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Old 04-15-2014, 08:18 AM
 
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My husband recently took a job that is based in Thousand Oaks. We hear great things about the city in general, however we are younger (29 and 30) and don't have kids yet, so we aren't sure we are ready for complete suburbia lifestyle! We like the idea of living in a more urban area with walk-ability, shops, nightlife, etc. and possibly doing the reverse commute to Thousand Oaks. Is this a crazy idea considering traffic? We don't know much about the area in general but from our research we are considering Studio City, Woodland Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, etc. We also love the idea of Malibu but not sure what renting a 1BR there would run us? We will be renting our first year there until we get to know the area better. We are also curious about commute times FROM these areas to TO. Any suggestions or recommendations would be very helpful! Thanks!
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Old 04-15-2014, 09:55 AM
 
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Studio City: meets your criteria, possibly a 40-60 minute commute?
Woodland Hills: not terribly different than 1000Oaks based on the criteria you mention, but this would be the easiest commute.
West Hollywood: commute will sap your soul. It's not exactly a reverse commute.
Santa Monica: see West Hollywood above. Although you have an alternate with the PCH and one of the canyon roads.

In general, based on my 15 years in the west SFV, the notion of a reverse commute is tricky, since the Conejo Valley is a decent employment center in its own right and I don't often see a completely open 101 in the AM or PM.
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Old 04-15-2014, 10:44 AM
 
Location: TOVCCA
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Malibu has very few apartments, and fewer 1-bedrooms. They are pricy. Heres an example one that's less than 600 sq feet, and it's $2,300. per month:
Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265 is For Rent - Zillow

You could also live north of T.O. in Ventura, but it's anywhere from 26-30 miles depending on where you live, and the commute is about 40 minutes or so depending on traffic.
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Old 04-15-2014, 12:22 PM
 
Location: SoCal again
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nightlysparrow View Post
You could also live north of T.O. in Ventura, but it's anywhere from 26-30 miles depending on where you live, and the commute is about 40 minutes or so depending on traffic.
LA is much more exciting for a young couple IMO
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Old 04-15-2014, 12:51 PM
 
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Thanks for the advice everyone! We are definitely leaning towards West LA because it has so much more to offer as far as diverse things to do! Our biggest fear is the commute from this area to Thousand Oaks and back on a weekly basis. I've heard great things about Studio City. Would this be a good mix/balance between city life but an easier commute? We know absolutely nothing about SoCal other than what we have researched online!
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Old 04-15-2014, 01:29 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alliecat313 View Post
Thanks for the advice everyone! We are definitely leaning towards West LA because it has so much more to offer as far as diverse things to do! Our biggest fear is the commute from this area to Thousand Oaks and back on a weekly basis. I've heard great things about Studio City. Would this be a good mix/balance between city life but an easier commute? We know absolutely nothing about SoCal other than what we have researched online!
If you handcuff yourself to that commute it will sour your LA experience. Just MHO.

People will say the 405 north in the morning is ok, and sometimes it is but it's not a guarantee. Also you need to GET TO the 405 from the local streets on the west side (and back on the PM side), which can be a nightmare.

Also, the 101 westbound is not truly a reverse commute to TO.
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Old 04-15-2014, 01:44 PM
 
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Speaking as someone who did the T.O. to Santa Monica commute for a couple years, it can really wear you down. I would put about 26K or more on the car each year and burn a tank a week. I did this for work, not for a lifestyle decision so some people would have different priorities. As other posters said, don't think of 101-N as a "reverse commute" since everything is interconnected. The traffic in LA is like scrambled eggs, it flows and bubbles in all directions.

You can ask yourself how much time do you spend at work? (most of it) How much time do you spend going out? (2x per week maybe) It makes more sense to live near where you work. Since you won't be commuting you'll have the time energy and money to go out more anyway! Good luck with your decision.
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Old 04-15-2014, 01:49 PM
 
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Considering this, does Woodland Hills have more to offer in the way of "nightlife" than Thousand Oaks? We just don't want to be stuck with only strip malls, cookie cutter neighborhoods and chain restaurants!
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Old 04-15-2014, 01:51 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Alliecat313 View Post
I've heard great things about Studio City.
You would still need to pass through the 101/405 interchange. Anytime in the morning prior to 6:15 AM is a god awful nightmare.. With the money you save in gas, you could probably get a hotel room on saturday night in one of those "cool" places.. I lived in Thousand Oaks for 8 years, and it really isn't that bad, but it is suburbia.
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Old 04-15-2014, 01:55 PM
 
Location: TOVCCA
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Check this past thread from the Ventura County forum:

Thousand Oaks to Santa Monica? Burbank?
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