Safer areas of California (Los Angeles, Ontario: smog, budget, work)

[bluerave]

Hello, I am considering moving to California next summer and I'm trying to find out what are the safer areas to move to. I am trying to chose from LA county, OC, and SD county. I have 2 children, one that is going into 9th grade and the other that is going into 6th. My main concern is moving somewhere safe. I am leaning toward somewhere in LA county but from what I hear and read it is not safe. Can someone give me some suggestions? I work from home so commuting won't be a problem. I plan on renting a house first and I have a budget of 4-5K a month.

[joy4ful]

I would NEVER live in LA. The Inland Empire is great, and is family oriented. Diamond Bar and east of Diamond Bar (Rancho, Ontario, North Fontana, Upland, San Dimas, Glendora). Some parts of Pasadena are great too. Good luck.

[Charles]

Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Malibu

[Cattknap]

#4 safest city in America is Irvine, CA
#8 is Mission Viejo, CA

Both in Orange County, Southern California

Chino Hills in So. California is #11

This is for year 2006

Safest and Most Dangerous U.S. Cities, 2006 — Infoplease.com

[Sorcerer68]

I was having this discussion earlier with my sister as she's moving to L.A. My opinion of the best place to raise her son (and she's also expecting) is South Pasadena. It's squeaky clean, has great schools, it's gorgeous and has really nice people. I grew up in South Redondo and can recommend it wholeheartedly. This does not include the north part of RB. Palos Verdes is a great place to raise a family and they have the best public schools. I have friends here in my area with kids and all of them go to magnet or charter schools and are doing great. Feel the areas out for yourself. I can't recommend the Inland Empire as the social climate seems about 20 years behind and the smog is legendary. It doesn't feel like L.A. to me. Neither does the OC.

Find the area that resonates with you.

[Cattknap]

South Pasadena (zip codes 91030 & 91031) both have above average crime - the air quality is the worst in the nation (as is all of Los Angeles County) and it is much hotter there in the summer than near the coast. I love South Pasadena - so charming and so much history. I grew up near there and know the area well - but it is surrounded by high crime areas - not sure I would want to live there if I had children.

Chino Hills has about 1/3 the average national crime rate and temperature wise it is about the same as Pasadena although the air quality is slightly better.