Home > Community > Life in U.S. ＞ Rent

I am living in LA about 30 years now.

Santa Monica is core central business area of the entire city, and 

you have to think about the budget and the traffic time to commute. 

LA's average house price is $700,000, 

Santa Monica's average house price is $170,000, and

Atlanta's House price is $250,000.

* you should expect big living cost differences between 2 cities.

If your new company offered relatively same salary, it is better live in Atlanta rather than move here.

Let's see the living cost in LA. The list I am showing below is the average apt. not luxury level.

Apartment rent, (commute time)

5-10 mins - Santa Monica, Culver City  - $3500 - 4000

10-25 mins - La Brea - $3000 - 4000 (good school, Korean)

30-40 mins - Korea Town- 2300 - $2700 (not good school, Korean)

30-40 mins south - Torrance, Gardena - $2100 - $2500 (not good school Korean)

60 mins south - South Torrance, Palos Verdes - $3000 -$4000 (good school, korean) 

30-40 mins north - Van Nuys - $1800 - $2500 (No Koreans)

60-80 mins north - Northridge - $2500 - $3500 (good school, Korean)

If you are single and Korean style, Korea Town is the best choice.

if you are single and American style, Beach city is the best choice (Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monice)

if you are single and not much money - Van Nuys is the best choice. (Latino community)

if you were married and have a kid, La Brea is the best choice (if no budget issue)

if you were married and budget is limited, Northridge will be best choice.