McCambridge Park Vs. Toluca Lake in Burbank (Los Angeles, Riverside: apartment complexes, rentals)

[keithandbecky]

My husband and I will be moving out to Burbank next year. We've been going over apartments and trying to find the best places to live (ones with good management, nice upkeep etc). So far we've narrowed our choices down to six places: Media Center Villas, Parc Centre Apartments and Scott Villa Apartments near McCambridge Park and Toluca Terrace Apartments, Valley Apartments and The Woods At Toluca Lake (all near Toluca Lake, of course).

My question is, which area is better-near Toluca or McCambridge Park (in terms of safety) and does anyone have any personal experience with the aforementioned apartments (or know of anyone who did?)?
I looked up their reviews on apartmentreviews.com and they seemed the best out of the other apartments in Burbank in terms of good management, allowing cats and price (We don't want to go much higher than $1,500).

I should add that we are visiting to get a feel for the town in Novemeber, but any personal experience with living in these areas would be much appreciated!

[Sorcerer68]

Both are good areas, I prefer the Toluca Lake neck of the woods a little better. My favorite part of Burbank borders it, it's called Rancho Equestrian and is walking distance to Disney, NBC and Warner Brothers studios. There are a few cute places to hang out on Riverside drive. The are has a nice feel to it. I had to google McCambridge Park as I usually just refer to it's proximity to Burbank Town Center. It's wonderful having all of that close. The two neighborhoods have different feel. Check it out for yourself. As far as specific apartments, make no judgments about a place until you see it in person. Many rentals are in 2-5 plexes, not in a "complex" and can offer better deals so watch for them.

[rockwell]

The McCambridge Park area is way up in Burbank against the hills, and it's dull dull dull! The Toluca Lake area has much more charm, is vastly hipper, and has a better vibe, especially if you're on the young side. You can even walk to Trader Joe's, etc., and it's right near the studios.

Only problem-- most of those units are actually in L.A., rather than Burbank. That means police response will be slower. But it's still a fairly safe area-- i.e., you can walk at night.

One drive through both areas will clearly show you what I mean. Choose T.L.-- definitely. You'll be much happier.

The only one I know of is the Media Center Villas up there and they have an unfortunate reputation of secret inspections all the time-- often without notice. They're also much more than $1500 a month.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

I lived in Toluca Lake for a number of years and loved it. The only reason I moved is because I got married and the wife is your typical Sherman Oaks Gucci and Prada sunglass wearing Fashion Square shopping brat who thought Toluca Lake was not "hip and trendy enough" for her taste.

The best coffee house in LA - "Priscillias" is in Toluca Lake. On the 4th of July, everyone would gather in the neighborhood to watch what has to be one of the best fireworks shows in the country.

[Rats]

How's Sherman Oaks compared to Toluca Lake? Specifically around the intersection of Ventura Blvd. and Woodman.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Ventura and Woodman in that area specifically, its okay. If you're looking to buy a home or condo prices are really high. If you're looking to rent be sure that you are NOT on Moorpark due to liquid faction in earthquakes. There is much more to do in S.O. than in T.L. so for someone younger, I recommend S.O. over T.L. any day. But T.L. is definately quieter and less diverse.

Toluca Lake definately seems to have more of an older crowd and is not as culturally diverse an S.O. although the number of Armenians from Glendale who hang out there has increased a lot in recent years.

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by DaBeez

The best coffee house in LA - "Priscillias" is in Toluca Lake.

I've been going there for years. I'm currently at about 5x a week.

[UB50]

Hey! McCambridge Park is not the dull area it once was! There is a newer Trader Joes at the corner of Alameda and San Fernando Road plus there is the whole Media Center area (Ikea, the Media Center Mall, etc.) within a few blocks!

I like the Burbank police response better than the LAPD so I would probably choose the McCambridge Park area over Toluca Lake. (Both are actually nice, but I'm kinda partial to Burbank since I lived there for tons of years!)

I wouldn't move to LA thinking that I could rent in specific apartment buildings. Unlike Florida or other areas, a lot of apartment buildings only have about 20 units (and these are the big developments) so it's hard to get into a specific building. (When I lived in Florida, apartment complexes could have 400+ units so it's much different from here.)

Oakwood apartments offer short term fully furnished units and it's a bigger complex than most but you really pay a premium to live there and they aren't any nicer than other apartment complexes.

[PhotoCrusader]

Technically, Toluca Lake is part Burbank and part Los Angeles. There are some places that will claim to be Toluca Lake which aren't. Burbank has their own Police, Fire and Water & Power. After the Northridge Earthquake, Burbank had power a lot quicker then Los Angeles.

Some other fun things around Toluca Lake.

Every year they have a big open house on Riverside Drive for Christmas. The business' remain open. They have carolers etc. Disney Studios (technically Burbank) has an annual arts & crafts fair. It is a nice place to go. There is still a lot of old fashioned trick or treating closer to the lake itself. (Yes, there is actually a lake.)

I have lived in both. (Technically, I was a block from the Toluca Lake border in North Hollywood.)

There are some nice places just above Glenoaks. They just aren't the big complex type. You won't find to many "slumlords" in the area.

[EvgeniaH]

I do not know, it that matters to you guys at all, but Burbank is a lot more kid friendly, than T. L. Many T.L. parents regularly come to Burbank parks. Burbank school district is head and shoulders above the L.A. Unified. Police in Burbank is awsome!
You could try to get really close to Toluca lake, but still be within Burbank city limits.
Also, try Craigslist.com, to check out rentals and Burbankleader.com.