Commute from Westlake to Culver City (Simi Valley, Santa Monica: construction, school district, to live in)

[Titans]

We are considering a move from Chicago with our two school-aged kids. My husband's job would be based out of Culver City. We have heard that Westlake Village-Agoura Hills-Oak Park is a nice area to live with good schools. What kind of commute would my husband be looking at?

Also, are there areas closer to Culver City that have good public schools?

[dusesean1986]

The 405 is experiencing major Construction through West Hollywood and should be completed by the end of the year. The 101 freeway is a nightmare. It will probably take your husband an hour and fifteen minutes to be at work when the 405 is completed. If he can leave before 5:30, it will probably take him forty minutes to arrive at work, with no traffic. The cities you mentioned are the 101 and 405 freeway to work. Go to Sigalert.com, it explains the commute times every time of the day, then you can calculate how long it will take your husband, accident permitting. Anymore questions ask.

[Winston Smith]

From Westlake/Agoura to Culver City your husband will be commuting on the number 1 and 2 most congested freeways in the world, U.S. 101 and I-405. Hate to be the bearer of this bad news, but that's just the fact.

Your husband could use an alternate route through the canyons over the Santa Monica Mountains to the coast through Malibu, but it wouldn't be a time-saver, just a change of scenery. In the event of a brush fire in the mountains or mudslide on the coast, however, this option closes for just about everyone, and the 101/405 route feels the effect as the canyon and coast commuters join in.

Unfortunately, the commuting options from Westlake/Agoura are quite limited as this is one of the more car-based locations in the area. If you could relocate to Simi Valley, you'd have a commuter rail connection to downtown LA, and perhaps a light rail or other commuter connection to Culver City. You might check on vanpools from Westlake/Agoura if driving becomes too burdensome.

[Stoneybrook]

One hour, without traffic, at least 80-90 minutes during rush hour. It is a brutal drive, your husband's life will revolve around making his commute more palatable. Culver City is quite a congested area, dont live near the airport, the areas and schools are not too good, crime, etc. Westwood (UCLA is there) is really nice and very close by, but at least one million dollars for a fixer upper house, more for Santa Monica, Brentwood, or Beverly Hills. Sorry, the public school system is LA is not too good, there are VERY select areas with good schools. Manhattan Beach has pretty good schools, so does Paols Verdes, but the commute is still tough. The sad fact is, many people in LA drive at least one to two hours ffor work, to live in an area with decent schools. Woodland Hills is a LITTLE closer (not much), great school district, also $$$.

[PureHapa]

Yes, that commute would be brutal - the other posters are right. Look east to Beverly Hills or south to the beach cities. Commute's rough in this area no matter what.

[Jami Cantor]

Can anyone offer advice on a alternative route into Culver City from Westlke Village? The traffic is brutal & it's extremely difficult to get into work on time.