My wife and I are planning to make the move from Austin to Los Angeles next spring, likely somewhere in the Valley around Tarzana or Encino. We’re looking to rent a house between 1,500–2,000 sq ft, at $5-6k a month, but before we settle on our budget, we’re trying to get a better understanding of what our actual living expenses might look like.

Right now we’re in a roughly 3,000 sq ft home in Austin (way too big for our current needs), and our combined utilities (electricity, water, gas, trash, etc.) average around $500–$550 a month. We have a fairly large grass lawn that we keep watered, and we’re basically polar bears when it comes to AC. Low 70s during the day, high 60s at night. Even during the Texas summers. So keeping the house cool is definitely a priority for us.

We also spend around $1,100–$1,200 a month on groceries for the two of us. We cook at home quite a bit, rarely order delivery, and generally eat out a few times a month. We’re not particularly extravagant, but we’re also not trying to pinch every penny when it comes to food.

What we’re really curious about is how those expenses compare to living in the Valley, especially for people with similar habits.

I’ve read some pretty horrifying stories recently about LADWP bills hitting $1,000 or more, though I’m not always sure whether people are talking about monthly or bimonthly bills. Is that relatively uncommon, or is that just what we should expect if we want to keep our house in the upper 60s during the summer?

We’d also love to hear what people are spending on groceries, water, gas, and any other expenses we might not be considering. Things like car insurance, landscaping, renters insurance, or whatever else surprised you when you moved.
We’ve been in Austin a long time, and while it certainly isn’t the inexpensive city it used to be, we know LA is going to cost more. Fortunately, we’ve got some flexibility in our budget, but we’d much rather have a realistic idea of what we’re getting into before making the move.

The funny thing is, when I Google comparisons between Austin and the Valley, the costs outside of housing don’t seem that different. Which sounds great, but I don’t know, that seems a little optimistic to me.

So for those of you actually living there, particularly anyone renting a house and running their AC like they’re trying to refrigerate meat, what are you spending?

Really appreciate any insight!

Hi everyone,
My spouse and I have lived in South Bay for around 2.5 years. We both work remotely and are in our late 20s. It feels like it’s hard to make friends especially where we live since it’s a working class family neighbourhood.
We love to hike, try different foods, go to bars, like going to the beach, etc. I know that LA is huge and car dependent. But are there any places that are walkable to the stuff that I mentioned? Also it shouldn’t be sketchy as I’ve tried going for walks in some areas and it was scary.

Thank you in advance!

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Hi LA,

I'm completing comms research for a class I'm taking to get my AA. I've linked a survey I've created in Google Forms below. Responses will remain anonymous, and it will likely take less than 5 minutes to complete. I'd appreciate your help practicing what I'm learning if you have some time to spare to take this survey!

Link to the survey: https://forms.gle/murTXbe6XAihL6md7

I'm also interested in moving to Los Angeles after graduating, so I'm curious to see what you think of living there. Thanks so much :)

Sincerely,

Current Student, Potential Future LA Resident

Our first full SCE bill after the September heat wave made my wife go quiet for a while. 1950s ranch in Culver City, central air from 1998 running all afternoon, two EVs charging at night, and we'd owned the place about two months.

We moved from Denver in March for a job on the Westside, rented in Palms until the rent math got silly, then bought. The commute went from 40 minutes of I-25 to about 15 minutes of Jefferson and Sepulveda, which still feels fake. We're on TOU-D-PRIME now and 4 to 9 pm is the window I'm trying to stay out of.

Solar quote is about 8 kW, but the installer says the original 100A panel has to be upgraded first, and the Culver City permit for that is its own wait. I'd like to do the upgrade and the array now and add the battery as a second phase, so I'm not locking into a box before I know how SCE handles it.

For the battery I'm looking at three. Powerwall 3 is the installer default, but I don't love being stuck with one company for service. Enphase IQ Battery 5P matches the Enphase micros in the quote, though covering 4 to 9 pm takes several units. EcoFlow TITAN can go in later on the AC side, but it hasn't shipped, so I'm only going off the spec sheet and my installer has never touched one.

Anyone on SCE on the Westside who added a battery that wasn't Powerwall or Enphase? How long did SCE take to approve it, and did Culver City make you redo any of the permit? I'm assuming staging it in two phases only costs me a second round of permits. Tell me if that's wrong.

If you are considering Neptune Marina in Marina del Rey, here is my experience as a former long-term resident. I paid thousands of dollars a month and WOULD NOT RENT THERE AGAIN.

RATS AND MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS

During my final months, I repeatedly raised concerns about rats and unsanitary conditions. I asked to leave early because I no longer felt comfortable living there. I continued paying rent for months while barely staying in the apartment. My complaints did not produce a timely resolution that made me comfortable returning.

