And your school, and your supermarket, and the good restaurants, and everything. I don't think many people who live in LA would argue that you have to drive for hours to get anywhere in the city.
I lived in west LA and I managed to find a place walking distance from restaurants and a supermarket, and one short bus ride to Malibu/Venice. It is doable.
I lived in Santa Monica and didn't even need public transport, walking was enough.
In Santa Monica, does that translate to "don't be poor"?