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Old 04-02-2010, 06:30 AM
 
2 posts, read 19,248 times
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Hello!
We are moving (family of 4) to California next year and are looking for the right vibe for our family. We are a blended family--kids in elementary school and need to be as close to the beach as possible. We spent time in Malibu last summer and fell in love....Weather is really important to us and we don't want to be in a place that gets extremely hot. We seem to be drawn to Calabasas because of its proximity to Malibu beaches but not crazy about the cookie cutter houses....any thoughts on living there vs. Sherman Oaks, Encino or Studio City???

Your help is much appreciated.
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Old 04-02-2010, 07:22 AM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,729,143 times
Reputation: 17831
What are the other requirements besides near the beach? What is "near" in minutes or miles?
Where are the jobs?
Rent or buy? Budget?

Calabasas has good schools and it has the hottest summer temperature of the four locations mentioned (though the west side of the Calabasas pass is a lot cooler near Las Virgenes). Well maintained, pretty, leafy for the most part. If strictly looking for family amenities and schools and commuting wasn't involved this would the best choice.

Studio City and Sherman Oaks are hit and miss LAUSD schools. May work out better for commuting. We need to know more. Closer to more diverse amenities, entertainment, restaurants.

Malibu good schools. Ranges from beach property to foothill property. Also need to know commuting information.

Last edited by Charles; 04-02-2010 at 08:12 AM..
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Old 04-02-2010, 07:27 AM
 
687 posts, read 1,118,797 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scargo68 View Post
Hello!
We are moving (family of 4) to California next year and are looking for the right vibe for our family. We are a blended family--kids in elementary school and need to be as close to the beach as possible. We spent time in Malibu last summer and fell in love....Weather is really important to us and we don't want to be in a place that gets extremely hot. We seem to be drawn to Calabasas because of its proximity to Malibu beaches but not crazy about the cookie cutter houses....any thoughts on living there vs. Sherman Oaks, Encino or Studio City???

Your help is much appreciated.
I would suggest Westlake Village instead of Calabasas because it is a bit cooler but any area that has had a lot of development in the last 20+ years will look cookie cutter. Why not just live near Malibu or Pacific Palisades? It only takes money, lot's of money. Private schools are always an option if you like the area but not public school. Love Brentwood too.
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Old 04-02-2010, 02:22 PM
 
1,963 posts, read 5,619,937 times
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I would avoid Malibu just because of the traffic congestion along PCH. It's the main artery going from the Westside/Century City up the coast and god forbid if was closed because of mudslides (which happens all too frequently). If you can afford homes over the $2M range, look into Topanga, Castellammare, Pacific Palisades & Santa Monica. Anywhere over the other side of the hills in Agoura, Calabassas, Encino gets awfully hot during the summer... a good 15 degrees warmer than beach areas. Also look into Manhattan Beach. Good luck!
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Old 04-02-2010, 03:24 PM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,729,143 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smokingGun View Post
I would avoid Malibu just because of the traffic congestion along PCH.
How do we know he will be commuting on PCH? He hasn't provided much information. We need more information from him.
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Old 04-02-2010, 06:03 PM
 
2 posts, read 19,248 times
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Default commuting

Working from home...so no need to worry about commute. mostly concerned about the scenic beauty, weather, cost (1.2 mill ceiling)....family friendliness....
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Old 04-02-2010, 06:14 PM
 
Location: South Bay
7,226 posts, read 22,187,529 times
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calabasas, hands down.
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Old 04-02-2010, 06:52 PM
 
Location: Lake Conroe, Tx
637 posts, read 3,235,968 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scargo68 View Post
Working from home...so no need to worry about commute. mostly concerned about the scenic beauty, weather, cost (1.2 mill ceiling)....family friendliness....
Quote:
Originally Posted by BRinSM View Post
calabasas, hands down.

Agree with Calabasas; 1.2M won't get you a garage in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or any other decent beach community. Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City all get very hot in the summer so that leaves Calabasas or perhaps Agoura? Those areas will also get a lot hotter than the beach but at least not as hot as the valley.
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Old 04-02-2010, 06:52 PM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,729,143 times
Reputation: 17831
Consider Lake Sherwood, Westlake Village and North Ranch.

Here are recent sales for SFR $1M-$1.25M in those areas.

Real Estate Search | Redfin

Also, have you considered Orange County? Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Nellie Gail Ranch, San Clemente, Newport Beach?
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