LA or San Diego job? (Los Angeles, Oceanside: renting, home, neighborhoods)

[puckthepug]

I have a potential job in Rosemead and would be working through out LA. My salary range would be $50k+ with full benefit package. I am in my early 40's and single. I don't want to buy, renting is fine. I have really wanted a job and to live in San Diego but that just hasn't happened, so now I am considering LA, but I know nothing about LA other than what most americans think about LA (traffic, smog, people). Given that I am familiar with San Diego, what communities in the LA area would be simmilar to lets say, San Marcos, Oceanside? I prefer a laid back friendly community, families, yet easy to escape. 30-60 minute commute time on average is OK as long as when I get home I can feel at home and away from the rat race; maybe getting a hike/bike in the mountains after work or a walk/run on the beach.

[BlankVerse]

Communties to consider that are close to Rosmead include: Pasadena, South Pasadena, Sierra Madre (these are all individual cities). Some nearby neighborhoods within in the City of Los Angeles that might fit your description are: Eagle Rock or Mt. Washington.

Of course, you should understand Rosmead is very far from the ocean (by LA/San Diego standards) so none of the choices I suggested are close to the beach. They are all approx. 40 minutes from the beach (more with really bad traffic).

Pasadena is one of my FAVORITE cities in So.Calif. It really breaks the strereotypes people have of LA/So.Calif. as a souless place with no character. It is a charmnig city with historic architecture, great museums, restaurants, pedestrian freindly downtown area , and plenty of good hiking trails in the nearby mountains.