I'm from St.Louis,MO and I plan on moving to LA in the next six months, what are some semi-cheap/safer areas my price range is about 700-850 a month I have heard mixed reviews about North Hollywood? anything helps Thanks.

Use Craigslist and search parameters to find something in your price range

http://losangeles.craigslist.o...axAsk=1000&bedrooms=

North Hollywood is probably the best you will do for that price, unless you get a roommate. It's not bad, but it is low income, mostly Hispanic. some areas are better then others, but I have lived here for a few years and have never had a problem. I pay slightly over 700 a month.

I moved here from Florida. You can try Craiglist or PadMapper. If your looking for a roomate situation check out roomates.com I live in Toluca Lake and I love it. 91602 is a good zip code. Your price range isn't achievable but your going to have to look. I pay $885 and I'm in a pretty good area. Usually studios in my area go for about $1050. Best of luck.

When it comes time to move use westsiderentals.com It does cost I think $60 for two months access to the rentals but honestly, its the way to go. You can view their listings without the fee but you will not get the exact address or contact info for the apt until you pay.

I second the suggestion of using Padmapper. Really helpful in sorting regions and price ranges.

You can look on Craigslist for roommates, that way you can get that price for rent really easily. 2 bedroom apartments can easily be found from around $1400-1800 depending where you're looking. North Hollywood is cheaper and generally is a fine area if you're near the Arts District. There are some more rundown regions, so you can always ask again with your more specific street regions.

I live in Burbank and I pay 570 a month (I have 2 roommates, we turned the living room into a bedroom) and my other one roommate pays the same as me, and the third pays 600 because she has a half bath in her room. It is doable, but it's all about finding roommates. We had to compromise some space to save the money, but it was worth it to us (and is THE ONLY way I can afford to be here)... luckily my third roomie is a traveling photog so he's gone one weekends usually.
But be careful about finding roommates on craigslist. It can be done, but just be careful.
good luck! And you CAN do it. You just have to get crafty.

And to finish, I LOVE Burbank. It can be a lot "quieter" than some people like but if you don't mind it, I say Burbank. I feel close to almost everything and very safe. MY other friend here lives with a roomie in a fairly spacious 2 bedroom 2 bathroom and her rent is like 750, so you don't necessarily have to cram as many people into one place as I did lol.