It's understandable to feel overwhelmed when researching a move to a new city, especially when online searches paint a negative picture.

When I was looking into moving to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), I encountered a constant stream of discouraging comments. Searching for anything related to "living in DTLA" seemed to unleash a torrent of negativity, focusing on safety concerns, cleanliness, and overall unpleasantness.

Like many others, I was bombarded with stories that painted DTLA as a dangerous, dirty, and even frightening place.

After reading countless comments, I almost expected a warzone – images of widespread homelessness, open drug use, and pervasive crime filled my mind. As someone who truly loves the energy and convenience of city living, the ability to walk to everything, and the vibrant hum of urban life, I was genuinely excited about the possibility of living in DTLA. However, the overwhelmingly negative online narrative, particularly on platforms like Reddit, made me seriously question my decision.

Instead of immediately signing a lease, I decided to take a more cautious approach and booked an Airbnb for a couple of months. I wanted to experience DTLA firsthand, to see if the reality matched the online portrayal. My Airbnb wasn't even in the most desirable part of DTLA; it wasn't actually that far away from the infamous Skid Row area.

During my first week, I admit I was on high alert. I was constantly aware of my surroundings, paying close attention to the people around me, especially those experiencing homelessness. I was prepared for the worst.

But what I experienced was quite different. The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness simply kept to themselves. Occasionally, someone would ask for spare change, but a polite "sorry" or just ignoring them completely, was always met with understanding. On a few occasions, I encountered individuals who seemed to be struggling with mental health or substance use, sometimes shouting or behaving erratically. However, even in these instances, they simply walked past me, focused on their own internal world.

Yes, there were instances of unpleasant urine smell in certain areas, a common occurrence in many large cities. Sometimes I felt like I was literally walking on urine, but that isn't every single street. There are definitely clean parts in DTLA.

I also discovered a hidden gem: a charming little cafe called "The Bohemian House Of Espresso + Chai," a family-run business owned by immigrants. Chatting with the owners, I learned that while they acknowledged the challenges DTLA faces, they also spoke passionately about its positive aspects.

Now, after over two months of living here, I can honestly say I haven't had a single negative experience related to safety. The occasional unpleasant urine smell is the closest I've come to a real issue.

Now I'm not suggesting that problems don't exist, or that every experience will be the same. There are a lot of homeless people, especially closer to the Skid Row area. Safety can definitely be a concern late at night and if you're in a sketchy area.

Crime, unfortunately, happens everywhere. My point is that the online depiction of DTLA as an exceptionally dangerous place simply doesn't align with my personal experience. It seems to attract a disproportionate amount of negativity, often from people who don't even live here.

For those considering a move to DTLA, particularly to a high-rise building, I'd recommend looking into zip codes 90015, 90017, and 90026. South Park, in particular, is a great area – cleaner, safer, and with a smaller population of people experiencing homelessness. It's generally advisable to avoid Skid Row and its immediate surroundings.

My strongest recommendation is to do what I did: book an Airbnb for a few weeks and experience DTLA for yourself. Get a feel for the neighborhood, explore the area, and see if it's the right fit for you.

My intention in sharing this is to offer a different perspective, one that balances the often overwhelmingly negative narrative you find online.

I understand and respect that others may have different experiences. You're more than welcome to disagree and I respect your opinion/experience.

If you have any questions, please feel free to DM.

My most affordable and desirable rental options (for me) are in this area. Should I look somewhere else or is this a good start?

I will be at the Santa Monica promenade for work. Mainly early early early morning commute hours.

Seems to be on the edge of West Hollywood city lines. Couple minutes from the Grove and the farmers market. But am I missing anything?

Looking about possibly living in this location. Is it safe? Walkable? How is the parking?

For a long list of reasons, LA is the best bet for me in terms of moving away from my I can google all the stuff I want about average rent and average pay, but I want to know what things only a local could tell me that I should prepare for!

I'm not moving to LA thinking about making it big and being an actor or anything, I just want a quaint little life in a home that I got to choose with a view that I picked.

Edit: "a view that I picked" is more referring to the idea that I get to choose where my life goes. A change of scenery sounds lovely, and I like the idea of getting to have ocean access.

I landed a job at Sony Pictures Studio and plan to rent a place on Palms street (the location marked in the map) and walk to work. However reading through a few online map and stats apparently the area is not safe and there is violent crimes. I’ve never lived in LA before so I’m wondering if this area is safe to live and walk around? Thank you!

I'm looking to move several boxes and a painting cross-country from New Jersey to Los Angeles, California. Instead of renting a whole truck, I'm hoping to find a moving company that offers shared truck space. I’ve heard some companies do this, and I wanted to see if anyone has recommendations or suggestions on where to start. Thanks in advance!

