Raising a family near Los Angeles? Does this place exist? (Long Beach: environment, smog)

[sweettea1]

If you had to pick an area or two accessible to Los Angeles but without the Los Angeles 'vibe' in terms of raising a family (even though we work in the biz, we don't care about 'the scene') where would you live? I'm currently in the South and love the way I'm able to raise my kids but work is pulling me towards Los Angeles. My priorities are:

1. Kids raised in a healthy environment emotionally. Will have to deal with smog later... but in terms of not keeping up with the Lohanses (lol) or feeling the need to always have the best of everything. A place where life outside of LA is something people discuss!

2. Good schools

3. Accessible Jewish Community

4. Walkable community/neighborhood

5. Not a million degrees (read: not Valley)

6. Less than one hour (with traffic) to Los Angeles (Beverly Hills or Studios)

Is Pasadena the answer? Long Beach? Help! Thanks!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by sweettea1

If you had to pick an area or two accessible to Los Angeles but without the Los Angeles 'vibe' in terms of raising a family (even though we work in the biz, we don't care about 'the scene') where would you live? I'm currently in the South and love the way I'm able to raise my kids but work is pulling me towards Los Angeles. My priorities are:

1. Kids raised in a healthy environment emotionally. Will have to deal with smog later... but in terms of not keeping up with the Lohanses (lol) or feeling the need to always have the best of everything. A place where life outside of LA is something people discuss!

2. Good schools

3. Accessible Jewish Community

4. Walkable community/neighborhood

5. Not a million degrees (read: not Valley)

6. Less than one hour (with traffic) to Los Angeles (Beverly Hills or Studios)

Is Pasadena the answer? Long Beach? Help! Thanks!

Do you know where you will be working? Beverly Hills pretty much for sure? Somewhere near there? Where will your spouse be working?

What is your budget?

[NaplesRes]

The good parts of Long Beach will meet your needs but the drive will be close to an hour in rush hour to Beverly Hills.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by NaplesRes

The good parts of Long Beach will meet your needs but the drive will be close to an hour in rush hour to Beverly Hills.

One hour sounds too short of time in traffic. Its 40 minutes with no traffic (32 miles).

from: long beach, ca to: beverly hills, ca - Google Maps

[Sierra56]

Lakewood I recommend. We have lived here 15 years for most of your reasons. There is a Jewish presence in LB/Lakewood. I am not too familiar with the details in that regard, but I know there is. There is a Jewish school in LB and several synagogues. From Lakewood, figure 1.5 hours to Century City on an average day.

[sweettea1]

Lakewood is in Long Beach? How would you compare to say, South Pasadena?
Thanks for all of your input thus far! I should also add that we're not terribly religious (don't need to be in a walking community) but just want access to a JCC and sense of community.
Thanks again! My work will be flexible and I'd only be driving into LA for meetings on a fairly regular basis so it's not like I'd be in a regular commuting situation.

[edelweiss]

South Pasadena is beautiful but can be expensive... as Charles asked... "budget?"

[CESpeed]

Normally I would recommend Culver City but that might be too close to "the scene". I would definitely choose Pasadena over Long Beach but Pasadena in is the San Gabriel Valley which gets hotter than the San Fernando Valley. If you could stand the heat there are great communites all along the 210 freeway. I think that West Covina would fit as well. Unfortunately, I can't think of a nice community that would take you out of "the scene" and not have hot "Valley" weather. Sorry if this doesn't help.

[DaBeez]

Originally Posted by sweettea1

If you had to pick an area or two accessible to Los Angeles but without the Los Angeles 'vibe' in terms of raising a family (even though we work in the biz, we don't care about 'the scene') where would you live?

The only people who care about the "vibe" or "the scene" are the young people who move here from outside of California and are struggling to try to fit in and pursue their careers. The people who are actually working in "the biz" are just like you - family oriented want the best schools for their children.

Will you rent or buy? What is your budget? The valley has some nice areas (Encino - Valley Beth Shalom) with very close knit Jewish population (Jewish and Persian/Jewish). Are you not considering the valley solely because of the weather? I see from your posts that you are from Atlanta area and believe me, the valley is not as hot or humid as Georgia.

[Sierra56]

Lakewood is adjacent to LB, north and east. It is a good family place, I think, and an established neighborhood. South Pas is more urban and gets the spotlight flashed on it every Jan 1. Property cost more also. Right now they are also in a battle to keep the 710 freeway from being constructed through to the 210 freeway. If you are from Atlanta (?) you are now speaking to a fellow Georgian (from Cobb Co.). I recommend Lakewood or East Long Beach. Yes the commute to BH is 1.5 hrs average and that is less than what you would have from Pasadena. There are stores within walking distance and you have service streets that parallel the main streets so you are not pulling out of your driveway into main traffic. The homes are small but well constructed. And all the streets have trees. Some even have pine trees!