Job offer in LA (Pasadena, Burbank: apartment complex, renting, month to)

[Delron]

Originally Posted by Charles

Your friend.

I didn't want to say it, but that's EXACTLY what I was thinking when I read the ridiculous claims your friend made - "WTF is this guy's friend smoking???". Except I was picturing a crack pipe in his mouth instead of a joint.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Delron

I didn't want to say it, but that's EXACTLY what I was thinking when I read the ridiculous claims your friend made - "WTF is this guy's friend smoking???". Except I was picturing a crack pipe in his mouth instead of a joint.

Funny, thanks for my afternoon laugh...

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by matchrsim

HB2HSV,

Thank for the kind words and info. My friend told me Redondo Beach would be a great place to live, but I am worried about the commute. Realistically, he said that it could very well be the same commute time from Pasadena/Glendale to Whiteman Airport as it would be from Redondo, but I doubt that due to the distance...What do you think?

i don't plan on buying a place anytime soon, and I am making $1500 my ceiling for a 1 bedroom unless I can find a deal somewhere, or a hookup with living with one of my friends out there.

If I lived in Pasadena, would taking the 210 be "against traffic"? What about if I lived in Studio City/Encino and taking the 405 to the 118? What about taking I-5 from Glendale. I don't know how reliable Google Maps is lol. Also, are Glendale and Pasadena the same regarding night life and young people? What about Studio City/Encino?

That being said I am VERY excited about this opportunity!

Thanks again.

Hi Matt, You're welcome.

As others have [humorously] pointed out, it would take you ~2 hrs each way to commute from Redondo Beach to Pacoima. The 405 freeway from the I-10 south to the LAX airport is busy 18 hours a day both ways, unless you can pass that section by 6;30am and won't comeback until after midnight, you're pretty much stucked in a traffic-jam hell. It's best to avoid that in all cases.

Pasadena taking 210 freeway to Pacoima would be consider "against traffic", yes.

Glendale taking I-5 is also against traffic, but that section on 134 could be busy both ways, as many live in Glendale and commute to Burbank.

If you live in Studio City, you would be taking local street (Laurel Canyon) north to Pacoima.

In Encino, you'll most likely will take the 405N and either get off on Devonshire and take the local go East or take the 118 East.

In fact, you can also consider living in Westwood/ West LA area. It is just across the Santa Monica mountain from the valley but the weather is much nicer, it gets the ocean breez which lowers the temperature by 10~15 degrees from the valley. You'll probably also enjoy the younger crowd in UCLA and Santa Monica area better, plus you also get the movie studio crowd (20th century fox and Sony studios). It's not unusual to see actors you recognized from TV/movies in local restaurants along Olympic blvd. "The Valley" is mostly considered a "bedroom community" for LA, so more actions south in Westwood/W. LA area. The commute adds an extra 5~10 miles but it's against the traffic so it should not be any problem as long as you stay North of I-10 freeway. I once lived in W.LA and commute to the valley everyday. I think I paid $650/mo for a 1 bedroom on a quiet side streets between Santa Monica blvd and Olympics blvd but that was 10+ yrs ago.

[matchrsim]

Wow even more info. I love it.

HB2HSV,
I didn't even think of West LA, I was pretty much planning on steering clear of anything on that side of the mountain, but I will have to look into it then. I would love to have that ocean breeze, too. I am guessing that weather would not be shared by Pasadena right?
What areas of West LA are good, is it a spotty area like I have heard Pasadena can be?
Also, I am guessing I would take the Hollywood Fwy to work, I have heard from some that can be a blocked up in both directions like the 405 too. if it is just 5-10 min more it would be worth it. I am worried about 30-60 min more lol. Are those people I spoke to incorrect, in your opinion?

