Need Help Finding Apartment in Socal
 

Hey Socal Pelicans,

I need some suggestions from you guys. My 23 year old son just got based out of LAX as a pilot for a regional airline and he needs to find an apartment. His drive to LAX during commute time can't be more than an hour.

Where would you suggest as areas to live that are safe and reasonable?

South Bay, anywhere from El Segundo, down through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and South Redondo Beach. Single bedrooms run from a very cheap of $1200-on up... expect to pay closer to $1500 but he will live by the beach and be less than 15 minutes from LAX.

If you don't mind me asking, which regional airline does he work for? The reason I ask is I am a captain with American Eagle on the Embraer RJ an am based at LAX.

Just curious.

He's with ExpressJet flying an ERJ under Delta colors.

Thanks Wayne. Good listings on these sites.

How safe is Hawthorne as an area to live?

Hawthorne wouldn't be my first choice. I'd say Manhattan Beach. If he's got to go in and out of LAX, the best bet is someplace that is surface streets from the north or south. Could also consider Playa del Rey, Mar Vista, and Culver City to the north.

That narrows it down to about a 5 mile radius ;)

Hawthorne west of the 405 should be ok. Look around Torrance/Gardena area as well. In general, avoid anything north of Rosecrans and east of Crenshaw.

Thanks for the input. Remember he's a struggling new pilot, so we are trying to keep the rent reasonable. I should say I am trying to keep the rent reasonable, since I will be heavily subsidizing him.

Luckily second year pay is much better for him. This puts some of my bigger Porsche projects on hold.

Maybe he could rent a room from Milt ;)

Sorry, too easy to pass up.

Think he could get a place to share with another flight crew member? I know when my Dad was flight crew he used to have a crash pad in Chicago when he was based there (living in Jacksonville FL).

Otherwise, I would check out El Segundo as it is a pretty nice place. I know there are rentals around my house that are in the ~$1200 range.

Having been through renting in LA several times, I've found the two best ways to find an apt are....
1) craigslist
2) driving around and looking at signs in the yard, assuming you can narrow down the area

An hour's commute gives a WIDE range of areas, so where to look would depend on what he wants. Near the beach? Southbay. Redondo beach probably cheapest, though you could go further South and save more $. Even Long Beach is about an hour with traffic. City nightlife type? Then he probably wants to be closer to Hollywood/Westside. Also quite reasonable (for the beach) is Playa del Rey, which is about as close as you can get. Want to save the most? San Fernando Valley, putting you about an hour away with traffic

He should spend a day or two driving around and looking at different areas. LA is really a collection of small towns, very diverse

The savings of living in the valley are offset by

1. the fuel cost to drive to LAX daily
2. traffic and stress levels involved with it. Sepulveda pass at 7am on a workday SUCKS ASS!
3. god awful f**king heat and smog in the summer

If he is on a budget, try North Redondo Beach... it is West of Hawthorne Blvd. and a little nicer than Hawthorne the city. Would probably find a nicer place in North Redondo than Hawthorne. Also as previously mentioned Culver City, Playa Del Rey are good options.

Plenty of cheap places in the charming community of Inglewood. :)

True enough. Maybe 10 at the most. Many times of the day the speed is about 15 MPH thru the cities, surface or freeway.