Los Angeles travel assignment...

bahamagirlrn, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 18, 2013

Craigslist is the new classifieds, no different than a local newspaper but much more efficient. It is pretty much the only game in town. There are darn few people on there that deliberately lure unsuspecting travelers into their home. Good to be safe, but I have rented from property managers on Craigslist. And let me tell you, property managers are a lot more evil than the average private property owner! The last one charged me $150 when I moved out, and the place was in better shape than when I moved in.
I wondered about the Valley comment too. Originally, the San Fernando Valley was known for its lack of diversity, being almost exclusively middle to lower class whites (and the funny Valley girl accent mocked so much). Now it is a lot more mixed, perhaps predominantly Hispanic even. That may be the lack of diversity McLennan was referring to.

NedRN, thank you very much.

mclennan, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2013

I'm not being rude, I'm being realistic.

I am addressing both you and NurseVirgo. (And I repeat, my PM box is NOT full). I gave a lot of info in my response to help both of you and you still post questions that sound like you're very inexperienced at this.

There's nothing wrong with inexperience, but anyone - especially a traveling nurse, this day and age - should know how to use Craigslist and Google Maps. And should know what anyone means by the term "non-diverse."

I basically spelled out, step by step, how to start looking for a decent place on CL (a room rental in an upscale home in the Valley) and you STILL asked for more info about it. Come on. Ask more specific questions, not just a request for "more info."

I was more supportive and gave more info than anyone else did in response to your questions. Sorry I expect a traveling nurse (from whatever period of time) to know some BASICS. Come on guys, get with the program, everyone uses Craigslist and Google Maps, you shouldn't need to be instructed how. I'm happy to address Los Angeles-specific issues but I'm a little surprised you both act like you need such obvious things explained.

bahamagirlrn, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 19, 2013

I'm not being rude, I'm being realistic.
I am addressing both you and NurseVirgo. (And I repeat, my PM box is NOT full). I gave a lot of info in my response to help both of you and you still post questions that sound like you're very inexperienced at this.
There's nothing wrong with inexperience, but anyone - especially a traveling nurse, this day and age - should know how to use Craigslist and Google Maps. And should know what anyone means by the term "non-diverse."
I basically spelled out, step by step, how to start looking for a decent place on CL (a room rental in an upscale home in the Valley) and you STILL asked for more info about it. Come on. Ask more specific questions, not just a request for "more info."
I was more supportive and gave more info than anyone else did in response to your questions. Sorry I expect a traveling nurse (from whatever period of time) to know some BASICS. Come on guys, get with the program, everyone uses Craigslist and Google Maps, you shouldn't need to be instructed how. I'm happy to address Los Angeles-specific issues but I'm a little surprised you both act like you need such obvious things explained.[/quote

itsmejuli · Mar 19, 2013

Its Monday, take a deep breath, breathe out....relax.

AWanderingMinstral · Mar 19, 2013

When I use Craigslist, I only respond to well-written ads/messages with clear pictures of the apartment/house/room. I also insist on speaking via FaceTime or Skype. Finally, I ask for references and I DO call each person. That has helped me eliminate any potential undesirable roommates.

As for mclennan's responses, I have to admit that similar thoughts crossed my mind too. Perhaps a private message would have been the best way to respond (or, as I decided for myself, no response at all).

NurseVirgo · Mar 19, 2013

Thank you NEDRN for responding in such a respectful manner and not in a demeaning way...This is a forum where nurses should be able to ask other nurses for information/advice/tips no matter the experience or lack thereof without attempts at belittling.

bookbunny · Mar 19, 2013

Stay off craigslist! I lived in LA for a decade - I first started in Newport Beach, then moved to the Valley (Sherman Oaks, which was the worst ever), then to Mar Vista, then Venice Beach. Venice Beach was the best place to live because the city is absolutely crazy and I needed a place to feel at peace and be able to take my beach cruiser to Yoga, Whole Foods, and then the ocean to chill. Plus, no one ever visited me in the Valley. It was "too far away" or my Westside friends always said they wouldn't be caught dead driving up the canyon. If you live in the valley, you'll only end up with "valley" friends and that's really not hot - since most are not professionals. If you are in the dating scene, most good men will not date a valley girl - maybe sleep with them. Most of the professional men are in Century City/Brentwood area.

Oh, I also lived in Santa Monica off of Montana - that's the second best place I've ever lived. I had my own 1 bedroom, which was $1250 a month, but I was very lucky. It was tiny - maybe 400 sq ft., but that's all I needed. Everywhere in LA is expensive, yet, there are also great deals. You have to look around.

Paying $65 bucks a month for Westside Rentals is the best bet - don't do craigslist! Most people try to scam you by making you pay more of the rent if you are looking for a roommate situation - many times, you are paying THEM the deposit (which I have never seen again since I wasn't on the lease, so I didn't have the right to my cash from the landlord unless I hired an expensive lawyer) - and, the roommates in LA are crazy enough, that you don't need a headache by picking up stranger off craigslist. I'm not saying this about everyone, but most craigslist roomate renters are purely opportunistic - and will kick you out for any better opportunity - it's better to find a 2 bedroom yourself, then rent out the other bedroom - just to keep control, if you absolutely need a roommate.

