Thinking about moving to LA - Need Advice (Compton, Woodland: safe area, college)

[coreydavid]

Hi Everyone.

I could use some advice. I grew up on the east coast but now live in the midwest.

I received an offer to work at a company in woodland hills but was told, as a single person, to live outside the valley.

How hard would it be to commute from westwood to woodland hills each day? Would it take long?

Are there areas in the valley that have 20 - 30 something prof, restaurants, coffee shops, etc?

I could really use the advice!

Thanks

[SandyCo]

Welcome, coreydavid! Considering how awful the traffic is on the 101 and 405 freeways on a daily basis, making the commute from Westwood to Woodland Hills and back every day would soon age you or turn you into a raving lunatic! You might be happier if you live very close to where you work, and just drive in to West L.A. or Hollywood for the nightlife whenever you choose to - unless, of course, you party five or more days per week! Besides, Woodland Hills is a very good, safe area, one of the best in the Valley. I also work there, and I'd love to live there if I could afford it.

[TheRealAngelion]

[quote][quote]

Originally Posted by coreydavid

I received an offer to work at a company in woodland hills but was told, as a single person, to live outside the valley.QUOTE]

Whoever told you that doesn't know what they're talking about. As SandyCo said, Woodland Hills is a nice area to live for a single person as are other areas of the Valley such as Encino, Sherman Oaks and Studio City. There are tons of young, single people in the Valley and many, many shops, restaurants, diners, cafes, gyms, etc., etc. Unless you plan on going clubbing in Hollywood every night of the week, there's no need to be on the LA side of the hill. Stay as close as possible to where you work.

[coreydavid]

I'm definately not a clubber.

What I want is a walkable community, retaurants, coffee shops, young profs. Access to hiking and events on the weekend.

Can I get this in the Valley? HR told me Sherman Oaks or Studio City. Are these good areas for that? Easy commute to Woodland Hills - one that won't age me ?

This move is optional. So I'm hesitant as I've heard mixed things.

[Twinkle Toes]

The best advice I can give is carry an AK-47, a Mac-10, a gat, a machete, a stun gun, a taser, a cell phone and a medic alert bracelet!

Just kiding!

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

The best advice I can give is carry an AK-47, a Mac-10, a gat, a machete, a stun gun, a taser, a cell phone and a medic alert bracelet!

Just kiding!

The orig. poster said Woodland Hills, not Compton...

[Twinkle Toes]

I was kidding. I know those areas and they are pretty safe. I moved out of the LA area because it was just getting too crowded. I actually grew up in NPB and went to college in the Boo.

[coreydavid]

Where can I get an AK47? Is there a gun waiting period in CA? In Detroit, where I live, there is no waiting period. They just hand them out, providing you have proper ID, like a library card.

[Twinkle Toes]

Yeah, you just get them on any street corner. No library card needed.

[perks]

If you can afford to live in Westwood, you can certainly afford a nice place in the Valley. I work in Westwood (commuting from Van Nuys), and the traffic through the Sepulveda Pass is just awful no matter which way you go--plus, Westwood is crowded and, quite frankly, kinda grimy. I really don't enjoy hanging out there much.

I agree that Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Studio City are all good, "walkable" areas if you live within a few blocks of Ventura Blvd., where there are lots of stores, restaurants, cafes, and the like. Sherman Oaks or Encino are certainly your better bets if you're working in Woodland Hills. I lived in Sherman Oaks for a couple years and definitely enjoyed it. Yeah, it's the Valley, but I pretty much didn't even need my car on the weekends.