Pro/Con, La Crescenta/Stevenson Ranch (Glendale, Pasadena: cul-de-sac, low crime, houses)

[00molavi]

We are relocating to LA. Job is around Van Nuys, off 5/170 fwy. We need good public schools and want to buy now rather than rent. Based on these data and afford ability have narrowed it down to this two areas. Have cheaper and newer houses in Valencia. La Crescenta haousing market is tough even in this market, if it is not falling apart, then it sells above asking price in 2 days. Want to hear pro cons for each area, from traffic to weather to crime and schools, etc.

If it makes a difference we are moving from OC.

[elousv]

I live near Stevenson Ranch and it is very nice and clean there. We almost bought in the area, but ended up in Valencia as the Paseos were a big draw for us. I have not seen much traffic there, but it is mostly houses and not much else. Easy access to the 5, which at times will be completely stopped. Depending on what time of day you are talking, the trip over the Newhall Pass into the San Fernando Valley can be a pain. Schools top notch. Can get really hot in summer, but there are a large number of stupendous days here. Winter has cold snaps, but most days are nice. Have not seen much crime.

[SandyCo]

I grew up in La Crescenta, and even though that was a long time ago now, I'd move back there in a heartbeat if I could. I work in Woodland Hills, though; I couldn't handle that kind of commute every day.

The commute from either area wouldn't be fun. Also, on holiday weekends, the traffic on the north 5 will be crawling on that Friday evening (well, crawling worse than usual, anyway!).

La Crescenta is the Glendale Unified School District, which was just fine way back when, but I don't know what it's like now.

Sorry, but I don't know a lot about Stevenson Ranch.

[Clnconcpts]

Traffic will be a bear to deal with,especially from the Valencia area.That 5 fwy is just insane.

You might consider parts of Northridge,Granada hills as that drive would be slightly easier

Burbank might be even easier.

[jdavid93225]

I work in the same area, and have people I work with that live in each of those areas. The ones who commute from La Crescenta have a much easier drive pretty much every day. It takes them about 20 minutes to get to work, where it takes 20 to 25 minutes from the Valencia/Stevenson Ranch area in good traffic. I start work at 6:30 a.m. so the morning commute over the Newhall Pass hasn't built up too much yet when I go through it. Overall, I would say that La Crescenta would be the easier drive, so if that's your primary consideration, with all other things being equal, I would suggest going there.

I can't speak about schools or emergency services in either area because I'm not too familiar with them, but I do know that both areas are desireable areas in which to live. La Crescenta has a bit more of a small town feel, since it's a fairly close knit community in its own little valley. Stevenson Ranch has more amenities nearby (primarily big box stores), so if that matters, it may affect your decision. La Crescenta is an older community, so it has larger, more mature trees, but also has older homes requiring more TLC. Most of Stevenson Ranch has been built within the last 15 years.

[Lumerian Feast]

Twenty minutes from La Crescenta to Van Nuys during rush hour? Hmm... It takes me 25 minutes to get to Van Nuys when there's not traffic. During rush hour, the 2 is always fine, but then you have to deal with 134, and backup from the 101. Then for this person's job he has to go all the way back up the 5 to near the 170 during rush hour? I don't know...I wouldn't be surprised to see a commute of 30 minutes or more.

That said, La Crescenta is a great place to live.

Pros: Views of the mountains to the north and south of you; very safe; good schools. 12-15 minutes to Eagle Rock, Pasadena & Glendale, 20 minutes to Los Feliz/Silver Lake/Griffith Park, 25 minutes (or less, depending on traffic) to Hollywood and downtown. Nice cafes and restaurants in Montrose (which is pretty much indistinguishable from La Crescenta). Lots of parks (Crescenta Valley Park, Dunsmore Park, Deukmejian Park). Farmer's Market is great. Technically it's part of Glendale, which means you get somewhat better city services -- though fees can be higher and they're sticklers for regulations. Low crime. The 2 is never backed up unless there's a bad accident, and 210 is usually pretty clear.

Cons: If there is any traffic at all, it can take a very long time to get to anywhere on the west side. Fastest I've gotten to Santa Monica, when the traffic gods smiled upon me: 30 minutes. Usually, though, it takes anywhere from 50 minutes to 2 hours. Took me two hours to get back from Bel Air the other day. "Affordable" (i.e. less ghastly expensive) homes can be quite small (though I guess that's anywhere...)

There's no nightlife and, while it's not country (it's still basically LA after all), it's not hipster central like, say, Silver Lake. This is either a pro or a con, depending on what you're looking for.

[00molavi]

Thanks for all the responses so far.
Lumerian, I know commute time guesses can be off by a lot when you factor in special situations. I tried the commute from "work" to La Crescenta on a weekend. I can take surface road to 210 and just be on the 210 fwy for 2-3 miles, or go up north to 5 and then East 210. Mileage is less than the 2, 134, 5 route. I am not sure how busy the surface roads would be on work days.

I have also tried the surface roads for Valencia, but again on off hours. The 5 north PM commute on one weekday I tried from "work" to Stevenson ranch was 40 min., now I am more worried about the AM commute. In the afternoon I can sit in the car, I guess Fridays I could really get bored in the car, but being late to work is not fun.

Keep the posts coming, I need all the help I can get.

[maja]

Stevenson Ranch is "virtually" crimefree for the most part. Schools are as safe as they get in California. Quality of education is very, very good. Life in Stevenson Ranch is extremely family oriented. Tons of block/cul-de-sac parties, Bunco, Texas Hold-Em, Southern Living Parties, SUV driving SoccerMoms, etc. If that is something you like, Stevenson Ranch is the place for you!

[Lumerian Feast]

Originally Posted by 00molavi

Thanks for all the responses so far.
Lumerian, I know commute time guesses can be off by a lot when you factor in special situations. I tried the commute from "work" to La Crescenta on a weekend. I can take surface road to 210 and just be on the 210 fwy for 2-3 miles, or go up north to 5 and then East 210. Mileage is less than the 2, 134, 5 route. I am not sure how busy the surface roads would be on work days.

One experiment you might want to try: from Foothill Blvd in La Crescenta/Tujunga, take Tujunga Canyon Blvd. to LaTuna Canyon Road into the 5/170 area. IIRC, it's mostly a single lane each direction through the mountains with no stoplights until you get to Sunland Blvd., and it might put you in pretty close to where you work. Pretty drive, avoids highways altogether. I have no idea how heavily traveled LaTuna Canyon Road is during the morning. During non-rush hours, it's pretty much empty.

Also, have you considered Burbank? It's pleasant, safe, and very close to your work area.