Where should I live in LA (Los Angeles, Glendale: fit in, apartment, living in)

[bruin1984]

Hello,

I currently live in UCLA housing, but I recently accepted a job offer, and I am trying to decide where to live. My job will be in Pasadena, and my wife's job is in Culver city. I would like to make our commute times equitable and also find a good area to live in. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should look? My budget is around $2000 to $2500 per month for an apartment, and it does not have to be large. I am most concerned with safety and low noise levels.

Glendale is around the midpoint for both of us. Is that a nice place? I heard something about gang activity there?

I found a nice apartment downtown, but I am afraid that it will be noisy and that it isn't safe to walk around after dark.

Is there anywhere in the hills around Hollywood that is cheap enough to fit in my budget?


thank you!

[BRinSM]

live closer to the westside, commuting east in the mornings is much easier. other than that, good luck, at least one of you is going to have a rough commute.

[bruin1984]

thanks,

How long do you think it would take from Marina del Rey to Pasadena in the morning?

[BRinSM]

over an hour, it's 45 minutes or so without traffic.

[Lovetheoutdoors]

It's going to be difficult to find an equitable commute AND find a living area that meets your needs. And who knows - either or both of you may get a new job in the near future in an entirely different location.

In my opinion - it's best to find an area that you like to live in and just deal with whatever commute you're going to have. Long commutes is just another aspect of living in Los Angeles.

[We Be Cool]

I have lived in Los Angeles area my whole life.
My daughter was recently living in Echo Park. It is a bit ethnic(hispanic)but very cool places to hang out and eat, get coffee, walk around. My daughter loved it. It is about half wat between Pasadena & Culver City.

Otherwise Malibu is the best place to live in Los Angeles County.

[timelesschild]

Glendale is nice, but seems much closer to Pasadena than to Culver City, in terms of drive time. You know, you really might look at Echo Park.... it depends on your lifestyle and how you like to live. Are you wanting really clean, suburban living? Or a bit of funky edge? That will make a lot of difference.

Re. a place in the hills around Hollywood: you could find a place in Los Feliz within your budget - that is a good halfway point for you, safe and clean but with plenty to do.

[bruin1984]

Glendale is nice, but seems much closer to Pasadena than to Culver City, in terms of drive time. You know, you really might look at Echo Park.... it depends on your lifestyle and how you like to live. Are you wanting really clean, suburban living? Or a bit of funky edge? That will make a lot of difference.


I would prefer clean, suburban living, if possible. I'm sort of a quiet type. I want access to good grocery stores, medical, car repairs, and nice restaurants to eat at, as well. I occasionally go to the pub with friends, but I am not a big nightlife person.

I know, I want it all, haha

[timelesschild]

Then skip Echo Park. Los Feliz might be your place to start looking. I'm not knocking Glendale, it just seems like a long commute from there to Culver City.

[UB50]

I think Los Feliz is a good place to start looking.

Downtown LA might be another option if you want something in the middle. There are shortcuts (non-freeway) to Pasadena from downtown. It's also easy to take some of the surface streets to Culver City (like Washington).