Hermosa Beach!

My 30 yr old single daughter lives in Belmont area of Long Beach. Very safe neighborhood feel, blocks from the beach,housing in all price ranges, and great nightlife! She loves it.

It doesn't sound silly to me, it sounds adventurous! But since you are up for adventure, why not fly out to LA for a long weekend, rent a car, and drive around to see what neighborhoods appeal to you? Then look through the apartment listings or talk to a realtor to get an idea of prices. Take pictures, and look for the things that are important to *you*--neighborhood amenities, etc. Good luck!

I totally agree with wvlinz...you really don't wanna make a commitment without feeling it out for yourself first. Even a long weekend to explore will be beneficial..

with that being said -- think about what you value in a neighborhood. Do you enjoy diversity? nightlife? the arts? quiet suburbia? corner store bodegas? the beach? serene surroundings? bustling city life? All of this matters when choosing a place and could probably help us give better feedback beyond areas that are simply "safe"

Personally, I really like the Culver City area. The apartments arent the cheapest, but the neighborhood is great. There is a Trader Joes, Movie Theater and TONS of restaurants (even a wine bar) all within walking distance - which is rare since "nobody walks in LA."

My fiends adore Los Feliz and Silver Lake, though I've not been there myself yet.

I've had friends who liked Culver City, too, for the same reasons. Fairfax Village has similar advantages-- not the very cheapest but very convenient, walkable, but also pretty and cultural (all this in LA! ;) ) The local school is apparently OK.

I recommend the west hollywood area myself but i'm a bit biased since i love L.A.!

LA like many big cities is a giant patchwork of neighborhoods and all have very unique advantages and disadvantages. It totally depends on the type of person you are. Like nightlife? then WEHO or Downtown are for you, like quiet, privacy, and a more small town feel? I recommend the Carthay neighborhoods or Culver City, but you may have to go as far out as Pasadena (also beautiful but VERY far removed from LA)

I lived in the South Carthay neighborhood for many years, it's tucked between WEHO, Bev. Hills, and Culver City so it's really central. Lots of great old 4 plexes from the 30's with tons of charm and low population density. I also love Culver City, but don't know that $1200/mo will swing it there. When I left LA 2 years ago there were still lots of deals to be had downtown, and I hear it has gone way trendy and upscale.

My biggest advice though is be REALLY cognizant of where you'll be working, and where you want to spend the bulk of your time - my 4 mile commute used to take 40 minutes one way.

Silver Lake!

Depends on what you like in a neighborhood; my favorites are Pasadena and Hollywood, but there MANY wonderful neighborhoods out there. I don't consider Pasadena to be removed from LA. It IS removed from the Westside, however, but the Westside is only one portion of LA (and not one of my favorites). I thought the neighborhoods to the west felt far more removed, but that's probably in part because they didn't have the train or subway access that other areas enjoy. If you're a walker and a user of public transportation you'll want to take that into consideration. I don't drive, so both Hollywood and Pasadena were perfect for us. Los Feliz is great, too, and downtown could be a lot of fun. Again, all depends on what you want in a neighborhood. Will you be working somewhere? If so, commuting times should definitely factor into your final decision, too. You wouldn't want to work in Pasadena and live in Venice, for example.

I'm interested in this question too. Specifically I want neighborhoods that move beyond the usual bougie traps- chain restaurants, fancy wine bars, etc. I'd like amenities such as walk-ability, and affordability (extra points for a nearby farmer's market or dive bar). Any suggestions?

We moved from Indiana about 3 years ago to Belmont Shore area and we love it!!! Great area, safe, close to the beach and walking distance to 2nd street which has tons of fun boutique shops, restaurants and bars. Its gonna be way more expensive than the mid-west but we were able to find 2 bed / 2 bath for $1600. Check craig's list and local newspaper classifieds (gazette.com for long beach) for apartment listings, and then come spend a long weekend checking places out.

Assuming you will be working somewhere in LA, examine neighborhoods and towns close to your employment. Commuting in the Los Angeles area can be arduous. If your job is or will be near one of the area's light rail, commuter or subway stops, look at neighborhoods around those transit stops and test out the commute on a workday.

