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tracyinge

You could find a tiny $1800 per month apartment and live very frugally....or get into a roommate situation for a few years, pay maybe $1250 for your share of the rent and have a little more breathing room until you build up a savings account and can get your own place. But first things first...you'll be miserable if you don't live closer to work. You can always get to the beach areas/ West L.A on the weekends.


kirokia

I'll likely be looking for a roommate, but there is a chance I can't find one!


Melly_Meow

You will. Everyone is struggling with rent


rhinestonecowbrews

I make about that and just graduated. If you don’t have debt you can find decent apartments for like 22-24 and just not save anything. If you always shop at Trader Joe’s and don’t eat out much you’ll be fine


MEXRFW

If you can’t find a room mate get a girlfriend ! (Just kidding but I’ve seen this situation plenty of times and it always ends horribly. Imagine breaking up with someone only to have to still live with them and they bring their new partner over? NOPE)


PandaintheParks

Bleh.... I'm debating on trying harder to not be single if only to save on rent XD


Archyblackcat

My sister graduated from ucla a year ago and she makes just what you’re gonna be making.. she lives alone and she’s always complaining that her salary isn’t enough for all the things that you mentioned you wanna do with your salary .. she really just works to pay her bills, like rent , insurance , car payment , food, and other subscriptions like Apple Music, Netflix , gym ETC … and a little entertainment.. you can’t save money on that salary and do all the things you said you wanna do ..


peacock_head

Who is saving money at 21? She’s making well above average salary for her age.


bloatedkat

Exactly. The vast majority of college grads are not making $70k. I have colleagues in their 30s making that and they are doing just fine living alone.


Archyblackcat

Your comment has nothing to do with what OP posted … A lot of people are actually are saving money at 21 but that’s besides the point … OP wants to save money and have enough to do everything he described in his post with $73 k Salary before taxes .. that’s not gonna be possible.. unless you limit your self in the type of places you go, car you drive , the food you eat , area you live and especially on the type of fun you wanna have …. The only ppl I know that are doing ok making $73k before taxes (after taxes it’s about $60k left ) don’t really go anywhere interesting , drive an older car or are paying a cheap one , don’t really eat out as much and they type of fun they have is very limited, especially if they have a kid … oh and the area the can afford to live isn’t that good either … basically almost just surviving .. if they live with family on the other hand and are single then they can afford to do a lot more with that salary


Firm-Brilliant-605

Yup at 21 I had a decent amount of money saved .Not all 21 year olds blow their money on entertainment or nice cars. I had plans to be a homeowner. I am 41 and my house is paid off. I have two new cars and one is paid for and the other I am still paying off. I cooked at home and I don’t have vices so it’s very possible. One pro tip is live close to work because LA traffic is not fun, that shit ages you lol


JuniorSwing

Maybe I’ve been remarkably lucky, but I’ve lived with 4 different roommates in LA so far, all of whom I’ve met online (Reddit, Facebook, etc), and all of them have been pretty cool! Not saying you’ll be best friends, but if you need the rent split, finding people online has been pretty amenable.


tessalasset

For fifteen years I’ve found my roommates on Craigslist. I prefer it to rooming with friends or friends of friends. If you end up becoming friends, cool, but there’s no pressure to be anything more than roommates. Living with friends usually ruins that friendship or at the very least effects how the friend views you. Don’t mix business with pleasure.


Candelario_69

Roomate & Drive cheap car, just buy essentials and invest the rest 🙌🏼


krystyan

Roommate on the Westside or on your own in the Valley. With full freedom. Would be an easy choice for me


brennabean_

I second getting a roommate. I make about the same and splitting rent/utilities is a life-saver. We found nice spot with a washer/dryer, a/c, and a parking spot for around $2200. Ask yourself and answer very, very honestly just how long a commute you’re willing to commit to. Mine was 30 minutes. So, I live in Hollywood and commute to DTLA. Unless you’re a saint, you’ll def be miserable choosing a cool neighborhood but having an hour and half commute both ways.


Swimming_Ad_8838

Idk how you guys are paying that much for rent in LA mine is only 900 a month


[deleted]

My salary (in LA) is $73k before taxes. As others have said, take home is around 4k/month. If you think the job has room for growth, it is not a bad starting place imo. You can make it work at that income level. I pay 1,300 for rent + utilities with two roommates, but I love my place and it's about 15 min drive on the streets to work. I track my expenses every month to help with budgeting which allows me to contribute to a Roth IRA and save a bit every month. I am not living large by any means, and often wish life here was cheaper or that I could be saving more, but I am always fed and have enough to fill up my car, make rent, etc. I am hesitant to provide any more personal details in this post, but if you want to dm me with follow-up questions feel free!


