Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, where we explore what you can rent or buy for a certain dollar amount in various LA ’hoods. We’ve found five rentals within $150 of today’s price, $1,300. Vote for your favorite below!
Downtown
In the old Hotel Bristol, a building constructed in 1906, this very tiny studio measures just 180 square feet. There’s no closet, and there’s only a sink and mini fridge for a kitchen, but it does have a full bathroom and a large window with city views. Located in the heart of DTLA, there’s a Cassell’s Burgers on the ground-floor, and the Freehand Hotel, Golden Gopher, and Whole Foods are mere steps away. It’s renting for $1,200.
Los Feliz
Here’s another compact studio in a walkable location, near Hillhurst Avenue’s restaurants, bars, and shops. This charming unit comes in at 300 square feet and holds hardwood floors in the main room and vintage kitchen tile. It’s renting for $1,300.
Westlake
There’s a space available inside the brick-clad Alvarado Apartments, off James M. Wood Boulevard. Walking distance to MacArthur Park and the Metro station, the studio has hardwood floors and a full kitchen and bathroom. It’s renting for $1,200.
Pico-Union
For a studio, this unit has a decent amount of closet space. It also has a fair amount of natural light, a kitchen with ample cabinets and a small stove, and a bathroom lined with subway tile. The pet-friendly apartment is renting for $1,295.
Burbank
Over the hill, this bright studio is part of a large complex with a pool and features a wood-beamed ceiling, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, and AC—a must for the Valley. The kitchen is fully outfitted with a stove and fridge. It’s renting for $1,395.
Comments
I picked Burbank because it’s the least depressing. Man…most of these are obviously the last step before a tent on the sidewalk somewhere.
By jbdelaney on 10.24.19 3:52pm
These are all 500 a month apartments. A tent would be more cost effective.
By Henry Chinaskee on 10.24.19 8:39pm
These are all small studios for young professionals in hip places, not the last step before homelessness!
By Greyvagabond on 10.25.19 3:24pm
MacArthur Park is the ghetto dude. The only "hip" professionals there are the 18th Street gang. And at these prices they definitely are the last step before homelessness because you’re not going to find anything cheaper than these apartments in L.A. The days of apartments in L.A. renting for what they’re actually worth ended right about the same time Mayor Riordan left office 20 years ago. That’s why I’m a big advocate of just going the homeless route. With rents as ridiculously over-priced as they’ve become here there’s no shame in living on the streets.
By Henry Chinaskee on 10.25.19 3:49pm
‘The days of apartments in L.A. renting for what they’re actually worth’
They’re worth what people are willing to pay, not what you personally think they’re worth.
By disqusted on 10.25.19 4:23pm
You are obviously a paid lobbyist for the Apartment Owners Association.
By Henry Chinaskee on 10.26.19 6:27am
Boy, I wish. No, I put up with idiots like you gratis. Some day a therapist will tell me why.
By disqusted on 10.28.19 1:40pm
Maybe there are group specials on therapists for you and fellow idiot, LosFeliz$ean.
By Steve Neman on 10.29.19 8:26am
There are, but they’re too long of a commute, 2 hours each way, easy.
By disqusted on 10.29.19 2:48pm
You can ride your tricycle to therapy since you are threatened by cars so much!
By Millennials Are Useless on 10.31.19 6:08am
I’ll ride it past your retirement home, gramps.
By disqusted on 10.31.19 9:35pm
Did you sign up for remedial reading comprehension yet?
I’m Gen X you idiot
By Millennials Are Useless on 11.01.19 4:43am
Oh there’s definitely a few hipsters moving into MacArthur Park these days… couple blocks east down by the Mayfair Hotel it’s very reminiscent of Echo Park in the early aughts.
By corner soul on 10.26.19 12:19am
Glendale has studios that are about 400 sf with full kitchen, bath, closets and off-street parking for 1K.
The dt apartment (if you can call it that) should be ILLEGAL!!
By CodyAmore on 10.24.19 4:27pm
Why should it be illegal? Is it unsafe?
By disqusted on 10.25.19 1:33pm
Boarding houses and the like are pretty much illegal to build nowadays… big reason why the homeless situation is so out of control.
By corner soul on 10.26.19 12:23am
"The type of housing millions of people have relied on and been fine with throughout human history should be illegal because it offends my sensibilities!"
By disqusted on 10.28.19 1:41pm
Pretty soon folks will be renting closets out at $1000 and walk in closets for $1500.
No windows, plenty of hanging space, a few shelves and order meals to be delivered.
Communal bathrooms.
By lanatik on 10.24.19 4:45pm
Pretty soon? You haven’t been keeping up, dude. Podshare is already the rage. But I think one would be better off renting the walk-in closet.
By LATEACHER1X on 10.26.19 2:37pm
The last apartment I rented was right on Wilshire and Bundy, a spacious 1BR with a wood burning fireplace and a balcony, at $1350/month. That was in 2009, but it was still a rare find at the time…I feel terribly for people that have to fight over any of these spots at that price. And I almost wish I had just stayed in that apartment because it was rent controlled.
By saltmine on 10.24.19 5:38pm
At this point, just move. There’s no reason to pay $1300 to live like this. Just move somewhere else, and enjoy a better quality of life.
By ewilliams1911 on 10.24.19 5:42pm
If you’re young and tough, living like this for a few years is OK and can even build character. But, yeah, if you’ve reached, say, 30 and you’re living like this, the best advice I could give is to start figuring out how you’re going to execute Plan B somewhere else.
By MyrnaMinkoff on 10.25.19 11:08am
People paying these prices are making a good salary in LA, and very likely there aren’t too many places in the country where they could get a similar job. Especially in the film industry and creatives.
By Greyvagabond on 10.25.19 3:25pm
Ever been to Atlanta? Much cheaper, with better apartments for $1300, and produces a ton of film.
By ewilliams1911 on 10.25.19 6:38pm
Prior to relocating and purchasing a home near Palm Springs just this month, I resided within DTLA for just over 3 years. My 1 bedroom, 500 sq. ft. flat was all of $1,500/mo WITH UTILITIES included within a 4 story building, providing roof access and spectacular panoramic views of the Hollywood sign and Downtown skyline.
It had slated living room tile, stainless appliances that I never used thanks to Uber Eats & GrubHub alongside a pretty decently sized bedroom with hardwood floors all while across the street from a park (Vista Hermosa – 100 N. Toluca) making for some extremely quiet nights.
My advice is simple. Don’t settle.
I found my place on, of all places…. Craigslist and while not ideal for all, I’m definite proof that fortune comes to those that encompass both endurance and fortitude.
By CommissionerGraham on 10.24.19 6:57pm