Which city should I buy a house? (Long Beach, Glendale: for sale, HOA)

[Rhome]

I am planning to buy a house this year. After few days house hunting research, I am totally confused. I don't know which city I should choose.

Currently, I am working in Downtown L.A. I would like to buy a house in a good and safe area with convenient public transportation system. Due to my tight budget (around $300K), I have thought about buying a condo in Glendale with about $200 HOA or buy a SF house in Chino Hills. I love the houses in Chino Hills because they are comparatively newer, cheaper and, of course, no HOA. However, Chino Hills is far from downtown L.A., it will cost a long time to commute to Downtown LA everyday. I have also thought about the houses in fullerton and I may take metrolink to work. But houses price of the area that I like is far beyond my budget.

Could anyone give some suggestions? Or which one is better, a condo in Glendale or a house in Chino Hills?

[EscapeCalifornia]

You don't want to drive from Chino Hills to downtown every day unless your hours are 5am to 1pm.

[BRinSM]

it seems that you have the same problem that many, many middle class folks in LA face (myself included). no one wants to live too far from work, but reasonably priced homes that aren't 'ghetto' aren't conducive to a short commute. anyways, you may consider the northern san fernando valley, areas like northridge and chatsworth have metrolink stops and will have more options in your price range. the simi and santa clarita valleys also have metrolink stations with cheaper, newer homes bur are even further away.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

You could buy a new townhouse in Oxnard for under $300,000 and commute on the Mertrolink. You could buy an older home in mid town Oxnard for around $250,000. I have also seen homes on the north end of Oxnard that were built in the mid to late 1970's going for under $300,000.

[bhcompy]

you may be able to find a condo in Long Beach for that much in a decent area. There are houses available for that much in Long Beach, but they are pretty much all in crappy areas. Blue line takes you right into downtown

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Of all the other places in LA to consider why are you only considering Glendale and Chino?

Between the two I would surely recommend Glendale. Very nice area that is fairly walkable - Brand Blvd., Mall, Americana. There are quite a few condos for sale on Lexington Just off of Brand that you can check out. I dont know the prices, but its a nice area.

You can also right now find distressed properties at VERY GOOD prices. That is, if you already have your loan DONE and can negotiate. Some other areas to look at right now - Lake Balboa, North Hollywood, both of which are IMO better than going way out to Chino. Plus, I can guarantee you it'll be easier to sell those places than way out in BFE Chino.

[dreamerman]

Try Long Beach.

[Rhome]

Thanks for all the useful suggestions.

Yes, I agree with some of you that Chino Hills might not be the proper place for me.

I will do more research on the area that you suggested. And as a buyer, I also hope the house price would drop a little more so that I could have more choices.

[the one]

glendale, but you can look in areas like montebello, whittier, monterey park, alhambra. you can get a starter home in your price range. they might be older, 2br/1bth, maybe 3/2, but it will be a lot closer that chino and not as expensive as glendale (altho, some areas in the aforementioned areas do have some really expensive properties).

good luck, look closer to the city. prices are good right now.

[Petrala]

I'd second Lake Balboa if you are willing to take metro transit. There are stations all along the lake balboa corridor so commuting that way is easy. Housing values due to the economy make it affordable for a low crime area. Plus, you'd be close to the largest section of green in the Valley which is the Lake Balboa recreational area. Lake Balboa - Lake Balboa - Encino, CA. it's not the ocean but it sure is purty.