If you're working mostly from home without a commute, then the region is your oyster.

I did the same thing! I am from Chicago and decided one day to move to LA. For me, i felt safe living in the Culver City / West LA. You should have no problem finding an apartment in that area. If you can find a place in Santa Monica that would be my first choice for a very fun / safe area. Have fun!

Your making a big mistake, don’t do it!!! I’ve been stuck here for eight miserable years and now that the economy is so bad in LA I can’t find a job and without a job there’s no money to move back home to Brooklyn. LA is not a fun place to live unless your from here, so many people I’ve run into over the past year have told me there leaving LA and going back home, most to NY so save yourself the time and money and stay where you are for while.
Good Luck!

LA is wonderful, and it's all about finding the right neighborhood. I'm in Sliver Lake and love it. If you wanna live in the artsy/hipster part of town check SL out, along with Los Feliz and Echo Park.

You should definitely check out Santa Monica; specifically, the neighborhood surrounding Main Street. It's very walkable and there are tons of stores, coffee shops, restaurants and bars. I'm 25 and have lived in the area for a few years. I absolutely love it. The neighborhood feels safe and it's a terrific community. There are lots of LA Natives AND Midwest/East Coast transplants in the area.

I would echo some of other comments here and say that if possible, you should aim to live some place that's not too far from work. If you are working on the east side, you might want to consider Silver Lake/Los Feliz.

I'm an L.A. native who now lives in Chicago. Two questions: if you have a job lined up, where is it? And where do you live in Chicago? I can probably help you find a comparable neighborhood.

I'm not sure I agree with EDH. Everyone's experience is different and we don't know your personal situation. But you should realize that LA is a really tough city to establish yourself in if you don't have friends already out there. I moved out there several years ago (currently in Chicago) and had a love/hate relationship with that city. Love the city; the bs not so much. I lived in Westwood and loved living there; could easily walk to restaurants, bars, movie theaters & the grocery store. You're looking at a studio with your budget though. Traffic is the worst, and can drive you bananas. I would HIGHLY recommend not having a long commute. Although I did have a friend that lived out there when I moved, I never saw him since he lived in Burbank.

Telling us what neighborhood you love in Chicago may help your recommendations. Good Luck!!

Lot's of good points here - as someone who lived in LA for 17 years and just last year returned to Chicago - here is my two cents:

I can't fully agree with whoever said "don't do it", since I actually had a great time for the most part, but know this: LA is a whole different ballgame than Chicago. The ONLY thing LA has over Chi-town is the weather. It's an industry town (which I worked in) with more than it's share of just awful, awful people.

$1200 a month will be tough on the Westside (anything not in the Valley), and whoever tells you different hasn't gotten an apartment there recently. Venice, SM, Culver City - all GREAT places to live, but you are looking at a minumum of $1500. I am unfamiliar with Long Beach but keep in mind - Long Beach is not a quick trip to LA.

As stated by others, for sure go for a long weekend, rent a car and drive around...and be ready to pounce immediately on a place should you find one - they go quick.

I have gone on too long...! Good luck!

I live in Long Beach, and love it. My husband and I rent a fantastic 2 bedroom house for $1650, so $1200 is definitely possible in LB. LB, however, is about 25 miles from downtown LA. Traffic is usually horrendous.

The beach communities surrounding LA are great too: Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Venice, etc, but probably pricey.

Silverlake, Echo Park, Santa Monica, Los Feliz, Glendale, Pasadena, part of West Adams, Fairfax district, and Highland Park are fabulous too. In LA, it's simple to find a great gem if you look hard enough. There are fabulous qualities about most of the areas.

As other people said, I would recommend searching Craigslist and then planning a weekend to see the places in person. There are many areas in Los Angeles that may look nice in pictures but not be suitable to your lifestyle once you visit.

Anyone who lives in LA has their opponion as to which area is the best. I live in Santa Monica and couldn't be happier here if you're going to move to the West Coast, you'd better be on the coast. It is a nightmare to drive here for a day at the beach. It's a dream to be here. The rent can be high, bug I assure you that there are great places for 1200 or less. My place is 1050 it's nice and safe, small 1 bedroom. There is do much to do. Shopping, food, coffee, bars, beach! By the way, there is a fantastic coffee shop called Cielo on Main Street. Good luck with your decision.

