Good starter apartment for 24F Looking to move to LA from ATL

Hey guys, I’m looking for a good starter place for a young black woman from the south trying to make a home in Los Angeles! I feel LA and ATL have many similarities in terms of city life and job opportunity but only you guys can help me with that. I’m sick of my hometown and itching to move.

I’m single with no kids or pets so I don’t care for school systems or the dating pool. I plan to afford living on the beach in the future but I just want to ease in for now. The somewhat consistent weather, creative scene and wellness culture draws me in.

I’ve been in hospitality for years and currently work as a bartender. I plan to shift into tech sales within the next 2 years. So working 2 jobs doesn’t bother me and any suggestions on the better job markets for either or is great !

Coming from a black metropolitan area, I would love to be somewhere near my people while enjoying the diversity your city has to offer! Parking and views are not a dealbreaker for me. I prioritize safety and being in proximity to all the action. I live in a suburban area now and it’s so boring, especially being in the forest.

While researching, I found that Culver City, Palms, West Inglewood, Alhambra, Mid-City, Ladera, Windsor Hills, Monterey Park, Downey and Pasadena get mentioned frequently. I heard DTLA and Hollywood are terrible.

My budget is $1,500 - $2,500 for a studio or 1BR apartment! I plan on doing long term stays before committing but I want some insider info on places that best fit my criteria.

Thanks in advance xoxo