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Old 02-13-2010, 09:31 AM
 
4 posts, read 24,947 times
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What can I expect for the commute times between Topanga to LAX? My new job is near LAX and I like the Topanga Canyon area and considering living in the area but wonder if the commute times are bearable. I would have to be in by 8:30am and leave by 5:30pm. I am also considering the Woodland Hills area south of the Ventura freeway. Any comments are welcomed as I am relocating from the East coast and know little of the drive times in Los Angeles.
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Old 02-13-2010, 09:38 AM
 
Location: Northridge, Los Angeles, CA
2,684 posts, read 7,351,456 times
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The 101 between Topanga Canyon and the 405 in the morning is absolutely horrendous. Keep in mind that the 405 interchange is the busiest in the country. Driving back in the other direction wouldn't be any easier as well, especially at 5:30 PM.

America's 24 Worst Highway Bottlenecks — Infoplease.com

You could always drive down Topanga Canyon until PCH, then hit the 10 to the 405 to avoid the Sepulveda Pass bottleneck. Personally, I haven't done this in the morning, but I would suspect that it would be somewhat faster.

Or do what I always do if I have to go over the hill; take Sepulveda down. However, more and more people are doing this and its becoming just as slow, or even slower, than the 405 itself.

Just try any alternative on any given day if the 101/405/Sepulveda Pass combination becomes too painful!
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Old 02-13-2010, 10:03 AM
GLS
 
1,985 posts, read 5,363,509 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by My Dreams Come True View Post
What can I expect for the commute times between Topanga to LAX? My new job is near LAX and I like the Topanga Canyon area and considering living in the area but wonder if the commute times are bearable. I would have to be in by 8:30am and leave by 5:30pm. I am also considering the Woodland Hills area south of the Ventura freeway. Any comments are welcomed as I am relocating from the East coast and know little of the drive times in Los Angeles.
One key factor in answering your question is exactly WHERE in Topanga Canyon you plan to live. Most of the housing doesn't start until past the village several miles up the canyon. When I lived there I was 7.5 miles up the canyon and off on a side road. It can take 15 to 30 minutes to get down the canyon before you even get on PCH. Also, crazed idiot drivers in the summer often crash on the only main road, slowing traffic down further.

I loved Topanga Canyon for the eight years I was there, but be prepared to sacrifice with a bad commute.

Either one of these commutes is bad and you will be spending 3 to 4 hours/day living in your car. If you are willing to live in the "city", i.e. Woodland Hills, you might want to consider an option closer to the airport such as Santa Monica. Good luck.
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Old 02-13-2010, 10:20 AM
 
4 posts, read 24,947 times
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Thank you for the views on the area.

Santa Monica looks great but I am not sure If I can afford to buy there with the space I would like to have.
The other areas I have been looking at is Hollywood Hills, Studio City. Although I will most likley have to give up space for location as well.
Is this a better choice for the drive times? Thanks
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Old 02-13-2010, 11:22 AM
GLS
 
1,985 posts, read 5,363,509 times
Reputation: 2472
Quote:
Originally Posted by My Dreams Come True View Post
Thank you for the views on the area.

Santa Monica looks great but I am not sure If I can afford to buy there with the space I would like to have.
The other areas I have been looking at is Hollywood Hills, Studio City. Although I will most likley have to give up space for location as well.
Is this a better choice for the drive times? Thanks
I can't answer your questions on Hollywood Hills or Studio City. Here are a couple of options to refine your research:

1. Check Mapquest for comparative distances and times. Just pick a zip
code or a prospective address if you have one, and select LAX for
destination under the airport icon. It won't give you accurate times
during rush hour, but it will tell you which area is closer and give you
the suggested route.
2. As you get more serious, try calling local cab companies and ask them
the time from optional locations to LAX. They can give you a better
estimate during various times of the day.

It appears from your selected cities that you dream of being in the hills with a grand view opening up below you. Nothing wrong with that, but LAX is not really close to any hills. If my assumption is incorrect, consider Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, or Manhattan Beach.

Finally, I don't know where in the "East" you are moving from, but in LA, EVERYONE is looking for "space they can afford".
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Old 02-13-2010, 05:39 PM
 
1,465 posts, read 5,130,095 times
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Can you bicycle to work? An option is driving your bike over the hill and parking at Temescal Canyon and PCH and then riding your bike the rest of the way (on a bike path that is on the beach). I would guess the total commute would be about 1:15 (each way) with 0:45 of that on your bike. (so that doesn't really count because you are exercising and having fun).

Just an alternative.

If I were forced to drive that entire distance, I would do PCH.
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Old 02-14-2010, 10:25 AM
 
4,536 posts, read 10,579,047 times
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Your work location is not compatible with your home purchasing ideas. And you'd have to adjust your working hours 2 1/2 hours earlier or 3 hours later in order to deal properly with traffic.

Basically you are looking at 1hr commute each way on a good day and over 2 hours each way on a bad day.

Hollywood Hills/Studio City are not going to be an improvement over Topanga Canyon or Woodland Hills.

Don't know what you are looking to purchase, but rents on comparable properties on the westside, particularly in Westchester or El Segundo(right next to LAX) are going to be around 60% of that home in Woodland Hills(don't believe all the listing prices....esp on short sales).
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Old 02-16-2010, 12:30 PM
 
395 posts, read 1,611,666 times
Reputation: 154
Unless you are currently commuting over the George Washington Bridge into NYC or something comparable, the sheer volume of traffic and gridlock in LA will be huge shock to you. I cannot emphasize enough that you will want to live as close as possible to your job. El Segundo is a nice community with good schools, Manhattan & Hermosa are pricey with great schools, and further south I would recommend Redondo Beach/Torrance. Culver City might be an option. Westchester/Playa Del Rey/Playa Vista/Marina Del Rey are nice communities but are in the LA Unified School District which is not desireable especially at the middle school & high school levels.
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