I live in a large 1 bedroom, bright, hardwood floors, top (4th floor) of an Art Deco 1928 building, with an elevator, utilities included for $1100/month in the Miracle Mile area.

I love it, because there are many "walkable" things, including LACMA and Hancock Park, which are 2 of my favorite things about LA.

As much as I adore the Miracle Mile, however, I highly recommend living close to your workplace, seeing as driving in LA really sucks, and unlike Chicago, the subway will not take you far.

Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Echo Park are for cool kids.

Definitely fly out to see things in person. Many places look great in online ads and then you find out the pictures were taken 10 years ago before it got all beat up...

Decide whether you want to be close to beach, "going out" places, stores, etc, and that will help a lot. The following is a major generalization, but somewhat accurate: Hipster places are more Silver Lake and Echo Park. Hippie/artist is Venice. Progressive, yet sort of yuppy is Santa Monica. I live in West Hollywood because I like being walking distance to restaurants and things to do. It's also big into gay rights with large population of GLBT.

I am also on a direct bus line to work so that I don't have to deal with traffic. If I drove to work, being close to work would be more of a priority as I hate traffic. As it is, I rarely drive. I used to live in Westwood, which had more of a residential feel than I wanted.

Craigslist is also hit-or-miss out here with lots of scammers posting things, so be wary. I used westsiderentals.com - there is a fee, but you have a little more assurance about what you're looking at, and you can get the money back in form of rebate if you use Time Warner cable.

For what it's worth, I found it easier to make friends in LA than in any other city we've ever lived in, so don't let fear of getting established keep you away! The economy, on the other hand, could be a good reason to tread carefully -- it's still really hurting in California, so think twice before moving if you don't have a job lined up. If you do, however, then look at that location first and work from there. You can find nice walkable vibrant neighborhoods all over LA, so might as well find something easy to your work. I don't think Eagle Rock has been thrown out there yet, but it's a nice neighborhood on the east that has some good rental deals. Parts of Alhambra, too. As a fellow native Midwesterner myself, I loved Pasadena and South Pasadena. Lots of historic buildings and small bungalow courts (some of them quite affordable), very walkable, and good public transportation. For a totally different feel you can find a studio in a glamorous old 1920s Hollywood apartment building for within your budget. We did both the small bungalow and the Hollywood building, and loved them both for different reasons. LA is a city with endless options. There is literally something for everyone. And if you discover you don't like one neighborhood, well, just move 20 minutes away when your lease is up and it will feel like a totally new world. Good luck!

Well I'm going to suggest The Valley. Despite it's naff reputation in the 90's it actually a great place to live. I moved here from Australia and work in Sanra Monica and often commute to Hollywood. Burbank, Tolluca Lake and Studio City are all very easy to commute from and have plenty of employment opportunities. Around here it is safe, pretty and has good restaurants, parks, shops, schools etc.

Sorry - Santa Monica and Toluca Lake! Damn you auto correct.

I grew up in Studio City and it's an extremely safe area, with lots of things to do, and just a canyon ride away from Weho, Santa Monica, etc. Ventura Blvd. (in Studio City and Sherman Oaks) has great restaurants, shops, and bars. Also, the farmer's market on Ventura Place on Sundays is one of my favorite things about going back home.

Ditto...awesomenicole, more than it's share of just awful, awful people.

Ditto...CIP, The economy, on the other hand, could be a good reason to tread carefully -- it's still really hurting in California, so think twice before moving if you don't have a job!!!

Well…I’m off to yet another interview for a job I’m sure I won’t get because I’m not 21, gorgeous and willing to work for $10.00 an hour for a VERY HIGH END design showroom so if your in the furniture or interior design business Don’t move to LA…It’s dead!!!

The location of your job should be the biggest deciding factor in where to live. There are lots of great neighborhoods all over the city, from Silverlake to Santa Monica. Some people love Sherman Oaks, some people love the South Bay (Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo), and some people need to be in Koreatown or downtown.

