Moving out west to the golden shores of LA is perhaps North America’s most inspiring and romanticized relocation routes. It can also be an intimidating process when it comes to finding a new Apartment. The city has the second largest population in the US and covers over 500 square miles of land. If you’re embarking on this exciting new journey, here are some tips to help navigate the vast and complex world of the LA rental market.

1. Find a location that suits you

With unmatched diversity in neighborhoods, the Greater Los Angeles area truly offers something for everyone. Choosing your place starts with identifying the lifestyle you envision for yourself. Are you a workaholic? Maybe move near your job site. A socialite into the night life? West Hollywood or Downtown might be the scene for you. Outdoor enthusiast? East Los Angeles is closer to the forest and mountains. How you see yourself as a future Angeleno should be the driving indicator on which neighborhoods to look into.

Speaking of the outdoors, like any coastal city, rents increase closer to the ocean. Yes, LA is known for iconic beaches with easy access, which is why Malibu, Venice, and Santa Monica are always in high demand. But ask yourself if it’s critical that you live within a mile to the beach. Can you compromise and live 10 miles away for $700-$1000 less in monthly rent? 

2. Layout > locale

Do you prefer to spend more time at home? Maybe you’d rather host backyard barbecues or movie nights versus going out to clubs. If the size and floorplan of your apartment are top priority, you can get more bang for your buck by looking into fringe neighborhoods on the outskirts of the marquee ones. West Hollywood and Silver Lake are hip and happening, but you’ll find better value in the physical space of your home within LA’s more affordable areas.

INSIDER TIP: Grab a coffee or beer in your neighborhoods of interest and chat with the staff. They’re likely to have local info on the up-and-coming areas within striking distance.

3. Consider LA traffic

You can’t plan your LA future without considering the traffic, which in this city is synonymous with most four-letter words in the English language. One way to conquer this beast (in addition to true-crime podcasts!) is to live in an area where you won’t need to spend too much time on the road. 

Consider your daily commute. Which highway(s) will you mostly be using? Can you move somewhere within biking distance? Many parts of Los Angeles are very bicycle and scooter-friendly, causing an unprecedented number of residents to ditch their vehicles entirely in favor of alternative means of transportation. 

INSIDER TIP: Download a few of the more popular LA scooter/e-bicycle apps (Lime, Bird, Lyft) and check their interactive maps to get a sense of their volume of availability in your prospective neighborhood.

Though traditionally not known for having an elite public transportation system, you may be pleasantly surprised at how efficient and convenient LA’s metro system has evolved over the last 10-15 years. The city continues to add new stops and expand the transit lines to make more of the city accessible via rail. 

Conversely, if you have no commute and work remotely on your laptop, you might want to look into areas with Wi-Fi-friendly coffee shops within walking distance. There are a great many amazing cafes in LA to choose from.

4. Always be ready to strike!

It’s important to be prepared to pounce on that perfect apartment once you discover it. Chances are, there will be other applicants equally or more qualified. Beat them to the punch by having your documents ready in digital pdf and paper form. (No screenshots! Some leasing agents won’t even allow them). Besides a valid, current government-issued ID, you should always have one of the following proofs of income ready:

• Two most recent paycheck stubs.
• Two most recent bank statements showing consistent deposits (more common for gig and freelance workers)
•  Offer letter from employer stating salary, bonuses, start date (more common with those who are relocating)

Most landlords require good credit and income equal to 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent. If you don’t earn this amount, have a co-signer/guarantor ready who meets financial and credit requirements. They will have to fill out an application as well.

INSIDER TIP: This is the epicenter of freelance workers, so leasing agents are used to seeing applicants with complicated income verification. Just make sure you have recent, legible documents that prove you are financially reliable. A letter of recommendation from a previous landlord can also be of great value to your application.

5. See it to believe it

Always tour your potential apartment, whether in person or virtually. If you can’t tour the unit in person, request a virtual tour or a video tour of the EXACT unit you are applying for. Many listings will have photos from a different unit in the building with a similar layout, but they’re not always reliable. This is a big decision for you, both financially and logistically. You deserve to know what you’re getting into.

INSIDER TIP: Negotiate! See if you can get an extra $200 on that move-in special. Ask if they can knock $20 off the parking fee. If landlords are already offering discounts, they’re usually flexible with pricing and terms.

Apartment hunting in Los Angeles can be a crapshoot. Sometimes it takes a week, sometimes a few months. Don’t get discouraged. With planning and persistence, you’re sure to discover a home that’s right for you so you can start living your best SoCal life.

The post 5 Insider Tips for Apartment Searching in Los Angeles appeared first on The Zumper Blog.