Potential move to Los Angeles area - Location assistance appreciated! (San Francisco: apartment, for rent)

[Lukejones2]

All

I may be offered a position in LA - San Francisco is the other likely option. This would bring myself and my three children to the USA and I was wondering if you could help me with suggesting a few possible areas to live?

Details:

We are a family of 3 children ages 6 month, 4 and 5 so elementary scools important (high/middle schools not so much)

I will be working at 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

I would like to commute to work by public transport if that is possible, I would like that commute in its entirety to be less than an hour.

I would like a suburban, relaxed, quiet feel with parks walkable for the children and my wife.

Safety is paramount. I need to be somewhere that it would be safe for me to return home from work at midnight, or for my family to walk around of an evening. I don't want to live somewhere I can only turn left / right when I leave my front door.

Budget is probably £2,000 - £2,200 rent per month.

I look forward to any suggestions and very much appreciate any help that you are able to provide.

[BRinSM]

since your job will be downtown, you'll have plenty of transit options (both rail and bus). i'm not familiar with current exchange rates, but I'd guess your budget would put you in the $3000-$3500 range for rent. if that's the case you'll have plenty of options. some places to consider are studio city and south pasadena. elementary schools in these neighborhoods should be good to great and both have rail access to downtown LA.

[JohnG72]

South Pasadena or Burbank.

If you want to take rail transit from Burbank or South Pasadena, that's an option as there's a Redline stop at Fig/7th.

Public transport from those locations will require one transfer of trains at Union Station. Your trip will be under an hour each way.

I'm also unfamiliar with exchange rates, but as long as your budget is a minimum of $2500 US per month, you'll be able to at least find a 3bd/2ba 1300sq ft+ townhome, if not a SFR in those areas.

[Lukejones2]

Originally Posted by Lukejones2

All


Budget is probably £2,000 - £2,200 rent per month.

I look forward to any suggestions and very much appreciate any help that you are able to provide.

OK, I am very sorry! I meant $2,000 - $2,200... Habitual use of the incorrect currency sign!

So yes... bit more tricky than with a $3.5k budget I am afraid...

[BRinSM]

that changes everything. get familiar with these sites http://www.ladottransit.com and http://www.metrolinktrains.com.

[Lukejones2]

Thanks for those BRinSM - I think Studio City is out for sure, although there seem to be 3BR places available in Burbank / South Pasedena (less so) for the $2000 - $2200 mark on Craigslist.

Thanks for the transport links - which are appreciated. IT's very difficult to know which areas to focus on though!

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by Lukejones2

Thanks for those BRinSM - I think Studio City is out for sure, although there seem to be 3BR places available in Burbank / South Pasedena (less so) for the $2000 - $2200 mark on Craigslist.

Thanks for the transport links - which are appreciated. IT's very difficult to know which areas to focus on though!

The reason we cited those areas(Burbank and So. Pas is because of easy access to public transportation. If you are ok with an apartment or condo, I'd still live there.

Lots of families that post on CD are looking for SFR or places to buy which are generally more expensive in those areas than renting.

[Jarkatmu]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

that changes everything. get familiar with these sites http://www.ladottransit.com and http://www.metrolinktrains.com.

Don't forget metro.net!

Metro is the main transit service provider for LA County. They run the light rail lines, the subway, and most bus service.

Metrolink is the regional commuter train system and LADOT operates express commuter buses and a network of circulator shuttles in Downtown LA.

[Lukejones2]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

The reason we cited those areas(Burbank and So. Pas is because of easy access to public transportation. If you are ok with an apartment or condo, I'd still live there.

Lots of families that post on CD are looking for SFR or places to buy which are generally more expensive in those areas than renting.

Thanks - That is very useful! The ideal would be a town home / SFR but we realise that we may need to compromise... Are there slightly less expensive but still safe areas perhaps?

I had a look at Simi Valley... the commute looks a bit of a nightmare, but possible on public transport I guess... more like 1.5 hours than 1 so not ideal... but is there anywhere similar?

[JohnG72]

Lots of people live in simi Valley, Valencia, Santa Clarita, Chino Hills, Rancho Cucamounga, and other similiar areas and take the trains in from those places.