If you want an idea of rents, our 2Bed/1Bath with a one-car garage is $1395 in North Redondo. And it's a Fios area, which is awesome.

There's a street called Beachwood Cyn, right under the Hollywood sign. If you look on craig's list under Beachwood cyn, you will find lots of rentals. It's a GREAT area for the single crowd, clean & safe. Also close to the freeway and walking distance to great food, a market & social scene. Good Luck!

Moving to a new city because you want to "live a little" is a terrible reason to move.

Moving because you have a new job or a transfer with an existing job is the adult thing to do - Especially in this economy...
...and when you know where your job is - it makes selecting a neighborhood to live in much easier.

You asked for a place that’s safe for your 2 cats – and I assume you wouldn’t ask this unless you planned on letting them outside. You need to be aware that there are coyotes that will think your cats are snacks EVERYWHERE in LA, and especially in more wooded (and prettier) areas like Sherman Oaks and the valley. A friend of mine who lives in Sherman Oaks watched her dog get attacked by a pack of 4 of the in her fenced in back yard (the dog lived, thank goodness). I live in Koreatown, and while not incredibly safe, I’ll take it for the ability to take the train to work. Take a look at the Hancock Park / Koreatown border, it’s only a few blocks, but it’s close to public transportation and in the middle of the city. I would ONLY have indoor cats here though.

Here is a link to a 'walkability score' website that gives you an idea of how LA is laid out.. and where you'll find most of the foot traffic! Good luck!

http://www.walkscore.com/CA/Los_Angeles

Hello! I'd recommend the Eastside—Silver Lake, Echo Park, Downtown. You might be able to find a studio or one bedroom for $1200. The Westside—Santa Monica, Venice, etc., might be a bit harder. One HUGE recommendation: Live near where you work. This town is notorious for commuting, but the city is much more enjoyable when you don't have to deal with the traffic on a daily basis.

I would definitely say Long Beach if you can get a job either 1. in Long Beach, or 2. in downtown LA. You could take the blue line to downtown.

I live in Long Beach, and there's more to the city than just the Shore. Bluff Park/Heights, Belmont Heights, Bixby Knolls (which is actually very walkable), etc.

One thing - you'll find that $1200 goes quite a bit farther here than in most of the other places mentioned. AND, lots of pet-friendly apartments and no coyotes!

VENICE! Walking distance to the beach, bars, restaurants and stores, young people. Honestly, what more do you need? I live there so I can testify. Check out craiglist and westside rentals and you'll definitely find something in your price range.

I lived in the Miracle Mile for about 10 years (moved back east a year ago), and absolutely loved it -- we were right on Museum Row, a nice ten-minute walk to the Farmer's Market & Grove shopping areas, fairly central to everything. The blocks just south of Wilshire (but north of Pico) are safe, quiet, family-friendly, but still central and close to Hollywood & West Hollywood nightlife, shopping on Fairfax and Melrose, & Beverly Hills, and close to the major surface streets & the 10 freeways so the beach and the parks are a quick drive. While I lived there, I commuted by car at different times to Downtown LA (20 minutes), Burbank (25 minutes) and as far as El Segundo (40 minutes in traffic), and found it all very convenient.

Depends on what you want; there are tons of really cool neighbourhoods here, all with different charm.

My advice is to find a job first, and then look for something nearby where you live. Like, within a few miles. I used to commute from WeHo to Santa Monica and my drive took me 1 hour each way on a good day (6 miles!). I think quality of life here is determined by how little time you can spend in a car.

That said, on the West Side, Culver City is awesome, especially right around the arts district. Topanga is my favourite, if you like nature and hiking and can put up with New-Agey crap. On the East side, Silverlake, Los Feliz, even Echo Park. In the middle, Carthay or the area around 3rd st/ Beverly Center, or even West Hollywood. All have a neighbourhood feel, not so many chain stores, more of a unique vibe.

But seriously, get a job first, then decide.

