Living Small in L.A.’s Housing Market
It turns out that a struggle house can be even smaller than some bedrooms.
After finishing law school, one graduate faced the daunting challenge of finding affordable housing in Los Angeles. To cope, he moved temporarily into a 230-square-foot home attached to his parents’ property.
“When I turned 28, I was really lost about where to settle in L.A.,” he shared in an interview. “Growing up in Pasadena, I felt fortunate to have this little house in the back. It allowed me to explore the city and search for the right place without the pressure that many of my classmates felt right after the bar exam,” he reflected.
In Los Angeles County, the average home price has skyrocketed to about $878,851, as per Zillow. His parents, Warren Wellen and Tina Lamonica, spent around $125,000 to construct the ADU, which they pointed out covers permits and all necessary systems.
Interestingly, Sophie’s parents acquired their main residence in September 2001 for about $650,000. Nearly two decades later, the property is now valued at roughly $2.5 million—a price they certainly couldn’t afford today.
The small house was initially envisioned to be a music studio for Wellen, a musician in an alternative rock band. However, according to LaMonica, “This was intended as a creative space, not a home.” But with financial pressures mounting, it became a necessity to put Sophie there.
“Right after school, she couldn’t dive into a job immediately. Like many graduates, she accumulated student loans and credit card debt,” LaMonica explained. “Given the unrealistic rental market, this studio transformed into her first home, providing stability during a significant transitional period.”
Now, Sophie’s younger sister, Ruby, 27, is living in the ADU as well. The compact dwelling includes distinct black and white checkered floors, simple white walls, a murphy bed, a kitchenette, and a bathroom.
Positioned just a few feet from the backyard pool, the gabled house has pink and blue-framed windows with a workspace set near the window. Sophie fondly reminisced about the place, calling it “cozy and lovely,” and shared that it became a gathering space for her boyfriend, his dog, and two cats. “It felt like a full house,” she said, laughing. “Yes, they were indoor cats! But we made it work. Finding a rental was tough; Los Angeles has its challenges. We needed to save and then wait to combine our incomes.”
Eventually, Sophie moved to a two-bedroom unit in Hancock Park at $4,500, inviting her sister to move in as well. Ruby, who also struggles with housing costs in Los Angeles, works in Torrance but finds it hard to afford rent close to her job.
“An ADU offers her a chance to live affordably and safely, while also being near family as she establishes her financial independence,” LaMonica noted.
The parents describe the ADU as a “lifeline.” “In a place as expensive as L.A., a small ADU has often been a crucial support for our family,” they expressed.
Sophie pointed out that the high costs in the city make even the simplest decisions complicated. “We’re both attorneys with stable careers, but honestly, having kids feels daunting right now. Student loans make everything more complicated. It was comforting to have family dinners. My parents didn’t want us to leave,” she said thoughtfully.
California has seen many residents departing due to soaring housing prices, especially in Southern California and the Bay Area. It’s been an ongoing trend for over two decades, largely because of housing affordability.
Amidst this crisis, constructing ADUs in South Pasadena might offer some relief for families dealing with California’s steep housing costs. But even so, the expenses associated with building one remain high, leaving prospective builders needing to prepare for significant costs.
