Burbank Advice: Magnolia Park or the Hill? (Glendale, Pasadena: estate, apartments)

[ConsideringLA]

Hello,

You all helped with our transition from OC to LA earlier this year. THANK YOU! We're renting a home in Encino/Sherman Oaks and have to start thinking about schools for our boys - our oldest is 4 and will be going to preschool this year but starts kindergarden next. Youngest is 2.

I work in Warner Center in corporate IT and bike 2 days per week (ride in, take the orange line back). There is a solid possibility my company will relo to Burbank in the next 2 years, and I genuinely love my job, but recognize all things come to an end - living close to ample job opportunities is important.

We're near Hesby Oaks and have heard mixed things. We don't want the kids to start down a path that leads to an LAUSD high school, and can't stand WH heat (as in feeding Taft or El Camino). Pasadena's schools seem spotty (APIs are weak and scattered), though we LOVE South Pas & LCF, they are too pricey. We love the Montrose feel but we're just not fans of Glendale (can't explain it - just the vibe and aesthetics).

That leaves Burbank - the likely relo destination for my company.

The schools seem decent (Jefferson and Roosevelt, feeding Muir and Starr, Burroughs and Burbank - all respectively).

Jefferson is on the Hill, Roosevelt is in Magnolia Park.

Here's what is important, in rough order of importance:
- Feed Jefferson or Roosevelt
- "Cute street" with well-kept homes (first part is a wife quote)
- Neighbors with little kids
- Walk to school
- Walk to park
- Would like to bike to the NoHo orange line station (transition until the company moves)
- Walkable to shopping

As far as the structure, 4br, 1800+ sf, updated. Will spend $550k - $650k and will take our time over the next few months to find the right home and deal.


We keep coming back to Magnolia Park because of walkability, but what are we giving up that's on the Hill?

What are the traffic and accessibility differences?

Differences in safety or is it too close to call?

What is Magnolia Park's reputation?

What direction are the schools headed in? Improving or maintaining?

Thanks all for your help!

[DaBeez]

What is "Magnolia Park"? What are the major intersections? Sounds like an area of Burbank that like many other parts of LA, have been given new "names" that arent really "real" names. Are we talking Burbank near Hollywood Way and Magnolia?

[ConsideringLA]

Originally Posted by DaBeez

What is "Magnolia Park"? What are the major intersections? Sounds like an area of Burbank that like many other parts of LA, have been given new "names" that arent really "real" names. Are we talking Burbank near Hollywood Way and Magnolia?

Roughly, yes - my understanding is it is bordered by Chandler to the north, Verdugo to the south, Clybourn to the west, and Buena Vista to the east. Zip is 91505.

Magnolia Park in wikipedia

Magnolia Park writeup in LA Times

It is actually on many maps, including Redfin, and is not a "new name" - it was developed as such in the early 1920's.

[DaBeez]

Been in Burbank area my entire life and never heard that area being referred to as "Magnolia Park". Learn something new every day.

Thats a pretty nice area. If you're in walking distance to Portos you're doing well. The schools as you mentioned before are Burbank High, Burroughs and I believe Providence/St. Joseph High school near the hospital. Schools are going down a bit with Providence being the best of the three closely followed by Burroughs. Burbank high started going downhill a few years ago. Lots of drugs and Armenian vs. Mexican "gang" activity. Burbank would definately be the last choice of the three.

[streetscenes]

I just looked at a house in the Burbank Hills this morning and I've looked at alot of properties in both areas over the years. The hills is more family friendly from what I can see. The houses are nice and there is good access to the nearby parks up in the hills. Also this area is closer to more of the entertainment stuff in downtown Burbank. The main downside is that the hills area is a little more difficult to commute from. It would be a tough bike ride to get to the Orange Line station and there are less choices for getting in and out of the area.

The Magnolia Park area is more accessible and thus has more street traffic. Also more apartments in the general area, feels a little more dense. Not as much entertainment in the immediate area but more mom and pop type shops and restaurants. Magnolia Park area should be a little more affordable.

[mjer]

Hello,
I was in a similar situation 12 years ago. At the time we lived across the street from Roosevelt as renters and were looking to buy in either Roosevelt's or Jefferson's districts. We bought "up on the hill" in Jefferson's district. I have 4 kids that have gone through Jefferson, 2 through Muir, and 2 will be in HS this year, one at JBHS & one at BHS. My oldest will be a senior at Burroughs. My second oldest however, will be going to Burbank as a freshman (see why below).

We like where we live, but actually preferred living in Magnolia Park, and would love to move back there. It is much more "neighborly" and I found it to be more kid focused.

Both elementary schools are excellent. Roosevelt has a reputation though of having the parents "run" the school. For example, Burbank schools have a "no sweets rule" and tell parents to give pencils on birthdays. Roosevelt's parents choose to ignore that rule and give cookies/cupcakes. I know this because for 4 years I worked in all the BUSD schools and saw this kind of thing happen. What was not OK at all the other Burbank schools was overruled by the parents at Roosevelt. That being said, I know many, many Roosevelt parents and they absolutely LOVE the school. I just happen to be a stickler for rules .

Jefferson appears to have a lot of families where both parents work, but with flexible schedules (and have a higher income). Probably more so than Roosevelt, where you have more at home moms (and still high income, but not as high as Jefferson's). So with Roosevelt, you would have more "play date" opportunities. I would say at Jefferson you probably have more kids spending their afternoons with tutors or doing Kumon....not because they are behind, but because their parents push them to excel. People have their own opinions about what is more important....social play or academics, so I will leave it at that.

However, when it comes to high schools, I talked to lots of parents (at both Burroughs & Burbank) and found most felt Burroughs to be a better school when it comes to student & teacher respect. I spoke to many subs who wouldn't work at Burbank High because they said the students did not respect the teachers. So when my oldest was going into high school 3 years ago, we put in a transfer & she went to Burroughs. She has had a wonderful experience there. We actually would like our son to go to Burroughs, but are letting him go to Burbank because: 1) he is in Drama and Burbank has a better Drama program and 2) his friends are all going there.

So that's my experience! Hope it helps!
mjer

[ConsideringLA]

mjer,

thanks a ton for your thoughtful reply.

any comments on airport / flight path noise in Magnolia Park vs. the hill?

is it quiet at night?