Moving to LA with kids (Los Angeles, Glendale: for rent, affordable houses, neighborhoods)

[Sugalumps]

I recently accepted a new job with offices located in the Glendale/Burbank area. The job starts in December. I am not familiar with the area at all. I have a family with two kids (ages 6 and 3) and another kid on the way in November. My oldest starts Kindergarten this year.

I'm wondering where some good areas might be for kids/schools, etc. I'm looking to rent somewhere in the $2,000 to $2,500 range but could go as high as $3,000 if necessary. I've heard good things about Valencia and Santa Clarita, but I'd rather not deal with the commute. Are there good "kid-friendly" areas within a close distance to my office (Burbank, Glendale, Studio City, Pasadena, North Hollywood, La Canada, etc)?

Any insights would be appreciated.

[BRinSM]

check tujunga and la crescenta

[Charles]

I am not familiar with the exact schedules but there is a metrolink train that runs from family friendly Northridge, Chatsworth, Simi Valley, Moorpark (in increasing distances from Burbank). Not sure if the Burbank train station would be convenient. Something to check out. They would most likely be less expensive than South Pasadena, Arcadia for example (placea with a lot of recommendations on City-Data). Also, check La Canada.

Metrolink Interactive Map

California School Performance Maps

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by Sugalumps

I recently accepted a new job with offices located in the Glendale/Burbank area. The job starts in December. I am not familiar with the area at all. I have a family with two kids (ages 6 and 3) and another kid on the way in November. My oldest starts Kindergarten this year.

I'm wondering where some good areas might be for kids/schools, etc. I'm looking to rent somewhere in the $2,000 to $2,500 range but could go as high as $3,000 if necessary. I've heard good things about Valencia and Santa Clarita, but I'd rather not deal with the commute. Are there good "kid-friendly" areas within a close distance to my office (Burbank, Glendale, Studio City, Pasadena, North Hollywood, La Canada, etc)?

Any insights would be appreciated.

I know people who were very happy in Burbank with school-age kids; they only moved because they decided to buy, not rent. You should be able to find something in your price range there. We lived in South Pasadena and LOVED it; it is the ultimate family-friendly city. You might run into problems finding a 3 BR at the lower end of your price range (if that's what you're looking for), but there might be something. I've heard good things about Glendale for families, too, although the people I know who live there no longer have school-age kids. Pasadena itself has some nice and relatively affordable houses for rent in very family-friendly neighborhoods, although PUSD doesn't have as good of a reputation; some of the schools are very good, though, so I wouldn't automatically write it off. South Pasadena generally comes with a slightly higher price tag because of the schools; same thing with La Canada. Eagle Rock (technically within Los Angeles) has some family-friendly areas, and while I don't know anyone with kids living there, I think their schools (which are part of LAUSD, which is also hit-or-miss on quality) have a good reputation. Eagle Rock is located in the part of LA between Glendale and Pasadena.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Charles

I am not familiar with the exact schedules but there is a metrolink train that runs from family friendly Northridge, Chatsworth, Simi Valley, Moorpark (in increasing distances from Burbank). Not sure if the Burbank train station would be convenient.

Burbank is more family friendly than Northridge or Chatsworth. It's not LAUSD and has better schools.

No LAUSD area is truly family friendly although MANY would be if LAUSD were abolished or broken up.

[Sparkles26]

If you are looking for great schools for your kids, La Crescenta or La Canada are great choices.

[Sugalumps]

Thanks for the info everyone! This gives us a good starting point on looking for places. I realized that I made a typo in my first post, we are moving in September not December. Don't know what I was thinking at the time. .