If budget weren't an issue, where would you live with a family?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

I'd probably stay in Sherman Oaks or move a few blocks down the road to Studio City. Would not be a major change at all. I would rent out my Woodland Hills home along with the Sherman Oaks condo (on Dickens south of Ventura). Id definitely stay in the Valley though - Studio City or Sherman Oaks. Ive done Burbank and Toluca Lake and while they are nice, I prefer the areas listed above.

I just love the friendliness of people in S.O. and S.C. Go to Starbucks or Trader Joes and every is just so friendly in saying "Hello", "How are you?", and striking up friendly conversation. Its really nice.

[JTGJR]

"Mayberry by the Sea" scratch your itch?

[Dusty Rhodes]

If budget weren't an issue, where would you live with a family?

Actually, I like where I live now, just fine, I was a dupont brat growing up lived all over the us of a, as an adult, I have seen every continent except antarctica, I truly enjoy living in rural N. Carolina.

[Bunjee]

I don't have my own family, but my sister's kids grew up in Long Beach and they're terrific, one still at home but the others gone off to college. There's a range of neighborhoods of different economic strata, some very posh. It helps if your kids are into sports, maybe water polo, track and field, swimming, or volleyball. Football, baseball, soccer and basketball too, but these other sports--still marquee activities--have their intimate communities.

I'd personally avoid the west side, as there are too many "L.A." pitfalls there. Even RPV, as pricey and spectacular as it is, is too "west side" for me. Woodland Hills and Ventura County have some great high schools. South Pasadena is a very nice neighborhood but I don't think the schools are very distinguished. San Marino is very expensive and the academics are pretty competitive, so much that your kids will have to do extra-curriculars to keep up academically. Whether that's a good or bad thing is your family's decision.

[ragnarkar]

Monterrey Park, Arcadia, Torrance, Cerritos, Irvine

[disgruntled la native]

Not anywhere in LA county. Maybe Orange County. Irvine, Huntington Beach.

[CelticViking]

If it was in socal...It would be Seal Beach or Huntington Beach probably...If it was L.A or L.a County...it would be where seal beach meets long beach on p.c.h...in the barnes and noble area...

[hsw]

Everyone has difft notions of "ideal" places to raise kids
No places were "ideal" 50-100 yrs ago (memories fade abt lack of A/C, private cars, racism, lack of Net, lack of fresh produce, etc at modern grocery stores, etc etc)...nor today
Even mythical suburbs of Dallas (even HP is surrounded by slums much like LA's Westside) or Houston or Atlanta don't exist for these perfect parents to raise perfect kids
Would argue Palisades/Brentwood, sending kids to Harvard-Westlake, and commuting to CentCty (or at worst DLA) is no worse than choices of those with unlimited resources in Woodside/Atherton or Manhattan/Greenwich...or anywhere else on planet

[pwright1]

I know 2 couples who absolutely love where they live with their families.
My cousin and his wife and 3 kids(1 at NYU), 2 in HS live in Beverly Hills and they love it! A couple of times I dropped by, the next door neighbors were there cooking on the grill in the backyard. Always people walking with baby strollers and others jogging up and down the street. Their two remaining kids participate in school sports and after school activities. Nothing like the snobby, fake, plastic way Beverly Hills is portrayed in the media.
Also Holmby Hills is another great spot that I like. Beautiful mature trees line the streets with a nice park in the center of the neighborhood. I know a very nice couple who live here with elementary age children. Nice and quiet and just steps from busy Wilshire Blvd.