Relocation Help For A Young Family (Los Angeles, Glendale: rent, neighborhoods, good schools)

[DantStation]

I am looking at taking a 2-4 year work assignment in Glendale. My wife and I have 3 children, 4, 2 and a newborn. I have searched previous post and found useful city data. Looking for recommendations on areas based off following requirements:

0) Safe
1) Good schools
2) Short commute time
3) Close proximity to parks, library and other outdoor recreation
4) Close to shopping

General Questions
5) Is it possible to get by with one car?
6) Are there new comers type groups in the area?
7) Could rent up to $3K per month

[JohnG72]

Burbank or South Pasadena. Glendales ok too, but you have to pay attention to location. There are a few sketchy areas.

0.) check
1.) check
2.) check
3.) check
4.) check.
5.) difficult but not impossible, especially if the wife drops you off at work or you take a bus.
6.) dunno.
7.) check.

[uptown_urbanist]

South Pasadena is great, and wouldn't be too bad of a commute to Glendale. Speaking as someone who lived in South Pasadena with a young child without driving, I can attest that you can get by with one car. There's a nice library, great parks, a farmer's market, tons of stuff for young children, stores, and good schools.

Burbank is popular with families. I know people who live there with kids and love it. I'd give it serious consideration for the convenience factor, too. If you lived within walking distance of the central downtown area you could easily get by with one car. There may be some good bus options for you to commute from there, too; I'm sure there's a fairly easy bus route (although haven't done that commute), and think there was at one point talk about adding a Rapid bus that went between Burbank and Glendale. Not sure about that, but you could find it on the Metro Transit website. metro.net | Trip planning, transit services and project information for Los Angeles County

There are also neighborhoods in LA and in Pasadena worth considering. The schools aren't universally good, but especially at the elementary level there are some good options. Eagle Rock (technically in LA limits) is nice and seems increasingly popular with families. If you lived in Pasadena along Colorado Boulevard you could, depending on where in Glendale your job is located, take the express bus (Rapid 780) and leave the car for your wife. The bus goes right through downtown Glendale and would be pretty convenient. I don't know Glendale as a resident, but there are some nice neighborhoods, and it would be nice to live so close to work.