Help, i'm moving to so cal in June, need a good family location (Long Beach: renting, condo)

[mizzc]

I originally thought about moving to Long Beach, but after reading some threads here, I got a lil nervous. Can you please help me, I'll tell you what i'm looking for, a diverse (i'm black), middle class community where I can raise a 10 year old. I'm a stay at home mom, so someplace close to school would be nice so i can volunteer. The 1st year, I plan on renting, (2bd, no more than $3,500 a month), after that i'll probably buy a small condo. I'm looking for something with a great school district, good restaurants, that's not too boring or too wild. I want a place thats low in crime, of course and someplace thats kid friendly. Thank you all in advance, I've learned so much off this site already!

[katenik]

where is your husband working?

[mizzc]

Originally Posted by katenik

where is your husband working?

I'm divorced and 36. I live in a suburb in Cincinnati now where there are a lot of restaurants and night life within walking distance and it's really safe. I want someplace thats vibrant and fun but not too crazy. I'm not looking for anyplace thats too far out of the way and boring either. Hope this helps, thanks for asking.

[impala666]

Originally Posted by mizzc

I originally thought about moving to Long Beach, but after reading some threads here, I got a lil nervous. Can you please help me, I'll tell you what i'm looking for, a diverse (i'm black), middle class community where I can raise a 10 year old. I'm a stay at home mom, so someplace close to school would be nice so i can volunteer. The 1st year, I plan on renting, (2bd, no more than $3,500 a month), after that i'll probably buy a small condo. I'm looking for something with a great school district, good restaurants, that's not too boring or too wild. I want a place thats low in crime, of course and someplace thats kid friendly. Thank you all in advance, I've learned so much off this site already!

Burbank.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mizzc

Hope this helps,

You are divorced and a stay at home mom?

What does dad think about you taking his kid across country?

[mizzc]

Is Burbank family friendly? I've did some research on it and it seems like a good area. And dad is relocating as well from Ohio, we were looking at a few other cities, Charlotte, Dallas but I love the weather and atmosphere in CA. We are not like most divorced couples, we actually get along and both have our childs best interest at heart. Although we probably will not be in the same city, as long as we're no more than a 4 hour flight or an 8 hour drive away from one another, we'll be fine.

[timelesschild]

Yes, Burbank is family friendly. Long Beach is a good area too, and plenty diverse.

[bhcompy]

If you were looking at Long Beach I would still suggest Long Beach. Stay on the east side of long beach or in bixby knolls for the bets family atmosphere. Diverse city for sure.

You could also look in neighboring Lakewood, which has a growing number of middle class blacks. Great middle class family community and fairly diverse.

[mizzc]

thanks, i'm coming back in March to stay for a couple weeks so i can really go out and 'see' things...i just appreciate all the help i'm getting online from people who know:-)...it's going to help me focus on the places i should and not waste time while i'm there, coming from a city where i am the only black family on my street, i just wanted a place a little more diverse, don't want all white or all black, the city doesn't even have to be majority black...i just don't want to be the resident black person at starbucks lol.

[fatmancomics]

Burbank is great but not the most diverse place. Black folks there are still a very small minority. I'd say look for somewhere near Woodland Hills. If you're willing to pay $3500 for an apt. Warner Center is right up your alley. There is tons of shopping and lots of night dining within walking distance. The schools are not as good as the ones in Burbank but definitely some of the best in the San Fernando Valley.
Stay away from Reseda, Canoga Park, and most of Winnetka (I live in Winnetka but on the cusp of the "good part").
Burbank should be your first choice but, if you're not willing to be a seriously outnumbered minority, I suggest Warner Center.