Probably one of the biggest problems you’ll ever face in LA – aside of long commutes on the public transit system if you don’t own a car – is housing. Rents are so high, they are ridiculous. I have heard of fellow students paying $1,200 a month just to share a room with two or even three other people in the Westwood area. That way, I am lucky. But the ‘luck’ comes with its own price tag.
When I first arrived in Los Angeles in April 2018, I had the promise from a distant family friend of a roof over my head. This recently divorced man first said I could use the spare bedroom in his house till I had found my way around the city. The word ‘rent’ hung in the air like an ominous cloud. His divorced wife and two young daughters magically arrived in the house a day after I did. This family reunion had rather unpleasant implications for me. After the luxury of the spare bedroom – which I used for one night – I was relegated to the living room couch. The family did not like to stick to regular schedules. So while I tried my best to sleep, at least one family member was sure to be around – binge watching a show into the early hours or noisily fixing a midnight snack. It was pure hell, especially as I had to get up early most mornings for school or my campus job.
But soon, bad got worse. They expected me to do the dishes which the kitchen sink was usually piled high with or do their laundry or sweep the floor or give foot massage. You get my drift? This family really needed cleaning up after them and, on top of that, they fought constantly with each other at the top of their voices.
An 80-year-old British neighbor noticed my predicament when I accidentally got locked out and sat outside in the scorching California sun for three hours. He saw me when he was going out for some errand. I was still there when he returned after three hours. He offered me his guest bedroom. On a temp basis, of course. I’m still there, after almost two years.
So,
Rule #1
Always try to get your housing promises in writing. You don’t have to draw up a legal document. An email that more or less establishes the nature of the arrangement will do. If nothing else, you can throw it back at the 'promisors' should things go south. Or maybe not.
Rule #2
Facebook groups are the way to go. I have heard many fellow students saying they found their perfect accommodation and awesome roommates on Facebook groups. So use Facebook aggressively. People usually post pictures of available accommodation. So you go in with a general idea of what you’re getting into. Unfortunately, Craigslist is more of a scam site in LA.
Rule #3
Take your time buddying up with your roommates and I couldn’t emphasize this more. Don’t go drinking with them your first night of sharing a roof with them, spilling all your ugly secrets (and we all have some). Spend time getting to know the people you are living with and then decide if they are bestie material. Sometimes, maintaining a cordial distance is the magic formula.
Stay tuned for more. I’ll soon talk about making extra cash with side hustles – it’s the mantra of the gig economy and a lifesaver – and budgeting for expenses.