Have you recently made the decision to move to Los Angeles? The warm temperatures all year round, its close proximity to the suburbs and stunning beaches, its bustling downtown, and a chance to experience that laid-back Californian lifestyle can all be a huge draw for new residents. With that said, it isn’t always easy to find a place to live. In fact, it can take you months to find that “perfect place”, which means your California dream is on pause until that point.
With that in mind, we’ve gone ahead and put together some effective tips that will make apartment hunting in the City of Angels smooth and stress-free.
Narrow Down Your Search to a Few Neighborhoods
Los Angeles itself is actually quite large. While you may think of it in terms of just the city center, did you know that Los Angeles County is made up of a total of 88 cities? What this means is that you need to decide if you want to live in Los Angeles proper – meaning the city center itself, or the surrounding cities.
Your neighborhood search will most likely take into account the proximity to your job, freeway access, proximity to public transit, the cost of accommodations, available parking, the number of bedrooms, the nearby schools, amenities, and more.
If you are in Los Angeles already and starting your search now that you’ve arrived, you can actually walk around, drive around, and really explore the city and its surrounding cities to get a feel for the environment and what areas speak to you.
Be Prepared to Drive
While it would be great to find that downtown apartment that is within walking distance or a short drive to your work, you also need to be realistic about your search. There is a good chance a commute will be involved. For many people, the commute can seem intimidating, as just about everyone has heard horror stories about the Los Angeles traffic.
The fact is that traffic is heavy, and it can take long periods of time to go a short distance, so knowing this in advance can help you to come into the situation much more prepared.
Start Your Search Early
It’s also a good idea to start your apartment search as soon as you decide to make the move. Even if you aren’t planning to physically arrive in Los Angeles for a few days, weeks, or months, the more time you give yourself to find a place, the easier the search will be. Keep in mind that Los Angeles is a heavily populated city, so the demand for good quality apartments in prime areas is high.
Consider Furnished Apartments for Rent in Los Angeles
As you look for apartments in LA, you may want to consider furnished options that can make settling in much easier, faster, and stress-free. The Internet really comes at handy for this. A single click can lead you to the average rent in Los Angeles, without doing long hours of research. With a furnished apartment, all you have to do is move in your personal belongings, and you’re ready to start living your California dream immediately. There’s no need to shop around for all kinds of furniture and spend tons of money to deck out the space — and you’ll need a car for furniture shopping too (see point 2 above)
Take the modern and expertly-appointed properties available through Blueground, a furnished apartment rental company that provides you with modern turnkey experiences here in Los Angeles. These aren’t your standard apartments in LA, instead, they are decked out with upgrades and offer all the amenities you’re after (like outdoor pools, proximity to the beach, pet spas and grill areas). They are found in the most sought-after areas of the city, where it is typically hard to find furnished apartments for rent, and can be booked for a month, a year, or more depending on your needs.
As you search for that perfect place, be sure to make use of the filters that allow you to choose the number of bedrooms, the amenities (like parking or a pet-friendly designation), and the neighborhood you’re after.
Make Sure You’re Ready to Jump on that Perfect Place
It’s also important that you are in fact ready to jump on that perfect place when you find it. Great spots don’t last for long in a city like Los Angeles, so you don’t usually have time to think about it for long. What this means is that you want to be sure you’ve got everything lined up to sign the lease/rental agreement and cover any up-front and initial costs.
Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Experience
While searching for an apartment in a big city like Los Angeles may sound intimidating and downright scary, it’s always a good idea to take time and appreciate your new surroundings. Remind yourself why it is you’re moving to Los Angeles, and then take the time to really explore and experience all the city and its surrounding area has to offer to residents. This break from your moving responsibilities can leave you refreshed and filled with excitement.