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, $1,500. Vote for your favorite below!
Mid-Wilshire
This Chateauesque-style building from the 1920s is located on a pretty, tree-lined street off Wilshire and La Brea, walkable to LACMA and La Brea Tar Pits. It holds 24 apartments, one of which, a studio, is up for grabs. The 500-square-foot unit features coved ceilings, built-ins, hardwood floors and vintage tile in the bathroom and kitchen, which the listing notes is large enough to accommodate a table and chairs. It’s renting for $1,495.
Long Beach
Just north of downtown Long Beach, not far from Beachwood BBQ and Brewing, this 6,640-square-foot residence, which was built way back in 1913, is divided into 15 condos. The property sold in 2017 and has been spruced up inside and out. Available for $1,525 is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom that clocks in at 700 square feet. Based on listing photos, each of the units appears to have new floors, appliances, fixtures, and cabinets.
West Adams
Is there any better form of multifamily living in Los Angeles than the bungalow court? If you agree that there isn’t, here’s your chance to scoop one up. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow is part of a Spanish-style complex on West Boulevard. Measuring 800 square feet, the dwelling is described as “bright, airy and spacious.” Features include wood floors, arched entryways, a formal dining room, and a private patio. It’s renting for $1,550.
Los Feliz
This studio is in the brick building that’s smack dab on Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz Village. Thoroughly remodeled, it contains a kitchen with new appliances, cabinets, and counters, plus a little dining area and walk-in closet. There’s a splash of vintage charm, too, with an exposed brick accent wall in the living/sleeping area. At the Hollymont Apartments, studios start at $1,525.
Fairfax
Here’s a studio in a Spanish-style compound less than two blocks from all of the tattoo shops, bars, restaurants, and boutiques on Melrose Avenue. The 450-square-foot unit is full of period charm, including turquoise Art Deco tile in the kitchen, textured plaster walls, wood floors, and exposed beams. The galley kitchen has space for a dining table and chairs. It’s renting for $1,575.
Comments
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Must I choose one?
By mrjim1 on 12.12.19 2:22pm
None of these are amazing, but they do give me hope over the squalid pits of depression featured in the "What $1300 rents right now" a few weeks back.
By saltmine on 12.12.19 6:07pm
Indeed, these units are far from desirable, but they appear to be worlds apart from what Curbed usually features. Of course, staging happens.
Noted clever edits, spins and omissions: Mid-Wilshire is now "Miracle Mile", Linear / galley kitchens with "room on the end" is a "dining area". No mention of the lack of parking on all five, because, Curbed, because, we’re supposed to pay $1500/month to live next to meth-heads in tents but not drive anywhere.
By smartalex on 12.13.19 6:07pm
I think I would rather take that $1,500 and move all of my stuff out of the state at this point. Unless you’ve been cemented in a reasonably priced apartment for the past 5 to 10 years….. you’re screwed. Don’t even bother moving to Southern California. It’s not worth it anymore.
By subaruwrx on 12.12.19 6:11pm
Where’s the guy living in his RV under a bridge when you need him?
By mrjim1 on 12.12.19 7:28pm
The only one that’s nice and seems okay is the one in Los Feliz.
By Topaz113 on 12.12.19 8:18pm
Does the bungalow court on West Adams come complete with the corpse of Ida Sessions?
By Shulius Julman on 12.13.19 4:15am
For a couple hundred a month (probably less if it isn’t at the beach) you can throw your stuff in a storage unit, get a large backpack for the evenings, and sleep outside every night. And if you get dirty looks from some of the gentry on occasion, so what ? You don’t have to justify the way you live to anybody.
By Henry Chinaskee on 12.13.19 6:26am
Compared to what you would find in New York City at this price, these places are palaces. At least in LA you do have the option of living in your car though which I think I would prefer over the selection offered here.
By Southlandish on 12.13.19 7:31am
That Los Feliz building would’ve been "living the dream" in my early twenties… can’t beat the location!
By corner soul on 12.13.19 2:06pm
If I were in my early 20s any of these would be fine, but I’m not
By mrjim1 on 12.13.19 2:12pm
Ha I lived in that building in my early twenties when it was $700 for a studio and $900 for the coveted one bedrooms. Great location, but parking sucked even back then!
By Palmero on 12.16.19 10:57am
Hey there! I’m a student researcher working on building a resource site for ADUs – an alternative form of housing that hopefully in a few years will make out-of-reach neighborhoods in LA more affordable to live in.
If you’ve got 5 minutes please fill out this survey that will help design of the ADU site!
https://forms.gle/eLv14qQ2V5BpvRnR8
By LosAngeles Based Kajal on 12.14.19 12:32pm
Nothing new here with ADU’s. Been done several times over the years beginning after the war depending on housing demands and the economy. The difference now is that it has really negatively affected the quality of life. Between micro apartments and converted garages etc people are starting to live as if in a third world country. It has gotten insane in New York, some having no bathrooms (shared)!!!!! God help us.
By Malibu boy on 12.15.19 5:15pm