Buying a House in LA (San Diego, Glendale: real estate, apartments, to rent)

[USCMed]

I'm new to LA (just moved here this August), and am in need of some advice. I'm a student at USC School of Medicine, and will be living in LA for at least the next 3 years. My fiancé's mom is a real estate agent in San Diego, and wants to buy a house (or condo or apartment) in LA as an investment. The plan is that we'll live there for as long as we're in LA, and will pay her a reasonable amount of rent. She asked me to give her a list of zip codes so she can start checking out what's available.

The problem is, I am totally unfamiliar with LA. I haven't been out since I've moved here, and don't have the time to drive around and look at things much. The only criteria are that the neighborhood is safe, that it's relatively close to my school (which is separated from the main USC campus, by the way. It's right where the 5 and 10 cross - close to downtown and east LA), and that houses aren't too insanely expensive.

I'd really appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

I hate to tell you but USC Medical Campus is located just east of downtown and adjacent to East LA. Closest cities are Huntington Park, Maywood, Rosemeed, Alhambra, and Montebello.


West of downtown would be a gruesome commute.
Brea would also be a congested, stressful drive.

I would look north in South Pasadena(91030), Pasadena(91109), Glendale(91205), or San Marino(91108).

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Just rent and leave the investing for someone else. You don't want to commute to school if you can avoid it, and any home within 5-10 minutes of there would not be worth buying anyway as an investment.

[Sorcerer68]

There are areas not terribly far from your school. I'd live downtown but that's me. With the urban experience you get everything including bums and crackheads. Alhambra and Monterrey Park are pretty quiet (for the most part) and not terribly far from your school. Polar opposite of downtown.

[USCMed]

Thanks for the replies. I sent her the zip codes you suggested, newport, and added on Alhambra and Monterey Park. I also added Silverlake and Los Feliz, after reading a lot of the other threads on here and talking with my classmates (a lot of them live there).

GradStudent: I'm leaving it up to her whether she wants to invest, and I did tell her we'd be fine with renting a place instead. If she finds something she wants to buy, I'll definitely make sure it's not too far from my school before agreeing.

[Sorcerer68]

90065 Mount Washington is a gem many don't know about. The North and East sides are the nicest. Quiet, views and close to everything. Highland Park is at the base, 90042. The parts at the base of Mount Washington and toward Eagle Rock are nice, the southern part is ratty.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer68

90065 Mount Washington is a gem many don't know about. The North and East sides are the nicest. Quiet, views and close to everything. Highland Park is at the base, 90042. The parts at the base of Mount Washington and toward Eagle Rock are nice, the southern part is ratty.

Mount Washington is a nice and pretty area.

Echo Park is worth checking out, although it varies greatly. Some parts are really nice, but the southern part is still nasty.

[saimamom]

My husband was contemplating a job position at USC and were looking into living in South Pasadena. He said the commute wouldn't be too bad. The house prices were somewhat reasonable compared to LA. And schools were great. It was also quiet, quaint and safe from what I read. I'd go for South Pasadena if I were in your position.

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by saimamom

My husband was contemplating a job position at USC and were looking into living in South Pasadena. He said the commute wouldn't be too bad. The house prices were somewhat reasonable compared to LA. And schools were great. It was also quiet, quaint and safe from what I read. I'd go for South Pasadena if I were in your position.

South Pas is the cleanest and safest of all areas mentioned. My dad's side has lived there since the 40's. It's really beautiful and quiet. Gorgeous Craftsman homes with perfect lawns and tree lined streets. Watching them collect garbage is hilarious...they park the truck in one spot and retrieve the cans with very quiet little motorized things so they don't make noise and disturb the neighborhood. South Pas is also close enough to all that Old Pas has to offer.

[USCMed]

Thank you all for the replies.

I've never heard of Mount Washington, so I'll check that out. I'll add Echo Park to the list of places to look into, too. South Pas is definitely on the list.

I'm also looking around for good apartments to rent, in case she decides she doesn't want to buy, and I came across the Grand Central Square Apartments. They're downtown, right above the Grand Central Market. Is anyone familiar with these, or this area?

Thanks again for the help.