Moving to CA - job in Santa Monica (Thousand Oaks, Culver City: rental market, houses)

[mezz]

Hi all -

I'm moving to LA from the East Coast for a job. I'll be working in Santa Monica, I have a family (wife, 21 month old).

1) Looking for recommendation on housing - we live in a suburban area now and like it a lot. Need kid-friendly area and activities close by. I understand that the rental market is much different in LA and there is more value in renting.

2) My wife is looking at houses in Thousand Oaks area, looks like that will be an hour+ commute though === please advise....looks like the best way to commute is taking 101 to Malibu Canyon/Topanga Canyon/27 to PCH.

thanks for your help

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mezz

Hi all -

I'm moving to LA from the East Coast for a job. I'll be working in Santa Monica, I have a family (wife, 21 month old).

1) Looking for recommendation on housing - we live in a suburban area now and like it a lot. Need kid-friendly area and activities close by. I understand that the rental market is much different in LA and there is more value in renting.

2) My wife is looking at houses in Thousand Oaks area, looks like that will be an hour+ commute though === please advise....looks like the best way to commute is taking 101 to Malibu Canyon/Topanga Canyon/27 to PCH.

thanks for your help

Price range?

Those routes are two alternatives, the other is 101/405. Probably depends on where in Santa Monica, east side or west side. Can you work a 7-330 type shift? If not, then any route will be bad.

What about Culver City?
What about El Segundo?

[mezz]

Originally Posted by Charles

Price range?

Those routes are two alternatives, the other is 101/405. Probably depends on where in Santa Monica, east side or west side. Can you work a 7-330 type shift? If not, then any route will be bad.

What about Culver City?
What about El Segundo?

I can work a 7-7 shift . Seriously, I'll probably be working 8-6 or so. How long will that commute be - an hour? or longer???

Culver City/ El Segundo - like I said, I'm from the east coast, I really don't know much about the areas around SM, so they sound fine so long as they're kid/family friendly.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mezz

I can work a 7-7 shift . Seriously, I'll probably be working 8-6 or so. How long will that commute be - an hour? or longer???

Culver City/ El Segundo - like I said, I'm from the east coast, I really don't know much about the areas around SM, so they sound fine so long as they're kid/family friendly.

So...are you going to rent or buy?
Rent budget or price range?

[mezz]

Originally Posted by Charles

So...are you going to rent or buy?
Rent budget or price range?

trying to decide rent/ buy. Looking to spend 2,500/ mo. or in that range.

Also, job is right near 2nd/3rd street/beach.

Price for buying housing = $600-800K.

[Charles]

From Thousand Oaks (actually depends on where in Thousand Oaks: Newbury Park? Wildwood? They are far out..Lang Ranch? It's closer on the eastern side of TO), you're probably looking at at least an hour one way; I'd probably leave at 6:45 to make it to SM by 8.

What intersection in SM? Maybe 101/405 would be better if it was on the east side of SM.

[mezz]

Originally Posted by Charles

What intersection in SM? Maybe 101/405 would be better if it was on the east side of SM.

So is there traffic on 101 between thousand oaks and Calabassas? what about getting from 101 to PCH?

If I took the 405, I'd have to take the 10 in the entire way == thought the 405 would be xtremely packed that way. workplace is around 2nd and Wilshire, so I thought the PCH would be the best way to go.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mezz

So is there traffic on 101 between thousand oaks and Calabassas? what about getting from 101 to PCH?

If I took the 405, I'd have to take the 10 in the entire way == thought the 405 would be xtremely packed that way. workplace is around 2nd and Wilshire, so I thought the PCH would be the best way to go.

Ya, I think Lost Hills through Malibu Canyon would be the way to go.
There is traffic on the 101 heading east, especially when the sun is in everyone's eyes.

Check out

Sigalert.com - Personalized Traffic Reports during the times you expect to commute.

You can also check out google maps traffic. There is now a traffic history feature which provides an estimate of traffic speed during a chosen time of the day.

[RPV2NC]

Have your wife check out Agoura and Oak Park. They may be somewhat closer and are still suburban, family friendly, and likely in your price range.

[BRinSM]

you can get a nice 4br house in the TO area for $600k these days. However, as mentioned, your drive is going to be long and slow. Some of the coastal areas are bit more expensive, but you may find something in your price range. You may consider El Segundo, which is much closer to Santa Monica. Traffic will still be terrible, but atleast you won't have to worry as much about the $4 gas.