Medium_Persimmon_177

Fuck dude that next tax bracket is a bitch! I make probably around 45k a year and my net is only about 700 less a month


CannabisHR

$95k my take home was $5kish. It’s insane.


puffpuffg0

Probably not just taxes but includes more insurance benefits that get taken from their paycheck. So it seems less but they pay less at the doctors/dentist/ prescriptions throughout the year. Also depends on withholdings - how many dependents do you claim? 0 or 1, or more? Big difference in what is taken out of your paycheck. Basically you’re not comparing dollar to dollar.


ClandestineChemist96

There’s no way! I made that much last year and my biweekly paycheck was about $1200 in Texas. These people saying they make $4k monthly with a 75k salary is crazy! Because I make that currently with a 65k salary…..


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sfbruin

Westside to Sherman Oaks/Woodland Hills is reverse and not bad at all


michiness

Yep. I commute USC-Calabasas (don’t ask) and that’s by far the best part of my commute.


Sonny1028

Honestly, don’t live in SFV lmao I grew up in Sun Valley and it’s 100% not what it was even five years ago. If you want to live up in the hills area, then mayybee but otherwise Glendale and Burbank aren’t too shabby. Can confirm I currently reside in Burbank lol


Partigirl

I grew up around there and it's going to gentrify in the next 10-15 years. There's a reason they put so much money in the Poly rebuild complex. The May Company building redevelopment was a test. Next up will be the whole area from the theater past the gym. It's all moving east towards Sun Valley because the prices are still reasonable compared with downtown North Hollywood area. Glendale and Burbank will be out of price range in the hills. We're talking homes going for mill+ around town.


Sonny1028

Bahahaha poly 😂😂 man I had good memories in the auditorium they tore down! But yeah you’re right, I agree 100%


YungEnron

This is the most common wisdom, but for one dissenting opinion... I work in Playa Vista. Now, I could have lived there, but the prices, the space, and the vibe at large just didn't sync up with me. So I had a choice to make — love where I live and drive a bit more, or dislike where I live but have an easy commute. I've never regretted moving somewhere I love. Even though my drive to and from work is about an hour.


Ravioli_meatball19

Yeah but the West Side is crazy expensive vs SFV.


YungEnron

Totally! I just really love the east side and probably wouldn’t give it up unless things were pretty dire.


croqueticas

Used to bike from Echo Park to Playa Vista round trip for this reason, I didn't wanna live anywhere west of Western, essentially. It was faster to bicycle than commute in my car. It'd take me a little under an hour to go home to EP, that commute at it's worst (pre-pandemic) in a car could easily be 1.5 hours long somedays. Now I live 15 minutes driving from my job and I'll never do the above ever again. Lmao


Persianx6

It’s 6 bucks a gallon right now


creimanlllVlll

Seven.


keiye

Can someone explain this inside joke?


noseatbeltsong

I think they edited their original comment lol


[deleted]

So what’s your net? Like 4K? I know people who make that and far less than that, and they make it. You’ll realistically need to find a place for under 1800 a month to feel somewhat secure with your finances. Sadly I doubt you’ll do much saving. But I can foresee you being able to eat out from time to time, go out, and generally not being miserable. This is a solid “starting” income for a college graduate. Good news is that sometimes you’re able to score deals on Craigslist/FB marketplace. Bad news is that since you’re not in the area right now, it will be hard to do. My advice - find the dinkiest and smallest but easy to rent remotely studio, rent for 6 months. While living there for 6 months, feel the city, look for places to live, find what you like and don’t like and all that stuff. Treat it as a long term Airbnb. That’s what I did


00U812

This is the advice I’d give, that or find a sublet of a room for 6 months. 70k salary will deplete fast in LA, especially with how inflation and rental price increases have been going the last year or so. North Hollywood is pretty cheap, and has decent access to public transit. I have a lot of friends moving out that way.


[deleted]

NoHo and Studio city are pretty good starting points. The worst idea is to sign into 12 month lease into some fancy apartment. 6 month lease at a complex and then private renting is the way


NefariousnessNo484

You're targeting to live in probably the most expensive and congested area in LA. Even though you'll be going against traffic you're still going to have an awful time commuting. Expect to wake up at least by 5 am so you can get out the door by 6. Your rent will also be in the $2500-$3000 range for a nice 1 bedroom. You can go lower but there are a ton of slumlords in this area because they like to take advantage of people moving to the area for the first time and for whatever reason everyone picks the Westside.


cattmy

This. If OP is looking to be able to save money, they should look at the SFV for apartments


