One thing we know about city life is that it’s not cheap. From parking woes to finding a great place to live, you’ll be spending money left and right to live and enjoy the city life. There are ways however to get affordable housing that you might not expect. These unique affordable housing options are a great way to start out in the city or live here long-term. From communal living to tiny apartments and even micro homes, you’d be amazed at the affordable options you can find here in Los Angeles.
Become a Professional House Sitter
Did you know this was a thing? There are companies who hire out house sitters for clients who go away on long trips, spend a lot of time at homes outside the city, and need someone in their home. You might be required to keep the home clean, be there during certain hours and you might not be allowed any guests.
For clients who are away for months at a time, this means that you get to live in their home until they come back. You often get paid a small stipend, so you’d need to still hold down a job while you’re house sitting as a gig. Regardless, this can be a fantastic opportunity to find a higher-end home while living here in the City of Angels.
Get a Job as a Live-In Nanny
While not exactly just a housing option it is a great way to get an affordable place to live because you won’t pay anything. In fact, when you’re a live-in nanny, many employers pay you and provide for your housing and utilities. If you’re looking to move to a city, this is a great way to get your foot in the door without paying a penny.
However, you’ll likely have a contract to sign. It’s important to read through all of it carefully, especially when it comes to time off, contract ending, and more. You want to be sure you agree with and understand all the responsibilities. If something is unclear, be sure to ask, and don’t be afraid to negotiate better terms.
Try Communal Living
It’s not like the communes of the 1960s. Communal living today is about sharing space with other people who have similar lifestyles and want community in the city where they live. They want some planned activities and fun things to do that they don’t need to plan themselves. Each of them has their own jobs and careers but enjoys being around other people. They want to live in nicer places, and they love the city life.
These communal living spaces have an instant community built-in. So, when you are new to Los Angeles it’s a great way to make new friends. Additionally, it’s a more affordable way to get an apartment. The rent isn’t as high and you’re only responsible for your room. If your roommates don’t pay, you won’t get kicked out of your place. Another benefit is that there are much lower deposits than if you rent your own house or apartment.
Rent a Room
While a little different than communal living, renting a room in someone else’s home or apartment is a great way to find more affordable housing and sometimes in more desirable neighborhoods. Living in someone else’s space comes with its own challenges, but the truth is that it also comes with some perks. Often the utilities and extras like cable and wi-fi are included in the room rate so you can pay an all-inclusive rental price without needing to open your own accounts. You can live in beautiful neighborhoods for less than if you got your own place.
Live Smaller
Tiny homes might be trendy, but there is something to this style of living. It’s more affordable than many other types of housing because there are fewer materials. They require less land to go on, and many of them can be packed into a small location. This means that each home can be fully outfitted with a small kitchen, bathroom, and a living space.
Living smaller is great because it means you’ll have less stuff to clean up as well. Since LA isn’t exactly known as a tiny home type of place, think of other ways you can apply this logic. You could get a studio apartment instead of a 1-bedroom. Or try a micro apartment instead. There are tons of stylish ways to decorate a studio that isn’t expensive and can give you more space.
