A friend proposes to go to live in Los Angeles for a few months this year. She would need to rent an apartment. Does anyone have any personal experience of doing this ? Who should she contact for help? Is there anything to watch out for ? She has not specified which town or part of Los Angeles but would certainly be looking towards the better end of the market.

Let me first say that this is no offense to anyone in LA. This is my personal experience. I would advise against living the the actual city. I have been to LA and was not impressed. I was thinking the place would be great. After all, there is LA Law, LA Gear, celebrities that live in LA etc... I hear a lot about LA in songs and movies. When I went to LA there were a lot of little kid gangs. Packs of 14 year old gang bangers walking around. I saw gangs, bums lying in doorways, hookers and I even saw people shooting up on the street. I felt like I was in Detroit! I was really surprised and it was not what I expected at all. I'm sure there is a good part and a bad part of town but I'm not sure the difference. I stopped into a party store when I was there. When I walked out, there were 2 people jumping up and down on the hood of my car. I was stopped at a stop light and some guy threw a wet rag on my windshield and then told me I had to tip him for the window cleaning. (I'm serious!) Based on my personal experience, I would never live in the actual city. I have heard that most celebrities don't live IN LA- just near it. Los Angeles does have a lot of museums, clubs, shopping and theaters. It is a nice place to visit (sort of) but I wouldn't want to live there. I suggest your friend pick a city close by to live and just commutes to LA. OK, now let me be fair about my post. There has to be a good part of LA. I must have just been in the bad part. Avoid that part. LOL

LA Apartments

Your friend may have a hard time finding a place without signing a 6-12 month lease.

Apartments may find housing to fit her needs.

P.S. California is a BEAUTIFUL state with lots of sun and fun things to see and do. I always have a great time in California. (Except for that one Los Angeles visit)

I'd like to see some local input on this but so far there's been nothing. My own view (as an outsider) tallies with that of Clarebear, and my own experience of staying in LA dovetails with what is recounted in the previous post.
Obviously, much depends on whether the friend who is interested in renting an apartment in LA knows the city well,has only visted the place briefly or has never actually been there. If she's not visted but merely likes the sound of the place, she has to bear in mind that's it's a big sprawling city and that some parts are clearly safer than others, and that not everyone can afford the security arrangements that come with a house in Beverly Hills. Even some of the magic names such as Sunset Strip were a disappointment to someone like me who grew up with Efrem Zimbalist Junior, Ed Byrnes and - what was the other guy called from "77 Sunset Strip". And Hollywood ain't what is used to be. Still, the town is certainly worth seeing in my opinion, and I'm very glad I've been there.
But as for renting somewhere, well, like I said, local input would be most welcome.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colin, Paris, France,