“I’d rather sleep in my car. Those two options suck.” -My pal Robin
Almost daily, I search the Los Angeles Craigslist listings for a place to live beginning at the end of March that doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg (renting a one bedroom in Los Angeles will run me three to four times the rent of a similar unit in St. Louis). Really, I’m looking to secure a place for three months (during the first quarter of my program); which will give me time to look for something a bit more long-term (and something a bit closer to the beach – as someone who has lived only in Missouri, Ohio and Michigan, it’s about time I lived near the sand and salt water).
A few weeks ago, I located a listing from a young man renting out the living room of his (lovely looking) apartment about a mile from UCLA. You heard me a right … a living room. As in, no doors. As in I’d be sleeping on an air mattress (OK, I can’t complain about that one; even if I rent an actual bedroom, I’ll still be sleeping on an air mattress – I don’t plan to drive cross-country with furniture). The price is right, the location is convenient, the neighborhood is safe and the roommate seems nice over the phone and Facebook.
Around the same time, I also located a room that a UCLA grad was renting out a room right by campus in an apartment unit with 4 roommates. The only downside is that it’s a shared bedroom; evidently it’s pretty normal in high-rent areas for 2 people to split a bedroom (as one would a dorm room in college). The building has a pool and a gym and garage parking (for an extra $125 per month … ugh).
Since I’m somewhat hesitant sending a rental deposit to someone with who, I’ve only communicated over the web, one of my friends from my Michigan days, E, who lives in Los Angeles, was kind enough to check out the place with a living room for me on New Year’s Day. The only negative he found was that the front door of the apartment opens into the living room which will serve as my sleeping quarters. Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone to get feedback for me on the shared bedroom apartment but I did speak to the girl who’s subletting over the phone and we’ve connected on Facebook.
That’s what happens when one just “goes for it,” right? They must make some sacrifices (privacy and financial in this instance). I think I can handle the privacy concerns for three months, especially considering that I’d be living in a nicer area with a nice roommate and in a space that is (in Los Angeles standards, not Susan standards) affordable.