Living by myself in my own space was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had more freedom, privacy, less drama, and was able to come home and unwind. Roomates steal, snoop, throw parties, and if you are traveling (like I was), you will come back to find that they "rented out your bed" while you were gone for some extra cash. Roommates meet people on match.com and hump them. You will be meeting lots of seedy people in LA, especially the valley. It's scary. Even Beverly Hills has been coined "Compton on Ice". One roommate had a Media operation in his bedroom out of West LA. Another smoked pot every single day. I lived under two Media stars in Sherman Oaks. I had a roommate who wore all my shoes and clothes when I was away at work, while she was collecting welfare. Another roommate walked around NUDE with his junk out. If you can find a small studio for yourself, that's the best way to go...most people in LA aren't as responsible as you - instead, most are opportunists, looking for the easiest way out, while taking advantage of new people in the city. I'd also beware of rooming with a man (like I did who had his junk out). There are scary men everywhere, but LA seemed to have the scariest men I've ever encountered.

There's these really cute, cheap apartments in North Hollywood (if you don't mind being closer to the fault line) that's a studio situation for around $750 a month. That's really cheap, and if you aren't going to be around that much, it doesn't really matter where you live (I know, I am being a hypocrite here) - but at least you will have a cave you can call your own. Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Encino, Agoura Hills all have affordable places that you should consider looking at.

I've found the more North in the city you go, the cheaper the rent. (But also scarier too at times such as Van Nuys).

Ultimately, you have to decide, but I would hate to see an innocent person get sucked up by the city....everyone has their own experiences, so you may find success on Craigslist...but after much heartache, bank-break, and headaches, I say, stay far far away....

kkim810 · Mar 19, 2013

Has your agency offered to find housing? I've done it both ways- finding my own housing & letting the agency find the housing. It's less stressful to have them help. Especially if you are traveling to an area you're unfamiliar with. I just moved back from California a few months ago. Trying to find temporary, furnished housing can be hard.

champagnesupeRNova · Mar 19, 2013

I'm not being rude, I'm being realistic.
I am addressing both you and NurseVirgo. (And I repeat, my PM box is NOT full). I gave a lot of info in my response to help both of you and you still post questions that sound like you're very inexperienced at this.
There's nothing wrong with inexperience, but anyone - especially a traveling nurse, this day and age - should know how to use Craigslist and Google Maps. And should know what anyone means by the term "non-diverse."
I basically spelled out, step by step, how to start looking for a decent place on CL (a room rental in an upscale home in the Valley) and you STILL asked for more info about it. Come on. Ask more specific questions, not just a request for "more info."
I was more supportive and gave more info than anyone else did in response to your questions. Sorry I expect a traveling nurse (from whatever period of time) to know some BASICS. Come on guys, get with the program, everyone uses Craigslist and Google Maps, you shouldn't need to be instructed how. I'm happy to address Los Angeles-specific issues but I'm a little surprised you both act like you need such obvious things explained.

Lol! I wish I could've been a bit more like this every time someone in nursing school ran to me to explain how to do every.single.freaking.assignment.

MunkiRN, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2013

I worked in West Hills and lived in Woodland Hills just a year ago. There are great rental options there and it is just down the freeway from Calabasas. I loved that area, the Valley is a great place and not nearly as busy as LA proper or Santa Monica but close enough that you can enjoy all the culture and fun that they have to offer. I rented a house for 1400 a month that included a washing machine and a garage. It was a two bedroom and I loved it! I used craigslist and never found westside rentals to be real helpful. As long as you are mildly skeptical from the beginning you won't get taken advantage of. Look around and be picky and you will find exactly what works for you. Hope you have a blast out there, it's a ton of fun and I definitely miss it!

42pines · Mar 19, 2013

I'll call the shots as I see them:

"If you're smart enough to be a nurse you should not need direction like this. And if you have traveled before you should also be MUCH more resourceful than this." = Rude. There's a way to say things in person, and there's a way to say things online. If a person talks to another person in real life (not online) my take would be that to talk this way is to be a bully. There are respectful ways to convey your thoughts and those two sentences lack respect.

As for Craigslist. I'm not a traveler but I've moved about a lot. My base is NH where I own two houses but there is little work here. My last job was in Boston and like LA Boston is expensive, maybe not as much so but close. I wrote a housing wanted ad and explained that I was a nurse and found a room in a lovely house owned by a Tufts University Librarian.

Though I didn't like the idea of renting a room, the huge monthly rents at the cheapest apartment made that a good deal since it was about 1/2 or less of what I'd pay for even the smallest apartment. The house is lovely, I had the upstairs pretty much by myself with a study/den and she had a wonderful kitchen. And most important, it took me only 7 minutes to get to work in the morning--in Boston that is a rarity and worth a lot on its own. Sure a person needs to be careful anyplace, not just in LA or Boston but it was easy enough to check that she worked for Tufts. I've found other places on Craigslist also in the past. Yes, one has to sift through some crap sometimes but as previously stated traveling nurses are a "cut above," and many who rent know this. One of my places is a triplex so I'm a landlord and I know this...

RNFiona · Mar 21, 2013

I'm not being rude, I'm being realistic.
I am addressing both you and NurseVirgo. (And I repeat, my PM box is NOT full). I gave a lot of info in my response to help both of you and you still post questions that sound like you're very inexperienced at this.
There's nothing wrong with inexperience, but anyone - especially a traveling nurse, this day and age - should know how to use Craigslist and Google Maps. And should know what anyone means by the term "non-diverse."
I basically spelled out, step by step, how to start looking for a decent place on CL (a room rental in an upscale home in the Valley) and you STILL asked for more info about it. Come on. Ask more specific questions, not just a request for "more info."
I was more supportive and gave more info than anyone else did in response to your questions. Sorry I expect a traveling nurse (from whatever period of time) to know some BASICS. Come on guys, get with the program, everyone uses Craigslist and Google Maps, you shouldn't need to be instructed how. I'm happy to address Los Angeles-specific issues but I'm a little surprised you both act like you need such obvious things explained.

The tone of your post was rather off-putting and does come across as rude. Just sayin'