Washington DC transplants to LA--reversing the trend? (Vista, Santa Monica: real estate, apartment)

[toBullBoxer31ha]

Hello all,

We live in metro DC and have seen tons of CA refugees out this way. We want to go in the opposite direction and relocate to our offices in the LA area. My spouse's office is in Sherman Oaks and mine is in Century City and we'd like to keep the commutes at no more than an hour. (And no, working 6am-3pm isn't really an option most days.) We're mid 30s/early 40s and want to be in an area where we'll meet quality people (young families, couples, etc.) but schools aren't a priority. We're not clubbers or bar hoppers but do appreciate good food and great markets/shops nearby. We plan on renting initially with a budget of $2500-3000/mo. and would appreciate any neighborhood recommendations you have as this is a huge move for us. Thanks!

[majoun]

Originally Posted by toBullBoxer31ha

Hello all,

We live in metro DC and have seen tons of CA refugees out this way. We want to go in the opposite direction and relocate to our offices in the LA area. My spouse's office is in Sherman Oaks and mine is in Century City and we'd like to keep the commutes at no more than an hour. (And no, working 6am-3pm isn't really an option most days.) We're mid 30s/early 40s and want to be in an area where we'll meet quality people (young families, couples, etc.) but schools aren't a priority. We're not clubbers or bar hoppers but do appreciate good food and great markets/shops nearby. We plan on renting initially with a budget of $2500-3000/mo. and would appreciate any neighborhood recommendations you have as this is a huge move for us. Thanks!

West Hollywood and Fairfax District.

[SalParadise]

West Hollywood, Miracle Mile, Fairfax District, Sherman Oaks, Carthay Circle, Santa Monica, West LA.

[subPrimeTime]

Brentwood (north of Wilshire) would put you in a great middle ground in terms of commute. It's a nice, safe, walkable community. If you're looking for an apartment, then your rent budget is doable.

Curious, I've noticed the same "move to DC" trend too, but isn't this mostly an Obama administration thing? At least, that's why my buddy moved out there in 2009, and most of the people he met and became friends with in his age group (late 20's/early 30's) were there for the same reason, to work on The Hill (or at least attempt to).

[BRinSM]

the DC people i know in LA all live in santa monica in the montana neighborhood. i would recommend anywhere in santa monica personally. brentwood would also be a good option as others have mentioned.

[stuffavail]

Originally Posted by toBullBoxer31ha

Hello all,

We live in metro DC and have seen tons of CA refugees out this way. We want to go in the opposite direction and relocate to our offices in the LA area. My spouse's office is in Sherman Oaks and mine is in Century City and we'd like to keep the commutes at no more than an hour. (And no, working 6am-3pm isn't really an option most days.) We're mid 30s/early 40s and want to be in an area where we'll meet quality people (young families, couples, etc.) but schools aren't a priority. We're not clubbers or bar hoppers but do appreciate good food and great markets/shops nearby. We plan on renting initially with a budget of $2500-3000/mo. and would appreciate any neighborhood recommendations you have as this is a huge move for us. Thanks!

Welcome to LA!

My clients who have recently moved here now live in Mar Vista. It is minutes from Santa Monica and the beach with lower prices. As for what you get for 2500-3000, that depends on to what you are accustomed.

Westwood and Brentwood (near UCLA) sometimes have 2 BR apts in that range but the traffic congestion is SO severe on the West side and right there in particular for the next 5 years while they fix the 405, I would lower my rents, too.

Renters are a large portion of the population here. And there isnt much in the way of affordable housing for people. So rents are steep.

Commute time can be a big deal. Do you know where you will be working? There are many interesting places around LA that can offer you a friendly lifestyle. Knowing your center of gravity would be helpful.

Thanks!

[toBullBoxer31ha]

Thanks for the input! We're currently in a 2000 sq ft townhouse with 1 car garage and small backyard (and 2 big dogs). We live a little over 1 hr from downtown DC and would like to shrink our commutes in LA (one commute to Sherman Oaks, the other commute is to Century City next to the mall). We're willing to downsize but we aren't a fan of older properties.

We're planning to go to LA for a week to look at various neighborhoods and properties so your feedback is very helpful. Are you a real estate agent?

[toBullBoxer31ha]

Originally Posted by subPrimeTime

Brentwood (north of Wilshire) would put you in a great middle ground in terms of commute. It's a nice, safe, walkable community. If you're looking for an apartment, then your rent budget is doable.

Curious, I've noticed the same "move to DC" trend too, but isn't this mostly an Obama administration thing? At least, that's why my buddy moved out there in 2009, and most of the people he met and became friends with in his age group (late 20's/early 30's) were there for the same reason, to work on The Hill (or at least attempt to).

It could be an administration thing. We aren't government employees so that doesn't apply to us. We're just sick of the weather out here!

[yamota]

Originally Posted by subPrimeTime

Brentwood (north of Wilshire) would put you in a great middle ground in terms of commute. It's a nice, safe, walkable community. If you're looking for an apartment, then your rent budget is doable.

Curious, I've noticed the same "move to DC" trend too, but isn't this mostly an Obama administration thing? At least, that's why my buddy moved out there in 2009, and most of the people he met and became friends with in his age group (late 20's/early 30's) were there for the same reason, to work on The Hill (or at least attempt to).

Same thing happened when bush became president, all these knuckleheads came in from texas and screwed everything up. Even after bush left, these peolple stayed and screwed things up even more

[pwright1]

Where on earth did you live an hour outside of dt DC? I lived in DC for over 25 years and glad I left. I live in West LA just west of the 405 near Santa Monica Blvd. and commute 10 minutes to Century City.