Possible move from Texas to LA area. Where to live? (Los Angeles: rent, crime rates) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

GCaggie · 07-03-2010, 05:32 PM

We currently live in a Dallas suburb but my husband has a job opportunity in the Los Angeles area that we are considering.

Pertinent facts: We have a 2 year old kid, a dog (must have yard) and we hope to get pregnant with #2 soon. I'm a SAHM so we will need activities and things to do while the hubby works. I'd also like to meet other SAHM and get involved in playgroups. We don't know a single person in LA, let alone the state of California. I'm a nervous nelly and am very concerned about safety. I've lived in Texas my whole life and the thought of living in CA terrifies me.

We love running, biking and other outdoor activities. Schools are also a big concern as our kiddo will be school age in 2-3 years. We are also involved in our church here and would be looking for a church home ASAP (non denominational).

Financial info: His salary will be somewhere in the $140K-150K range. He will be working near LA County Hospital and may have a client out towards Ontario. We will most likely rent until our home here sells and until we get comfortable in CA. We have no debt (once our house sells of course).

What are some good areas for us to look at when we take our first visit? Will that salary be enough to live comfortably in the LA area? I can go back to work (CPA) but really don't want to and definitely wouldn't while we get settled out there.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

SoCal35 · 07-03-2010, 05:59 PM

South Pasadena and Pasadena.

GCaggie · 07-03-2010, 06:05 PM

SoCal - I read on another thread here that the public schools in Pasadena are pretty bad. Thoughts?

californio sur · 07-03-2010, 06:06 PM

Considering the work location and client as far east as San Bernardino county, I think you ought to consider the San Gabriel valley. Pasadena\ San Marino\ Arcadia, etc would all be convenient to the county hospital and out to Ontario [though keep in mind that Ontario is some distance away and traffic time must always be a factor]. Outdoor living and activities are year-round due to a warmer winter and cooler summer than Dallas.

SoCal35 · 07-03-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCaggie

SoCal - I read on another thread here that the public schools in Pasadena are pretty bad. Thoughts?

I do NOT have kids...so I don't want to give incorrect info.

That said, I do know that SOUTH PASADENA has VERY GOOD public schools. I think Pasadena's public schools have a much more mixed record. How good or bad I can't say for sure.

Both are very nice cities with much to offer a young family and pretty well located for your husband's job.

SoCal35 · 07-03-2010, 06:16 PM

Based on 2009 numbers the City of Dallas had a HIGHER murder rate than the City of Los Angeles.

Dallas: 13 murders per 100,000 residents
Los Angeles: 8.2 murders per 100,000 residents

Both cities have seen crime rates fall to "safe" levels not seen in decades...so the trend is GOOD in both places.

GCaggie · 07-03-2010, 06:33 PM

SoCal - I don't doubt that Dallas has a higher murder rate. I think it's the whole "devil you know vs. the one you don't". We live in the suburbs of Dallas, I've been here my whole life and I'm so familiar that I know what areas to avoid when I do go into the "city". Because I'm so uninformed about and unfamiliar with Los Angeles, I tend to generalize and base my fears on the few shows I've seen, reports I've read, etc. Oh, and the whole fear of the unknown thing.

Cal Sur - Traffic is a consideration of course. His commute now is about an hour each way and if he takes the new job, he will most likely work from home 2 days and at his various clients 3 days. How long do you think it would take to get from Pasadena area to Ontario during rush hour?

bamba_boy · 07-03-2010, 06:34 PM

I'm currently living in Houston but spent the mid and late 80s in Covina. Real nice at least back then and almost exactly halfway between Ontario and E LA. Good schools too. Pretty inexpensive for a safe part of SoCal. Had a real nice old-fashioned small town western downtown with shops and small cafes. You could forget you were in the middle of LA county! Almost felt like Cut-n-Shoot Texas. well almost!

SoCal35 · 07-03-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCaggie

SoCal - I don't doubt that Dallas has a higher murder rate. I think it's the whole "devil you know vs. the one you don't". We live in the suburbs of Dallas, I've been here my whole life and I'm so familiar that I know what areas to avoid when I do go into the "city". Because I'm so uninformed about and unfamiliar with Los Angeles, I tend to generalize and base my fears on the few shows I've seen, reports I've read, etc. Oh, and the whole fear of the unknown thing.

I understand....moving to a new area is always a challenge. You are doing the smart thing and researching ahead of time. Good luck!

californio sur · 07-03-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCaggie

SoCal - I don't doubt that Dallas has a higher murder rate. I think it's the whole "devil you know vs. the one you don't". We live in the suburbs of Dallas, I've been here my whole life and I'm so familiar that I know what areas to avoid when I do go into the "city". Because I'm so uninformed about and unfamiliar with Los Angeles, I tend to generalize and base my fears on the few shows I've seen, reports I've read, etc. Oh, and the whole fear of the unknown thing.

Cal Sur - Traffic is a consideration of course. His commute now is about an hour each way and if he takes the new job, he will most likely work from home 2 days and at his various clients 3 days. How long do you think it would take to get from Pasadena area to Ontario during rush hour?

To tell you truth, I wouldn't even want to predict but it is likely longer than an hour. But keep in mind that Ontario is east of LA and morning traffic is heavy coming into the city and the opposite in the evening. So someone living in Los Angeles\ San Gabriel valley would be going in the opposite direction of the heavy traffic. Also the extension of the 210 freeway has helped a lot. One poster suggested Covina and that would be almost halfway between the county hospital and Ontario. Places like San Dimas\ Glendora\ Diamond Bar are nice communities. But the drive from Pasadena\ South Pasadena, etc. to the county hospital is convenient since Huntington Blvd into El Sereno and East LA is not nearly as long as the Pasadena\110 and Golden State\Interstate 5 freeways.