Northridge job, walkable community (Burbank, Santa Monica: apartment, homes, neighborhood)

[PhillyIndy]

Sorry if the below has been asked and answered.

Internal job move may have me working in Northridge.
Previously we (wife, 3 year old, 6 year old and me) have lived in downtown philadelphia. We are in Memphis right now in an inner ring area that is not exactly urban but also not the burbs.

Let's pretent my housing budget is not an issue.
Can you work in Northridge,
with a 30 min or less commute,
in an area that is walkable (walkable defined at being able to walk to a grocery or place to eat on a weekend)
and
there are other people around with young kids, with either a nearby private or public school that is good

[BRinSM]

you might enjoy studio city or burbank. neither areas are super urban, but there are areas that aren't overly suburban either. same with the souther parts of sherman oaks and encino. what you'll really want is to live near ventura blvd somewhere in the valley. the city proper will be too far for a 30 minute commute.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by PhillyIndy

Sorry if the below has been asked and answered.

Internal job move may have me working in Northridge.
Previously we (wife, 3 year old, 6 year old and me) have lived in downtown philadelphia. We are in Memphis right now in an inner ring area that is not exactly urban but also not the burbs.

Let's pretent my housing budget is not an issue.
Can you work in Northridge,
with a 30 min or less commute,
in an area that is walkable (walkable defined at being able to walk to a grocery or place to eat on a weekend)
and
there are other people around with young kids, with either a nearby private or public school that is good

Yes. North of Lassen in the Northridge area. Lots of shopping and restaurants within walking distance of those homes plus good schools.

[nowincal11]

I don't see too many people walking around Northridge except students. I would look at Sherman Oaks and Studio City, although the school quality may be lower. Burbank is also a good option, but check on schools. Encino is also lively but might be a different culture than what you are used to. Meaning a lot of Russian and Persian immigrants and Orthodox Jews who do not attend public schools.

Most of LA is not fully East Coast urban, but is also not suburban. A lot of people in LA term it upper middle density. Smaller apartment buildings built onto the street and shopping nearby. Neighborhood to neighborhood is where a car is required unless you live in a truly suburban area like the north SF VAlley.

Many LA suburbs are more densely populated and "urban" than the city itself such as Santa Monica, West Hollywood, East LA, etc.

Northridge is a good mix of people from all races, diversities, backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, etc.

[PhillyIndy]

Thanks. Can anyone comment on the 2 area below in terms of
1) Commute to Northridge
2) Walkability?

Toluca Lake
Magnolia Park

Also, is there any "magic" to the comute out there? Like going north on the 5 in the AM is a breeze or west on the Regan before 8am isn't bad...or is it like eastcoast and always a mess all of the time.

[nowincal11]

Going north in the morning in the Valley isn't bad. Going South at night in the Valley isn't bad either, but the 101 will get backed up around Hollywood, though you shouldn't have to worry about that. It is always a mess, but just less of a mess.

If by Magnolia Park you mean Burbank, it is walkable. You can walk around the neighborhood and it has some cool stores/restaurants by it, but most people still do drive. In terms of convenience to food shopping and errands like cleaners, bank, etc, you probably have to drive.

For Toluca Lake, I actually find it to be less walkable because it is an affluent area meant for the affluent to not be bothered. It is close to Studio City, which is the older Hollywood scene in terms of who lives there, but just far enough away from Hollywood, so the people there like their disconnectedness a bit.

Depending where in Toluca Lake you live, it can be walkable, particularly by Universal. If you are close to Universal, you may be able to walk to the Red Line subway which takes you into Hollywood and Downtown relatively quickly (benefits of public transit there are unmatched).

Just my take.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by nowincal11

I don't see too many people walking around Northridge except students. I would look at Sherman Oaks and Studio City, although the school quality may be lower. Burbank is also a good option, but check on schools.

Burbank schools are much better than Northridge, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, etc. or anywhere else in the Valley because it's not LAUSD.

Magnets and charters in LAUSD can be good, but sending a kid to an LAUSD comprehensive school is a form of child abuse. BUSD, on the other hand, recieved an award for being the best public school district in the state.