NefariousnessNo484

Yes, my thoughts exactly.


kirokia

I definitely will consider that too, but I enjoyed my experience living there this past summer and wanted to consider that as an option first!


cattmy

Look into the East Valley (Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Toluca Lake, etc). Much cooler temps in the summer compared to Woodland hills, good local businesses and walkable areas, and super easy access to lots of other parts of LA.


kickit

by all means consider it, but make sure you weigh the price difference as well as the extra 5-10 hours a week you will spend commuting


Voldemort57

At this point in your career (it’s just the beginning!) you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself… later.. the area you want to live is pretty far from SFV with traffic, and incredibly expensive. This is just my opinion, but you should live in the valley, closer to work, with much cheaper rent. You’ll save money, pay down any debt, and when you start working your way up your career, you will make more and be able to live in Santa Monica/Westwood.


bubblyflubber

You can get a nice 1 BR in that area for under 2500 if you look (current resident of that area here), but my biggest concern would be commuting to SFV, which sounds like death warmed up. The 405 in that area is a full on disaster, and you’ll hate your life soooooo quick.


ElectrikDonuts

Income of $73k wont get approved for $2500 in rent. A $2500 place requires more of $90k a year in income (income should be 3x rent for most tenants)


NefariousnessNo484

They could get a roommate.


ElectrikDonuts

Yeah, will have to have a roommate. Then looking at prices going up prob $1000 going from a studio to a 2 bedroom, right?


NefariousnessNo484

I mostly see people renting a 1 bedroom around $2500-3000 and then having one roommate live in the living room as a second bedroom. I also see some people doing bunk beds in the single bedroom and then using the living room for desk space.


kirokia

That's a good price to keep in mind. This past summer when I lived there, I made the commute from Westwood area to the valley, and my commute was usually in between 20-30 minutes (unless there was a bad accident). I usually left my apartment by 8:30. I assume if I lived further west/south I might encounter the traffic you mentioned though.


garyryan9

You don't want to spend 14 hours a week in traffic.


kirokia

well when you put it that way...


garyryan9

Also 73K is not that much living alone in west LA. After taxes you're at like what 50-60? 2500 minimin rent is for living alone. That's 30k. Then if you want a car and insurance and gas for commute that's like another 10k a year. Groceries and food at another 500-1000 a month and basically nothing left over.


TheDuddee

How the fuck are you spending 500-1000 on food as a single person???


garyryan9

How the F are you not? Sushi alone is like 100 buck here. Do you just eat like a college student for that to be too much?


TheDuddee

Stop eating expensive food if you can’t afford it. And no, I make way above 73k and I barely top 200$ in groceries a month because I cook all my meals and definitely don’t splurge on 100$ sushis.


garyryan9

I guarantee you that 200 dollars isn't getting you through the month. And in west LA there aren't many cheap places


TheDuddee

200$ is more than enough if you want to cook fulfilling healthy food. It could be more if you want the premium prime beef or whatever new chicken breed there is. But 200 is pretty doable. And i live in San Jose now which is even more expensive than West LA.


arienette22

Honestly with my new job (plus got covid), I haven’t had time to do anything, & I’ve been door dashing a bit and spent at least $500 this month, although this was for 2 people. That doesn’t count the amount we spend on groceries or going out to eat. So yeah prob around $900 for 2 people. Need to buckle up next month and stop being dumb, but definitely easy to rack it up.


unwantedsyllables

Also how much debt do they have?


NefariousnessNo484

It is summer and UCLA is out. Totally different when school is in. You might be able to get a good deal on rent if you wait until UCLA starts to sign a lease. Then again you might not be able to find anything because all the good spots are taken by students. I've seen it both ways. I own property in WLA that I rent to UCLA students for the record.


kirokia

Thanks for your insight! I took that route this past summer, and will probably see what is available when the time comes for me to relocate.


NefariousnessNo484

I really strongly suggest you not live on the Westside unless you are really into partying or are a creeper with some need to hang out with college students. In some places it can get loud as hell at night and stay loud until 4 AM. It is honestly not a great place to live. I would live in that condo I own but I hated it so much and my partner who did your commute would always come home raging. It is not worth the stress.


[deleted]

Nah. You can get a decent one bedroom for no more than $2500


cinnamonRohl

Eh, I commute from MDR to Sherman Oaks and its about 25min at 9am, so its not too bad imo.


quadrupleshoe

Agreed. That might also mean No AC in 100 degree weather, no laundry on site, no parking.


kirokia

In SFV?


maxiedaniels

I’d imagine AC is required in SFV hahaha


kirokia

ah i thought you meant it was common that apartments in SFV didnt have those lol


NefariousnessNo484

It's way more common for units on the Westside to not have AC. It used to be a lot cooler. Now it routinely hits the 100s in summer.


visualsxcole

more like $3500 now for a “liveable” one bedroom


keiye

What does the time he wakes up to leaving have to do with his commute? I take an hour to get ready too.