Delron,
I can't help but think of Deltron 3030 when I see you name lol. Thanks for making me not feel like I am nuts when my friend said Redondo Beach would be the same commute from Pasadena. That is along the same lines as a lot of my friends who try to convince me that I should not take commute time into account because everyone over there is so used to traffic. I literally did not know how to respond to that aside from saying just because they are used to the traffic, doesn't mean I wont notice a difference between a 30 minute commute and a 1.5 hour commute lol.

Anyway, same as I asked above, do you know specific areas of Pasadena that would be better to live in?

And for everyone:

I care about safety and proximity to grocers/pharmacy/SOME luxury/clothes shopping (but mostly necessity shopping) so if anyone knows of places in their respective "most recommended" place to live in LA that would be appreciated.

I get more and more excited every time I post lol!!

Thanks and have a great weekend. I am off to watch PSU stomp all over Ohio State.

[ZenMaster2008]

In Pasadena, it really depends on what you want to spend. Look in areas not right by old town and you will find some reasonably priced apartments. You can look from Sierra Madre Blvd west all the way to Los Robles or so. I really like the areas south of the 210 best and if you are looking near old town stay south of maybe Del Mar or even California to get better deals. I'm pretty sure all the areas I've just mentioned are safe and you can find something in your budget.

All these are also within a short drive or longer walk to old town which has shopping, dining, younger crowd type of entertainment.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by matchrsim

Wow even more info. I love it.

HB2HSV,
I didn't even think of West LA, I was pretty much planning on steering clear of anything on that side of the mountain, but I will have to look into it then. I would love to have that ocean breeze, too. I am guessing that weather would not be shared by Pasadena right?

That's right. Pasadena is also part of a valley (San Gabriel, I think). Both SF & SG valleys can get upto 110 deg. F in the summer.

What areas of West LA are good, is it a spotty area like I have heard Pasadena can be?

West LA is generally pretty safe. In general, I'l stay North of Pico blvd, and West of Robertson Blvd (oh man, it's like day-n-night just across the street).

Also, I am guessing I would take the Hollywood Fwy to work, I have heard from some that can be a blocked up in both directions like the 405 too. if it is just 5-10 min more it would be worth it. I am worried about 30-60 min more lol. Are those people I spoke to incorrect, in your opinion?

Yes, the Hollywood freeway (101) can be bad in both direction upto the Ventura freeway (101/134). So that's something to consider. But I'd think if you stay north of Santa Monica Blvd the north bound traffic in the morning is not too bad esp. if you start earlier.

And for everyone:

I care about safety and proximity to grocers/pharmacy/SOME luxury/clothes shopping (but mostly necessity shopping) so if anyone knows of places in their respective "most recommended" place to live in LA that would be appreciated.

That's why I am beginning to think W. LA maybe ideal for your situation. Many upscale stores/supermarkets and LUXURY SHOPPING available to you. First, there's the Westside Pavillion (mall + supermarket), Beverly Hills shopping center, Santa Monica 3rd street Promenade (an outdoor mall of approx. 4~5 street blocks -- perfect for weekend "babe-shopping" ). Then across the street is the Santa Monica pier. Just a bit lower is the Venice Beach, just a bit north is Malibu Beach. You will be in the midst of "California life style" ! It is almost central to anywhere you want to go in LA (the Sunset strip, Hollywood, Santa Monica, south to Redondo Beach area, etc.) and still in a relatively safe & upscale neighborhood.

The ***DANGER*** you'll need to watch out for is that, because everyone is trying to find a good place to rent. There are a lot of ***SCAM*** so-called "rental agency" around. They will first ask you for a $50~$200 "finders fee" UP FRONT ! then hand you nothing but poor photocopy of apartment ads from newspaper. I found my apartment by driving around the neighborhood but because you're relocating from out-of-state, my suggestion is to find a reputable property management company or realtor to help you find a good apartment before your stuff get shipped.

