Advice on moving to LA area (Los Angeles, Glendale: rentals, how much, houses)

[cmos620]

My husband has been offered a really good job in Los Angeles, to begin sometime this summer. My daughter will be starting her Jr. year of HS next Fall. I will be leaving a great job and trying to find a new one there. While the job market "slump" is a concern for me, finding a decent home (and by decent, I mean something with at least 1800 sq feet as we currently have 2200) in an area I won't be afraid for my daughter to live in is obviously a larger concern. An area about 30 miles outside of LA would probably be good, as long as the public schools are good and the area is safe.

Does anyone have any ideas where to start my search?

Also- is the job market as bad as I hear???

[Dark of the Moon]

Originally Posted by cmos620

Also- is the job market as bad as I hear???

I just added this to another thread. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the Los Angeles metro area is currently 11%. So, yeah, it's pretty bad right now.

[KnoxTown]

Budget?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by cmos620

My husband has been offered a really good job in Los Angeles, to begin sometime this summer. My daughter will be starting her Jr. year of HS next Fall. I will be leaving a great job and trying to find a new one there. While the job market "slump" is a concern for me, finding a decent home (and by decent, I mean something with at least 1800 sq feet as we currently have 2200) in an area I won't be afraid for my daughter to live in is obviously a larger concern. An area about 30 miles outside of LA would probably be good, as long as the public schools are good and the area is safe.

Does anyone have any ideas where to start my search?

Also- is the job market as bad as I hear???

How bad the job market is, partially depends on your field..

Now, as to where to start looking, depending on your budget and exactly where he will be working I would suggest, So Pasadena, parts of Pasadena, Arcadia, Glendale or even as far out as Glendora to the east..These are just suggestions, but your price range will determine where you may want to look. All the areas I suggested have good schools.

Nita

[cmos620]

Well, budget is sorda hard to answer as there are variables involved that I cannot predict. Like how long it will take me to find a job there and how long it takes to sell our current home. His job will actually be located IN downtown L.A. But he realizes I am not living that close to downtown and is resigned to a commute. I am figuring something app. 30 miles outside the city might be "do-able." The stats posted concerning the job market are pretty scary everywhere. I guess what I meant was, how many of you in CA are having a hard time actually finding work or know someone there who is? I am currently in the Atlanta area and don't personally know of anyone that has lost work or been unable to find work, but the stats would disagree. And, my field is fairly universal; I'm an Office Manager.

[ZenMaster2008]

I have 6 friends who have been laid off in the past year and still don't have jobs. Two have MBAs, 2 are accountants and the other 2 do construction.

[uptown_urbanist]

I know many people - people with advanced degrees and years of experience in their fields - in LA who have lost their jobs. We recently moved from LA due to a job transfer - it was either move or lose the job because the LA position was cut. So yes, it is bad.

You will want to rent first, and not buy - it sounds like you are not at all familiar with the LA area, and LA is such a different kind of city that you will almost certainly want to take at least a little time to get to know it before trying to buy a home (even if it's just a short-term rental). I'm partially guessing that you're not familiar with LA based on your 30-mile radius; in LA people often go by time (as far as commute) and not miles, because traffic is very bad. Also, 30 miles could mean everything from a more stereotypical modern American suburb to a place with a small town feel to somewhere with a more dense, urban feel. You'll need to decide time-wise how long you're willing to spend (or your husband is willing to spend) and work from there.

It's also going to come down ultimately to budget. We lived in South Pasadena, which is a wonderful, family-friendly community not too far from downtown (it's also on the Gold Line light rail, which is very nice and easy); it's safe, has beautiful houses, tree-lined streets, good schools, a strong sense of local community, and a "small town" feel. There's a very nice farmer's market, and there are kids everywhere. There are many rentals, there, too (including houses) if you're open to renting (or renting first). There's one centrally located junior high, and your daughter could walk there from pretty much anywhere in town. My husband (and many of our neighbors) worked in downtown LA.

If you want a more suburban feel (South Pasadena doesn't feel "city," but it's not really suburban, either - more like traditional small town) then the places that Nita mentioned above - parts of Glendale, Arcadia, etc. - would be good options. If you have a lot of money then San Marino is good for schools as well as safe and convenient. Burbank is also often mentioned as a good place for families. I know people who live there and are happy with the city and its schools.

[andyourlittledogtoo]

The South Bay area is a great place to live and has excellent schools also. I'd really try to live somewhere outside the LA Unified School district personally. The beach cities - Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and to some extent El Segundo in some parts of it, are all good safe and attractive areas with good schools and lots of families. Torrance, especially West Torrance and most especially the Hollywood Riviera section are excellent also. All these cities have their own school districts which are excellent. If you don't give us a rental range you'll be able to afford or a housing price range we really can't be more specific as LA is huge and the good areas are much more expensive than the just 'okay' areas. If you tell us what you can afford and also what actual city or part of LA your husband's job is we can be much more helpful. I can't emphasize enough how huge LA county is and how the commute and income affect your living situation here. More than anywhere in the country probably.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by andyourlittledogtoo

The South Bay area is a great place to live and has excellent schools also. I'd really try to live somewhere outside the LA Unified School district personally. The beach cities - Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and to some extent El Segundo in some parts of it, are all good safe and attractive areas with good schools and lots of families. Torrance, especially West Torrance and most especially the Hollywood Riviera section are excellent also. All these cities have their own school districts which are excellent. If you don't give us a rental range you'll be able to afford or a housing price range we really can't be more specific as LA is huge and the good areas are much more expensive than the just 'okay' areas. If you tell us what you can afford and also what actual city or part of LA your husband's job is we can be much more helpful. I can't emphasize enough how huge LA county is and how the commute and income affect your living situation here. More than anywhere in the country probably.

I still think the commute and the family atmosphere is easier to find in So Pasa, Arcadia and Glendale, but you are right, parts of Torrance and the beach areas offer a lot. I would be a little concerned about the commute, it is still within OPs range though.

Yes, no one can advise OP if we don't have some idea as to how much they will be investing in a home. Of course no one can be sure, but even a ballpark figure and what size? Are we talking 200,000 or 800,000? Are we talking 1600 sq ft or 3000 sq feet?

Nita

[cmos620]

OK- more specific, let's see........His job is downtown LA, as in less than a few blocks from the Staples Center. We can't get very firm on the budget yet, but I would say we would try not to go over 600K on a home purchase.

What is the story with Valencia? It looks like a great little area with some pretty affordable housing.