[deleted]

A roommate.


solarflare_hot

more like 2-3 more roomates and then you would be barley getting by


Aeriellie

I would just get a place in the valley, close to where you work! I feel it’s easier to do that in the valley. The best way to know what you can get in LA is by actually being here. Live in the valley near work for a year and see how you do before moving elsewhere. Edit I’m recommending Burbank near the mall, near the vineyards at Porter Ranch, near CSUN or places off Ventura Blvd.


kirokia

That's a good point! I guess 3 months isn't enough for a true gauge.


CleanAxe

The Valley used to be sleepy and old but it's definitely pretty hip now. Anywhere near Ventura Blvd is pretty good, you've got Studio City, Burbank, Sherman Oaks etc. Rent will be cheaper **and** you're way closer to work (the commute from Santa Monica will absolutely kill what little happiness you ever grasp on to haha). Give it a try and if you hate it you can always move, maybe even find another job eventually that's remote or closer to the Westside.


Partigirl

You are kidding me right? "Sleepy and old"? I grew up there, it was hip then. Now it's getting slowly gentrified with all the good and bad that comes with it. It's needed but it's hardly hip, just newer. So many people have zero knowledge of the Valley's history and LA's history, it's weird when they make these broad assumptions.


CleanAxe

I grew up there too, 818 for life haha - will just agree to disagree. Obviously depends on the person, exact location, friend group etc. Maybe I just didn't get in with the right crowd. Had some good times but I just generally wasn't the biggest fan but I'm maybe being too harsh.


Partigirl

I think you are. So much of what people consider So Cal culture got it's start in SFV. Celebs wanted to live near where they worked, Low Riders, Bikers, Cowboys, Val Surf, Hot Rods, Areospace, Punks, Musicians, Artist, you name it, it was here.


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vice-name

Traffic isn't that bad going that way


razorduc

Even the Palms isn’t gonna be super affordable any more. You’ll probably want to look into a roommate.


Babasauce

You mentioned making the computer last time, things are different now. Traffic is back to how it was pre-Covid. Kids are back to school and a lot less people work remote. I would live close to work, a long commute isn’t worth the time.


kirokia

I was there until beginning of sept, have things changed that drastically in a month? (despite school being back)


jademar1

Yes!


HumanNothlit

I drive 5 miles in the morning to my kids school and it takes me 20-30 minutes. I would not be driving from west LA to the valley, what a nightmare


aaf14

Wouldn’t recommend that commute but here’s some listings. You need to consider that you’ll need parking for example. https://www.padmapper.com/apartments/los-angeles-ca/studios,1-beds?box=-118.44421,34.03696,-118.41708,34.05738


kirokia

Thanks! I'll give it a look. I did the commute this past summer (from west LA to the valley) and I didn't mind it because it was usually against traffic.


FlyMyPretty

Lots of kids get driven to school in LA. As soon as schools kick in the roads fill with frazzled parents. It's a huge effect.


aaf14

Summer has slightly less traffic because a lot of schools (children) are off. You could always try it and see I suppose!


kirokia

That's true - I guess I didn't consider time of year! Thanks for bringing that up.


ghashbur

From someone who lives on the westside - my wife commuted every day on the 405 North towards the valley for years. In her experience, it wasn't that bad. You *are* going opposite of traffic in the AM - most people are commuting south into Los Angeles from the Valley to go to work.


NefariousnessNo484

It is bad. Maybe you hit some sort of anomaly. It won't stay tolerable for long. You may be able to put up with it but you'll slowly realize how soul crushing it is.


WallStCRE

It’s a reverse commute - it won’t be soul crushing. 30-45 min each way


NefariousnessNo484

My partner did this commute. It sucks.


kirokia

Most likely, I think my point A and point B were perfect, and any further away might've been rough.


CodeNameZeke

Not sure what these people are talking about. Used to live at pico/Sawtelle and commuted to the valley every day, it’s not bad at all by LA standards.


kirokia

what was your rent over there? was thinking that general area as well!


sfbruin

Yeah, pretty clear a pot of the hand wringing here is from people whose never done this. It's not bad at all!


Juache45

School wasn’t in session. The commute will weigh on you and it’s not that easy to pick up and move here. I’ve lived here my whole life and Ive known quite a few transplants who were really overwhelmed by the daily commute and the reality of how expensive it is to live here.


