One major source for Rentals is Westside Rentals: westsiderentals.com

You have to pay 50 bucks or something. I found it useful in researching rentals in LA when we were looking about 7 years ago.

As you might suspect, commutes in LA can be a nightmare. A 10-mile drive in San Diego is nothing like a 10-mile drive in some parts of LA.

I think there are enough contributors to this board who live in LA that you should post your questions here (maybe you already have).