Oh, and be prepared. It takes most people (myself included) a couple of years to truly like it here. People are brutal. It's an industry city full of a*holes. People are flaky and insincere and it can be really difficult to find people who you connect with. But when you do... it's pure heaven. The mountains, the sea, the shops, the restaurants. You'll love it, eventually.

agree with all the other commenters here...where will you be working/looking to work? i moved here somewhat on a whim and it wasn't too difficult finding a job (but i am in finance and had a few connections out here), while i know other industries are much harder hit. i live on the west side in brentwood, which is pretty much the safest, yuppiest area ever (think lincoln park in chicago, with more yoga moms).

you should definitely come out and spend a long weekend here first before committing to anything though.

Finding an apartment close to where you'll be working would be the smartest thing. We can give you all of the suggestions in the world, but what good would a 50 mile commute be?
I live in Bluff Park in Long Beach and I agree with the other people suggesting LBC, $1200 will go farther here than in a lot of Los Angeles. $1200 will only get you a studio apartment in quite a few of the safe neighborhoods in LA.

Definitely visit the place first. I moved from Chicago to Tampa, FL without ever visiting here, and I kind of hate it.

My boyfriend and I have a place in Los Feliz, and we LOVE both our apartment and the neighborhood. Very safe, trendy, lots of interesting stores and restaurants, and a 10 minute drive from Hollywood. Our 2 bedroom is only $1295, but I'll admit that we majorly lucked out.

When I first moved here a couple years ago as a single girl with 2 cats, I had an apartment in Sherman Oaks (in the Valley). It's a pretty safe area, plus the Valley is way more affordable. A ton of my friends still live up there on the other side of the hill.

I do agree with those who said you should visit first to check out places and neighborhoods though. That's what I did. Also, if you know anyone in the area or have any connections, try to get a roommate or two. It helps a lot with the social adjustment, not to mention the rent. It definitely takes a while to feel like you've really "settled in."

I actually really like it here. There's definitely a lot of bullshit, and lots of sketchy people, but if you find a good group of friends and really get involved in all the cool things the city has to offer, it makes all the difference. LA is one of those places that is as good or as bad as you make it for yourself, it's really up to you.

Good luck!!!!!!

I live in Miracle Mile (Wilshire/Fairfax area) and LOVE it. For that price range, you could probably find a cute pet-friendly studio--most of the spots here are cute Spanish style or 1920s/art deco. Good luck!! :]

I'm not an LA expert, but if I were to move there, I would live in West Hollywood or downtown LA.

I would say it depend largely on what you are into and where you might be working. Driving across town in rush hour is wearing. If you are really into the beach then you should go for the westside. If you want hipster culture and less traffic then the eastside. I live in Silverlake and love the views of the mountains and the easy access to everything I need. Los Feliz is also great because it's fairly central, safe and right next to Griffith Park which is huge and great for hiking, biking and all that. Some areas of the Valley are nice but it generally gets 10-15 degrees hotter there in the summer. $1200 should get you a nice apt anywhere in Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silverlake or Echo Park.

I live downtown, but it's not for everyone. But with unemployment hovering around 20%, you should think about work first, neighborhood second.

Most people that move to LA on a whim are gone in under a year ... that being said, most people that move out here with ambitions are gone in under a year. If LA doesn't like you, it will send you home - but not before it has chewed you up and spit you out. If you're bound and determined and have a job lined up, a solid savings, or a back up plan, jump in with 2 feet. It's not the sort of community that embraces you right away, so it helps if you know even one person out here. I stand strong in my advice that if you don't have at least 6 months of savings, or strong contacts out here to guide you and assist you in getting a job, you could be very disappointed and broke very quickly.

As far as where to plant yourself, Long Beach is awesome, it's also an hour away on a good day. While Hermosa and Redondo Beaches are closer to downtown LA and Hollywood, they are expensive typically and can also be an hour away depending on traffic.

If you're artistic and hip ... Silverlake or Los Feliz are good target areas and are right next door to each other.

I don't know of anybody that is thrilled living in Pasadena. It's sort of a "destination anywhere" sort of town.

Burbank and Toluca Lake are not only charming neighborhoods, but safe and within walking distance of many amenities and you're bound to find something in your price range.

