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:laugh:

Craigslist is rubbish. I would never advise anyone unfamiliar with an area to use it. Go on a professional website like Zillow. The only time you will ever need to give money for a rental right up front is when filing an application and it's usually $50 - $100 for an application fee (covers the credit check, filing fee, etc). Some property management companies will require a separate application and application fee for every person living on the property (girlfriend, friend, etc). Only once your application is approved will you be asked to pay the deposits. If you aren't moving in right then, they will only require a holding deposit until the day you move in. This covers their ass if you decide to back out. You won't get that money back and it will count as a fee because you backed away from an agreement (which took their property off the market and thus lost out on potential renters).

If you proceed and do move in though, then the remainder of the deposits will be due in full. Depending on your move in date, the rent will be prorated (for example - February 14 would be 50%).

Anyone who asks you for money before you see the property and submit an application is fraudulent. Also, NEVER write an application on a property sight unseen. Some landlords/agents will take photos of a property on the premises that is the same layout and in better condition when posting ads. Lots of due diligence involved. Hope it goes smoothly for you! Feel free to ask more questions in here.
 
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Hi again fellas, thanks so much for the thoughtful and informative responses (especially Reclamation Project)! I've tried to avoid Craigslist, but ironically another Korean friend of mine was able to find a couple of decent places through there, with honest and upfront people / owners. The funny thing is I responded to a couple of the more seemingly legitimate ads, and didn't receive any kind of response. Not being local, and being so far away in Canada, it makes it really difficult to vet the place out, see if it's clean, quiet, safe etc. and that the owner is stand up. Really tough, but what can you do except trust that there still are some honest people out there?

Zillow seems very good, but wow, the prices... sorry, maybe I'm just too poor but as a struggling student there's no way I could afford $1500+/month rental fees! That's even more expensive than Vancouver, which is already priced ridiculously for most students. I'll keep hunting around I guess. I also doublechecked the Pasadena Police dept. crime statistics map just to be sure I don't land myself in a really dodgy area. Temple city seems ok, and not too far a commute to Pasadena but I've read the I-210 is a nightmare for traffic in rush hour, is that right? I've also debated not shipping my car down and just relying on public transit, but it doesn't seem all that comprehensive in areas just because of how spread out LA is in general (also have heard anecdotally as well on this). I'm guess you guys would recommend having a vehicle, right?
 
You NEED to have a car living in LA.
Check ReMax if you are looking for a rental. The realtor can tell you about the neighborhoods
 
Shizuka said:
Hi again fellas, thanks so much for the thoughtful and informative responses (especially Reclamation Project)! I've tried to avoid Craigslist, but ironically another Korean friend of mine was able to find a couple of decent places through there, with honest and upfront people / owners. The funny thing is I responded to a couple of the more seemingly legitimate ads, and didn't receive any kind of response. Not being local, and being so far away in Canada, it makes it really difficult to vet the place out, see if it's clean, quiet, safe etc. and that the owner is stand up. Really tough, but what can you do except trust that there still are some honest people out there?

Zillow seems very good, but wow, the prices... sorry, maybe I'm just too poor but as a struggling student there's no way I could afford $1500+/month rental fees! That's even more expensive than Vancouver, which is already priced ridiculously for most students. I'll keep hunting around I guess. I also doublechecked the Pasadena Police dept. crime statistics map just to be sure I don't land myself in a really dodgy area. Temple city seems ok, and not too far a commute to Pasadena but I've read the I-210 is a nightmare for traffic in rush hour, is that right? I've also debated not shipping my car down and just relying on public transit, but it doesn't seem all that comprehensive in areas just because of how spread out LA is in general (also have heard anecdotally as well on this). I'm guess you guys would recommend having a vehicle, right?
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https://www.onradpad.com/

http://hotpads.com/

I see rad pads on a lot of properties near me so I'm guessing they are a legit operation.

You need a car unless you know where you are living/working/going to school and there is a solid transit option between those. Almost all of the decent transit options in the city travel to and from DTLA. Where you are looking at living, you'd be taking city buses. You probably still want a car either way because you'll be pretty much confined to your are otherwise.

You can also google (click me!) the cities your are looking at and see if there are property management companies with websites. THere are a slew of them in Long Beach (where I live) and if you were moving here, I'd be able to give you 10+ property management companies with tons of listings.

I've heard to avoid westside rentals if someone refers you to them. I have no experience with them though.
 
I've been living in Burbank for almost 5 years now and recommend it. It's a bit of a quiet, sleep community even though it's home to Warner Brothers Studios and Buena Vista Pictures. It doesn't have much for restaurants, either. But you're not that far from Pasadena and Hollywood if you want a night out on the town. Just be careful you don't get a place under a flight path to or from Bob Hope Airport.

And a car is a must. LA is just too sprawly for mass transit.
 
So I'm driving down to Staples the first time for RAW later this month, I'm coming from the AV so I plan on taking the 14 to the 5. Is there any better way?
 
