Need to move from Pasadena, I'm working in Simi Valley...any sugestion? (Los Angeles: fit in, condo)

[marmar121]

Hi,

I'm working in Simi Valley and living in Pasadena....There is no traffic back and fort but I drive 40 miles each way, which makes it 80 miles every day....It takes me 45 minutes each way...not bad....but my car maintenance is getting too much now....

However, I'm tired of Pasadena....and I want to move out from this city....but not sure where....

I'm a single woman in mid 30s....I was thinking about Studio City or Sherman Oaks....I don't want to move to Calabasas or Thousand Oaks, because there is no life for singles....

I'm more a city type person....I found it so hard adjusting to Los Angeles' life style....although I love the beach and mountain....but I used to live in Toronto and love that city....love the way that people are so intellectual and educated and life is not so dependent on car....tired of driving all the time here in LA....besides, hard to find quality friends....sorry for nagging...but it's true....I'm an engineer and have a hard time to get connected to people in LA....help me help me...

any ideas where I should go? and which neighborhoods are good for singles....

MT

[nmnita]

most of the Valley would work for you. Studio City sounds like a good place to start.

[uptown_urbanist]

I don't want this to veer off-topic, but do want to warn that if you think Pasadena is not intellectual or educated then you're going to have problems in most places; seemed like every other person I knew in Pasadena had an advanced degree of some sort, and you can't walk a block without running into a college or museum. As for car dependence, keep in mind that much of that is up to you; having an unbearably long commute ties you to a car in a way that many people (especially in Pasadena, which has good public transportation options and pleasant streets for walking) can avoid. I think you're very smart to make the move, as that length of commute would wear me down, too, but make the move with realistic expectations and don't go with the assumption that you're going to find somewhere more "intellectual" or educated. On the other hand, you'll certainly be able to be a lot less dependent on the car if you live by your work, and with less time spent commuting you'll have a lot more time to meet people.

[marmar121]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I don't want this to veer off-topic, but do want to warn that if you think Pasadena is not intellectual or educated then you're going to have problems in most places; seemed like every other person I knew in Pasadena had an advanced degree of some sort, and you can't walk a block without running into a college or museum.

Thanks for your reply....

but I never said that Pasadena doesn't have intellectual people!!!! I said I'm tired of it, that's it....and I'm new here in LA....I like to know about other neighborhoods and my options, now that I'm working at Simi Valley....

[Charles]

I understand where you're coming from. I was a single engineer in Moorpark and most of eastern Ventura County is married people and kids.

Ventura is something to consider but even though it is a few less miles (33 versus 40) it will be slower drive due to the two lane roads (126/118). (You could also do 101/23 or 101/23/118.)

Still, I think it would be best to live near Simi. The cost of a almost one hour one way commute might not really offset the benefits. You can venture out to fun spots on weekends.

Besides, you're an engineer, you're supposed to be working late every evening - unpaid of course. Living the dream. State of the art, leading edge, dedicated to six sigma and achieving CMMI Level 5.

[marmar121]

Originally Posted by Charles

I understand where you're coming from. I was a single engineer in Moorpark and most of eastern Ventura County is married people and kids.

Ventura is something to consider but even though it is a few less miles (33 versus 40) it will be slower drive due to the two lane roads (126/118). (You could also do 101/23 or 101/23/118.)

Still, I think it would be best to live near Simi. The cost of a almost one hour one way commute might not really offset the benefits. You can venture out to fun spots on weekends.

Besides, you're an engineer, you're supposed to be working late every evening - unpaid of course. Living the dream. State of the art, leading edge, dedicated to six sigma and achieving CMMI Level 5.

you are so funny.....I'm still new to the projects and I can leave work sharp at 5pm....hope it stays like this....I know it's better to stay close to my work, but it kills me to be in a neighborhood that I really don't belong to....in the other hand, I'm losing so much money on gas and car maintenance....not sure what I got to do really....yesterday I drove to Studio City from work, there was no traffic....but then I found myself alone there....I don't know anybody there....I should hang out there at weekends to see how it is....I'm thinking to buy a condo eventually, but not sure where....
Honesty, I'm not that fan of LA in general....I like my life style in Toronto better....but what can we do? It's cold there and here is nice and warm

thanks again
MT

[Tasksgirl]

Westwood? It can be a bit more urban walkable close-knit in some areas..

[UB50]

I wouldn't rule out Thousand Oaks. After all, Amgen is headquartered there and there are lots of well-educated people working there.

Also, what about the Porter Ranch area? Or near CSUN?

[BRinSM]

try meetup.com to find a group of people that have similar interests to you. there is something for everyone in this city, you just might need to work a bit harder to find somewhere to fit in. good luck!

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by marmar121

Hi,

I'm working in Simi Valley and living in Pasadena....There is no traffic back and fort but I drive 40 miles each way, which makes it 80 miles every day....It takes me 45 minutes each way...not bad....but my car maintenance is getting too much now....

However, I'm tired of Pasadena....and I want to move out from this city....but not sure where....

I'm a single woman in mid 30s....I was thinking about Studio City or Sherman Oaks....I don't want to move to Calabasas or Thousand Oaks, because there is no life for singles....

I love the ... mountain....and life ... not so dependent on car....tired of driving all the time here in LA....

any ideas where I should go? and which neighborhoods are good for singles....

MT

Edited your quoted post a bit for things that stood out for me.

My suggestion: move to Chatsworth and commute to Simi on Metrolink with your bicycle. Simi Valley is a pretty bike-friendly city, and the main bike trail across town terminates at the Simi train station.

Living in Chatsworth you'd still be in L.A., and albeit a car-centric part of L.A., but you'd be right on the main coast railroad line, giving you a chance to move about without having to drive all the time. The Chatsworth mountains and Rocy Peak Park are right there in your backyard for hiking and getting away for a while.