As I've been going over my plans to move to LA, I'm finding that it would be very difficult to time getting a job and an apartment lined up at the same time before I even move to LA. However, I know that my odds of getting approved for an apartment are very high, so it shouldn't be hard to get a place once I'm out there. My thoughts are that I can just get the job lined up, move to LA sooner rather than later, work the job, and get the apartment after I've been working there for a week or two.

My question to you is, how safe / practical would it be to do this? What areas are safer for car camping? Is it feasible for me to temporarily live from my car while working, or should I try to focus on getting the job and apartment at the same time? If so, how difficult do you think that would be and what could I do to make the process easier?

Hi! We are strongly considering moving to LA as a family of 4 (plus a dog) 34M, 32F, 6M, & 3F. My husband is Black American, works in tech, originally from the Bronx. I’m from central MA and we have lived in MA for the past 8 years. Reasons we want to move to LA: the weather, more diversity, and we want to be close to a major city. We both WFH and wouldn’t be commuting to an office on a regular basis. With that being said, we want to live somewhere my husband can connect with other young professionals (if we are still considered young) and people in tech. Being around other Black professionals would be an amazing bonus. A place that’s family friendly is also super important. Overall, we want a community feel.

We live in a building with lots of professionals and moms right now and it has been great, but we are over MA. The community factor of our building has been really nice: on site gym, WFH offices, pool, etc. We are willing to explore all housing options. Our budget is flexible.

Is there a specific neighborhood in LA that you think may check our boxes?

Hi everyone!

At the beginning of March together with my wife we will be moving to LA from UK. I will be transferring in my current company to our Downtown LA office and my wife will be looking for a job once we arrive. I would appreciate your help with questions below 😊

We will be provided with accommodation for the first 2 months and then will need to find something ourselves. We are planning to live in Culver City / Santa Monica / MDR. Planning for 1 bed apartment ideally in a complex with swimming pool/gym etc up to $3.5k.

• Is anyone able to advise if the budget is realistic and is there anything we can start preparing now to make renting an apartment go smoothly? I’ve heard there might be issues with credit history when coming from abroad?

• What’s the best way/ website for my wife to start looking for jobs? She is a chartered accountant currently working in a finance department of an investment fund, she has an L2 visa.

• In case she can’t find a job for a while, will my $120k salary be enough for us to live on paying $3.5k in rent?

• Anything else to prepare/look out for when moving from UK?

Appreciate any help, thanks!

Hello this is my first post on Reddit and to be honest with you, this site is a piece of work for new users. But that’s not the point. For the past year I wanted to move to LA but events made me post-pone it. It was originally my goal to move this year but next year I’m making it happen given the circumstances.

I’d appreciate advice on solidifying my plan, especially around job searching and just in general moving down there.

So here’s the lo-down: * I have saved $17k about to be $20k in my bank account. * I have a car and it’s paid off very recently, about to get the title in the mail. * Have a good credit score in the 760s but realized that I need a roommate as my career path in this current job economy is not the best. Plus it’s necessary as I don’t have the 2.5x or 3x income needed to rent solo. * College degree in film, but current job is a cleaning position. * My main purpose for moving? Career advancement for the majority of it. And to finally be independent. * I am sociable.

The problems: * How do I land a job over here despite not being in the state or city currently? I understand people like to yell at other OPs on this sub telling them to land a job before you move. * So I have a case with Vocational Rehabilitation in my state and I noticed DOR does the same thing too. Would they help or at least compound this to assist me with finding a job despite me not being in the city? Yes I am Neurodivergent, and are they a great help? How do I contact them although I am out of state? Can they transfer my case? * My main path (film side) is bad despite me having loads if connections, however in my cleaning fallback (plan b) job I don’t have a network in that industry so how do I go about it? * Since I’m going to be living with roommates, will that soften the blow on my rent? And how I do even find them? Is there an app? * What’s the best way to meet people and build a support system in a new city like LA? I do know networking works wonders. * I’m across the country. So I’m going from one coast to another.

I guess my main concern is if my plan is ready so far and me trying to locate a job in the city so I can move. I heard you can move without a job and job search like that, which I have considered but people loudly say don’t do it but I have reason to believe that with what I am doing so far, I feel like if they want local you have no other option.

So is my plan coming along?

I aim to hit this April or May of next year. Maybe earlier than that if I’m lucky. Is this a good time frame? Because then I’ll have enough saved to make the jump because I don’t want to be stuck over here (my home state) for another year, it’s giving me problems and I want to finally break free from the toxic shit in my life that where I’m living is in part of that.

