Looking for good neighborhood in LA (Los Angeles, Woodland: apartments, rentals, houses)

[eyesmax]

Hi all,

I have a work assignment with US company located in Calabasas will last for a year. It is my first time to be in US and really I am worried about the neighborhood that we are going to rent in. as I searched in the internet I found many good areas, but still need your recommendation to get my final discussion.

1-Calabasas
2-Agoura Hills
3-Woodland Hill
4-Tarzana

We are 28 and 25 married couple with 3 years & 9 months kids. the most important thing is to be in safe and gated neighborhood.
So, what do you think???

Many thanks

[armenh]

All 4 of the neightborhhods you mentioned are very upper class and nice. In order of the "best" in terms of safety and value Calabasas would be number one. Followed by Woodland Hills and Tarzana, also look into Encino, Sherman Oaks and Studio City if you do not mind a 20-30 minute drive to work. Aguora Hills is also a very nice area. In terms of driving Aguora Hills would be the closest city to Calabasas, then Woodland Hills followed by Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks and finally Studio City.

[eyesmax]

Armenh,

Thank you for you reply...

But as I said: it is the first time to be in USA and we would like to go and descver every thing so which area will be the best for goning around after working hours.

Onemore thing, I am thinking to rent 2 bedrooms apartment. Do you think $1500 is good amount?

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by eyesmax

But as I said: it is the first time to be in USA and we would like to go and descver every thing so which area will be the best for goning around after working hours.

Do you want to commute every day to work or do you want to just drive an extra 1/2 hour on weekends. Calabassas is on the far northwest end of Los Angeles County. So its far from a lot of stuff. A 30 minute drive over the mountains and you are in Malibu. Pretty much anywhere else and you have to take the 101 East/South and its not good, even on weekends.

As for after work, theres plenty enough for a family to do in Calabassas/Agoura Hills and other nearby towns.

Originally Posted by eyesmax

Onemore thing, I am thinking to rent 2 bedrooms apartment. Do you think $1500 is good amount?

You should be able to find something with that amount.

[BRinSM]

the general area you are looking at should be a good fit. as for what to do after work, traffic here is terrible, so you'll probably stay pretty close to home on work nights. however, the places you mentioned are less than 30 minutes to the beach in most cases with the rest of LA being 45-60 minutes away. i would save these explorations for the weekends or if you have days off during the week.

the only thing i found questionable in your original post was the request to be in a gated community. these do exist, but in the neighborhoods you mentioned they are not necessary. in fact, your budget is a bit low to probably even get into a gated community as most have only houses. also, maybe include thousand oaks and warner center in your search. i wouldn't get any further away because of the aforementioned traffic here in LA.

[eyesmax]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

Do you want to commute every day to work or do you want to just drive an extra 1/2 hour on weekends. Calabassas is on the far northwest end of Los Angeles County. So its far from a lot of stuff. A 30 minute drive over the mountains and you are in Malibu. Pretty much anywhere else and you have to take the 101 East/South and its not good, even on weekends.

As for after work, theres plenty enough for a family to do in Calabassas/Agoura Hills and other nearby towns.



You should be able to find something with that amount.

thank you,

[eyesmax]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

the general area you are looking at should be a good fit. as for what to do after work, traffic here is terrible, so you'll probably stay pretty close to home on work nights. however, the places you mentioned are less than 30 minutes to the beach in most cases with the rest of LA being 45-60 minutes away. i would save these explorations for the weekends or if you have days off during the week.

the only thing i found questionable in your original post was the request to be in a gated community. these do exist, but in the neighborhoods you mentioned they are not necessary. in fact, your budget is a bit low to probably even get into a gated community as most have only houses. also, maybe include thousand oaks and warner center in your search. i wouldn't get any further away because of the aforementioned traffic here in LA.

as the guys said ... all the areas I wrote are safe and non-gated community are not necessary. it seems Woodland, Warner center are more atractive to me.

regares my budget... I can increase it to $2500 per a month but really I would like to save this $1000 every month to take my family to NY or somewhere in USA.

[SoCalAngel2009]

There is a really nice area right next to Agoura Hills called Oak Park... I know someone who lives there... very family friendly. If you can rent a house, it's the way to go, because a lot of apartment rentals can be almost the same rate.

Oak Park, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[eyesmax]

thank you CoCalAngel2009, it is in nice location.

guys,

what do you think?? booking and apartment online or through dealer will be the best?

[Arus]

I suggest that you come out a month or two prior to moving here, and spend 2 weeks looking at apartments/homes for rent. that way you get to see the apartment/home

Bring cash. rental applications for each location can be from $60 - $200 each