Living and commuting in LA (Los Angeles, Santa Monica: transplants, real estate, homes)

[Carolyn Guss]

I'm relocating from London to LA with my husband as he has a job in Calabasas. We don't want to live out in the suburbs - being from London we love the city life although we are looking forward to a bit more space and outdoor time in LA. We've heard the commuting is terrible so thought Sherman Oaks would be a good place to live. We are trying to figure out:

- How long does it take to commute from S Oaks to Calabasas during rush hour (Google Maps seems pretty unrealistic)
- Is Sherman Oaks fun - we are in our early thirties but don't have kids and want some nice bars and restaurants close by
- What's the story with living in "The Valley" - it seems like there's a stigma but we can't quite figure out what it's about
- Are there any other areas we should be looking at?

Thanks for any advice!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Carolyn Guss

I'm relocating from London to LA with my husband as he has a job in Calabasas. We don't want to live out in the suburbs - being from London we love the city life although we are looking forward to a bit more space and outdoor time in LA. We've heard the commuting is terrible so thought Sherman Oaks would be a good place to live. We are trying to figure out:

- How long does it take to commute from S Oaks to Calabasas during rush hour (Google Maps seems pretty unrealistic)
- Is Sherman Oaks fun - we are in our early thirties but don't have kids and want some nice bars and restaurants close by
- What's the story with living in "The Valley" - it seems like there's a stigma but we can't quite figure out what it's about
- Are there any other areas we should be looking at?

Thanks for any advice!

Sounds like you did some homework. Sherman Oaks may be a little more fun for you as it has what you are looking for, more so than Calabasas or Woodland Hills. Sherman Oaks however is "out in the suburbs" too. Based on what you wrote I would have probably recommended Sherman Oaks except you will have to deal with that commute. His work buddies may be commuting 5 minutes. Are you going to bars and restaurants every night? If not, then consider living closer: Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Topanga (a different place altogether but not too far away), Encino. Going west of Calabasas becomes more and more family oriented, minimal clubs and bars, less trendy, probably boring, but very nice, leafy, and safe.

Driving in rush hour Sherman Oaks to Calabasas...probably 30-45 minutes.

P.S., I have learned from City Data LA forum that there is a large number of people from England living or congregating in the Santa Monica area. You might check that out for weekend social activities. I wouldn't recommend living there with a commute to Calabasas.

[Carolyn Guss]

Thanks for your reply. It's funny that you mention Santa Monica as it was my first choice before I realised how far it would be. The English contingent probably feel like me - desperate for a beach and some sun!

You said Sherman Oaks is also in the burbs. Does it have that mentality though? You are right that we won't be out every night but we want to feel like there is something happening where we live.

[dbaMommy]

There are very few (if any) places anywhere in the LA basin that will feel like you're in the true suburbs. Anything west of Woodland Hills (out of the basin) though and you have very limited options for nightlife like the other poster said. Depending on how far a commute is comfortable for you (and your price range), the Westside (Westwood, Brentwood, etc.) is nice and would afford you the very easy access to Santa Monica, the beach and the Brit contingent. Also during peak traffic hours for work commuting he'd be largely traveling opposite the worst traffic rather than with it.

[motoman]

Originally Posted by Carolyn Guss

I'm relocating from London to LA with my husband as he has a job in Calabasas. We don't want to live out in the suburbs - being from London we love the city life although we are looking forward to a bit more space and outdoor time in LA. We've heard the commuting is terrible so thought Sherman Oaks would be a good place to live. We are trying to figure out:

- How long does it take to commute from S Oaks to Calabasas during rush hour (Google Maps seems pretty unrealistic)
- Is Sherman Oaks fun - we are in our early thirties but don't have kids and want some nice bars and restaurants close by
- What's the story with living in "The Valley" - it seems like there's a stigma but we can't quite figure out what it's about
- Are there any other areas we should be looking at?

Thanks for any advice!

Regarding Google maps, their travel times during rush hour are usually spot on. Depending on your actual living/working locations, the times could vary materially. But a good rule of thumb for estimating traffic times during rush hour are to assume about 10-15 mph for surface streets, and 15-25 mph for freeways. The Google estimate works out to 22 mph, which is in the range.

[DaveOinLA]

Hey Carolyn,

I'd be happy to assist you and your husband while you relocate. My name's Dave and I'm a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. Sherman Oaks isn't too far away from where your husband works and there's plenty of great restaurants in the area.

When are you both arriving?

Best,
Dave O

Dave O - Realtor(r)
Keller Williams Realty
W: Looking for an Elegant Home in Los Angeles? Which area are you looking for Real Estate? Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica?
P: 310-464-1583

[straight outta camden]

Originally Posted by dbaMommy

There are very few (if any) places anywhere in the LA basin that will feel like you're in the true suburbs.

I disagree. Remember the OP is a Londoner. By that standard, there are very few, if any, places in the LA basin that feel like a city.

As for the Valley and what's up with it, the stereotype is that it is full of dumb blondes (for Valley girls read Essex girls). If this was ever true, it isn't any more. It has its drawbacks, like high heat in the summer. But I wouldn't worry about stigma. Angelenos are not a snobbish lot, by and large--perhaps because so much of the vanity and social one-upmanship is concentrated in the film business. And neighbourhoods can change so quickly that reputations tend not to stick.

[Carolyn Guss]

thanks camden - now i get it. So, airconditioning is a must.

[JackSparrow]

Originally Posted by Carolyn Guss

thanks camden - now i get it. So, airconditioning is a must.

Well, people have lived for thousands of years without air conditioning, but if one of your guilty pleasures is A.C. then you're going to need it.
Funny, I thought Americans were the only wasteful people driving around with their AC blasting. *shrug*

BUT!

I actually posted to say that Sherman Oaks and Calabasas are both awesome areas. Welcome!

[LaoTzuMindFu]

The commute from Sherman Oaks to Calabasas is very doable. Probably around 20-30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes after work. I did that commute for several years. Hmmm...there are really only three "large" employers in Calabasas - Countrywide, Dole and Cheescake Factory. Hope your husband is not working for Countrywide/BofA.

Sherman Oaks seems to have gotten very popular within the last few years for transplants even those in the entertainment industry. For years, most entertainment folks looked down on the valley and wondered why anyone would ever move there, especially if they are looking to "make it". Glad to see my hometown being so popular.