I know this move won’t be easy, but I’m confident in my ability to adapt and work hard.

Your advice is appreciated.

Forewarning on all this though: I am a hard-ass. Please don’t take it personally. I am that passionate and determined to get things done and go the extra mile. I’ve been told all my life that I’d never make it, and honestly, the shit talk only made me work harder. I’m a hard-ass because I’ve had to be, and while my tone might come off strong, it’s just my passion and determination to prove people wrong and make my dreams happen. I wanted this this year but that didn’t happen because no one wants to hire (funny considering they say no one wants to work, funny too how if you criticize the system you’ll get labeled as a whiner telling to stop with the “woe is me” shit, hilarious.), so here we are. I’m not whining. I’m just not interested in pretending this process isn’t a mess. That said, I’m here because I want to get this done, and I’m willing to grind harder than most to make it happen.

Edit: I noticed I get massively downvoted in here for just saying thanks for advice and asking more questions just so I can play this smart. I saw another poster on this sub saying thanks and doing the same thing. I feel concerned if this is how the sub treats us who want to move. I’m not like an ass or like a dreamer in la la land. I want to play this smart, wise.

I understand it's intense without a job and I need a job lined up and with the amount saved it might not be enough. I heard through my network they made it happen with less and without jobs lined up until a month after living here. So my concern is job related. How to get it out of state and how do I stand out in the crowd?

23F signing on to a lease in this area. Looks like it might still be considered city west which I haven’t heard good things about. Was on a tight timeline so didn’t get to visit the place beforehand.

I want an area that's super walkable (for coffee, groceries, bars etc.), clean and lively without being super noisy all the time.

I'd appreciate any suggestions and recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

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Edit 1 - Reserved!

I’m moving to LA next year and am searching for a residence that’s a step up from Ten Thousand condos. Here are the qualities I’m prioritizing: 1. Great views 2. Dog-friendly (either a private yard or within walking distance to a park) 3. Excellent amenities and top-notch security

If you have any recommendations or know of places that fit the bill, I’d love to hear them. Thanks in advance!

$10-15K/mo range

Hi, I currently stay about 2 hours outside of Los Angeles and I need to leave within a month for many reasons.

I realize moving to LA without a job offer is far from ideal, however, I have successfully moved country>country without a job lined up in the past. I am very driven and open to work in many different sectors.

Can someone please shed some light on relatively affordable areas in LA county where there is either a high concentration of work opportunities (walk or bike distance) OR an area with plenty of public transportation connections? I plan on renting AirBnb for first 1-3 months.

Job opportunities and affordability are most important!

I’m relocating to the Culver City area from Texas in August 2025 for a new job. I’ll be working near the Sony Pictures Studio and am looking for recommendations on places or neighborhoods to live. I’m searching for a two-bedroom apartment in a safe area with access to green spaces since I have a dog. My maximum budget is $3,300, which I know is on the lower side for the area, but it’s what I can work with. I’d really appreciate any advice or suggestions you might have. I’m willing to drive but don’t want to drive for more than 1 hour.

I’m a 21 year old moving to Los Angeles Post Grad as an audio engineer. I have some other dudes with me and we are attempting to find a 3 bedroom at a reasonable price. We have money to stay but don’t need or want a super nice apartment while we decide if LA is a permanent move for us. I’m wondering where good areas to stay are that aren’t as expensive. Please, I don’t need you to explain that the quality or safety might be a compromise, I understand that. We don’t mind living in a bit of a cheaper area and trading in the life of luxury for a temporary period of time. I just want to know the areas to definitely not go at all, and the areas that would be more affordable in or around Los Angeles City. We aren’t easy to jump but we don’t want to be getting robbed, injured, or our cars stolen from if we can avoid it.

Edit: Most likely working anywhere between west La and North Hollywood. No budget yet, because like I said I just wanted to know the more affordable areas. I’ll go into the suggestions from here and see if anything’s in budget for us. I just only want to have to look in places that are worth our time. I know if I ask for the cheapest place in the city it’s not going to be a place I wanna stay lol

Realistically, could a family of 3 make it comfortably in LA suburbs off a 250k salary? I know the housing is insane but we don't plan to buy a home in the next 3 or so years as we are not entirely sure where we want to put roots down and we are still saving.

In Chicago, 250k is great but we can't deal with the long winters and are pretty burnt out having a toddler in the city. We are wanting sunshine, better climate, access to nature and just a slower pace of life.

We've also looked into Temecula but it seems very hot and far from the ocean.

Costa Mesa or anywhere in OC seems nice but maybe too pricey?

Any input is appreciated!