I need advice (re: moving/apartments/rent/etc.)

[huskerlaw]

Ok, here's my situation. I'm moving to Los Angeles next month from Nebraska. Obviously, this is a MAJOR change. Unfortunately, I've had to find an apartment in less than a month and I'm moving in sight unseen.

I found the place on the internet, saw quite a few pictures, etc. It looks like a really nice place, great floorplan, and the management has been very helpful so far.

But here's my problem. After I put money down to hold the apartment, I stumbled upon an apartment review website. The reviews aren't so fabulous for this complex. Lots of complaints about noise, a not-so-great neighborhood, some rather unsavory people in the complex, etc. For those of you familiar with LA, it's in North Hollywood, close to the NoHo Metro stop. However, virtually none of the apartments on this site get decent ratings...so I don't know how seriously to take the reviews.

My options at this point are fairly limited. I pretty much have to take this apartment, since I'm moving in 3 weeks. I'm currently looking at a 6 month lease, but there is an option for a 3 month lease. Problem there is it's an additional $200/month. I'm thinking I'll bite the bullet and pay the extra money so I can get the hell out of there if necessary.

So...thoughts? ideas? Anyone familiar with that part of NoHo? HELP!

[GOPisEvil]

1. Hmmm...I'm no help.

But I can kick this to the top.

That's a hard decision to have to make. If it were me, and I could swing it, I'd pay the extra and sign a shorter lease.

[Rising Phoenix]

2. I don't know anything about the area...

but having lived in an unsavory apartment...it was nice to have a way out...best of luck

[huskerlaw]

3. Yeah, I think the extra money

would be money well spent. $200/month is a small price to pay for peace of mind and options, I suppose. Thanks.

[SerutNorellet]

4. NoHo

I spend some time in North Hollywood, as that's where my boyfriend lives (on Magnolia Blvd. if that gives you a general sense). He is about a 15 minute walk away from the metro station. That whole area is seeing a very large building effort currently. They're building more and more apartments/shops/etc. right around the metro station. I'm female, and I often walk from the metro station to his apartment in the evening and don't feel abnormally unsafe, btw. The area is home to a lot of theaters, actors' organizations, and quirky independent shops, and I enjoy wandering around the area.

Having said that, if it were me (and you can swing it without too much difficulty), I'd pay the extra $200/month -- you never know what a place is like until you are there, IMHO. You might end up loving the place, or you may think that extra $600 was the greatest thing you've ever paid for, so you can get out of there with no hassles.

Especially if you do get saddled with an annoying neighbor or the noise level is driving you crazy!

Good luck with the move!! :) I moved to L.A. from Ohio in 2001 and am so happy I did -- I have absolutely no regrets about doing so!

[huskerlaw]

8. Thank you,

I'll be close to Magnolia Blvd. too. Thanks for the info, I'm feeling quite a bit better now, as everyone has been so reassuring. :)

[MalibuChloe]

5. There are some rather shady bits of NoHo...

but none of it is so dangerous that you should be worried. It all depends on your particular complex, neighbors, etc. I'd go with the 6 month lease - if it's THAT bad you can always break the lease and forfeit your deposit. But I am sure it will be fine. I have friends in NoHo and am there a lot.

Good luck!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Do a three month lease but ask if they will allow you to modify the

lease within the first 30 days of moving in if you decide to stay 6 months

BTW..what are the cross streets?

[democracyindanger]

7. Read the fine print about complaints

Noise in particular, because that's the most likely to happen. If the bad reviews are true and you have to complain about noise, there's a point where you can get out of the lease if the management can't or won't do anything about it.

If the bad reviews aren't true, then no worries.