New job in Glendale - where to live? (Pasadena, Burbank: to rent, condo)

[MisterE]

Hi! My girlfriend will be relocating to LA in a month to work on a 2-year project. Her office will be in downtown Glendale near the Galleria. She's a 31-year old professional making about 80K/year, lives an active lifestyle and has a boyfriend (me) who wants her to live in a safe area and be happy.

She'll be looking to rent a condo or similar and wants to be able to put on her running shoes, walk out the door and enjoy the outdoors and feel relatively safe. She's currently living in a employer-supplied condo in a gentrifying area of South Phoenix. The heat is killing her because she feels trapped indoors. (it's been over 100 the last couple weeks) And she can't really leave her development on foot anyways because its surrounded by barrio.

She doesn't need more than a 1bd and she doesn't want to spend half her paycheck on rent. She'd like to be able to walk from her condo to a park and read a book without being accosted. And finally, she appreciates locally-owned business and rejects chain-stores/restaurants whenever she has the option. Oh, and of course, she'd like to be able to get to her work without spending more than 30 minutes in traffic.

Is all this a tall order? lol

Please help. I love her dearly and want the best for her. Any help would be appreciated in helping us narrow our search. Thanks!

[BRinSM]

burbank, toluca lake, glendale, pasadena, eagle rock, los feliz, silverlake........

[timelesschild]

She is in luck - that is an area with LOTS of parks and nature. Check out a map of the area around Glendale. To the south of Glendale, you will see Griffith Park, which is perfectly huge, with lots of hiking/jogging/equestrian trails. Anywhere around it would be good for her to live.

All BRinSM's recommendations are good. Start with Glendale and fan out from there. I really think she is going to be surprised and pleased with the options she has.

[KnoxTown]

Toluca lake

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by KnoxTown

Toluca lake

This^.

[boi2socal]

Los Feliz, Toluca Lake, Silver Lake...all good options with an easy commute to Glendale.

I live in Franklin Village which is near Beachwood Canyon. This is another great area with a small strip of shops and also easy access to Glendale. Not to mention it is very near Downtown Hollywood, 101 Freeway, etc. Trail heads into Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park are also nearby.

[MisterE]

Thanks for the responses! But start with Glendale? From my research on this forum so far, it seems like Glendale isn't all that nice compared to some of the nearby areas. Particularly if you're not armenian. Is the area around Griffith Park safe compared to the other areas mentioned? (Los Feliz, Toluca Lake, Silver Lake...)

Originally Posted by timelesschild

She is in luck - that is an area with LOTS of parks and nature. Check out a map of the area around Glendale. To the south of Glendale, you will see Griffith Park, which is perfectly huge, with lots of hiking/jogging/equestrian trails. Anywhere around it would be good for her to live.

All BRinSM's recommendations are good. Start with Glendale and fan out from there. I really think she is going to be surprised and pleased with the options she has.

[Jonah1979]

Don't even bother with Glendale...I'd recommend Pasadena, it will take care of all her needs.

[harhar]

If I could live and work in Glendale I'd be pretty stoked to give up a car and walk or bike to work.

That's 0 min in a car.

Glendale isn't bad. Yes there are Armenians but what are they going to do to you?

If she doesn't mind driving Pasadena is a bit nicer and more MOR, but if she wants a bit of edge she can head a bit south and live in Silverlake or Los Feliz.

[Mrs. Quagmire]

There's an area right by Los Feliz & Silverlake called Atwater Village. AV used to be nice & laid back. Not anymore. It's been badly barrio-ized, and is gang-infested. DO NOT consider Atwater Village.

There's an area east of Forest Lawn near the Taylor Yards railroad area. Also very badly gang contaminated. No go there.

I would recommend Burbank, North and East Glendale, Pasadena, Silverlake, Los Feliz, La Canada/Flintridge, Montrose, and Echo Park, an artistic area that actually improved in recent years.