I interviewed for a firm four blocks from the beach on Newport Blvd. From what I can tell most of the rent in the area is in the $1,700+ range but I have managed to find a few places that advertise dog-friendly one bedrooms from $1,100 - $1,550 within a 10 minute drive of the firm.
I'm supposed to get a call back this week to see if they want to fly me out for a one-on-one interview. Costa Mesa isn't LA, but hey, my wife likes it more and if I can get a rad job I'm sure I can make it work.