Grad school hopeful. Where to live in LA metro? (Los Angeles: real estate, condo)

[VerlonGrimes]

I'm hoping to get into graduate school in the Los Angeles metro area. I'm also looking forward buying a house (within the 200-250k range). I have a wife and a small baby. Since I don't know the neighborhoods too well, I thought I'd ask some recommendations from the wise folks at CD. I'm thinking of two potential options to pursue my education:

Option 1: CSULA or CSUN for Masters, USC or UCLA for PhD.
Option 2: CSUSB or UCR for Masters, UCR (and maybe USC if I drive a little further west) for PhD.

What would be a good area to live in order to manage either option? My intention is to stay in the same house/area for at least the next 5-6 years.

I'm looking for something
-within my price range (200-250k)
-safe
-diverse population
-a good amount of medical facilities in the area (my wife is a nurse)
-I don't mind 40-45 minute commute (I'm doing it now)

I know some people hate strip mall hells. I don't mind them. I like to have my chain stores and movie theaters relatively close.

Thanks.

[1200RT]

That budget is going to be tight for a single family home.

[BRinSM]

you could buy in a decent neighborhood not too far from UCR and CSUSB in your price range. rancho cucamonga and corona come to mind. check in the inland empire forum.

[genjy]

Whittier, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Downey area?

Those cities are all reasonably close to CSULA and USC... and the areas aren't as bad as East LA and South LA.

[JTGJR]

I'm with BRinSM. Your best bet for all your requirements would be the inland empire. Housing prices are very depressed in Riverside and San Bernadino counties.

[VerlonGrimes]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

[Samoi137]

I have relatives in Upland, near to Rancho Cucamonga. I'd check real estate sites for housing prices. My impression from brief looks was that your budget would be right in the Rancho Cucamonga area (maybe less tight in Ontario, Fontana?), but if you consider an older home or a condo, it might work. I believe San Bernardino is cheaper. Northridge (CSUN), in the San Fernando Valley, not cheap, but, again, you might find something decent. Your current search covers a huge amount of area with widely varying prices. Will housing prices determine your school choice or will your first step be to get accepted and then look for housing? How long of a commute would you consider? The costs at the various schools could also vary widely (USC is a private university with very high costs, but perhaps you'll get a scholarship of some sort?). USC not in the most desirable part of town, but if you don't mind commuting, whether by car or public transport (see www.metro.net), you can live in a decent area.