New job:Northridge; where to move in SFV (schools and safety)? (Glendale: 2010, home)

[imdocus]

Hi All,

I have just been hired for a job in Northridge and am trying to figure out where I should move my family so that the kids have access to excellent and safe schools, yet I don't have to spend the whole day commuting. Our daughter will be entering high school next year (9/2010) and our son will be starting middle school, but is very advanced for his age (in 5th but doing 7th grade work at a private school). I cannot afford to put them both in a private school (most seem to run $20k-$30k), but am thinking it may be a necessity for our son. We were initially thinking of Calabasas, but I was told the commute might be a bit much for me. Then we were considering West Hills and El Camino HS, but someone told my wife that the school was dangerous. They suggested Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena or La Canada, but those areas look too far away to me. I am confused, can anyone help? Oh, while I'm at it, for private options for our son, we were considering Mirman and Calmont.

[Tasksgirl]

I hear Encino is very very good..

Also Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Porter Ranch, Granada Hills.. I think in that order .. but I could be wrong

[BRinSM]

el camino and taft in woodland hills are probably the best high schools in LAUSD and really overall pretty good. because their is bussing in LAUSD, there might be a bit of a rough element that is brought in, but overall, i think your kids will be fine, certainly better than the likes of van nuys high. there are also a number of magnet schools in the valley that you may consider.

if calabasas is too far, that means the conejo valley communities are too far you as well (thousand oaks & westlake village), which have very good schools. you might also consider simi valley and santa clarita, which aren't too far, but traffic from those areas to the valley can be rough.

[imdocus]

"if calabasas is too far, that means the conejo valley communities are too far you as well "

Well, that's the thing, I really don't know if it is too far. Do you have any idea how long it would take in typical traffic to go from Calabasas to Northridge? How about from Thousand Oaks to Northridge? I need to balance my commute with the quality of the schools.

[BRinSM]

depends on when you are commuting and how close your home and office will be to the freeways. i would say that you are probably looking at 20-40 minute commute from calabasas to northridge. add another 10 minutes or so from thousand oaks.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

depends on when you are commuting and how close your home and office will be to the freeways. i would say that you are probably looking at 20-40 minute commute from calabasas to northridge. add another 10 minutes or so from thousand oaks.

That sounds about right. One thing is, if you live in TO or the northern side or Moorpark or even Simi, the drive will be all freeway (23/118) which will be easier than traversing the valley from Calabasas on city streets.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by imdocus

Hi All,

I have just been hired for a job in Northridge and am trying to figure out where I should move my family so that the kids have access to excellent and safe schools, yet I don't have to spend the whole day commuting. Our daughter will be entering high school next year (9/2010) and our son will be starting middle school, but is very advanced for his age (in 5th but doing 7th grade work at a private school). I cannot afford to put them both in a private school (most seem to run $20k-$30k), but am thinking it may be a necessity for our son. We were initially thinking of Calabasas, but I was told the commute might be a bit much for me. Then we were considering West Hills and El Camino HS, but someone told my wife that the school was dangerous. They suggested Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena or La Canada, but those areas look too far away to me. I am confused, can anyone help? Oh, while I'm at it, for private options for our son, we were considering Mirman and Calmont.

Couple of things.

El Camino is a very safe school as far as high schools in LAUSD are concerned. The 14 year old is a freshman at El Camino which does not have a magnet school. Its just a regular high school and since he's been in magnet since elementary school, he says his classes are very easy. We wanted to keep him in the magnet program but he really really really wanted to go to his home high school to be with his friends.

I would strongly consider Woodland Hills if you're worried about schools for your kids. It would take at least a year or two for them to get accepted in a magnet program so that means home schools is where they would have to go. As far as the other options you mentioned, Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena, Pasadena would be the best (if in South Pas High School area) for schools, but it would be the worst commute for you. The other areas (Burbank High, Burroughs High, Hoover High) all have some bad elements, especially the factions of mexican gangs and armenian gangs plus, drugs are a bit more rampant in these high schools compared to other schools (but still not as bad as Fairfax high with is aka Druggy High).

Thousand Oaks and/or Simi Valley would be other viable options for you. Good schools and very easy commute to Northridge via the 23 Ronald Reagan freeway. I personally HATE Simi Valley and T.O. but they have somewhat good schools and very reasonable rental/home prices. Good luck.

[imdocus]

Thank you. This is the kind of information I am looking for. I have heard a few people say they don't like Simi, but I haven't really gotten a clear idea why. I haven't heard much bad about TO, but the commute seems a bit far. Any thoughts between Calabasas high and El Camino?

[00molavi]

Also look into Valencia. Good schools, the commute would be a little longer but then housing is more affordable.

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by 00molavi

Good schools, the commute would be a little longer but then housing is more affordable.

good point, the OP hasn't mentioned what his price range is for housing. that will probably be the biggest determining factor on where you end up living.