Don't discount the valley...Studio City and Sherman Oaks are affordable and a quick drive into Hollywood or downtown LA. Keeping in mind, however, that during rush hour, driving even 6 miles can take you over an hour.

West Hollywood is primarily 20-somethings to 30-somethings and while it is appealing to many...the novelty wears off with a quickness.

I think you've received a decent amount of good advice thru this thread ... but tread lightly ... LA is no Chicago. Best of luck!

janellerene... You rock!!!
***Listen to her***
****************

I live in Pacific Palisades and it is safe. You can walk to the beach and there is a farmer's market every Sunday. There is no "night life" to speak of in the Palisades though. Parking by your apt/house is much easier than in Santa Monica and it is only about a five to ten minute drive to everywhere in Santa Monica. If you are not working close though it can take some time to commute some where else.

I LOVE LONG BEACH!!! Long Beach is a great city! I live in the Belmont Heights area which is a very safe area but not as pricey as the Belmont Shore Area. I pay $1025 for a 2BD/ 1BA about 900 sq. ft. Long Beach has the feel of a small town but it is a city with all its parts: it has an art district, the upper class area, a beach, a ghetto, a downtown, it has EVERYTHING!! Plus there are fantastic local restaurants, bars and shops. I actually moved here from downtown Los Angeles and this is where I want to stay. Plus if you do want to go to "LA" it is only 20 minutes away.

I lived in Culver City when I first moved here and shared a 2 bed 1 bath ($1450 for whole apartment) with two roommates off of craiglist. It's a neat area, but a little pricey. If you want to live on the Westside I'd recommend Mar Vista, which is between Culver City and Venice and a bit more afforable. Now I live in North Hollywood with one roommate in a 2bd 1ba for $1295. I really like the area I live in and would recommend North Hollywood anywhere south of Burbank Blvd, as well as Toluca Lake and Studio City. Next time I move I'd like to live in Burbank, Los Feliz, Glendale, or Silverlake - all near where I work. If you don't have a job yet, investigate where your industry is based and try to live near there.

I don't work in the entertainment industry and I find it pretty easy to avoid pompous industry types. I hang out with people from all sorts of job fields and they are, for the most part, pretty awesome out here. The weirdest thing to me about LA is how rich some people are versus how poor others are.

my buddy and his lady just got a rad 1 bedroom in hollywood... its huge! their budget was right around yours. also, dont discount the valley. parts of noho are ok but studio city, sherman oaks and valley village are all great neighborhoods. ive lived in all of them!

This seems like a no brainer. Please, please, please, do your girls a favor and research the public school's API's. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/ and then move where the better performing schools are. Doesn't guarantee they're great but it gives you a starting point. There is an app that overlays the API's in Google Maps but I don't remember the url. Sorry.

I lived in Beverly Hills on the brink of Miracle Mile and West Hollywood, all of which are very safe areas. I also lived in Echo Park and loved my hood (even though it wasn't as safe as my west side abode). If I moved back to LA, I would opt for Santa Monica. The air is fresher, there is mostly everything you need in walking distance, and many buses go there.

I work in Los Feliz and LOVE it, but I don't think it's the cheapest place. Try to avoid the "downtown" area and focus on places like Los Feliz, Silverlake, and maybe even branch out to places AROUND Los Angeles to Glendale, La Crescenta, Burbank, or Pasadena.

janellerene has the best suggestions I've read so far.

Please be aware that you can be attacked in ANY area of Los Angeles, no where is really "safe". I've had friends robbed in west hollywood and Santa Monica, which are considered some of the better parts of west LA.

With that being said, I would suggest mapping out your work route prior to deciding on a place. I work in westwood, but I live near downtown.. and my travel time varies on every factor under the sun, including when Obama or the Oscars comes to town! On the average day, I'm sitting in traffic for a least 1 1/2 each way.

If you go with the Santa Monica/Culver city/Palms area, be sure you aren't moving into "undergrad city". Since Palms is near UCLA, most of the places with cheaper rent will be full of college students.
Glendale and other parts of the valley can be nice, but it's always hotter and takes forever to get pass the 101/405 freeway exchange.

