Best areas to live in SFV (job in Woodland Hills) for 50-something old fart guy (Thousand Oaks: apartments, rental)

[robnorth]

I'm a Canadian who worked in SoCal for a few years a few years ago (Ventura County). Now I've been rehired by the same company, and this time I'll be in their Woodland Hills office (near Warner Center). Last time I had my family with me, but this time, it'll be just me.

Which of the nearby areas would be best (or at least better than others) for me to look for either an inexpensive studio/bachelor apt. or (more likely, 'cause I'd like to keep it under $1000/mo) room sharing? I know there'll be lots of rooms shared near CSUN, but I've got no idea which parts of the Valley are "better" than others. (Safer, not super expensive, more things to do, easier to get around via bicycle/walking/transit.)

Within a 10-mile/1-hour (and not too hilly) bike commute would be best, so I'm guessing Woodland Hills, West Hills, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch, Northridge, Van Nuys, Encino, Tarzana, Reseda, Winnetka, and maybe Granada Hills or North Hills?

[BRinSM]

if you want to cycle to the warner center then your best bet is to live near the orange line. the orange line (bus route) has a dedicated bike lane from warner center to chatsworth (north) and north hollywood (east). this will also allow you to bus to work on rainy days. as far as neighborhoods to recommend, the most interesting part of the west valley is probably around warner center. ventura blvd has a lot going on too, but is probably out of your price range and wouldn't be fun to cycle (heavy traffic). CSUN to warner center is probably pushing your 10 mile limit, but may be an option. the west valley is generally not that bad from my experiences, even in the toughest parts (winnetka, reseda, canoga park,...).

[robnorth]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

if you want to cycle to the warner center then your best bet is to live near the orange line. the orange line (bus route) has a dedicated bike lane from warner center to chatsworth (north) and north hollywood (east). this will also allow you to bus to work on rainy days.

This for sure! It's the only reason why I'd consider going as far east as Van Nuys.

as far as neighborhoods to recommend, the most interesting part of the west valley is probably around warner center. ventura blvd has a lot going on too, but is probably out of your price range and wouldn't be fun to cycle (heavy traffic). CSUN to warner center is probably pushing your 10 mile limit, but may be an option. the west valley is generally not that bad from my experiences, even in the toughest parts (winnetka, reseda, canoga park,...).

Certainly finding a place near work would be ideal ... but some quick sniffs on Craigslist and other places suggest that I'd pay a premium for that.

(Also, other than Craigslist, what are good websites to look for apartments and/or room shares?)

[Big-Bucks]

Don't forget about Agoura Hills. Once you get into the Conejo Valley it gets really clean, new, little traffic. Not sure about $1000/mo though.

[christianity]

Originally Posted by robnorth

I'm a Canadian who worked in SoCal for a few years a few years ago (Ventura County). Now I've been rehired by the same company, and this time I'll be in their Woodland Hills office (near Warner Center). Last time I had my family with me, but this time, it'll be just me.

If you're that old and single as you say.. you should live in downtown or the westside.......

[robnorth]

Originally Posted by Big-Bucks

Don't forget about Agoura Hills. Once you get into the Conejo Valley it gets really clean, new, little traffic. Not sure about $1000/mo though.

Thanks! I used to live in Camarillo and work in Thousand Oaks; I agree, Agoura Hills is pretty nice. Haven't seen anything I'd call "inexpensive" rental housing, though.

[robnorth]

Originally Posted by christianity

If you're that old and single as you say.. you should live in downtown or the westside.......

Well, I won't be "single" as such; keeping the marriage, just doing the LDR thing with frequent visits back and forth. Specifically what areas would you include in "downtown" and "westside"?

[socal88]

Finding a decent place in a good part of SFV for under $1K/month is next to non-existent.

Below are the only two places in the west part of SFV under $1K that I found on Zillow.

20300 Vanowen St APT 13, Winnetka, CA 91306 | Zillow

23254 Friar St, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 | Zillow

[nightlysparrow]

Did you look in Simi?

[robnorth]

Originally Posted by socal88

Finding a decent place in a good part of SFV for under $1K/month is next to non-existent.

Actually, looking at "rooms/shared" on Craigslist, I'm finding a bunch of stuff from $600 and up. Obviously, that's not as ideal as having my own space, but in the right circumstances, it'll do.