Please tell me about Burbank, is it nice or is NoHo better? (Glendale: rent, crimes)

[nichole.hopkins]

Im from Abq. NM, early 20's and looking to move to southern california for a change of scenery. Ive considered different areas but I really dont know much about any of them. Upon researching on this site I find that it seems the cost of living is L.A is higher than Burbank but the rent is cheaper, etc. Other places ive looked at include sherman oaks and north hollywood.. Im going to have a small amount of cash to start with (approx $5,000) until i get a steady job. Im a professional makeup artist (not certified but well enough established in my city) so i figure being near the studios would be nice. Im also certified as a server, so i figure that could work.

Factors to consider:

-Im on a low budget

-Its important to me to be around entertainment and the arts

-its important to be near potential work

-i dont want to live in a scary area


Any input would be very, very much appreciated!!!!

[LASam]

I would recommend Burbank to you over NoHo in a heartbeat. Definately some affordable apts there, you're right in the middle of all the studios, and it isn't scary at all. There's many different areas to Burbank with different flavors to them, so make sure you do your research!

[Cubancoffee]

I concur. Burbank is home to several studies, comparatively safe and affordable.

[LABornandRaised]

Originally Posted by nichole.hopkins

Im from Abq. NM, early 20's and looking to move to southern california for a change of scenery. Ive considered different areas but I really dont know much about any of them. Upon researching on this site I find that it seems the cost of living is L.A is higher than Burbank but the rent is cheaper, etc. Other places ive looked at include sherman oaks and north hollywood.. Im going to have a small amount of cash to start with (approx $5,000) until i get a steady job. Im a professional makeup artist (not certified but well enough established in my city) so i figure being near the studios would be nice. Im also certified as a server, so i figure that could work.

Factors to consider:

-Im on a low budget

-Its important to me to be around entertainment and the arts

-its important to be near potential work

-i dont want to live in a scary area


Any input would be very, very much appreciated!!!!

Uh oh, now you've started it. Here we go again with the City of LA versus Burbank.

Well, you're going to hear a lot of people say Burbank is the bee's knees. I'll be the lonely soul who will give you the other perspective.

Burbank has very many different areas (1) close to the airport 2) close to the studios, 3)close to downtown Burbank and 4) out in the boonies (in them thar hills). So there are many different options to choose from.

NoHo too spans a large area. I assume when you say NoHo, you mean what's left of NoHo and hasn't been changed into other names (even though it's still NoHo). I just moved from a North Hollywood community of Valley Village to the NoHo Arts district. I chose NoHo because you get more bang for your buck in buying a home. When looking at the Burbank area, you can pay the same price for half the home and I'm literally 2 blocks away from Burbank. The neighbors here have been super friendly and inviting and I don't regret my choice at all. I go to the NoHo commons for grub from time to time and can easily pop over to the Burbank side for a movie. NoHo is very central to everything, which is another reason I chose to move here. It's just north of hollywood (hence the name NoHo), literally touches Universal Studios, Studio City, Toluca Lake and Burbank. What more can you ask for?

One point to note, in terms of safety is to stay south of Oxnard St. Even though NoHo is up and coming, most crimes happen around Victory blvd and further north. In the long run (if you can hold your breath for a long time), Valley Plaza is slated to be totally redone and I will finally not have to drive to downtown Burbank to go see a movie.

[Scott_Davis28]

Yep Burbank much better then NoHO

[cromansky]

Burbank is better. It's cleaner. NoHo is nice in areas but bad in areas. Burbank and Glendale are nice cities.

[nichole.hopkins]

Thank you Is there much of an art culture in Burbank as there is in other parts of LA (which is said to be our countries 2nd largest art capital). Id like to live somewhere where i can walk to a coffee shop, a few cool stores, and entertainment without always driving. Im a painter myself so anything with a bohemian-vibe would suite me great. If you know of any specific neighborhoods i should google please let me know!

Also- how far/long does it take to get to the beach from Burbank? Downtown LA from Burbank?

[LASam]

Originally Posted by nichole.hopkins

Thank you Is there much of an art culture in Burbank as there is in other parts of LA (which is said to be our countries 2nd largest art capital). Id like to live somewhere where i can walk to a coffee shop, a few cool stores, and entertainment without always driving. Im a painter myself so anything with a bohemian-vibe would suite me great. If you know of any specific neighborhoods i should google please let me know!

Also- how far/long does it take to get to the beach from Burbank? Downtown LA from Burbank?

I'd say your best bets would be to either live near Magnolia Blvd in the Magnolia Park neighborhood, or live near the downtown Burbank area east of the 5 freeway. Downtown LA is about 12 miles away from Burbank, give or take a few miles depending on where you live. You can either drive or take the Metrolink out of downtown Burbank to Union Station. You could also take the Metro Red Line from NoHo depending on traffic. You'd probably be about an hour from the beach, with Santa Monica Beach, Will Rogers, Topanga, and Malibu being your closest options.

[nichole.hopkins]

Is it very hard to get established with a job in Burbank, even as a server? My overall skills are my makeup artistry (which in Abq im able to make good money from but im a large fish in a small pond, not vice versa like in LA), certified cocktail/food server (im certified in NM, not sure if id need a new cert. in LA) and im an artist (ive sold paintings). Im hoping one or a combination of these things can help me with money. My boyfriend might come with me as well and im afraid with his skill sets hed have to settle for either fast food or hard labor.....

Im told people move to LA all the time with nothing more than $300 and lint in their pockets. Im hoping i can survive on a starving artist/students budget. I know two people whove moved from here to LA in the last 8 months. Im planning on getting a place with a few roomies to diffuse living expenses. Can you offer any input as to what min. wage in LA is? And where in Burbank to look for jobs (civic plazas, studios, etc)?

[nichole.hopkins]

Upon researching it seems LA is actually CHEAPER than Burbank (cost of living/rent)? Im also wanting to live near palm trees (theres enough desert where im from) and lots to do..... does that mean LA is better?