Who moves to Pasadena?? Sorry, folks, Pasadena sucks. I'd go with Los Feliz or Eagle Rock before pasadena.
Koreatown (near the downtown area) is walkable, but it has it's pros and cons like every other area in Los Angeles.

finally, if you're a person of color, you may not want to live in Santa Monica or any of the other beach city (with the exception of Venice)..very litte diversity... and lots of racism.

I think it all depends on other factors --- especially where you may be working. But the nice areas (meaning areas with a walkable business district) include Culver City, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and West Hollywood. I've never been to Silver Lake or Los Feliz, but I hear the same about them.

I've been living in Pasadena for seven months and I enjoy it so far. Rent price: I have a one bedroom bungalow (Pasadena has some cute old bungalows mixed in with apartment buildings) with a large patio for 1100 a month. It's fairly removed from downtown, which definitely gives Pasadena a charming small town vibe, but it's very easy to get downtown as needed. There is even a brand new rail line that takes 15 minutes to reach the heart of downtown, and it passes through several good-to-explore towns on the way. I don't own a car, so I depend on public transit for all of my LA adventures. From Pasadena, you can get pretty much anywhere in town on public transit under 1 1/2 hours -- it just takes some planning. I also can walk to do pretty much any errands I need, and as a young woman I feel very safe walking alone at night. If you're looking for a small, cute city that also serves as a gateway to other parts of LA, Pasadena is great!

I love it here in LA! I first lived in Studio City and loved it. But it wasn't until I moved over the hill to West Hollywood that I started to really enjoy walking outside to many places. I would recommend mid-city, miracle mile (I see lots of people walking cats and dogs) around Fairfax, 3rd St., Melrose, Beverly.... Lots of food, cool neighbors, and lots to walk to and you'll find a bit in that budget range. Outside of central LA, would recommend Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, and Silverlake.

Take a look around the neighborhoods and what's in the area. I believe there's something for everyone here.

I recently moved from DC to LA, having never been here before, and landed in West Hollywood. I LOVE IT. I can walk to at least three grocery stores, plus a farmers' market and more than a dozen bars and restaurants. There are always people out and about, so I always feel safe (though everyone else is right, it can happen anywhere...). Lots of young folks. Convenient to the east or west sides. Terrific all around.

what is with the grammar???? it just annoys me when people add their comments complaining of this and that...unemployment etc and THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPELL OR USE CORRECT GRAMMAR!!! there for they're, your for you're. it just makes me nuts!

Wow. With LA you'll get a million opinions it's huge and indescribable if you haven't experienced it. I moved sight unseen for a job, so I sort of relate. I did a few sublets in different areas which was so insightful. Lived on the beach in Santa Monica - noisy, but walkable to everything (empty pockets each time I walked outside) and zero parking (cool if you have no car), then on to Silver Lake. At the time no one really understood leaving anywhere beyond the West Side (I would suggest you start West to experience everything in volume). I sublet a place that turned in to a 2 year residency. Every day a new restaurant or cool cafe popped up and I became hip without knowing it. If you want the name/address of the BEST landlord in the world in THE best location in Silver Lake (can walk to Los Feliz and Griffith Park and all the cool spots) email me at sonias_98@yahoo.com. He's be happy to have a cat. Be warned, you're about 25 mins in good traffic from the West Side (that's Santa Monica, Culver, Beverly, etc.). Do it, they'll be a time that you can't.

Disclaimer: I swear those typos are all my Ipad's fault, UGH!

Just some extra support for your totally adventurous idea. :) I moved from Pennsylvania to SoCal with my two cats and, despite not having a job planned out beforehand, have no regrets.

LA native with parents from Chicago here... they moved out (to Echo Park) in the 60s, my mom tasted her first(!) avocado, and they never looked back. Many of the posters have already said that without knowing whether you have a job/at least knowing your industry it's hard to advise, and given traffic those are major issues. I have to say that if you want to make it in *the* industry... I am concerned! ;p I also agree, DO NOT let kitties go outside, they will be dinner. Re: your personal safety, you'll be fine as long as you remember it is the big bad city and don't do anything stupid (this includes stupid driving-- I am so serious, I would worry much more about accidents than crime!).

