I'm currently on the LA apartment hunt with two friends of mine, and we could use some wise words of wisdom. We're going there to act, so the main thing we're looking for is proximity to the "action", which I'm assuming is mostly in studio city/the valley/stuff like that, places we'd be auditioning. Safety comes second, we don't want to live in a shady area. Besides that, we're just trying to find a three bedroom apartment. Nothing lavish.
Some areas we were told to look into after doing research/talking to some people were: Silver Lake, Sherman Oaks, Culver City, and potentially some of the beachy areas like Venice and Redondo. West LA stuff.
I just spoke to a Realtor on the phone who ended up giving me advice for about a half hour, and she told me that if I wanted to act, it'd be foolish to live in west LA because traffic would get unbearable, and that I should look into places closer to the valley, like Burbank, Valley Village, and North Hollywood stuff. Which is directly contradicting what we were told before.
What are your thoughts on the matter now that you've lived out there for a while? We are TOTALLY lost and we'd love some input,
Thanks!
Matt
Posts: 30 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: April 09, 2012
Auditions happen everywhere in LA. Santa Monica, West LA, Studio City, Culver City and the valley. I live in Silverlake and I feel pretty central. I really don't think there's one area that's any better for actors, unless you're talking about cost, not auditions.
Posts: 238 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: January 27, 2007
Hollywood, West Hollywood, The Hills, Studio City, Toluca Lake and southern Burbank are going to be the most convenient to get to the most auditions for union work. Next would be Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, Los Feliz and Laurel Canyon. Then, North Hollywood, Miracle Mile, and Silver Lake. I don't know how people in Santa Monica, West LA, Venice, etc. can stand the commute. Anything south of the 10 or west of the 405 is going to suck imho. There are some auditions in that area, but not as many. I hate going there.
I live in West Hollywood and I like it; very upscale, safe, close enough to the action. It's a tiny city and just a mile (few blocks) away from Beverly Hills. Lots of good restaurants along Santa Monica Blvd and Sunset. The valley (Studio City, Sherman Oaks) is too quiet and suburban for me. I prefer a more "city-like" and "energetic" vibe. I'm glad I picked that area and that I don't live anywhere else.... It just fits "me" the best.
Nothing wrong with Los Feliz in terms of safety; I just don't like the "hipster" vibe. West Hollywood is just more "Hollywood"... I like it more... It's more polished and exciting.
Posts: 190 | Location: LA | Registered: June 04, 2009
I live in Silver Lake and its a great central location to most of the studios and the freeways.
Driving east takes you to the 134 and 5 freeways which takes you into Burbank and Glendale. (ABC, NBC, Disney, studios) A three minute drive to the west takes me to the 101 and 10. (Sony, Fox)
You're also within a 15 minute drive to Gower, Raleigh, CBS, and Prospect Ave. studios.
And driving to the Santa Clarita studios isn't that bad if you can avoid traffic.
i realize the original poster was back in April, so he's probably settled by now, but I'm also putting in my two cents for the silverlake/los feliz/echo park area. For me, it's perfect. I lived in West Hollywood with friends when first I got here. It was safe, certainly, and I could walk to a lot of places, but it wasn't for me. Everybody has to find their spot that feels like home. You may not find it on the first try. And, no matter what, you'll really be living in your car.
Posts: 47 | Location: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: February 10, 2011
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