Apartments for Rent in Los Angeles, CA - 4,601 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to Los Angeles

Los Angeles, known for its beautiful beaches, glamorous people, and miles of freeways, is the largest city in California and the second-largest in the U.S., after New York. It was first established by Spaniard Felipe De Neve in 1781. Since that time, L.A. has become a global center for commerce, art, fashion, sports, and entertainment. It is predominantly Hispanic/Latino and Caucasian, with strong Asian and African American communities within.

Los Angeles is just 120 miles north of San Diego, 270.8 miles from Las Vegas, and 61.3 miles west of San Bernardino, making day trips very possible. If you're thinking of a long weekend in beautiful Northern California, San Francisco is approximately 400 miles away. If you go via Interstate 5, it takes about 6-7 hours. But if you'd rather take the scenic route up the coast along CA Hwy 1, it will take 9-10 hours but the beautiful views and Big Sur will make it worth the while.

L.A. weather is usually wonderful with a dry summer and rainy but relatively mild winter. However, temperatures can soar above 90 degrees from June through October.

Cost of Living in Los Angeles, CA

Surprisingly, there’s an efficient bus and subway system called LA Metro. It centers around Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and costs $1.75 each way. However, many people still drive, with an average commute of 29 minutes, about 5 minutes over the national norm.

How much would you pay for a meal in Los Angeles?

LA has lots of extreme dining options, but a meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant will cost $55 on average. However, many low-cost options in the $8-$14 per person range exist in almost all areas.

Average utility costs in Los Angeles

Utilities for the average 2-person 900 square-foot home or apartment run about $152. Because it doesn’t get too cold, most of your bill will be for air conditioning, if you’re lucky enough to have a unit.

Living in Los Angeles

What are the pros of living in L.A., you wonder? Quite simply, it all boils down to this: location, location, location. You are likely only an hour’s drive to the ocean. You rarely have to worry about an event getting rained out. You may run into the cast of NCIS: Los Angeles at your favorite coffee shop!

But once you've got the stars out of your eyes, there are a few negatives to living in LA. Some of the worst traffic in the region, if not the entire US is in and around here. LA County has the largest homeless population in the U.S. It can be hard for newcomers to navigate the city or connect with people.

Things to do in Los Angeles

There's a reason why LA is the entertainment capital of the world. You have amusement parks, sporting events, concerts, parks, beaches, and mountains all within reach. If you're really adventurous (and would like a different view of the city) skydiving Los Angeles is offered by several different schools around the area.

There are also world-class sports teams including rooting for baseball champs the Los Angeles Dodgers, watching the Lakers or the Clippers shoot some hoops. If you're a soccer aficionado, the Los Angeles Galaxy is hot, and hockey team Los Angeles Kings are cool. Oh yes, we'll be getting back our L.A. Rams football team very soon...

Spending a day in L.A. with the kids? Hit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, or the Los Angeles Zoo. Universal Studios or The Grove are also popular attractions for the family.

Couples can have fun in Los Angeles, too: See a movie at the Cinerama Dome, catch a comedy show at IO West, or hit the nightclubs on Hollywood Blvd. And there are plenty of free things to do in L.A., including the beach! Aside from parking fees, there are 30 miles of shorelines that are completely free and accessible to the public. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to see and accessible by subway, too.

The Los Angeles calendar is packed with a variety of annual events, including the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl (January), the Los Angeles Marathon (March), and the LA Pride Festival in West Hollywood (June).

Parks in LA

In spite of all the freeways, there is a lot of greenery around Los Angeles. This includes majestic Griffith Park, which has views of both the Hollywood Sign and the L.A. skyline and for the kids, there’s Travel Town and a Carousel.

One of the best LA parks for babies is Holmby Park in Westwood, across from the Spelling mansion. A popular new green spot for families is Grand Park downtown L.A. under the shade of City Hall, which hosts events almost all year round.

Culture in Los Angeles

In the greater Los Angeles area, the city has one location for every 5,210 people. These include: the museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Los Angeles, one of the most prestigious in the world. For a broader overview of art, visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which has the largest collection in the western U.S. And if you want to go lowbrow/high fun, check out the Hollywood Wax Museum.

Concerts in Los Angeles range from free shows on the Santa Monica Pier in the summer to top-ticket acts at the Staples Center. A thriving indie-rock scene exists around Echo Park, where The Echo is a favorite venue.

Shopping in Los Angeles

When it comes to shopping experiences, perhaps nothing beats the ultra luxury of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. For a more “down to earth” time, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica offers casual shopping and dining. A popular “throwback” destination is the L.A. Original Farmer’s Market, which opened in 1934 and still retains its original charm.

Employment & Economy in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is largely known for its entertainment industry. While tourism, manufacturing and aerospace are also important, so is finance and international trade. Powerhouse companies headquartered here include Disney, DirectTV, and biotech company Amgen.

The highest paying jobs in Los Angeles are usually in the healthcare field, with Orthodontists topping the list. Needless to say, you can also possibly go from rags to riches overnight and become a movie star.

Education in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has many top-tier public and private schools at all levels, and its main school district LA Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second-largest in the nation. The city also has two universities that always top “best of” lists: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California. (Perhaps not coincidentally, the schools are also rivals.) But let's not forget Cal State LA, located in East Los Angeles, which has a variety of notable degrees including teaching credentials and nursing programs.

Tips for Renting in Los Angeles

What rights do tenants have in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles tenants do have the right to a livable habitat, free from peeling paint, rodents, and leaky roofs. They are protected by the Housing and Community Investment and Development Department; L.A. rent control covers more people than any other city in California, and buildings built before 1978 can only have rent increased 5% per year. Evicting a tenant can be a lengthy process, which can require the landlord filing a lawsuit. The California Ellis Act law allows landlords to evict rent controlled tenants if they are taking it off the rental market, which has causes a spike in evictions.

Other things renters need to know before moving to Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a very competitive place, and that includes housing. If you are applying for a rental apartment in Los Angeles, be sure to fill out the form completely. Always be on time for any appointment to see a new place, and look your best.