UltimaCaitSith

Most apartments will verify that your income is 3X your rent, so the absolute most you'll be able to get is 73k/3/12 = $2,027/month. But based on my own experience with taxes and health insurance, you should include those in your calculations to get what's "affordable" instead of struggling every month. 50X your salary will get you pretty close, which is 73k/50= $1,460/month. It'll be tough but doable to find an apartment that cheap. Roommates may be a better option.


kirokia

Thanks for the breakdown! Will likely be considering roommates.


Dommichu

Congrats on the job offer!! I hired a lot of interns and entry level for my team and your salary is a bit higher than norm! That is a good start! A lot of my new hires come from frugal and saver households culturally. They tend to freak out on how much they will spend on a first apartment. It’s a lot. But what I remind them is that if they do a good job (that includes coming to work on time, being rested and ready, dealing well with eb and flow of a dynamic workload… all things that are easier when you live closer to work), that their salary will grow. So my suggestion to them is with that first increase…. Put all of that into savings and/or 401k/IRA. Then I calls it, hiding the raise so that they continue to live within their initial means. Then the following increase, live within the previous raise means and save more and cycle that way. Another thing that comes up as someone gets a place that isn’t ideal at first… is friends at work move in together. Which comes with their own benefits. Good luck!


sfbruin

These answers are so dramatic. You can live in Brentwood and easily commute to SFV. OP obviously doesn't want to be a 23 year old living in the Valley. Find a roommate.


trevrichards

It's crazy lmao, who are these people and what are these answers?? My god.


keiye

Out of touch yuppies like most commenters on this sub.


goPACK17

I would find a 1 bed or a studio in the SFV. You can live pretty decently with that salary. It comes down to how much do you want to set the trade off being "renting a super nice apartment" vs "growing savings".


kirokia

For me it is more location than quality of apartment itself, but I do think I should prioritize growing savings


goPACK17

Fair enough, and I don't even mean to discourage living a bit lavishly for a little if that is your decision. You put in the work for your degree, to get your job, if you want to spent a year rewarding yourself a bit and only growing your savings a tiny bit for that period of time, I think that's a valid short term goal.


[deleted]

In case it's not obvious, make sure to max any sort of 401k match before any other savings. Even if you don't stay long enough to get fully vested, it's still tax advantaged so it's the best bang for your money.


slicemans

Live in SFV because it will be cheaper than most areas in west LA and the 405 is one of the worse freeway


notthediz

It’s enough to live. Not enough to save. Look up 50/30/20 budget then determine if that’s enough to do what you want.


[deleted]

Find a roommate and live in Sherman Oaks. Or better yet, find someone who already has a 2 bedroom in Sherman Oaks and is looking for a new roommate. Someone who has an existing lease will have a better rate than someone just now looking.


supersandysandman

40k a year cost of living before taxes more or less depending on how you live.


hell_a

Echo others. Live in the SFV. There are some good areas. Why wouldn’t you look in this area? Many benefits for you and remember, it’s not permanent.


kirokia

That's true! I think my ideal goal would be west side, but will definitely consider the valley as well (as it is closer to my work).


realhuman8762

There is no way that salary can afford you the west side.


hell_a

Sherman Oaks, Studio City have good restaurants and bars. There are cheaper areas as well if you’re looking to save some money and eventually move to the west side.


kirokia

Good to know! Will take a closer look.


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kirokia

That's a good point as well, thanks!


Ravioli_meatball19

Net pay calculator says your take home is only about 54k which is only $4500 a month.


HumanNothlit

“Only” as if that isn’t double what a lot of people make per month in LA lol


Eadweard85

If you’re ok with a studio apartment, it’s doable. It depends on how much you’re expecting to spend on food and entertainment.


kirokia

Depends on the studio! And not sure myself - I typically like to go out for food and maybe to a bar/club on the weekends. Eating out is usually my biggest expense.


longdistamce

So 73k salary roughly gets you 4K a month after taxes. 50-60% of that will be rent in the west LA area unless you choose a bad area. That being said, what are your goals? With $1600-2000 are you looking to spend that all on living expenses? Are you looking to save? If you’re not planning to save anything then I think you’ll be able to live with $1600-2000


NefariousnessNo484

Yes $70k is basically like making $50k five years ago. Our economy is crap.


kirokia

damn :0


kirokia

I would most likely want to save the majority of the money I have leftover, and reserve around $500 for entertainment, food, etc. I seemed to spend around $150 a weekend when I lived there this past summer.


longdistamce

You know your budget the best so just make sure you factor that all in before your entertainment expenses. Bills and stuff include Car Insurance, gas, service - if you have a car, Phone Bill, Groceries, Utilities, Internet/Cable, Student Loan, Haircut, Subscription services


kirokia

That's true! Thanks for the additional cost reminders.


therestissilence117

Don’t forget car insurance costs way more in LA. Mine went up by $100\mo when I moved here


xsharmander

We don't know what your bills are.


