UK Resident looking to move to San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles: houses, neighborhoods)

[Pepperami]

Hey guys girls....

I am living in the cess pool that is now the United Kingdom!

I saw a program on Property the other night and San Fernando Valley had a brief showing, too brief!

I am looking to buy a house (I really don't know the difference between all the different types I see advertised to be honest!) and so wondered if anyone could help me with a few questions?

I would love to buy a ranch style house like the one I saw, but really anything that has 3 bedrooms and a nice big garden with views will do!

Looking for a more quieter area but not the back of beyond if that makes any sence!

Were not rich, and I dont want to be living in a "KEEP UP WITH THE NEIGHBOURS AREA" lol were honest hard working people, who want to be able to socialise with the neighbours and appreciate the surroundings

Tall order huh

any help would be VERY appreciated please

See you soon hopefully!

Chris & Jules (UK)

[Pepperami]

Thanks

[calabasasgirl]

Why the sudden influx of British people looking to move to Los Angeles?

If you move to the SF Valley stay in the cities along the 101 freeway. Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Calabasas. Avoid the other cities like Van Nuys, Reseda, Canoga Park, Winnetka, etc because they're ghetto and ugly. I don't care if people get offended, it's just the truth.

I would suggest Sherman Oaks

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Pepperami

I saw a program....

Where will you work? (Visas, Work permits squared away?)
What is your price range?
Kids? Ages?

[Clinton167]

I remember writing a ton of posts about visas. Now I just write a ton of posts about searching for posts on visas...
There are lots and lots of Brit's moving to LA threads. Have you had a look?

[LABornandRaised]

Ranch style homes seem to be very prominent in the Woodland Hills area, especially if you want to be along the 101 Freeway (nicer areas). I'm not too much a fan of ranch style, but to each his/her own. Northridge also tends to have many ranch style homes. These areas tend to be a bit on the high end in terms of housing prices, so can you give us a range you might be looking at? Welcome UK!

[E_Superhero]

A nice, move-in ready ranch with 3/2 and a good lot in a liveable part of the Valley is still gonna run between 500 and 700K. Keep in mind you're gonna need 10-20% down plus another 3% to cover closing costs. That's about $70-130k... in cash.

[Pepperami]

Thanks for the replies everyone, sorry just got in from work

Now, Employment

Im a fully qualified HGV Driver, my Bro lives in Canada and has been there for 18 months, loves it, and the money for driving is good

I havent looked to deeply into it yet to be honest, I was a Resturant Assistant Manager for Burger King and Mcs, so I have fall back positions but I would rather not go there again

The Wife is self Employed, but she has a range of talents im sure she could find something to be honest

Kids, 2 of them, 12 and 10 both girls

Visas, again not looked to deeply yet, I should have done I know, but this has sorta come on all of a sudden, so I will be looking into it I assure you lol

We own our own home in the UK, so in US Dollars, we will have $250,000.00 so im hoping thats a good enough amount to get the House, and a little over for things we might need (CAR would be one!)

The RANCH Style house looked nice, but again, we live in a house here in the UK so Upstairs/downstairs is good as well.

Again, any type of building is considerable, but the views and nice neighbourhoods are really a must if possible

Thanks again guys n girls!

Chris

[irvine]

Woodland Hills, West Hills, Northridge, and Granada Hills have the best public (i.e. tuition free) school options in the Valley. El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills is generally regarded as the best in LA's school system.

Most homes in these neighborhoods go for about $500,000 and up as E_Superhero said. All these neighborhoods have the typical California ranch and contemporary homes of the 50s and 60s. The Tarzana neighborhood might have slightly less expensive homes than the other neighborhoods mentioned.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by Pepperami

... we will have $250,000.00 so im hoping thats a good enough amount to get the House, and a little over for things we might need (CAR would be one!)

That seems unrealistic to me, even just for the house alone, unless you're intending that as your down payment. It's possible that you might find houses at $250K in some less desirable parts of LA.

I know you mentioned knowing about visas, but don't assume that it's just yours for the asking. And yeah I know we have lots of illegal immigrants, and they seem to find jobs and buy houses, but don't assume that's just going to work. I have a feeling that the US hasn't simply given up on enforcing immigration laws, and it's quite possible that the whole thing may be turned around perhaps some day.