Nope, that'a a good route. I'd use that. I tend to stay far away from the 405, and the 105 hasn't been friendly to me recently. San Fernando, Burbank, Griffith Park, and Glendale should all be relatively easy. It'll get rough approaching Dodger Stadium when you merge into the 110, but that's only the last ten minutes of the drive.
 
Reclamation Project said:
Nope, that'a a good route. I'd use that. I tend to stay far away from the 405, and the 105 hasn't been friendly to me recently. San Fernando, Burbank, Griffith Park, and Glendale should all be relatively easy. It'll get rough approaching Dodger Stadium when you merge into the 110, but that's only the last ten minutes of the drive.
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Yeah the 110 is what im most concerned about, its always a pain getting on there no matter what.

One more, whats the best way to get to the parking garage directly under LA Live? Olympic?
 
Nose of Sutter said:
Its a Monday. Raw starts at 5 so i want to leave Palmdale by 2 just to be safe.
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5 South can get very congested in the afternoon through those parts once you get past the 118.

I'd definitely consider the safer route of hopping on the 210 East as you come out of the Newhall Pass through Sylmar and then jump on the 2 South which will get you back on the 5 South. It's about 6mi longer but it's much easier than sitting in the yo-yo affected traffic on the 5 through sunland/burbank and into chavez ravine.

I've lived in Granada Hills & Santa Clarita for the past 20yrs and drive just south of downtown LA for work everyday.
 
Jason Lewis said:
I'm going to Paris at the end of June and from everything I read, this statement is the exact opposite.

They can't fathom having a car. Basically you walk to everything. Or take the subway.
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that's pretty much the regular for anyone living inside a major metropolitan city. LA is definitely the exception to the rule.
 
Jason Squirties said:
5 South can get very congested in the afternoon through those parts once you get past the 118.

I'd definitely consider the safer route of hopping on the 210 East as you come out of the Newhall Pass through Sylmar and then jump on the 2 South which will get you back on the 5 South. It's about 6mi longer but it's much easier than sitting in the yo-yo affected traffic on the 5 through sunland/burbank and into chavez ravine.

I've lived in Granada Hills & Santa Clarita for the past 20yrs and drive just south of downtown LA for work everyday.
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Yeah, the 5 South can get wonky once you reach Burbank - it's hit and miss.
 
Flying into LAX next month. Hotel and car rental near Century City. Any recommendations to get there from LAX. Dont want to rent the car from the airport coz
its x2.5 more expensive than local locations.

I heard Uber isnt licensed to pick up at LAX but they might pick up from long term parking area. Wingz can pick up at terminals?
 
ChiGuySez said:
Forget that. Not walking any distance with bags. Terminal pick up or shuttle to lot. Anyone know regulations for Uber or Wingz. LAX restrictions are severly ****ed up.
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Uber does pick up from the airport unless something has changed in the past few months. There is a $5 fee just to get picked up there though. If they have it "geofenced", just drag the pin a block or two away from the airport and call the driver once they accept to let them know where you're at. If you can't find a driver that way, you can get on the free shuttle to the green line station and call one there. I've never used Wingz so can't tell you about that. Uber/Lyft/Sidecar are available in most areas of So Cal.

Also, I just discovered Relay Rides which is like AirBNB for rental cars. I'm going to Hawaii in two days and using it there. I'll report back how it goes. It is saving me roughly 50% of what the cheapest car from a rental car company. The guy I'm getting the car from is picking me up at the airport and then I drop him off about 2 miles away from there and I'm on my own. Then when I come back I pick him up on the way to the airport. Seems really convenient.

Finally, you can take flyaway bus to Westwood which is right near century city and then take uber from there. It will probably save you a few bucks. I think that is like $5-10 each way.

http://www.lawa.org/FlyAway/content.aspx?id=10167
 
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Buddy The Elf said:
Uber does pick up from the airport unless something has changed in the past few months. There is a $5 fee just to get picked up there though. If they have it "geofenced", just drag the pin a block or two away from the airport and call the driver once they accept to let them know where you're at. If you can't find a driver that way, you can get on the free shuttle to the green line station and call one there. I've never used Wingz so can't tell you about that. Uber/Lyft/Sidecar are available in most areas of So Cal.

Also, I just discovered Relay Rides which is like AirBNB for rental cars. I'm going to Hawaii in two days and using it there. I'll report back how it goes. It is saving me roughly 50% of what the cheapest car from a rental car company. The guy I'm getting the car from is picking me up at the airport and then I drop him off about 2 miles away from there and I'm on my own. Then when I come back I pick him up on the way to the airport. Seems really convenient.

Finally, you can take flyaway bus to Westwood which is right near century city and then take uber from there. It will probably save you a few bucks. I think that is like $5-10 each way.

http://www.lawa.org/FlyAway/content.aspx?id=10167
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Good suggestions. Thx.

Re: Uber, all I could find was dated info 2014 and Uber wasnt licensed yet. They had to get around it by picking up in long term parking and yes they have a surcharge. Wingz has a flat rate ($29 to my area plus $10 first time discount and additional $10 for referrals or $10 deal at end of trip) but its based on your flight and if there is any delays in flight or baggage, you could be out of luck. Advantage about Uber is you can call without any advance notice.
 
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