Work at UCLA want to buy a house (Los Angeles, Glendale: for sale, real estate)

[vinci]

Hello All:

I am a UCLA employee for the last 8 years and recently had a kid. Although, we are very happy with the apartment we rent (1.8 miles from campus). We are looking for a safe area with good schools and also I think we have a need for more space and it is time to buy a house. My wife works in China town.

We can probably afford 600K for the house and I know that means one thing for sure LONG COMMUTE to work for both of us. We both like culver city area a lot but it is very difficult to find a good house in this range. Our next choices are Calabasas, Simi Valley, Oak Park, Moorpark. I have never had a long commute in my life and I know it would need a big adjustment on my part. My wife on the other hand is used to sitting in traffic but shudders at the idea of adding another 60 minutes to her daily commute.

I would like to hear from people who live in the above areas and work in West LA. Also if anybody has any other locations which would suit our needs and budget please advise.

Thank you

[TwinMom06]

I work at UCLA. Calabasas and Moorpark are really far away. I once had to visit my friend for dinner in Moorpark afterwork and it took me almost 2 hours to get there on a Friday afternoon. Might be better living closer to where you work and your wife work. It doesn't make sense for you to both have over 2 hours of commute, especially when you child is so young and won't be starting school for several years. Are you going to be happy about driving so much? Also, there are areas with good schools at least through middle school that are closer to your workplaces (UCLA and Chinatown), like Mar Vista, Santa Monica, South Pasadena, and Culver City, as you mentioned. There are probably houses/townhouses in your price range in those areas, but if your dream is to own a 3000 sq ft, 4 BR house on a half-acre lot with a pool then the most economic choices are to commute from places like Calabasas and Santa Clarita. A lot of my colleagues live in Woodland Hills, but I don't know what housing prices look like out there. UCLA has a vanpool program. One of my colleagues commutes from Antelope Valley everyday! So it can be done. Just don't know how flexible your schedule is and how much you can tolerate traffic. Good luck.

[Charles]

Have you considered leaving Los Angeles? Maybe a different UC school so you could transfer or something, somewhere more affordable?

[vinci]

Thanks TwinMom06 and Charles for your comments and suggestions.

I did a dry-run from UCLA and Simi and it took me 40 minutes at around 4PM. It is true that traffic can be horrendous and can vary on a daily basis. We are going to wait a little and watch the housing market and see if we can afford anything closer.

Thanks again.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by vinci

I did a dry-run from UCLA and Simi and it took me 40 minutes at around 4PM.

Wow. That sounds too good to be true even on a Sunday. Forty minutes from Simi to UCLA?

[jessemh431]

Why don't you get a condo somewhere. The areas near UCLA are some of the most expensive in the country, so you won't be able to afford a home.
Single Family Home - 11427 CULVER, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90066 - Realtor.com
Single Family Home - 1757 N Beverly Glen Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90077 - Realtor.com
Single Family Home - 10438 OLETHA LN, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90077 - Realtor.com

Here's the search.
90024, Real Estate Listings and 90024 Single Family Home for Sale - Realtor.com

Consider renting a little bit longer since the housing market continues to drop.

[TheRealAngelion]

You might broaden your search area and also check out Burbank and Glendale and some South Bay cities like Torrance and Cerritos. To find a home in your price range in a neighborhood with decent public schools, you will likely face a commute.

Check out Playa Vista too. With prices flattening, you might find a good deal. I've heard there are a lot of for sale signs over there.

[motoman]

I don't know what you're spending on rent right now, but a $600,000 house, assuming you put down 20%, or $120,000, is going to cost you $4,000+ per month. On top of that, you'll have to factor in higher gasoline costs and car maintenance for the increased commuting. As well as higher car insurance rates.

[LALady]

Originally Posted by vinci

Thanks TwinMom06 and Charles for your comments and suggestions.

I did a dry-run from UCLA and Simi and it took me 40 minutes at around 4PM. It is true that traffic can be horrendous and can vary on a daily basis. We are going to wait a little and watch the housing market and see if we can afford anything closer.

Thanks again.

Repeat your experiment in the morning. It will take a you a LOT longer than 40 minutes.

[black Jack]

With kids it could be complicated, but try the train. There's a lot of opportunity from Thousand Oaks to Pasadena.