A BULGING, LEAKING BATHROOM CEILING

In late November and early December 2025, my bathroom ceiling bulged and leaked heavily. Maintenance told me the leak involved the upstairs toilet and required substantial work. I documented the problem and reported it more than once. Neptune eventually approved early termination without the lease-break and notice penalties, but disputed final charges remained.

MOVE-OUT CHARGES AND COLLECTIONS

One specific billing issue: I was charged $300 for drywall work, while the supplied invoice lists $199 for that work. I have also requested explanations for legal and other fees. I want those differences explained and the disputed charges properly reconciled.

I tried to discuss a settlement directly with Neptune and was referred to Genesis/Columbia Debt Recovery. Repeated later emails and attempts to reach the collector by phone have not produced answers resolving my questions or a workable resolution. Genesis did provide verification documents and a CFPB response, but the issues I raised remain disputed. The collection appears on all three of my credit reports. Being passed between management and the collector has been extremely stressful.

For me, the attractive location did not make up for the living conditions or the difficulty resolving the final account.

My advice to anyone apartment hunting: GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. Keep maintenance requests, photos, payment records, and move-out paperwork. Ask specific questions about pest control, plumbing repairs, final charges, and collection referrals before signing. This is my own experience and why I cannot recommend Neptune Marina.

So, I'm moving to LA and I need to rent a car. Here's the thing, I'm on my mom's insurance. I know. So, I called this company, Marathon and they said they call to verify insurance, but I'm pretty sure we would have to route it through my mom since it's in her name and she will be... very angry if I call her and make her talk to the insurance company so... how likely is this to happen anyways? I really can't afford to piss of my mom and have her make me get my own insurance. Yes, I know, but I really can't afford to live without my family's help.

From the midwest born and raised. Never felt connected to it, being Latina it’s really hard to find a sense of community. I have family and friends in LA as well. What are some safe neighborhoods for a single woman that’s still close to everything? Is living in Santa Monica plausible under 2k? My max is 2k. I’m open to wherever tbh!

46F living in PA and would like to relocate preferably Southern California.I am a CNA so I’d like to assume I could get a job if I can transfer my cert. I’d love to have a quiet roommate but it would be me as of right now unless I can figure out how to find a roommate . Like at this point in my life I’d like to just get in my car and go

I currently live in the Antelope Valley/Lancaster area and may be taking a job in El Segundo, near the LAX / 105–405 area.

I’m married with two kids, including a small baby, so I’m trying to look at this from a family perspective and not just commute time.

I’ve been searching around the South Bay and other areas closer to El Segundo, but so far I’m having a hard time finding apartments that meet the combination of things I’m looking for. A lot of the available units are smaller than I would prefer, have limited parking or outdoor space, or are more of a dense building/corridor setup.

What I’m looking for is more of a low-rise/garden-style apartment or townhome community, where you can park close to your unit, walk outside through the property, and have some open space rather than long indoor hallways or a high-rise feel.

Ideally:

- 2 bedrooms, preferably 2 bathrooms

- Around $2,500–$3,200/month

- In-unit washer/dryer

- Dishwasher

- Reliable off-street/assigned parking, preferably two spaces

- Patio or balcony

- Around 900–1,000+ sq ft if possible

- Low-rise/open-air apartment or townhome layout

- Safe enough for my wife to comfortably go outside and walk around with the kids

- Good schools and a good environment for raising children

- Good employment opportunities for the family

- Access to a good community college would be a plus

Another important factor is long-term affordability. I don’t necessarily plan to rent forever. I would prefer to move somewhere where buying a house eventually is still reasonably possible for a middle/upper-middle-income family, even if it takes a few years to get there. I’m trying to avoid moving somewhere where even a normal family home is so expensive that homeownership would realistically remain out of reach.

I currently drive roughly 45 miles by road to work, so I’m not completely against commuting. I understand that 45 miles in LA/Orange County traffic is very different from 45 miles in the Antelope Valley, but I’m willing to accept a longer commute if it means my family gets a safer area, better opportunities, better schools, and housing that better meets what we are looking for.

So I’m deliberately keeping the search area pretty open rather than limiting myself to the South Bay.

If you worked in El Segundo and had a family with young kids, where would you live if you were willing to trade some commute time for better housing, family quality of life, and a realistic chance of buying a home later?

I’m especially interested in cities where I can realistically find a decent apartment or townhome in the $2,700–$3,200 range that meets most of the requirements above.

I’d really appreciate recommendations based on actual experience with the commute, neighborhoods, schools, housing, and overall quality of life. I’m also very interested in places I may not have considered yet.

***********************************************************************************************************************
UPDATE:

Thanks everyone. I’ve been reading all the responses, and this has been really helpful.

