Hi,
I recently got a new job in Commerce, CA and am looking to move to a safe, fun, diverse, clean, decently affordable neighborhood in a nice unfurnished 2 bedroom place (or 1 bedroom w/office space). I hate where I'm staying now in N. Hollywood, it's boring and there's nothing but gas stations and cheesy shady Mexican restaurants around here. Would be nice to have bars, cool or interesting restaurants, greenery, shopping, etc. and things to do. My budget is max $1500, but of course the cheaper the better! I'm sleeping on friend's couch and am itching to get out ASAP. I'd be interested in possibly using a broker if anyone can recommend how I'd find one. In a perfect world I'd find a guest house or something similar rented by an owner over an apartment complex with a commute under an hour, but I'm open. Especially if the apartment has a jacuzzi and pool thing happenin. Oh and I absolutely need a washer and dryer. I moved here from NY and I've been looking on craigslist, but the amount of small towns in SoCal is a bit overwhelming for me when I don't know much about these areas. Any suggestions? Anyone renting any places like this? I've been looking in Pasadena, West Hills (faaaar), Topanga Canyon (far), West Covina (? never been), and Highland Park (but I think this is a bad area?) Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!