How to Afford Living in Los Angeles

If you’ve just moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of your dream to work in film and television, you may be shocked by how expensive LA can be. Even if you aren’t right downtown, the amount of time and money you spend traveling on the freeway can make it cost-prohibitive if you can’t find clever and inexpensive workarounds to help lower your cost of living in LA.

So, how do you find an inexpensive apartment that still has the amenities you need to make living in or near downtown LA worth it? Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you hunt for affordable downtown LA apartments:

Roll as many amenities into your apartment as possible

One way to keep your costs down when living in Los Angeles is to find an apartment building that offers above-and-beyond amenities, such as in-unit laundry, a fitness center, or a business center. Particularly if you’re moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, these amenities can save you quite a bit of money considering how important it is to stay in pique physical shape, have clean clothes for auditions, and print out audition materials. While your rent may be a bit higher, you’ll likely find out it’s worth it after doing the math on a gym membership or laundromat costs. 

Share bedrooms in Los Angeles, if possible

If you have a close friend or romantic partner, sharing bedrooms is a great way to get more affordable downtown LA apartments. While not every one-bedroom apartment is large enough to accommodate two people, you can cut your rent in half by sharing a bedroom with someone else. 

If sharing a room is still a little too close for comfort, you can still reduce your renting costs by having a roommate instead of living alone. While a two-bedroom apartment in LA will cost more than a one-bedroom, you can still split costs and keep your rent relatively affordable. 

Save on furnishings by renting a fully furnished apartment in Los Angeles

If you’re moving to the city from somewhere far away—as many people do—it might not make sense to rent an unfurnished apartment that you will have to fill with new items. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable downtown LA apartments that come fully furnished, complete with amenities like stainless steel appliances, dishwashers, and upscale kitchens. You’ll have everything you need to start your life in LA, without needing to shell out for furnishings like a new bed, couch, and dining room table. 

Landing offers fully furnished apartments in downtown Los Angeles, with flexible lease terms that make it easy to live in the City of Angels for as long—or as short—as you want.  Browse Landing’s available apartments in Los Angeles, or contact us to learn more about how Landing works.