ok....im trying to move to LA from the I.E. and to accept a job offer at an arch office.....but i cant f-in afford it.....oh the hell do you LA-archinectors do it!!! I mean jeez you have to be in management positions to afford it and live comfortably.
Any recommendations on cheap lofts...housing....tricks of the trade on living costs....anything..besides the healthy obession on top ramen noodles.
completely agree with rationalist.
the second step is def look for a place to share with possibly 1 if not 2 people (helps)
Also, give up the idea of living somewhere on the west side, which means you will have to commute. So I am sure you can find a place in K-town, or lesser known neighborhoods, where rent is not quite as high.
those are my suggestions.
I make a decent wage, but still commute cause, even though I can afford to pay rent on the west side...I just choose not to and spend my money on things that matter.
what's the I.E. and what are they paying you in L.A. that makes it so unaffordable? i worked there for a summer back when i was in college and i could easily live on the westside with what they were paying me.
If you do have your heart set on a short commute to a westside or beverly hills firm, try Culver City. I've had the best luck apartment hunting with Craigs List- any complex that can afford to advertise on the places like rent.com is out of my price range.
so you'd need to earn $3000 a month, post taxes....which is a $44k salary before you hack the taxes off. they're not paying you that?!
oh i just reread the thread, yeah, entry level probably won't pay you quite that.
here's what you need to do then. i hope your job is in some fun walkable community like venice or santa monica or beverly hills or westwood. because then you can rent a 1 bedroom for about $1200, get an s.o. so live with you and split the rent. then you sell your car, walk to work.
if you just do a few money saving things that most angelenos would find crazy, living in LA can be very affordable!
btw, when i was working in LA for that summer way back in college they were paying me about $3200 a month. you just gotta find the right firm.
I am taking the bus now. Its not that bad, my road rage is now non existant and now I have time to read. The westside is for project managers. Silverlake and K-town is for the rest of us.
[url=http://www.ladad.com/loftlist.htm] this organization compiles a list of lofts in downtown los angeles. its $15 for a copy. i bought a copy last year when they still had listings that were $1/sqft (it might be rare to find these deals now but check it out)...plus you'll find buildings that aren't listed on the newspaper or any other rental classified ads...
if my math is correct...i don't think that to pull down $3K post taxes youre sal would be 44K, it's probably closer to 54K. Cause once you hit anything above 40K or is it 39K, you are being taxed somewhere around 30% (thanks uncle sam - rat bastards).
so yeah....quite expensive. I say find somewhere cheaper than the west side (maybe K town) and commute (sell the car and get a scooter) and/or take the bus.
You're right, squirrelly. I make more than 44k pre-tax (thousands more), but post-tax only pull in $2,500/month. Call it $2,750/month if I didn't contribute to my 401(k), but 44k definitely doesn't equal $3000/month.
Chewie....you might just find "pockets" btwn those places mentioned. I know loads of architect types that love echo park and silverlake, but frankly, you can still live in a decent place and not get ripped off. Find the places like Eagle Rock (btwn Pasadena and Silverlake/downtown) or Burbank, or parts of Hollywood. You get the picture. Some are better than others, but if you're on a budget, you'll see that a little legwork will save ya cash (and you wont have to sell your car or live in a "archi" type community - unless you really want to).
ok, so I don't really live under the Santa Monica Pier. Wanna take over our lease? We live in a guest house in West L.A. The rent is 1050 and has 11 ft ceilings and an amazing back yard. No asbestos. I'll share pictures if you're interested.
well i am looking for a private place......with the warehousey feel n look or that loftie feeling. welling to commute to the venice/marina del ray area from downtown....i really dont have a clue what the parking situation is like...horrible i bet......gggggrraahhh!!! (wookie battlecry)
The BIG move to LA....
ok....im trying to move to LA from the I.E. and to accept a job offer at an arch office.....but i cant f-in afford it.....oh the hell do you LA-archinectors do it!!! I mean jeez you have to be in management positions to afford it and live comfortably.
Any recommendations on cheap lofts...housing....tricks of the trade on living costs....anything..besides the healthy obession on top ramen noodles.
First step- forget that phrase "live comfortably."
completely agree with rationalist.
the second step is def look for a place to share with possibly 1 if not 2 people (helps)
Also, give up the idea of living somewhere on the west side, which means you will have to commute. So I am sure you can find a place in K-town, or lesser known neighborhoods, where rent is not quite as high.
those are my suggestions.