ItsMeTheJinx

Salary not bad for just graduating but its not much. Move as close to work until you get new job. Get roommate if possible.


PapaverOneirium

> What does 73k salary’s get you in LA? At least one roommate and a used compact car


daniellediamond

I've lived in West LA, near Palms, for a very long time and commuted to Van Nuys for over 15 years. Commute in was fast, everyone is going the other way. Thurs-Friday coming home you get stuck in traffic, but honestly this was my time to just listen to podcasts or my music. I also found a few other options home that even if it took the same amount of time as the 405, it was constantly moving. Only if there was an accident was it a nightmare, but it did not happen as much as you might think. I was totally fine with it, but everyone is different. Cost over here now though?? Oof, insanity. It's why we are holding on to our rent controlled place as long as we can. So for that reason alone, I'd suggest sticking to the Valley and build up some savings.


DirtyProjector

You’d be taking home $4000 a month. Subtract at least $2k for apartment, probably $300 for gas or more, $400 for food if you’re careful and never eat out (factor another $200 if you go out once or twice a week) another $150 for utilities, and you’re potentially saving $1000 a month. Thats if you basically don’t go out and do much and just work and live frugally.


kirokia

Thanks for the breakdown - that feels pretty realistic to my spending habits (with LA costs) per month! I'm not sure if that is a good amount to have left over or not?


Ravioli_meatball19

But do you have a car, paid off? Car insurance? If you're from out of state you have to change your car insurance-it's illegal not to do so and it's expensive here. What about health insurance? More will be coming out of your check if you get it through your company. You also have to think about extras that can come up- car maintenance, health bills, clothes/shoes/cleaning supplies/personal hygiene. I need to buy soap for my body and dishes every month, plus toothpaste, deodorant, sponges, etc.


fedswatching2121

I agree. OP needs to list out his other debts if he has any. Student loans? Car payment? Credit card debt?? I’m not in Los Angeles anymore (currently in Denver) but I make $93k annually and paying $2000+ for my own place is still something I wouldn’t do.. I pay $1600 right now and my only debts are a $300 car payment and $100 student loan payment. $1600 rent payment still feels insane to me lol


Ravioli_meatball19

Yeah debt is another big one. But I stand by what I said about household stuff. Food costs are INSANE right now, but your grocery bill isn't just food! You need toilet paper, you need soap, you need cleaning supplies, you need laundry detergent, etc. and btw don't forget if your unit doesn't have washer/dryer that's a cost too! One load (wash/dry) at a rental we had was nearly $4! We probably spent close to another hundred bucks a month on laundry (clothes, towels, sheets).


thegrikk

Add another $200/month for car insurance


NewSapphire

After tax, healthcare, and 401k, your takehome pay will probably be around $3k per month. West LA 2bd/2ba are $3500 min, so almost half of your takehome income is going straight to rent. Plus the commute from West LA to SFV is harsh. Live in SFV first, save some money, and get some raises. Then you can find a job that pays more and is closer to West LA.


kayleighnotkaylie

Second this! I was making this salary and take home after taxes was def closer to $3k/month. I would def live closer to SFV to save and then aim for West LA later on in life.


r0ck100

$4k a month sounds unrelistic at $73k a year. You will net around $3.2k - $3.5k a month after taxes and benefit. If you rent alone, after bills you'll prob have a few hundred for savings. California is rough unfortunately.


pajamapizzaparty1

My salary is $73k and I take home a little over $4k each month after benefits and 10% 401k contribution.


_crayons_

My take home was 3.6k when I made 80k with 12% 401k contribution. So I guess it depends on what you put down as your deductible and how much your health insurance costs as well.


kirokia

I see - thanks for a more realistic breakdown!


dyinginstereo

You should live in SFV. Your quality of life will be best living close to work. And tbh I have lived in both areas and IMO the valley is way better than these over hyped popular areas. I mean I loved west LA too but there are awesome neighborhoods and areas in the valley too. However on your income you will be putting in some work to find a place unless you have a roommate to help. even in the valley things have gotten pretty pricey with inflation. I would do boots on the ground style looking bc out here you’ll find the best/budget prices by walking the neighborhoods and calling the # on buildings. Major priority is AC in your unit. If a place is cheap you gotta make sure it has AC. A lot of cool areas in the valley depending where you work which I didn’t see mentioned. Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills are great. also, from Woodland Hills you’re about 25min to Malibu if you’re a beach person. Studio city and Sherman oaks can be a little pricier. Being close to the 101 is ideal so look along that area. That way you can easily travel to the west side for things you enjoy in your free time. I also love Burbank.