[BRinSM]

the westside is a very cool place with tons to do, but you would be looking at probably a 45 minute each way during normal commuting hours. it's not that much further than pasadena, but you would be dealing with the 405 as opposed to the 210 (which is almost never congested through the la canada area). if you did want to live on 'the city' side of the hill, then i would consider some place with easy access to the 2 freeway, which is also rarely congested.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

That's right. Pasadena is also part of a valley (San Gabriel, I think). Both SF & SG valleys can get upto 110 deg. F in the summer.


West LA is generally pretty safe. In general, I'l stay North of Pico blvd, and West of Robertson Blvd (oh man, it's like day-n-night just across the street).

Yes, the Hollywood freeway (101) can be bad in both direction upto the Ventura freeway (101/134). So that's something to consider. But I'd think if you stay north of Santa Monica Blvd the north bound traffic in the morning is not too bad esp. if you start earlier.

That's why I am beginning to think W. LA maybe ideal for your situation. Many upscale stores/supermarkets and LUXURY SHOPPING available to you. First, there's the Westside Pavillion (mall + supermarket), Beverly Hills shopping center, Santa Monica 3rd street Promenade (an outdoor mall of approx. 4~5 street blocks -- perfect for weekend "babe-shopping" ). Then across the street is the Santa Monica pier. Just a bit lower is the Venice Beach, just a bit north is Malibu Beach. You will be in the midst of "California life style" ! It is almost central to anywhere you want to go in LA (the Sunset strip, Hollywood, Santa Monica, south to Redondo Beach area, etc.) and still in a relatively safe & upscale neighborhood.

The ***DANGER*** you'll need to watch out for is that, because everyone is trying to find a good place to rent. There are a lot of ***SCAM*** so-called "rental agency" around. They will first ask you for a $50~$200 "finders fee" UP FRONT ! then hand you nothing but poor photocopy of apartment ads from newspaper. I found my apartment by driving around the neighborhood but because you're relocating from out-of-state, my suggestion is to find a reputable property management company or realtor to help you find a good apartment before your stuff get shipped.

I was born and raised pretty much in the San Gabriel Valley and Eagle Rock. Rarely does the area around Pasadena and that part get anywhere near 110 degrees. Maybe every few years. yes, it does happen, but again, certainly not like the IE. I wouldn't let that stop me..

I do think driving around neighborhoods is a great way, also start by checking out realtor.com or I think there is one: renter.com..At least you will get some ideas..

BrinSM is right about the commute from the west side, it will be much worse than Pasadena.

Nita

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I was born and raised pretty much in the San Gabriel Valley and Eagle Rock. Rarely does the area around Pasadena and that part get anywhere near 110 degrees. Maybe every few years. yes, it does happen, but again, certainly not like the IE. I wouldn't let that stop me..

I do think driving around neighborhoods is a great way, also start by checking out realtor.com or I think there is one: renter.com..At least you will get some ideas..

BrinSM is right about the commute from the west side, it will be much worse than Pasadena.

Nita

OK, Nita. So how hot would you say in a typical summer, above 100 deg.F?

Have we talk about smogs yet? Does the OP realize that he can see a layer of yellow smog in the valley during the summer? Have we discuss his possible allergies to smogs?

I agree that driving from the West LA would be longer than from Pasadena. It's a trade off that the OP must decide. Pasadena is a nice area as well. But just want to give the OP options and see what's important in his choices. (cooler & more temperate climate, more shopping, etc. )

[osuzana]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

OK, Nita. So how hot would you say in a typical summer, above 100 deg.F?

Have we talk about smogs yet? Does the OP realize that he can see a layer of yellow smog in the valley during the summer? Have we discuss his possible allergies to smogs?

I agree that driving from the West LA would be longer than from Pasadena. It's a trade off that the OP must decide. Pasadena is a nice area as well. But just want to give the OP options and see what's important in his choices. (cooler & more temperate climate, more shopping, etc. )

Personally I have found Pasadena to be warmer than the Valley in the summer. It doesn't get the ocean breezes, when there are any and becomes even more of a pocket for the heat and smog to collect. Last place I would go on those heat wave days or weeks. Over the hill for me!