Advice on where to live to raise small family? (Glendale: rent, neighborhoods)

[newenglanderhatescold]

Hi all -

We are from New England and my husband will be working in Manhattan Beach. Our three children are ages 7, 4 and 1. We are looking for a town with very good schools, safety, community feel, nice laid back people. We will rent the first year but when we buy we can go up to maybe $900k for a house.
We'd love a place with warm weather (I don't really like the sound of the damp fog associated with being right on the beach), art/cultural opportunities nearby, and lots to do outdoors.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions - we really are starting from scratch here - don't know where to look.

Thanks!

[West of Encino]

Torrance, El Segundo, South Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and Calabases.

[JTGJR]

Originally Posted by West of Encino

Torrance, El Segundo, South Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and Calabases.

If your DH is working in Manhattan Beach, scratch S. Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank. No need to hassle with the long commute hours northeast.

$900K will get you a nice place in El Segundo, Redondo Beach and Torrance. Possibly the east side of MB and Hermosa Beach, but why bother. If private schools are in play, Westchester could work as well. But ONLY if private school is an option.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JTGJR

If your DH is working in Manhattan Beach, scratch S. Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank. .

Also scratch Calabasas.

This thread was also on the OC forum and I had also suggested PV.

[West of Encino]

Originally Posted by JTGJR

If your DH is working in Manhattan Beach, scratch S. Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank. No need to hassle with the long commute hours northeast.

$900K will get you a nice place in El Segundo, Redondo Beach and Torrance. Possibly the east side of MB and Hermosa Beach, but why bother. If private schools are in play, Westchester could work as well. But ONLY if private school is an option.

Westchester is in the LA city and therefore isn't family-friendly for the most part.

[bhcompy]

I'd suggest Palos Verdes at that price. Best area in the vicinity around the job

[JTGJR]

Originally Posted by West of Encino

Westchester is in the LA city and therefore isn't family-friendly for the most part.

Westchester is very family friendly with many desirable neighborhoods. What does the fact that it is, technically, LA City have to do with it - other than schools?

[West of Encino]

Originally Posted by JTGJR

Westchester is very family friendly with many desirable neighborhoods. What does the fact that it is, technically, LA City have to do with it - other than schools?

Most of the schools in Westchester are within LAUSD territory.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by JTGJR

Westchester is very family friendly with many desirable neighborhoods. What does the fact that it is, technically, LA City have to do with it - other than schools?

West of Encino referred to Westchester being in LAUSD, and Westchester - like all LAUSD westside areas and most non-LAUSD westside areas - experiencing "family flight".

If not for the schools issue Westchester would be very family friendly as it once was.

There may be some changes, however. With Westchester High being converted into a charter( in return for Palisades losing charter status and reverting to a comprehensive), things may be looking up for Westchester in the future.

[JTGJR]

Originally Posted by majoun

West of Encino referred to Westchester being in LAUSD, and Westchester - like all LAUSD westside areas and most non-LAUSD westside areas - experiencing "family flight".

If not for the schools issue Westchester would be very family friendly as it once was.

There may be some changes, however. With Westchester High being converted into a charter( in return for Palisades losing charter status and reverting to a comprehensive), things may be looking up for Westchester in the future.

Hence, my initial comment. Westchester is a nice area, with the exception of being LAUSD.

Originally Posted by JTGJR

If private schools are in play, Westchester could work as well. But ONLY if private school is an option.