All that said, a few words of encouragement-- I adore LA, have never had to deal with all these "awful people" everyone talks about (maybe if you only know awful people that says more about you...?), and I think people are friendlier/more accepting here than nearly anywhere else. The great thing/scary thing about LA is that... no one cares. You can do/be whatever you want... but there's not a readymade community with people who are interested in you/eager to help you that you can access, you have to find your own way.

The Westside is a bit soulless and West Hollywood gets old fast, so I would consider mid city, Silverlake, Echo Park, Los Feliz... there are nice parts of Hollywood too. We live in a 1 bedroom bottom of a Spanish 30's duplex in East Hollywood (near the bottom of Los Feliz/side of Silverlake, $1350) with a huge shared garden, and our building manager actually takes care of our cats for us when we are out of town! Look up people you went to school with/family friends etc. and meet up with them, they may suck but you can meet more people that way and eventually grow a circle of friends. I really think you should take the plunge though, I lived in SF for 2 years and *hated* it, but it was a good, um, "character building" experience, so even worst case I think you will get something out of some time on the left coast! If you do move let AT know, I'm sure people would have more concrete advice/assistance to offer.

Your price point of $1200 rules out a lot of great neighborhoods in LA because it is pretty expensive. The Valley might be a bit of a commute depending on where you work, and it's not the prettiest part of LA, but most of it is fine. The edges of the Valley tend to be the best areas to live. Areas along Ventura Blvd mean you're close to a trendy shopping/eating area. You should definitely consider your commute if you're getting a job here. As others have said, LA's bad traffic reputation is well earned. While the city is trying to develop better public transportation, it currently isn't great.

A word about your cats. I also have two cats that I adore and they are indoor only. I would advise against letting your cats outdoors in LA. Others might disagree and some areas are safer than others, but if you live anywhere near hills then you have coyotes and possibly even mountain lions to worry about. Black widow spiders are also native to the area and a bite can easily kill a cat. Plus there is a LOT of traffic everywhere in this city, so that is a big risk. Just things to consider to protect your pets.

Ckeck out " I hate los Angeles group" on facebook, it's really funny but true.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=61629243167&v=wall

Planning to do the same thing come Christmas this year. Husband and I are re-locating from London to L.A. We don't have jobs or an apartment lined up either. Whoever commented 'Moving to a new city because you want to "live a little" is a terrible reason to move.' and that doing it for a job only is the 'adult' way to handle life must have a pretty boring life. I feel sorry for them. I would rather try something new and fail than stay paralyzed in the same place because it became too comfortable. Kudos to Angela who's grown a pair and is going to leap into the unknown. I hope we're neighbours!

I suggest Silverlake (more hipster...lot's of vegan options) or West Hollywood myself. I moved here three years ago to act and while there have been a lot of amazing experiences and I don't regret it at all, there are a lot of complete a**holes in LA. It's truly astounding how ruthless a lot of people here are on a day to day basis, truly out of necessity. You need somewhere where you can feel more like you have a community, and those two places def feel a bit more NY in that sense. I'm a not-gay girl, but I love to frequent the gay bars in WeHo because everybody is so freindly, and the restaurants/shops in SL are more personal, not big franchises.

Factor #1: work location? driving is a potential nightmare. You do NOT want to drive across town unless you have too. Its just not worth 1.5hr drive each way. I'd give a radius around work location and figure out if its doable for you. #2 schools! if You've got kids, Im assuming thats a huge factor. You'll find something decent--theres so many pockets of LA, you'll be fine. (born and raised Angeleno here: )) GOOD LUCK!

This may be a lost cause, but hey why not give it a shot. My roommate and I are looking for a third. We live in a 3 bedroom Apt. in Silver Lake. Best location ever. We're one block from the famed Sunset Junction with a walkability scor through the roof. Our rent is cheap 625. The place is simple, but effective. We have a washer and dryer in house, great neighbors and a lovely view of the Hollywood sign. Email me at amy (dot) do (dot) thurlow at gmail.com for more info. We're looking for someone to move in May 15, 2013.