Best community to live in Los Angeles? (San Diego, Anaheim: motel, work)

[Ben_Hooper]

Seeing as i may be moving to Southern CA i'm getting as much info on different cities and towns such as climate, crime, pollution, schooling, sports.

Can anyone shed some light on what is the best community in Southern California?
I've heard a lot about Burbank, Ontario, Anaheim, Irvine/El Toro, Chino, Glendale, San fernando valley and San Diego. I'm a bit confused on which is the best single family community?




P.S. Does anyone have any info on the Pepperdine university area community

Thanks

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Ben_Hooper

Seeing as i may be moving to Southern CA i'm getting as much info on different cities and towns such as climate, crime, pollution, schooling, sports.

Can anyone shed some light on what is the best community in Southern California?
I've heard a lot about Burbank, Ontario, Anaheim, Irvine/El Toro, Chino, Glendale, San fernando valley and San Diego. I'm a bit confused on which is the best single family community?




P.S. Does anyone have any info on the Pepperdine university area community

Thanks

Most of the places you listed are pretty big and have a variety of living qualities. We need more information: Where might you work? What is your housing price range?

Which Pepperdine?

pepperdine - Google Maps

[Ben_Hooper]

What i meant to say was Pepperdine, Malibu. I hear there's some real nice properties up there, i expect heavy costs but if thats what it takes to be happy then shall be it.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Ben_Hooper

What i meant to say was Pepperdine, Malibu. I hear there's some real nice properties up there, i expect heavy costs but if thats what it takes to be happy then shall be it.

Sounds like you will be happy.

If that is the case you are in luck. Malibu is Malibu. About as good as it gets. Within driving distance of 30 minutes of Pepperdine are Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Pacific Palisades, and some parts of Santa Monica. Also, Topanga is a unique place to live. All of the places I mentioned are probably more desirable than any of the places you mentioned (not that everywhere in every place you mentioned was bad, the places I mentioned are the best of the best.)

I watched Pepperdine Malibu being built in the early 1970s as a student at Our Lady of Malibu (1967-1973)

[Ben_Hooper]

Yeah thanks for that bit of reassuarence. At least i know it wouldn't be a mistake moving there. I hear it is upstate but it looks live a wonderful place to live in, short commute times going by what you say and the ocean and valley, mountains right by each other. You honestly cant go wrong moving there.

Do you have any info on Poway or El Toro/Irvine... thanks

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Ben_Hooper

short commute times going by what you say

Short commute times to where? This is a big red flag.

I have no personal experiences on those other two places you mentioned.

[Ben_Hooper]

I presummed you meant it was close to those other towns/cities you listed thats what i meant by it would have a good commute time to different towns/cities. I probably should of said neighbouring communities. Because you said the cities were within 30 mins drive i must of misinterpruted what you said.

Anyway if anyone else has any info on El Toro/Irvine or Poway please comment!

[fairweathergolfer]

You certainly read correctly. The confusion understandable. Charles is right on though (in all of his info, including driving times). However, I think whenever we mention driving times out here in Southern California there should be an automatic asterick. Next to the asterick should say: Time depends on traffic conditions which are highly variable, but predictably heavy during certain drive times. Quoted time is based on generally good traffic conditions. (Or something to that affect.)

Although Malibu is lovely and Pepperdine a nice hand and glove fit, commuting any distance north, south, or east could be an easy drive or it could be hell, especially when driving into Santa Monica. That said, if traffic is very light you can be down there very quickly. This is generally why we always ask where a person is working or going to school before we recommend housing as traffic can be a nightmare just driving 2.5 miles sometimes. A long commute can really effect quality of life here.

There has been occasion when it has taken me over an hour to drive 2.5 miles here in the LA area. That was not so bad, because it was to a night class at UCLA, and only once a week, but I was not prepared for it the first time and was very late. My first rude awakening when I moved here. Who knew driving a couple miles down the block, one would end up needing a rest stop , a motel (I joke), and a drive thru (practically! Sitting in traffic ran into my dinner time). LOL! or shall I say more of a head shaking and a chuckle (HSC)? Yes. HSC!!

I am unsure of those other communities you mentioned except for Irvine. They have a great university there. The city itself I am unfamiliar with what it is like to live in. I have liked it when I have driven through. But if you can afford Malibu and are attending Pepperdine, I would not hesitate. Both lovely. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by Ben_Hooper

I presummed you meant it was close to those other towns/cities you listed thats what i meant by it would have a good commute time to different towns/cities. I probably should of said neighbouring communities. Because you said the cities were within 30 mins drive i must of misinterpruted what you said.

Anyway if anyone else has any info on El Toro/Irvine or Poway please comment!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Ben_Hooper

I presummed you meant it was close to those other towns/cities you listed thats what i meant by it would have a good commute time to different towns/cities. I probably should of said neighbouring communities. Because you said the cities were within 30 mins drive i must of misinterpruted what you said.

Anyway if anyone else has any info on El Toro/Irvine or Poway please comment!

Here's something anyone who is considering moving to SoCal should check out during the times they expect to commute. For example, examine the traffic at 7:30 AM California time and 4:30 PM California time....before you move to SoCal:

Yellow dots mean pain, red dots mean torture:

Sigalert.com - Los Angeles & Orange County Traffic Report

[goodbyehollywood]

The nice part of Irvine is close to Newport Beach, so it's desirable in a high density, overdeveloped sort of way. A lot of people don't care for Poway. At all.

Neither is in the same league as Malibu, especially if you're talking about the Pepperdine (north) part of Malibu, which is private, scenic and less congested.

The areas you've listed don't have a whole lot in common. Are you looking for beach, valley, dessert? Private, less developed, congested? Commutable to L.A. or the OC or more secluded? And if price isn't a consideration, most of those areas should come right off your list. There are much, much nicer places, for people prepared to pay the cost. Good luck!