I make a decent wage, but still commute cause, even though I can afford to pay rent on the west side...I just choose not to and spend my money on things that matter.
get off of archinect and get back to work!!!
pinche NACO.... HAHA
ha ha, que onda guey!?
trying to get the move on to Los Angeles.... pero $$$$$$
can always move to detroit.... alot of land to do projects on and rent is cheap.....
what's the I.E. and what are they paying you in L.A. that makes it so unaffordable? i worked there for a summer back when i was in college and i could easily live on the westside with what they were paying me.
I.E. = Inland Empire
If you do have your heart set on a short commute to a westside or beverly hills firm, try Culver City. I've had the best luck apartment hunting with Craigs List- any complex that can afford to advertise on the places like rent.com is out of my price range.
i knew craig was my best bet......
robust.....monthly minumim....
rent=$1000 to 1500
car+insurance=$600
gas=$150
already total=almost $2000 not including food/utilities/misc
and @ entry-level position......mmmmm, might as well live on the streets and the toy factory..
detroit?!?!? actually, you CRYZKO!!!!
so you'd need to earn $3000 a month, post taxes....which is a $44k salary before you hack the taxes off. they're not paying you that?!
oh i just reread the thread, yeah, entry level probably won't pay you quite that.
here's what you need to do then. i hope your job is in some fun walkable community like venice or santa monica or beverly hills or westwood. because then you can rent a 1 bedroom for about $1200, get an s.o. so live with you and split the rent. then you sell your car, walk to work.
if you just do a few money saving things that most angelenos would find crazy, living in LA can be very affordable!
btw, when i was working in LA for that summer way back in college they were paying me about $3200 a month. you just gotta find the right firm.
Sell out and go work at Jerde. You can live and work at the beach, it makes designing shopping malls all the more palatable.
I am taking the bus now. Its not that bad, my road rage is now non existant and now I have time to read. The westside is for project managers. Silverlake and K-town is for the rest of us.
Anyone staying near Toy Factory or living in warehousing???
[url=http://www.ladad.com/loftlist.htm] this organization compiles a list of lofts in downtown los angeles. its $15 for a copy. i bought a copy last year when they still had listings that were $1/sqft (it might be rare to find these deals now but check it out)...plus you'll find buildings that aren't listed on the newspaper or any other rental classified ads...
moving to LA essentials for survival:
1. craigslist
2. thomasguide
3. taco stands
4. a friend's couch
after 3 months you'll be fine.
if my math is correct...i don't think that to pull down $3K post taxes youre sal would be 44K, it's probably closer to 54K. Cause once you hit anything above 40K or is it 39K, you are being taxed somewhere around 30% (thanks uncle sam - rat bastards).
so yeah....quite expensive. I say find somewhere cheaper than the west side (maybe K town) and commute (sell the car and get a scooter) and/or take the bus.
You're right, squirrelly. I make more than 44k pre-tax (thousands more), but post-tax only pull in $2,500/month. Call it $2,750/month if I didn't contribute to my 401(k), but 44k definitely doesn't equal $3000/month.
I live in a live/work loft in downtown that is probably one of the best deals on loft living in all of LA...
Big claim, I know... But there is several available now ranging from about $1000/month for 750sf to $1600/month for about 1200sf.
Skyline view, exposed brick walls, 13 ft ceilings, secured parking...
Email me if your interested.
What would an average user have to pay for monthly utilities....and a parking space???
I sleep on a shelf I built under the Santa Monica Pier.
Pasadena is affordable
echo park is decently affordable. fair warning, it's transitional but has great character.
echo park is overpriced
r u cute?
I kid I kid.....
Chewie....you might just find "pockets" btwn those places mentioned. I know loads of architect types that love echo park and silverlake, but frankly, you can still live in a decent place and not get ripped off. Find the places like Eagle Rock (btwn Pasadena and Silverlake/downtown) or Burbank, or parts of Hollywood. You get the picture. Some are better than others, but if you're on a budget, you'll see that a little legwork will save ya cash (and you wont have to sell your car or live in a "archi" type community - unless you really want to).
ok, so I don't really live under the Santa Monica Pier. Wanna take over our lease? We live in a guest house in West L.A. The rent is 1050 and has 11 ft ceilings and an amazing back yard. No asbestos. I'll share pictures if you're interested.
well i am looking for a private place......with the warehousey feel n look or that loftie feeling. welling to commute to the venice/marina del ray area from downtown....i really dont have a clue what the parking situation is like...horrible i bet......gggggrraahhh!!! (wookie battlecry)
loftie feel? loftie dreams.
hehe garpike!
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