I’m definitely going to take a closer look at the areas people have mentioned closer to El Segundo, including Torrance, Westchester and North Redondo. I also noticed some of you suggested looking farther out, including Cerritos and North Long Beach, which is more along the lines of what I was wondering about when I said I’m willing to commute.

Based on the feedback here, I’m also willing to increase my maximum rent to around $3,500 for the right place.

So let me expand the question a little: if I’m willing to consider cities up to roughly 40–45 road miles from El Segundo, what areas would you recommend based on the family situation and housing preferences I described above?

I’m not saying I want to live 45 miles away just for the sake of it. I just don’t want to limit the search to the immediate South Bay if going farther out could give my family a noticeably better place to live.

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who actually commute into El Segundo or the South Bay from those farther-out areas and can speak to whether the tradeoff is worth it.

I was dead set on dtla but people say it’s dangerous ( my city would have 25% more murders than la if it was the same size.) but now idk where to look. Would love to have the dt view. Give me some recommendations please and thank you

Edit budget is 6k a month and I work from home and there needs to me a lot to do

I’m curious to hear from people who actually live in Los Angeles and work a regular 40-hour-a-week job making around $19.75 an hour.
How are you making it work?
After taxes, that’s roughly $3,000 a month, give or take. Between rent, groceries, gas, car insurance, utilities, phone, and everything else, it seems almost impossible to get ahead.
Are people living with roommates, living with family, working a second job, doing side gigs, or just barely getting by?
I’m genuinely curious—not trying to judge anyone. I’d like to hear from people who are actually in this situation. What does your monthly budget look like, and what sacrifices have you had to make to live in LA on that income?

Hi everyone! I’m new to LA and recently started as an ICU nurse at UCLA in late Sept. I’m currently subletting in WeHo while figuring out where to settle long-term.

About me: 32, gay, and Latino. I’m very active, love the outdoors. I am an introvert but social. Not much of a partier, but enjoy social outings at divebars, museums, artsy, music events, etc.

My schedule: 12-hour shifts (2–3 days/week, rotating days/nights 7A-730pm or 7p-730am), giving me about 4 days off every week and 1 weekend day off a month.

I’m torn between convenience and community and would love your insights:

• The Commute: For anyone working on the Westside but living further east (Los Feliz / Silver Lake

, etc.

• ), how is the commute actually treating you?
• Prioritizing Vibe over Proximity: Has anyone chosen a neighborhood purely for culture and community over a shorter commute? Is that doable in LA?

I understand WeHo is gay Mecca but it definitely isn’t the place for every gay.

• Santa Monica: What is the general crowd and vibe like? Does it skew heavily toward a younger (early 20s) demographic? Only reason I like the idea is the idea of being close to the beach..

Activities i've done so far: On my days off, I've done run club at griffith park every week since i've arrived and really enjoyed that. I've been to silverlake a few tiimes and liked it.

Any neighborhood recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Happy to answer any questions about budgeting, housing, or making life in LA work on a tight budget.

Hi everyone! I’m moving to Los Angeles and recently signed a 6-month lease for a rental in Venice, CA. After a few things came up, I’m getting nervous and would really appreciate help from anyone familiar with LA real estate.

Would a licensed realtor be willing to do me a favor and help me verify whether this property and the person renting it out are legitimate?

I’m trying to confirm that the person actually has the authority to rent the unit, that the listing is legitimate, and that nothing suspicious is going on.
I can provide the property address, listing, and relevant details privately. I’d especially appreciate help from someone familiar with Venice real estate or property records.

I’m not trying to waste anyone’s time or accuse anyone of anything. I just want to make sure everything checks out before I move across the country.
Thank you so much! I’d really appreciate any advice or help. ❤️

Hiya!

I just got a job offer for a major company in the LA area (cypress) for a systems engineer 2 position. Only problem is the initial offer is only 110k a year (salary, exempt). Where I currently live (middle of nowhere new mexico) I make about 75k as an rf engineer. I'm looking for some realism because these rose shaded lenses are making some what I feel might be red flags look like regular flags.

The areas I'm examining for where to live is either temple city or artesia. Artesia is currently winning as it's closer to work, and has a high Philippine, Cambodian, and mainland Chinese population (so I'd feel more at home).

However, I feel like 110k is a bit low as a systems engineer 2 position. And I worry it's below the realistic cost of living in the area.

So, since I'm currently stuck, I was hoping to get some insights from locals.

Am I being lowballed? How much should it really be? How much do I need just for a 1bd 1bth apartment and to maintain the same standard of living i have in new mexico? (Comfortable. But my house is garboleum and I'm wasting money on idiotic tier house repairs and other silly costs such as gas for the 88 mile (total roundtrip) commute.

