LA Neighborhood Helper.

LA4beginners has a nice site detailing various LA neighborhoods and providing map links. When thinking about housing, especially in terms of proximity to internships and USC, this might be very useful.

Westside Rentals

Another good resource for apartment hunting is Westside Rentals. You have to pay to join, although there are trial searches and such. I will say that I've found better places using Westside Rentals than any other source here in L.A. There's also craig's list, obviously.
With any of these, if you have an address or a neighborhood, e-mail me and I'll tell you my thoughts as to convenience and safety.

Housing Options on the Westside

Checked every single resource on the USC links? Still not finding the perfect place?
Consider moving to the westside. Sure, it's 45 minutes to class, but it's closer to the ocean, to the best theaters, and it's just more fun. Check out the Daily Bruin for places near UCLA (and me).

Apartment Hunting

So two of the new students just e-mailed, "... an apartment in the hollywood area. can
you recommend some buildings? I've been looking and asking around because
neither of us know the area that well."

I know some of you from past years did some extensive searches (Clarence comes to mind). Others of you have moved here since graduation. Anyone have some recommendations in the Hollywood area?

Reposting of a car shipping suggestion

I'm also reprinting a 2007 student's comments on both Park LaBrea and on car shipping. That's two strong endorsements for DAS

"I did Duke in LA last year and I just wanted to let this year's class know about Park La Brea if you're still looking for places to live. I lived there and would highly recommend it. I lived in one of the "towers" (high-rise apartments) and shared a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with another Duke in LA-er. Each of us paid a little over $1,000 per month in rent, but that is pretty standard for most places you'll find anywhere in LA. There are townhomes that are cheaper and you can probably fit 4 people in a two-bedroom unit (or 2 people in a one-bedroom, I don't know if you would want to put up to 6 in a 3-bedroom). Park La Brea is an extremely safe, gated community with 24 hour security and guaranteed parking if you're worried about finding a safe place to live. It is in a really nice part of LA with the Grove, LACMA, and a nice park with basketball courts all across the street. My internship was in Santa Monica and it took me only 20 minutes to get there (I was able to leave right as rush hour was ending) and it only took 20-25 minutes to get to USC at pretty much any time of day. It's hard to be centrally located in LA, but I would have to say that Park La Brea is pretty central, especially for where you will be having to go. They're very helpful with signing a lease from across the country and I had a great experience living there.

If you are going to ship a car, I would recommend using Dependable Auto Shippers. I shipped my car to LA from Charleston, SC and back again and I used them both times. They got the car there and back safely, quickly, and relatively cheaply. Here's their website: http://www.dasautoshippers.com/?EADID=001DependableAutoShipper

Feel free to contact me (bz2@duke.edu) if you have any questions about living, car shipping, or anything else."

Housing

I noticed a few recent posts by Verlaine as reply to various housing posts. I wondered if you guys are going back and checking some of those. I know many of you have your housing taken care of, but those who don't but are interested in getting a place with other students might want to reply here -- and say what they are interested in, i.e. location, separate BRs, price caps, etc.

HOUSING POINTER

Checked every single resource on the USC links? Still not finding the perfect place?
Consider moving to the westside. Sure, it's 45 minutes to class, but it's closer to the ocean, to the best theaters, and it's just more fun. Check out the Daily Bruin for places near UCLA (and me).

My college post

http://www.mycollegepost.com/ was a link under the USC housing link that I posted and keep referring to. If you haven't checked that one, I'm finding spots that sound pretty good. For example:

1 bd/1ba for $1300/monthAddress: 1152 W. 36th Pl.Located right accross from gate #6 on the west side of campus. You can't find a better location! It's safe, very well-lit, gated, and comes with one parking spot (also gated). The lease is until end of May, right after classes end, so if you are leaving for the summer, you won't be stuck having to pay for the place. It's on the second floor, has a very spacious living room, and the bedroom is big enough for 2 people. The building is all students, and there is a maintenance person on call every day, so your maintanance requests are taken care of usually within a day or two, if not on the same day. We have been living here for 2 years, and are happy with the management. Also, it's very quiet, compared to the North side of campus.Other:*Water and trash included*Building has a laundry room*Not furnished*Utilities included: water and trash only*USC students only*Owned by CalStudentHousing.com*Email me (marslani@usc.edu) to set up a time to come by and see the apt.

OR


Subject: Spring 2008 Housing-$1400/mth- 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath
ID: 7934 Views: 75 Posted: Nov. 5th @ 8:35pm Location: USC -> Housing -> Rooms/Houses/Apartments
I need someone to take over my lease starting Spring 2008. It is a 2 bedroom(one huge room and a fairly decent size room), one bath apartment for $1400. There is also a $1400 security deposit (this is the apartment management, not me). Apartment is located on 2700 Ellendale Place (University Manor owned by Dover Management). It is about two or three block from USC and a safe complex. I have lived in the complex for over three year and never had a problem with theft or vandalism. Apartment comes with one parking spot. The complex has a pool and laid back on-site manager. Email me if you are interested. You can move in December 21 once we sign the lease.Email me if you would like to see pictures or arrange an appointment to see the place.

Skyline Terrace

Hi,

I found this place that seems pretty legit, Skyline Terrace. You can get a double master bedroom setup for $1862, so it's under $1000 if you want a room to yourself and under $500 if you're willing to share it. It's about a 12 min drive from campus, so it's pretty convenient. I don't think utilities are included considering there is no mention of them, but if you're splitting it four ways it can't be that bad. Furnished? I think that's where the problem comes in. lol.

http://www.skylineterraceapts.com/

Another Housing option:Park La Brea

I am exploring setting up a corporate lease Park LaBrea apartments for a 2 br 2 BA unit that would house 4 in a gated community in central LA. Cost of the unit would be split 4 ways and be $950 each/month for a fully furnished unit with lots of amenities! It has parking, it is on a bus line to USC. You would need to split the cost of an ISP, cable, and phone. Here is the list:

The Park La Brea Corporate Advantage:

• Monthly Billing Statements
• We accept Master Card, Visa, and American Express
• Furnishings and Housewares
• Fully Equipped Kitchens
• Paid Utilities
• Maid Service
• Digital TV & High Speed cable Internet available
• On Site Business Center and Conference Room
• Resident Storage Facility
• 24-Hour Courtesy Patrol
• Private membership Fitness Center
• Jr. Olympic Swimming Pool
• On Site Dry Cleaners
• Private Parks, Walkways & Beautiful Landscaping on over 160 acres
• Centrally located near Wilshire Blvd and the Miracle Mile area

ARE YOU INTERESTED? If 4 guys or 4 girls are interested (or if the parties involved don't mind a co-ed situation) I will proceed. (That means I fill out the paperwork, and Duke will pay, but your Duke account will be billed for a share of the apartment). Who is interested?

Some Housing Tips

While thinking about living accomodations for the spring, you might consider Park LaBrea.
Here's a story in the LA Times.
Here's the official website but its misleading in that there are lower priced units too. It's worth a phone call.

There's also a great deal of info on this USC link about rentals near USC, and it also has links to craig's list and other sites that you can use as resources. USC will not have any on campus housing available, but this site has lots of alternatives listed.

Also for those of you interested in housing opportunities near USC campus, you might check the this site on a weekly basis, and this one as well.

Happy hunting. Never hesitate to call me, email me at jrt5@duke.edu or post here asking about a particular area or neighborhood.