My coworker and roommate Caroline and I moved to Los Angeles to begin our career adventures. We were apprehensive about moving to a new city and AirBnB seemed like the best option for short term, furnished leases. We looked at several. But this one caught my eye. We were in love with this place as soon as we saw the listing. I thought it was too good to be true.
Kim warmly accepted our request and began to correspond to make sure that we had every detail we needed prior to our arrival.
We arrived and the place was exactly as pictured. Gorgeous!!! However, we gained so much more than what was advertised. Not only did we have a beautiful, welcoming, house to call home, we gained a “Los Angeles family” that will forever stay in our hearts. Kim and her husband have a true zest for life. They went above and beyond hospitality and shared with us all the tricks and tips to Los Angeles living. (they especially know the best places outdoors to hike and bike and enjoy). There are other rooms in the house that are rented out and we had a consistent stream of amazing new friends from all over the world.
Bedroom “O” and had enough room for the two of us to live comfortably for 6 months. The room has it’s own bathroom. There is a balcony that has a beautiful view of the oasis that is the “backyard” to this home. We often cooked our meals in the kitchen, ate dinner on the patio, and enjoyed the pool (when it was warm enough outside) and found that at every point we always had everything we needed.
The location is fabulous- near Burbank, Hollywood, Downtown LA, Santa Monica, Malibu, Laguna Beach. We even took weekend trips to Yosemite, Las Vegas, and San Diego. The location of the home in Encino was walking distance to grocery stores, Starbucks, and so many restaurants we couldn’t try them all. The neighborhood is safe, beautiful, and convenient.
If you are looking for a place in the LA area to call home for 1 night, or in my case 185 nights, this is hands down the best place you could stay. It beats a hotel or apartment on literally every level.
Kim and her husband are both hardworking, authentic, kind, intelligent professionals, who are full of so many interesting stories we were constantly entertained. This host family is so full of kindness and love that it truly made me feel like I was more than a guest, I was part of this home. The life of a travel nurse is that you eventually travel on, I am excited for all that lies ahead, but oh so reluctant because of what I am leaving behind. If home is where the heart is, then part of my heart will always be left behind in this amazing home with the truly inspiring people who live there.