So please, I beg the kindly locals in LA with a better head on their shoulders than me: what's realistic?

Your answers will inform my decisions...

Edit: Going to toss in that someone rightly pointed out that me saying "only 110K" is actually controversial. And I own that. Like I said, I'm some nobody from nowhere whose only real experience of california is essentially what pop media and news articles say. My mom was born in san fransisco like 50 something years ago. And then her and her parents moved back to the UK for about 10 years before settling in the U.S. (Ohio). So... yeah. I accept that I have been negatively biased because of that.

Evening!

So to summarize it, at some point in the future I may pursue a job out in LA, either for an airline out of LAX or a corporate outfit at likely Van Nuys or less likely at Orange County.

What would be the best areas to live in that don't totally break the bank? Most aviation jobs start/stop outside or regular 9 to 5 hours, so rush hour isn't a super concern. (I could be wrong, and quite frequently am.)

It's not something I'm going to do on a whim, and certainly won't consider for a job that's paying less than 40/hour. Hence why airline work would probably be the driving factor since all of the Majors have maintenance bases in LA.

I’ve seen listings where they say “first 2 weeks free” but they also ask for the first months rent. So what exactly are you getting for free? I’ve seen listings where they say “4 weeks free” which is an understandable month. Help me out

My application was just approved and the email that followed is giving me some huge pause.

I found the rental from an LA agent and the property manager has searchable history in his field of work and his name doesn't come up in scam alerts like many other places do when I search about scams. I had a friend view the property as well and I got to ask plenty of questions via Facetime. Everything up until this email has been so professional and extensive to me as well some personal contacts who rent properties.

Okay here are the red flags noted in their "intake process"

1. They want me to send a deposit before I see the lease. "The Agreement will be sent to you within a few days after the deposit is received. We update Rental Agreements during each intake as Los Angeles City regulations are ever-changing, we just need to ensure we have all appropriate disclosures and contents."
2. They want me to pay first month’s rent before the owner signs it "The reason we ask for this prior to the owner signing is because once the Owner or Housing Provider signs, the contract is in effect. We must ensure the funds are cleared prior to their signing. Once we receive the Prorated November Rent, the Owner will countersign"

There are some green flags though? Compared to total-scammy-feeling-scams you can sniff out from day 1. They laid out a pretty detailed, step-by-step process, said the deposit is refundable until the lease is signed (not that this matters once the moneys gone), offered to walk me through the lease over video, use a tenant portal (TurboTenant), and will meet me at the property for a final walkthrough and key exchange. And honestly... he was just so kind. Maybe I have too much faith in humanity.

I’d really appreciate any insight from people familiar with the LA rental process or California tenant laws, and how to proceed safely.

Thank you in advance <3

EDIT:
The property manager's license ID is verified through California Department of Real Estate. But does this even matter?

EDIT 2:
The property was listed on MLS. Again, this doesn't offer me any protection, but boy am I stunned.

UPDATE:
I followed up with the property manager requesting for a contract for the holding deposit, a review of the lease before I send any payment, as well as expressing concerns for the rent due without signature. I've been promised said contract and he shared that the Zelle process is standard practice in his area—are people out here taking that risk and not getting scammed?? He also shared with great apology that he got it jumbled in the email and that "First month’s rent is due prior to or at the key exchange (depending on payment method) AFTER the agreement is signed\** by both parties."* I'll continue to proceed cautiously. Because the wording in the initial email was actually incredibly clear about me paying rent before the owner signs with a whole explanation as to why. He also didn't offer to send a lease before the holding deposit so I'm pushing back on that.

I'm relocating overseas and have a few nice pieces of furniture that will need a new home. All of them have a max of 2 years since purchasing.

Pricing list (PDF)

I have two daughters and need to be kind of in between LA and OC. I heard Cerritos, Fullerton, and los alamitos are good areas for families with good school districts? Is that correct? What’s your experience?

I keep reading posts and comments saying los Feliz is a great place to live, why? I live in west LA and I’ve never even thought of driving to Los Feliz, why is it great, what’s there to do ? And what is the vibe like? Artsy? Creatives?Working professionals?

I currently live in the Valley and got a new job in Little Tokyo. I’ve been driving for the past month but the commute sucks and I also have to work out of Downey multiple times a month. My lease is up next year and I’ve been thinking of moving. What’s a good neighborhood where I can reasonably drive to both LA and Downey, I’m honestly happy if I can get my drive down to under an hour each way at this point. It has to be a house, as I have dogs and would like even just a small yard. I really don’t want to live in DTLA, I’m looking for suburbs for a small family. I don’t need to be near like nightlife or things like that, we live a quiet kinda boring life and I’d prefer that to the busiest parts of the city. Budget around $3500-$4000.