From Europe to Glendale - walkable lively area to live? (Los Angeles: rental, houses)

[chmike]

Dear forum members ,

we are an european-african couple with one baby relocating from Switzerland to Los Angeles in April. Considering our cultural backgrounds (Swiss and Nigerian) we would kindly like to ask you for some hints where a nice neighbourhood for us could be. We visited LA last summer for almost 4 weeks and have seen quite some parts of the city.

Here are the wishes for our neighbourhood:
1. Some kind of walkable lively (not party but just nicely alive) area: The density we are used to is at least the one you find in e.g. San Francisco or Berkeley and last summer we found so many areas in LA where there just have been houses and noone to see on the street (except cars). I know that there is no dense city area in LA but maybe something at least lively (cafes, ppl nicely sitting on the street, shops). We walked Hollywood and Venice Beach, yet I found these areas somehow also disturbing (a bit decay was in the air). I heard good things about South Pasadena, maybe that would be an area (also my wife is a big bang theory fan )

2. We are an intercultural couple, so an openminded place would be nice.

3. I would like to live more closer to the ocean (I am used to fresh cooler air and some nature around from Zurich, which is with 390.000 inh the largest city in Switzerland). This is not important for my wife (she is used to Lagos with 18Mill Ppl and hot weather throughout the year). Yet I assume this is not feasable if I dont want to commute for hours each day . We both loved Mar Vista when we visited LA last summer.

4. Job is in Glendale

5. Budget is 2500 for rent

What do you guys think. Which areas should we consider ?

Thanks so much

[BRinSM]

Studio city near Ventura Blvd or the old town pasadena come to mind. I wouldn't live near the beach, the commute would be awful.

[JohnG72]

Burbank near the downtown area
Parts of Glendale(their downtown is more expansive than Burbanks)
South Pasadena
As suggested above, the downtown/old town part of Pasadena
Downtown LA also, but if you thought Hollywood and Venice had decay, you would hate downtown LA.

Of the above, South Pasadena and Old Town Pasadena are the most racially diverse, but I've heard a lot about recent police incidents there(Mostly DWM...driving while mexican).

But all of the above are nice areas and will put you close to Glendale(within 10 miles max).

[ccm123]

Downtown Montrose (Northern side of Glendale) is very nice. Quaint shopping and dining area. Safe and great neighborhood with great schools.

[scrubjaydana]

Not near the ocean but other than that you may want to consider the South Lake/Caltech area of Pasadena. I also agree with others that mention Montrose, Studio City and South Pasadena as options. I wouldn't want to commute from the westside to Glendale.

[chmike]

Thank you guys for all your suggestions. I will add them to my list and we would have some drive throughs in those neighbourhoods.

Would you rather look for places to rent in craigslist or realtor.com/trulia or both? Is craigslist cheaper?

Thank you and Greetings from snowy Switzerland

[scrubjaydana]

Originally Posted by chmike

Would you rather look for places to rent in craigslist or realtor.com/trulia or both? Is craigslist cheaper?

Just be aware that some of the rental listings on Craigslist are scams. As a general rule — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

[smokingGun]

if you're a bit hip & edgy & like alternative urban lifestyles, check out neighborhoods like Los Feliz or Silverlake or even Atwater Village.

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by smokingGun

if you're a bit hip & edgy & like alternative urban lifestyles, check out neighborhoods like Los Feliz or Silverlake or even Atwater Village.

I think Los Feliz is a great option. Close to Glendale for work, near Hollywood and Central LA for entertainment / dining / etc., walkable area with decent foot traffic, very hip area, safe.