Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. I just found out that UCLA’s Welcome Week is happening a week before classes start, which means I need to fly out a week earlier than planned. Suddenly, my departure date has jumped forward, and here I am, just 2.5 weeks away from my big move, and I still haven’t found an apartment in Los Angeles.
Panic Mode: When everything feels impossible…
At that point, panic hit me hard. I was two weeks away from flying to Los Angeles for a semester I had dreamed about, and I had no idea where I’d be staying. What if I had to cancel the whole thing? Besides the fact that it was too late to cancel it anyway. To say I’m overwhelmed would be an understatement. I’m scared, anxious, and feeling the pressure mounting every day. I couldn’t shake the fear that my plans might fall apart at the last minute.
The Challenge of Finding an Apartment in Los Angeles
Finding an affordable place to live in Los Angeles is no joke. If you’ve ever tried, you’ll know the struggle. The city is known for its beautiful weather, vibrant culture, and…sky-high rent prices. Limited availability and a competitive housing market can make it feel impossible – especially for students on a budget. The 9-hour time difference, not being in the same country for showings, or having a Social Security Number or a US credit score wasn’t helpful either.
What made it worse was that I’d started my search early. Months ago, in fact! But unlike in Germany, where you can plan and secure your place months in advance, things work differently in LA. Most listings were for immediate move-in, and I was looking for something two months out. The constant refreshing of Apartments.com, Zillow, and Facebook groups was exhausting, and at some points, I genuinely doubted if I’d ever find something suitable.
It was a complete nightmare trying to coordinate my plans. Everything seemed out of reach, and I was seriously wondering if I’d make it in time for the semester or if I’d have to give up on my plans altogether. But deep down, I refused to lose hope.
Keeping Faith: My Past Adventures Got Me Through
As hopeless as I felt, I knew I couldn’t give up. I’ve been through plenty of adventures – like my gap year when I traveled to San Francisco, New York, and Rome for three months each, or my time working in Malta and Oxford. Every challenge I’ve faced taught me that, no matter how impossible things seem, there’s always a way forward. It’s these experiences that kept me going… And my dreams: I’ve been looking forward to this experience for months! Living in Los Angeles, studying at the Number 1 public university of the United States and making my dream come true helped me through that time.
My Tips for Finding a Place in LA
If you’re in the same boat or thinking about moving to LA, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Start Early, But Be Prepared to Act Fast: You can’t really plan months ahead like in some places. Be flexible and ready to move when you find something.
- Use Multiple Platforms: Don’t rely on just one site or app. Use a variety of platforms to find listings. Some good ones include:
- Zillow: Great for a wide range of listings.
- Apartments.com: Another solid resource with detailed filters.
- Craigslist: Be careful with this one—there are deals to be found, but also a lot of scams (more on that below).
- Facebook Groups: Join UCLA-specific housing groups or LA housing groups where people post listings and sublets.
- Be Open to Roommates: Sharing a place can significantly cut costs and widen your options.
- Expand Your Search: Look beyond Westwood (UCLA area) and into nearby neighborhoods like Palms, Sawtelle, or Santa Monica. Just make sure the commute works for you.
- Beware of Scams: LA has its fair share of rental scams. Be cautious with listings that seem too good to be true or landlords who ask for money upfront. Here are some red flags:
- Too Good to Be True: If the price is way below market rate, be suspicious.
- No In-Person Viewing: If the landlord won’t let you see the place in person or via video call, it’s probably a scam.
- Pressure to Send Money: Never wire money or send cash to someone you haven’t met. Legitimate landlords will accept payment after you’ve signed a lease.
Another tip is to arrive in the US a bit earlier, book an Airbnb for the first few weeks, and use that time to explore housing options in person. This gives you flexibility, reduces stress, and lets you find the right place while already being in LA.
Final Thoughts
As stressful as this process is, I’m reminding myself that I’ve overcome challenges before, and I’ll get through this too. I’m holding onto hope that the right place will come along. Hang in there if you’re going through something similar – things always work out in the end, even when it feels impossible.
Stay tuned for more updates on my upcoming trip to LA! I’ll be sharing more of my journey, including how I finally found a place (spoiler: I did!).
Safe travels,
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