Philly transplants in LA (Pomona, Pasadena: apartment, neighborhoods, schools)

[phillyLA]

Who here is from Philadelphia/NJ/DE area. I know there are a lot of Philly transplants in the LA area.

So how was your experience moving cross country?

What's LA like compared to Philly?

Im looking at a place Pasadena and will be working in Santa Monica.

Just tell me whatever you can. I'm very interested in hearing your experiences.

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Not from Philly, but that's a hell of long commute you're looking at there.

[Nightscape]

Pasadena-Santa Monica commute? You're going to hate LA within a month and wish you never left Philly.

[nowincal11]

Originally Posted by phillyLA

Who here is from Philadelphia/NJ/DE area. I know there are a lot of Philly transplants in the LA area.

So how was your experience moving cross country?

What's LA like compared to Philly?

Im looking at a place Pasadena and will be working in Santa Monica.

Just tell me whatever you can. I'm very interested in hearing your experiences.

I've been to Philly many times so I can elaborate. Philly is a complete 180 from LA. Philly is a far smaller, more compact industrial city. LA is way way way larger in land area and is more evenly spread out in terms of population density. People describe LA as complete urban sprawl. If you look at census data, in many parts of LA and the surrounding area, the density is relatively uniform between 7-10K people per square mile including many suburbs.

LA is more expensive. LA has way better weather. LA has a better landscape. People are friendlier and more worldly. In Philly, people know Philly or their own neighborhood. In LA, people are more familiar with other neighborhoods, cultures, and world events.

Your commute from Pasadena to Santa Monica will be 2 hours + each way. Would suggest living somewhere closer. What is your budget and desires?

[phillyLA]

[quote=nowincal11;21032601]I've been to Philly many times so I can elaborate. Philly is a complete 180 from LA. Philly is a far smaller, more compact industrial city. LA is way way way larger in land area and is more evenly spread out in terms of population density. People describe LA as complete urban sprawl. If you look at census data, in many parts of LA and the surrounding area, the density is relatively uniform between 7-10K people per square mile including many suburbs.

LA is more expensive. LA has way better weather. LA has a better landscape. People are friendlier and more worldly. In Philly, people know Philly or their own neighborhood. In LA, people are more familiar with other neighborhoods, cultures, and world events.

Your commute from Pasadena to Santa Monica will be 2 hours + each way. Would suggest living somewhere closer. What is your budget and desires?[/QUOTE]

2 hrs?? each way that's 4 hrs a day. wow I didn't know it would take that long. I can do 2 hrs a day meaning 1 hr each way but what you all are telling me is pushing it.

$900-$1350 a mth for a studio or 1br is my budget.

My desires are somewhere that has walkability since I'm an east coast girl. Schools are a non factor because I'm single. Close to shopping centers for groceries, etc.. regular amenities I guess.

I would love to live on the beach but my budget won't allow for it at this time.

[Nightscape]

Originally Posted by phillyLA

2 hrs?? each way that's 4 hrs a day. wow I didn't know it would take that long. I can do 2 hrs a day meaning 1 hr each way but what you all are telling me is pushing it.

$900-$1350 a mth for a studio or 1br is my budget.

My desires are somewhere that has walkability since I'm an east coast girl. Schools are a non factor because I'm single. Close to shopping centers for groceries, etc.. regular amenities I guess.

I would love to live on the beach but my budget won't allow for it at this time.

You can find a decent/good studio or 1 bedroom apartment for that price in West Hollywood, Miracle Mile, Fairfax district, and Hollywood. Your commute time would be considerably less (under 1hr) each way, have great walkability and close to many amenities.

You would be much closer to the beach as well compared to Pasadena. Pasadena is just a bad idea if you're going to be working in SM.

[genjy]

If you do Pasadena to SM, that's 110 freeway to Downtown LA to 10 freeway. The 110 section is going to be fast for the most part, but it will get jammed up in Downtown LA.

The 10 section--pack a lunch, you will be eating it on the way to work.

Repeat again for the afternoon rush.

Back in college, I used to do Culver City (work) to Cal Poly Pomona (school) everyday. Very traumatizing.

Speaking of which, take a look at Culver City--it's a good central location with OK walkability. Might be a bit more affordable than Hollywood or WeHo.

[iNviNciBL3]

Shot i'd look into Marina Del Rey. You could get a nice studio in your price range in that town!

[Ihatespoiledbrattypeople]

Southern California is the Transplant Capital of America

[jmac1]

I use to drive from Pasadena to UCLA back in the day.

The best route is the 210W to the 134W to the 101N, exit Woodman make a left, make a right on Ventura to Beverly Glen, then make a left on Beverly Glen (over the hill and through the woods, lol), right on Sunset and a left on Hilgard, a right on Le Conte, then a left on Westwood to Olympic or Santa Monic, depends on where you are going; or take the first left past UCLA (I can't remeber the street?!) then a right on Gayley, take Gayley to Montana, then make a left and Montanta it will take you to Santa Monica. It will take an 1 hr 1/2....at worst.

Ahhh the good old days