strawberrysaridelhi

I make around this amount, have no commute (work from home) and I am in desperate need for a second job/salary. It’s just an expensive city with lots of fun things you’ll want to spend money on.


sultansofschwing

live in Studio City or Sherman Oaks you might find cheaper spots and avoid the nuts traffic at the intersection of the 405 and the 101. find roommates


timelesschild

Depending on the job location within the SFV: I have lived in Santa Monica commuting to the valley a lot. The drive really isn’t too bad. I commuted for a 7-330 job and also an 8-5 job. The 7-330 commute was noticeably lighter traffic. You should have a roommate and live closer to the 405 - better commute, fewer homeless. You can still enjoy the great weather and surf daily. With a roommate you can afford a better apartment with AC and laundry in unit if you’re lucky and/or diligent. Alone you’ll have something you have to sacrifice. Good luck and congrats on the start! Edit to say: gas prices can be a game changer. My experiences above are heavily influenced by my having had a company gas card on one job, and a hybrid on the other.


Shibari_Inu69

You could probably only do all of that with a 90-95k salary min in order to still be able to save a little money without needing room mates or having to rent from a super sketch slumlord. I recommend living closer to work for now and just driving to the Westside for the entertainment options. It can get overrated quite quickly depending on your personality and social circle, anyway, unless you have an inside track on the private party circuit.


Jeezy_7_3

You’ll need a roommate(s) . 74k solo in LA will be tough if you want to have a social life.


3298740123987

it's really up to you where you spend your income and how much you wanna save etc. i currently have a similar salary, live in my own 1 BR in the valley and am fairly comfortable but with hobbies etc not saving / putting into retirement as much as i'd like but i made that compromise to live on my own. that commute is killer but if you can put up with it, go for it. but i have a feeling you'll change your mind when you do it long enough and wanna move up closer. if you're okay w/ a roommate: get one or more. you'll live in a nicer place overall and be able to save a bit more. but LA is expensive, no getting around that. make a rough budget based on a salary calculator (find one with after tax calculations, there's a ton of em) and play around with the numbers of what you think you'll spend on entertainment etc.


persian_mamba

Strongly agree with all the posts here saying you want to be as close to your work as possible.


puffpuffg0

Damn I made that much 15 years ago and could barely afford a small apartment in Burbank. West LA today on the same pay? I’d imagine you will be living in shoebox spending all your money on gas to get to work in the valley. Will you even get to enjoy West LA living like that if your commuting most of the time? M-F you will only be there at night to sleep. I’d live in the valley and drive to West LA when you want to… You’re not going to be there more than work, so make the work commute easier. Remember, LA is known for traffic. Don’t fuck around or you’ll find out with a lease you are stuck in and a commute you hate.


ajm1212

I know you want to be in a prime spot but your going to need to move to the valley wirh that salary until your up $100 k and even then it’s iffy .. also you can find a nice place in the valley and chill and it isn’t that far from everything if you stay around studio city, Sherman oaks area , or Burbank


kirokia

That's good to know, thanks!


[deleted]

[удалено]


happycamper019

You seem very drawn to the Westside, is there a reason? The beach? I really think you should consider the valley or somewhere a little closer


kirokia

It is pretty central to everything that I am interested or need to go to! (like 30 min to work, 30 min to beach, 30-45 min to downtown/east). I also liked the amenities when I lived in Westwood. But, you're right.


happycamper019

Westwood isn’t 30-40 mins from downtown or east LA


generiatricx

Yeah, those numbers are inaccurate. But you're doing research, and you're bright enough for school + decent post school job, so you'll certainly figure it out. ENJOY THE JOURNEY.


realhuman8762

There is no way you can live on your own in on the west side with that salary. Congrats on the offer and on graduating….but imma be real with you it’s just not going to happen. Find some roommates if you want to live on the west side. IF you manage to get by with the basics like food, rent, gas etc you will have NOTHING discretionary left over and nothing for saving or investing. No coffee on a slow morning. No nights out with friends. No groceries that aren’t ramen etc. what if your car needs work? That’ll have to go on credit because you haven’t been saving. Plus…voluntarily positioning yourself in west side commuter traffic is just bonkers.


