Los Angeles cost of living

[elle13 15]

Having moved here last summer, I am ASTOUNDED by the house prices in LA! I'm n

[elle13 15]

Whoops got cut off.

CONTINUED: I'm not even asking to live in Beverly Hills. All we are looking for is a reasonable home in a reasonably safe and pleasant neighborhood with good schools and a commute to work of less than an hour each way.

How much does a household need to earn per annum in LA to live reasonably comfortably?

As an example: condos in okay neighborhoods like pasadena are going for $500,000. 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom, no yard.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

My boyfriend's in the process of buying a 1 bed on the southern edge of Koreatown. It's on the market for $159k. LA is one of the most expensive markets in America. It's more like New York than Ohio, but it's still much better than in the Bay Area. If you're looking in Pasadena, consider Monterey Hills. I don't know where you guys work, but it's just off the 110. It's kind of still unknown and it has a lot of very well-priced condos ($250-300k or so) for 2 or 3 beds. It's a little remote, but it has amazing views.

[Cam54 84]

try woodland hills gorgeous neighbourhood

[elle13 15]

Thanks for the recommendations (and please keep them coming!!) I'm totally lost on the job hunt front now. We just moved from the UK after having lived there for 8 years.

I work in LA (downtown) so am trying to cap the commute time.

By the way my fellow new Angelenos, how much annual income does one need to live comfortably in LA?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Thanks for the recommendations (and please keep them coming!!) I'm totally lost on the job hunt front now. We just moved from the UK after having lived there for 8 years.

I work in LA (downtown) so am trying to cap the commute time.

By the way my fellow new Angelenos, how much annual income does one need to live comfortably in LA?

Crikey, that's like how long is a piece of string? Depends on your rent/mortgage and transport costs. If you can keep it down to those two combined to around $1100, you could make it on $50k. If you can keep it to $1500, $70k is just fine. If you're working downtown, stay east of La Brea and though Woodland Hills is indeed lovely, it is a backbreaking commute.

You might just want to start with a rental and get your bearings. It opens up huge swathes of the city. Don't go south of the 10. Period.

[elle13 15]

cheers.

I found my first job shortly after arrival and while I first thought the salary would be sufficient, I'm finding it difficult to get on the property ladder. My husband is still in full time education so we might need to wait until we are both working! Am on $55K + bonus at the moment, and believe me I am grateful to find ANY job in this market, but affording a house in a nice neighbourhood (not posh, just nice) seems impossible.

I'll look into the areas suggested above. Any other suggestions are most welcome!