Canadian moving to Covina area, need suggestions on best area to buy home! (West Covina: short sales, renting)

[Alabelle]

Hi Everyone,
My family and I are making a very long move from Alberta, Canada to California. We have a business opportunity in Covina and are looking for the best places to live in that area.
Our workplace is in Covina, we have family there and my mom grew up in West Covina. I don't want to have to commute too far from work but we are looking for a good, safe area with good schools and houses up to $400K.
We have 2 little girls and are a fairy young couple, so we're hoping to find a neighborhood that has the same lifestyle as us.
Any suggestions would be very helpful!!
Thanks!!

[Narfcake]

For West Covina, the South Hills area is the better part of the city; for Covina, the Charter Oak area.

While the schools aren't bad, they don't rank as quite high as some of the surrounding cities either Glendora and San Dimas to the north, and Walnut to the east all rank higher. Prices are higher in those areas too, however.

[CA4Now]

Try this thread; there are several posts about Covina, surrounding cities, schools, neighborhoods, etc.: //www.city-data.com/forum/los-a...covina-ca.html

[JohnG72]

You may want to go to these two sites:

www.redfin.com

California School Performance Maps

I ran a search on redfin for homes sold in the past three months in West Covina and Covina with the parameters that the home be at least 3bd/2ba, min 1500sq ft, and max price of $400K. There were only a handful of sales in the parts of West Covina and Charter Oak that are zoned in the area of the better schools. Most looked like they were NOT turnkey. Be aware you absolutely do NOT want to pay attention to list prices, particularly on short sales. List prices really don't matter.

I'd advise renting for a while...at least six months. That neighborhood has changed demographically in a drastic manner over the past 20 years and may or may not be a place you want to settle down for a while.

[BRinSM]

i'd say anywhere around the 210 freeway would probably work for you. going east will be cheaper.

[LAjorge]

by Burbank

[Alabelle]

Thanks everyone, very helpful
When you say pay no attention to the list price does that mean that sellers are pretty flexible on their prices? How flexible are the list prices?
I have been looking at the website for the school ratings, is it safe to assume a higher school rating will generally mean a safer neighborhood?

This is tough for me, safety is a huge thing. I was born and raised and still live on a back road on 80 acres near a small town an hour from a major city... our major city has 1M people lol I know I won't find that kind of comfort in LA county, but the safer the better.

I've noticed that Hacienda Heights, San Dimas, Glendora, Diamond Bar and Walnut all have high school ratings, what I can't find is how far of a drive in traffic these areas are from Covina.

Thanks again!

[pacific2]

I've noticed that Hacienda Heights, San Dimas, Glendora, Diamond Bar and Walnut all have high school ratings, what I can't find is how far of a drive in traffic these areas are from Covina.

Google Maps can give you a rough estimate.

[Alabelle]

Thank you pacific2, my husband pointed that out after I posted my last reply. opps! lol

We have come across a home in Diamond Bar that looks great so far. We are wanting to put it on our "go see" list, but I don't know much about the area. The school ratings within a 1 mile radius are 8s, 9s and a 10, so far it looks good.

[Alabelle]

Does anyone know of a website where I can get averages for car insurance, household bills (electicity, water, etc)
I am also trying to find a good health insurance provider, any suggestions?

Thanks again