Family Neighborhood Suggestions in LA (from Marin County in NorCal) (Torrance: home, to live in)

[Hippityhop]

Originally Posted by majoun

While they won't find anything in that price range south of Ventura, Sherman Oaks north of Ventura will be doable with that budget.

Sure. I just think that the poster I quoted believes that home prices are what they were in 2010, not 2016.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Hippityhop

Sure. I just think that the poster I quoted believes that home prices are what they were in 2010, not 2016.

La Canada wouldn't have been accessible for them in 2010, either.

[socal88]

Originally Posted by Hippityhop

Sure. I just think that the poster I quoted believes that home prices are what they were in 2010, not 2016.

I do agree that these two areas are a stretch as the options are few and far between under $1.25M in both La Canada and Sherman Oaks, but if you look hard enough, there homes under that range, albeit small, old homes that may need some rehab. There are currently 10 homes south of the boulevard in Sherman Oaks selling for under the top end of OP's range. Sure, a few of them are quite small and old, but they exist.

Also, at almost any given time, I've seen at least a 2-3 homes in La Canada under $1.25M. They sure aren't the latest and greatest, but they exist.

But there are definitely other areas where you get more house for your buck, especially if OP wants a house over 2,000 sq. ft. Some other potential options are Glendale and Woodland Hills. The latter especially has good value as long as OP doesn't mind super hot summers.

[Hippityhop]

Originally Posted by majoun

La Canada wouldn't have been accessible for them in 2010, either.

Well that's not what history says.

The average home price in 2010 was ~ $1.1 Million. In 2016 it's $1.6.
La Canada Flintridge CA Home Prices & Home Values | Zillow

[majoun]

Originally Posted by socal88

I do agree that these two areas are a stretch as the options are few and far between under $1.25M in both La Canada and Sherman Oaks, but if you look hard enough, there homes under that range, albeit small, old homes that may need some rehab. There are currently 10 homes south of the boulevard in Sherman Oaks selling for under the top end of OP's range. Sure, a few of them are quite small and old, but they exist.

Also, at almost any given time, I've seen at least a 2-3 homes in La Canada under $1.25M. They sure aren't the latest and greatest, but they exist.

But there are definitely other areas where you get more house for your buck, especially if OP wants a house over 2,000 sq. ft. Some other potential options are Glendale and Woodland Hills. The latter especially has good value as long as OP doesn't mind super hot summers.

How different are those homes immediately south of Ventura from similar homes north of Ventura? Both north and south of Ventura are nice areas.

North of Ventura there are more homes in their price bracket. Unlike Studio City next door, which would be inaccessible to their price bracket even north of Ventura.

[Happy in L.A.]

There are many safe and wonderful neighborhoods in the City of LA. But the most affordable safe neighborhoods with good schools are outside the city limits. In the Southbay area, I really like Torrance and Redondo Beach. And for 1.2 mil you can probably find a nice house. Nothing extravagant, but nice. And you're within a short distance of the beach, LAX, and about 15 miles north of Long Beach Airport. Closer to downtown LA are the cites of Burbank and Glendale. Both have good schools and parks, in some very nice neighborhoods. And you're close to Burbank Airport and AmTrak has stops in both places. I use the AmTrak Station in Burbank to go to Santa Barbara on wknds. AmTrak Surfliner trains run regularly between San Diego and Santa Barbara, stopping along the way at Union Station in downtown LA. Another area mention on some of these posts is Pasadena and South Pasadena. I'm sure you can find a home for 1.2 mil in those areas and you're back drop are the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains. You're just going to have to look real hard to stay within your budget. Another advantage of living in Pasadena or South Pasadena is the Metro Gold Line transit train which has several stops in both cities. You can jump on the gold line train and be in downtown LA in no time at all. You'll quickly discover that there's a whole lot more to do and see in the LA area than the Bay Area. Good luck with your search.

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by NYC809

Hello,


-Walking distance to parks/restaurants/bars
-We don't want to be far removed from entertainment as we often like to have date nights to see music/dining/etc
-Safe and surrounded by other young and vibrant families
-Great schools (most likely will go to private but would consider a great public school system)
-Access to outdoors/nature

Once, just once, I'd love to see a post where someone asks for a recommendation that looks like this:

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a recommendation on a neighborhood that meets the following criteria:

* Blighted area - a concrete jungle with lots of litter and broken-down wrecks by the side of the road
* No one walks anywhere because if they did they'd be mugged
* Lots of winos, druggies and gang-bangers and general scum
* Lousy schools

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Happy in L.A.

There are many safe and wonderful neighborhoods in the City of LA. But the most affordable safe neighborhoods with good schools are outside the city limits. In the Southbay area, I really like Torrance and Redondo Beach. And for 1.2 mil you can probably find a nice house. Nothing extravagant, but nice. And you're within a short distance of the beach, LAX, and about 15 miles north of Long Beach Airport. Closer to downtown LA are the cites of Burbank and Glendale. Both have good schools and parks, in some very nice neighborhoods. And you're close to Burbank Airport and AmTrak has stops in both places. I use the AmTrak Station in Burbank to go to Santa Barbara on wknds. AmTrak Surfliner trains run regularly between San Diego and Santa Barbara, stopping along the way at Union Station in downtown LA. Another area mention on some of these posts is Pasadena and South Pasadena. I'm sure you can find a home for 1.2 mil in those areas and you're back drop are the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains. You're just going to have to look real hard to stay within your budget. Another advantage of living in Pasadena or South Pasadena is the Metro Gold Line transit train which has several stops in both cities. You can jump on the gold line train and be in downtown LA in no time at all. You'll quickly discover that there's a whole lot more to do and see in the LA area than the Bay Area. Good luck with your search.

Never got an answer from the OP to my questions about where in Marin they live or if they mind an inland environment. Lots of suggestions here for Pasadena, other SGV, nicer parts of SFV, etc. So, if the OP now lives in say Mill Valley, they would be in for quite an adjustment moving to inland parts. If they currently live anywhere north of San Rafael, it wouldn't be as much of a shock. If the OP does not like inland, your South Bay suggestions are more likely to result in a better outcome. But of course, there is a price for everything.

[NYC809]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Never got an answer from the OP to my questions about where in Marin they live or if they mind an inland environment. Lots of suggestions here for Pasadena, other SGV, nicer parts of SFV, etc. So, if the OP now lives in say Mill Valley, they would be in for quite an adjustment moving to inland parts. If they currently live anywhere north of San Rafael, it wouldn't be as much of a shock. If the OP does not like inland, your South Bay suggestions are more likely to result in a better outcome. But of course, there is a price for everything.

Hi BayAreaHillbilly,

Sorry for the delay. I currently rent in Sausalito (3-bedroom home ~5k/month).

[volosong]

Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, or Moorpark. All very, very safe, (a common home for L.A. patrolmen), and family oriented. Good schools with involved parents. Nice parks. Fairly close to L.A.


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