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Old 03-11-2013, 01:28 AM
 
2 posts, read 18,906 times
Reputation: 11

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Hello all. I'll be moving to LA in the next six weeks and need some help finding a good area in the San Fernando Valley, and unfortunately that's not a part of SoCal I'm familiar with. If this helps any, my ultimate goal is to live in an area where people are friendly and not afraid to go outdoors and talk with neighbors or walk the streets... somewhere SAFE where a guy from Utah (yeah, Utah ) won't stand out like a sore thumb.

Here's the clincher though: I don't want to rent, I'd rather buy a condo and have an investment. Problem? Well, I don't want to finance anything this time around... just pay cash, and that stops my budget at $215,000. I was initially thinking Studio City as the hub and then branching out whatever direction I need to from there. That make sense?

I know things are different down there. $250,000 up in Utah got me a brand new 3000 sq ft home with a 3-car garage! From what i gather though, that price and especially my $215,000 budget now is a GHETTO price range in the San Fernando Valley. That true? It's really hard to guess by looking at real estate pics online what the areas and residents are like.

So, in the end I'm totally prepared to go into a tiny condo that's much older than me (I'm in my late 30s). What I'm looking for in lieu of size and newness is SAFETY and GOOD neighbors? Any idea where I might be able to get this on a $215,000 cash budget?

THANKS!!
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Old 03-11-2013, 03:11 AM
 
164 posts, read 347,349 times
Reputation: 159
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBD37 View Post
Hello all. I'll be moving to LA in the next six weeks and need some help finding a good area in the San Fernando Valley, and unfortunately that's not a part of SoCal I'm familiar with. If this helps any, my ultimate goal is to live in an area where people are friendly and not afraid to go outdoors and talk with neighbors or walk the streets... somewhere SAFE where a guy from Utah (yeah, Utah ) won't stand out like a sore thumb.

Here's the clincher though: I don't want to rent, I'd rather buy a condo and have an investment. Problem? Well, I don't want to finance anything this time around... just pay cash, and that stops my budget at $215,000. I was initially thinking Studio City as the hub and then branching out whatever direction I need to from there. That make sense?

I know things are different down there. $250,000 up in Utah got me a brand new 3000 sq ft home with a 3-car garage! From what i gather though, that price and especially my $215,000 budget now is a GHETTO price range in the San Fernando Valley. That true? It's really hard to guess by looking at real estate pics online what the areas and residents are like.

So, in the end I'm totally prepared to go into a tiny condo that's much older than me (I'm in my late 30s). What I'm looking for in lieu of size and newness is SAFETY and GOOD neighbors? Any idea where I might be able to get this on a $215,000 cash budget?

THANKS!!
Gosh how many times does threads about where to live in the SFV comes up. Ill tell you this to keep it simple, your obviously interested in the south valley so just stay south of Oxnard St. and you'll be fine. End of story.
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Old 03-11-2013, 04:13 AM
 
7,728 posts, read 12,624,521 times
Reputation: 12406
Your better off renting and keeping that money as savings cause your not going to find a nice condo with all the amenities you had in Utah in the San Fernando Valley for $215k.
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Old 03-11-2013, 04:55 AM
 
4,538 posts, read 10,631,284 times
Reputation: 4073
No.

If you don't believe me, do a search in Redfin with those parameters and pay attention to parking, HOA fees, and recent sold prices in the area.

If imagine a realtor is going to come along and tell you that you can in fact find something, but it will either be someplace crappy like Panorama City, Reseda, Van Nuys, North Hills, or Canoga Park, or it will be more expensive than you are looking for.
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Old 03-11-2013, 08:59 AM
 
Location: East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area
23,539 posts, read 24,041,250 times
Reputation: 23962
You should probably consider renting first, to get an idea of the area.
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Old 03-11-2013, 10:24 AM
 
374 posts, read 721,844 times
Reputation: 359
South of magnolia street
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Old 03-11-2013, 10:31 AM
 
6,039 posts, read 6,056,289 times
Reputation: 16753
I think you *might* be able to find something in the older condo sections of Warner Center in Woodland Hills. I seem to think I've seen signs there for about $200K.
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Old 03-11-2013, 10:39 AM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,771,454 times
Reputation: 17831
Where is your job located? That is the biggest unknown for us. Traffic is a big consideration.

I agree with consider renting first.

If you do buy, financing at today's 3% rates at your age (early 30s) makes a lot of sense. Paying cash makes practically no sense unless you might sell in a few years in which case renting makes sense. What's the arbitrary requirement to pay cash? (Of course I don't know all your details...)
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Old 03-11-2013, 11:18 AM
 
10,681 posts, read 6,117,157 times
Reputation: 5667
Where to live: ....

Where not to live: The Valley..

Why?

Because lol @ the Valley..
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Old 03-11-2013, 12:24 PM
 
Location: NoHo (North Hollywood)
448 posts, read 1,606,360 times
Reputation: 262
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicano3000X View Post
Where to live: ....

Where not to live: The Valley..

Why?

Because lol @ the Valley..
Really? We're still playing this game?
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