The Beach Reporter (it comes out on Thursdays - call on listings that morning). Try the Daily Bruin (the UCLA paper) if you're considering living near UCLA.
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Locations: Many new grads migrate to Westwood, West Hollywood ("trendy"), Santa Monica ("for aspiring professional types", "beach/party town"), Venice, Brentwood ("expensive"), South Bay ("active nightlife"), Los Feliz ("wannabe actor central"), Silverlake ("very diverse/ cultural") and particularly the San Fernando Valley (or generally referred to as "The Valley", "get a pool - weather is hot here"). Drive around. If you're afraid to get out of your car in any particular area, don't move there.
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Prices: Once again, since LA is more like 100 individual cities, it's tough to pin down any prices, but here are some general rules:

Studios: $750- $1000
1 bedroom: $1000 - $1500
2 bedroom: $1500- $2100
3 bedroom: $2100- $2800
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Closing the deal: You'll usually need to put down a security deposit (anywhere from $300 to one month's rent) plus your first and last month's rent when getting a place (although you can get lucky with fewer requirements). If you have pets, your landlord will require a lot more. Other times they'll require first and last month's rent. Make sure you have the cash available.

Your landlord will likely run a "credit check" on you (to see if you usually pay your bills). Also, read the lease carefully. Make sure the length of your lease is expressly written in the contract. See our book for more details on a credit check and lease.

It’s also likely that you’ll need:
-- proof of wages,
-- reference letters (See page 90 of our book for a sample), and
-- copy of recent bank statement.
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