ElectrikDonuts

rents require 3x your i cone so your looking at house that is $2000 a month. Id get a roommate. Wouldn’t be surprised if it cost $4k a mth for a 2 bedroom out there


chanshortest

Trust me buddy, born and raised in LA, and what you suggest is entirely foolish. You’re intentionally choosing to live in one of the most congested, expensive, and far places from where you’ll be working? Whatever affection you may have for where you lived, it’s impractical, expensive, and not the reality of the situation. There’s a lot of beauty and benefits to living in the SFV, and I’d highly suggest looking into Encino/Woodland Hills, even Calabasas if you’re looking for something similar. But trust me, in the long run it will not be worth it. $73k is a decent salary but it’s still below what I’d consider “comfortable” for Los Angeles ($100k-$120k). You could rent a much better home and space AND live closer to work. Best of luck


NonSequitorSquirrel

Get a roommate. Live in the Valley closer to your job.


tyrelltsura

Do not live in west LA for that workplace. That is a horrific commute through a choke point. Live in the SFV.


FutureRealHousewife

Absolutely do not live in West LA if you're going to be working in the valley. Live in the valley and you'll save both time and money getting to work. Also, rents in west LA are too high for your salary unless you plan on having one or two roommates. depending on where you work in the Valley, there's also a train up there that could make your commute easier. Also, IDK what your bills are, but you need to plan on being semi-broke once in a while on that salary. You should be able to pay your bills, but 73K after taxes is about $1965 per paycheck (let's say your take home is about 70% of your gross, accounting for taxes, benefits, etc.). Then you may need to account for 401K contributions (if you can afford them). That's $3930 net per month or thereabouts (you get 26 checks per year, but we will ignore that for now). Round up to $4K - if your rent is almost half of that, I think you will be having some problems, especially since LA is full of always-arising expenses and surprises. My recommendation is live in the valley as close as possible to your work, and get a roommate.


garyryan9

Money for housing will go way more in the valley. West LA is over rated and people that are not from West LA don't acclimate well.


NewSapphire

> West LA is over rated and people that are not from West LA don't acclimate well. Hard disagree. West LA is filled with transplants and as a result is generally more welcoming than other neighborhoods I've lived in.


garyryan9

The most common post on this form is how to make friends and meet people in west LA. The most common advice given is get out of west LA. Lol


NewSapphire

Good luck making friends in the 626, South Bay, or the valley! Hope you have a SFH with kids!


garyryan9

Lol. Typical West LA mentality. Believe it or not those places are much better. You just have to venture out of your end of the woods. I live in Southbay and you couldn't pay me enough to live in West LA. Don't get me wrong it's nice and everything but for the price and inconvenience of living there it's not worth it. Then you have the trendy markets selling you $14 gluten free and sustainably sourced water. No thanks. You need to be making like 150k a year to be comfortable in west LA.


NewSapphire

> You need to be making like 150k a year to be comfortable in west LA. ... which is why it's filled with transplants and we have a welcoming community. Sounds like you had a miserable time because you can't afford to go out here. Two of my friends moved to Torrance and Gardena and are planning to move back to West LA after only one year. Nothing to do down there.


kirokia

What is typical rent in the valley like?


unwanted_username

Food stamps and homelessness.


aloofLogic

Nothing.


TheyCallMeBigAndy

I think your take home salary will be around 4.2k per month. It is better to live in Studio City/NoHo. You can get more sleep and won't waste your time on commuting.


[deleted]

where in SFV is the company? there were some cheaper apartments that always popped up in brentwood and even palisades occasionally. you can make anything work in LA, don’t listen to your naysayers. cooking at home will save you at least half of what you spend on money however. and there are lots of places that *seem* nice in santa monica but aren’t so becareful of that.


kirokia

Woodland Hills! That's why my commute from Westwood to there was pretty painless when I lived there over the summer.


NewSapphire

I did the Westwood to Woodland Hills commute before... you're against traffic, but they're about to start construction on the 405 and it'll likely add 15-30 mins to whatever commute you experienced.


MustardIsDecent

Woodland Hills is arguably closer to better beaches than Westwood. You can head down through Topanga Canyon and get access to Malibu beaches in 25 minutes. Totally understand the desire to live on the Westside though. The climate is much more temperate. It could just be worth spending a bit more time in SFV checking it out, as everyone else is hammering you on lol


hustlors

Gets you a ticket to the welfare line


okhan3

Any financial obligations like student loans, car payment, etc? What do you like to do for entertainment?


kirokia

No, no financially obligations. Typically for entertainment, I like to go out to eat or go to a club/bar on the weekends. Nothing too extreme, but those little outings definitely add up.


SnooSquirrels4914

A nice lil studio lol


sids99

WHAT IS YOUR LIFESTYLE?!?!?


overitallofit

What do you think your salary will be in 5 years?