Palmdale Commute? (Lancaster, Burbank, Highland: equity, foreclosures, insurance)

[FixNFlip]

I currently live in Denver, CO. My company is being bought out and I expect to get laid off. I work in TV so moving to one of the two Coasts is about my only option. The lifestyle in California is much more appealing to me than the East Coast. I love Colorado but I have to go to where the work is.

I can easily get a job in L.A. and have many contacts. The problem is where can I live? I have two kids in elementary school. As my handle implies I would prefer a fixer upper house with some land for under $300k. I am willing to drive for that. Palmdale has some interesting opportunities. BTW I love the desert so that is a plus.

It's 60 miles from Burbank so I am assuming it is a 2hr commute. Anyone do the commute form there? It is worth it? My friend who lived in CA called Palmdale "Methville USA". Any other options?

[canibeyou]

That's a pretty bad commute, as you'd be going with traffic both ways. Two hours is based on everyone "playing nice" and no accidents. If there happened to be an accident in, say, Agua Dulce, the freeway gets really backed up. It's just a bad commute 'cuz you're going with traffic and not against it. But that's what books on tape were made for, right?

If you wanted to add another 20-30 minutes to your commute, you could look into Rosamond or California City. Both being desert communities. You might get even a little more for your money. Palmdale/ Lancaster are kind of a hit and miss (as could be said of Rosamond and Cal City). Really depends on which area you chose; which side of the city, etc.

Why not make the move out here and rent first, taking your days off of work to roam around the areas and see what you like before you buy.

Sorry to hear about the possibility of you losing your job, but, welcome to California. Hope things work out for you here!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by FixNFlip

It's 60 miles from Burbank so I am assuming it is a 2hr commute. Anyone do the commute form there? It is worth it? My friend who lived in CA called Palmdale "Methville USA". Any other options?

Another alternative that people use for that type of commute is Angeles Forest Highway. Might not be faster but it will be prettier and can be used if 14 gets screwed up. I think a bunch of guys in a JPL commuter van crashed a couple of years ago using either that route or another mountain route.

SPACE.com -- Three Dead in JPL Commuter Van Crash

[FixNFlip]

Well the jobs I am looking at are definitely career advancements so getting laid off with a severance package is not a bad thing. I just hate having to leave Colorado. I definitely will rent first when I move. I think I will be working an evening shift at first so I am hoping this will help with the commute.

What about a foothill location close to LA? I heard you have to get your insurance is some places from Lloyds of London. I really would love to live in the foothills. We live with similar fire danger here in Colorado too and know the risks. Again I am willing to trade driving distance/sweat equity in order to lower the price of my home.

[canibeyou]

You could also consider taking the Metrolink (commuter train). Not have to drive and get a nap to and from work!

[Sorcerer68]

Don't ruin your life with a commute. Have a look at the hills of Highland Park 90042. It has that foothill feel and may be a tad more urban than you'd like but you won't spend 1/3 of your waking hours commuting. Cheap fixers aren't rare there and some often have an extra unit you can rent out...some are completely separate.

[FixNFlip]

I read through the other threads about Palmdale and have decided to look elsewhere. This board has been really helpful.

[GroundControl]

Smart move Bro, not moving here. I have been here over twenty years. Here are SOME unsugared facts about this town.

Years ago (Late 80's), this city was a nice place. Many of of the new resident home owners (Black, White and Brown) were two parent families and many were very involved in their communities.

The schools were good with standing room only for PTA meetings. Over the years, especially after the massive aerosapace layoffs (early to mid 90's) which in part caused thousands of home foreclosures and the Rodney King Riots in LA, the quality of life began a downward spiral here.

Many ganstas from the inner LA ghettos moved here and continue to move here. Many of these folks are on some type of government subsidy (welfare, Setion 8 housing etc.), although they seem to be able to afford $60,000 SUV's.

With them, they have brought their lifestyles, which in part made their former neighborhoods ghettos. They have no "buy in" in regard to being contributing members of a community.

Over the years, I have had my block wall vandalized by gang graffitti on at least a half dozen occasions. We have roosters and chickens being kept in tract home properties. Boom boxes are the norm for many autos and are accented by Ranchero music being played several blocks away.

Trash recepticles? Forget it. Fast food garbage is usually thrown out the car windows. Auto maintenance? Sure change the car oil in the street.

The commute has gotten worse over the years. Burbank can be made in one hour and 10 minutes as long as your on the road before 4:30 am. Coming home anytime after 3:30 pm or so and you should make in an hour and a half. Oh..I forgot one thing. When you leave your $300,000 to $500,000 home your thug neighbors on government subsidies will still be partying, selling dope or gang banging when you get home.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Good elementary school in the foothills of Silver Lake.

[littleword]

your kinda caught between a rock and a hard place. how about..... apple valley (desert) and maybe like....simi valley (semi-desert with a cool breeze)?

ppl who live in palmdale and other inland communities who commute to l.a., tend to have jobs that start around....5am, so they can avoid the traffic. keep that in mind when u make your decision. btw, when i drive to san diego from the central coast, i leave at like...2am, so i can be allllllllllllllll the way thru l.a. by 6am, or else its non-stop traffic. good luck on your decision. personally, i would find a fixer upper near burbank so i can have extra time with my kids.