Renting is the most common accommodation style in Los Angeles, and the rental market is very competitive. A successful search boils down to using the right search formula, knowing what you need and how to search for it. Determining what you need is something you can do on your own: fixing a budget, choosing a neighborhood, determining the type and size of the rental, etc. In going about the search, reaching out to others for assistance is crucial. You may need to enlist the help of agents or ask around for referrals to cast your net wide enough to increase the probability of finding the perfect rental in
Finding a neighborhood in Los Angeles that resonates with you
There are hundreds of neighborhoods in Los Angeles, so there's a good match for everyone, no matter their personality, ethnicity, profession, or unique personal needs. These neighborhoods differ in pricing, demographics, public transport system, crime rates, etc.
Downtown LA has one of the lowest crime rates and one of the highest concentrations of restaurants, shopping malls, picturesque buildings, art galleries, and entertainment spots, all connected by a reliable public transport system.
Pasadena is also quite geared towards expats. It brims with a high community spirit and a homely feel. It is filled with single-family homes and boasts many top-rated schools. It also has a huge network of pedestrian-friendly roads where you will always come across moms walking their dogs or toddlers, surfers with their surfing boards, etc.
Culver City is also dynamic and welcoming to all, with highly attractive housing rates. Another highly diverse neighborhood is Santa Monica, which offers the best of both city and beach settings.
Other diverse neighborhoods to consider include Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, Los Feliz, and east-side neighborhoods.
Rental prices across Los Angeles
Unlike many other big American cities, LA's rental market has an abundance of varieties to choose from. From studio apartments to condos, bungalows, beachfront homes, townhomes, and mansions, you can always find a good fit in whichever category you want to choose in various neighborhoods.
Rental prices can vary significantly from one neighborhood to another. For those on a budget, there are several affordable options to consider. Vermont Knolls, Vermont Vista, and Arlington Heights offer relatively lower average rents at $1,585, $1,585, and $1,634 monthly, respectively. If you're hunting for bargains, you might want to explore Jefferson Park, where the average rent hovers around $1,654, Vermont - Slauson with an average of $1,738, or Winnetka, where you can find rentals for approximately $1,749 per month. These neighborhoods present viable options for those seeking to save on housing costs, especially when compared to the city's overall average rent of $2,742 per month.
Conversely, Los Angeles is also home to some of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods. Areas like Mid-City Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica, and North of Montana top the list, with average rents reaching as high as $4,759 monthly. Check out sites like RentCafe.com for up-to-date rental data.
Most rentals also come fitted with white-labeled appliances such as dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, as well as air conditioning units, etc. You can also find deals that come with a parking lot.
However, beware that rents in LA are relatively unstable and increase by 5% to 8% percent yearly. However, you may be able to take advantage of rent-controlled units. As their name implies, rent-controlled units have a much more predictable rate of increase.
To check if a rental is rent-controlled, simply enter the address into LA's property database at ZIMAS. You will get a "yes" alert in the housing tab if the apartment is rent-controlled.
The City of Los Angeles also has a rent stabilization ordinance (RSO) that protects tenants from excessive rent increases while at the same time allowing landlords to increase rent each year by a fair amount – check out RSO LA to see what these prices are being set at. Allowable increases also can change depending on whether your landlord includes utilities in the rental price.
Housing hunt in Los Angeles
The internet, in general, is a good place to look for rentals. You will find a wide range of choices on listing sites. At your convenience, you can turn to these sites to compare prices and other aspects of several offers. The most popular rental listing sites in LA include ApartmentList, Apartment.com, AirBnB, Rent.com, Trulia, WestsideRentals, and Zillow. These sites also provide apps for a more streamlined search experience.
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