There are safe and cheap areas in LA (Los Angeles, Glendale: foreclosures, rentals)

[MightyGandhi]

Perhaps this is a bold statement, but in the last several months of my research I have found several cheap and very safe areas in LA County.

I finally decided on Glendale, but I also found Pasadena, South Pasadena, Burbank, Palms, and Culver City.

I found a guesthouse in North Glendale that is under $1000 a month including all utilities, cable, and internet.

I guess the purpose of my thread is to challenge the hundreds of people on this forum that claim that you have to be rich to live in a safe area of LA county. Perhaps, I dont know what I am talking about, but when Glendale has a lower crime rate than the college town I live in now, it seems quite safe to me.

[goodbyehollywood]

Originally Posted by MightyGandhi

Perhaps this is a bold statement, but in the last several months of my research I have found several cheap and very safe areas in LA County.

I finally decided on Glendale, but I also found Pasadena, South Pasadena, Burbank, Palms, and Culver City.

But this is renting. Doesn't most of the rampant dissatisfaction come from not being able to buy in a neighborhood where walking safely to your car is not an iffy proposition. Buying in Palms and Culver City hasn't been affordable for several years now. That assumes, of course, that you're willing to concede affordability as $500K+.

[DawnW]

And, you don't have a family to support. The 5 of us cannot live in a small guesthouse and I would NOT pick Glendale schools for my kids.

The areas will good schools and a min. of 3 bedrooms are not even to be had for 500K.

Dawn

Originally Posted by goodbyehollywood

But this is renting. Doesn't most of the rampant dissatisfaction come from not being able to buy in a neighborhood where walking safely to your car is not an iffy proposition. Buying in Palms and Culver City hasn't been affordable for several years now. That assumes, of course, that you're willing to concede affordability as $500K+.

[monti]

So basically the key is to rent and not have kids (there's already 6 BILLION plus people on this planet, we don't need anymore)

Sounds fine to me

[goodbyehollywood]

Originally Posted by DawnW

The areas will good schools and a min. of 3 bedrooms are not even to be had for 500K.

You're right. I was talking 3-4 years ago. This would run you $700K and up now in the safe, select areas. And there are still multiple offers on the nicer properties that come on close or slightly under "market." So, foreclosures aside, the Westside isn't tanking... at all.

It would take an economic catastrophic to bring the prices back in line. And that same catastrophe would make it impossible for most people to buy. So the same people who can buy now (the seriously overpaid, movie stars, trust fund babies, lottery winners, skilled embezzlers) would be in an even better position to buy then. Everybody else--still on the sidelines.

[MightyGandhi]

Ah, good point. I never considered the difference between renting and buying a home/raising a family.

I will definetly take that into consideration after I graduate from USC, and consider where I will be living afterwards.

But with this in mind, why do so many people stay in LA?

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

There are plenty of areas throughout the Valley with house rentals below $2500 a month in good school districts. People earning the area's median household income have many options at that rental price range.

[kareybear]

Have ever tried San Pedro or Hermosa Beach, Torrance Beach area or is to far to live to from L.A. because if you work in Los Angeles because the driving SUXS.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by MightyGandhi

But with this in mind, why do so many people stay in LA?

Check this thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/calif...ics-101-a.html

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LivingLikeAGradStudent

There are plenty of areas throughout the Valley...in good school districts...

I assume you are talking about the San Fernando Valley, most (all?) of which is covered by the LAUSD. I think you are probably about 7% accurate.