Family of four moving to LA from Australia- help! (Santa Monica: apartment, rentals)

[Lynda88]

Hi all-

So DH has been offered a position in LA. He'll be working in the Wilshire/Robertson area of Beverly Hills and he'll be making about $100,000. I'm a stay at home mom with an infant and toddler so I need to find us a safe neighborhood that is walk able, with schools, parks, shops, cafes, etc all nearby with a short commute for my husband. Santa Monica seems nice, but can we realistically afford it? Wondering about taxes, cost of living, etc everything I may not think of. Thanks in advance.

[Benedizzle]

If you are buying, probably going to be (very) tough. If you are renting, very doable if you are ok with public schools.

[Lynda88]

Originally Posted by Benedizzle

If you are buying, probably going to be (very) tough. If you are renting, very doable if you are ok with public schools.

So what are we looking at in rent for a 3 bedroom place?

[jrs130]

Cost of living will be wayyyyyy lower then in Australia. I was living in Australia just recently and moved back to the US, everything is considerably cheaper here, sans healthcare. Not sure where in Australia you're from, but housing (to buy) I would say is comparable to Sydney prices, maybe a little lower, depending where in LA you chose to live.

On the tax front, I would highly recommend sitting down with a tax professional to sort out your super/401k (assuming he's getting paid in USD here in the US). Unrealized gains in a 401k are taxable in Australia if you're a resident of Australia, not sure if that still applies when you're NOT residing in Australia.

But yes, cost of living is dramatically lower here for the average person (cars/food/clothing/fuel/restaurants/etc)

[BRinSM]

With a $100,000 salary, I wouldn't let your rent exceed $2,500 per month. That won't get you much more than a 2 bedroom apartment in the nicer areas of LA though. if you want a house, you'll have to move the valley and your DH will have a rough commute. also, the valley neighborhoods that are walkable as you prefer will also probably be more expensive than the amount i mentioned above. $100k is a nice salary, but to live well you'll need much more than that.

[DynamoLA]

What's a "DH"? Designated Hitter?

[smokingGun]

take a look at the Fairfax district/Mid-City area. It's very walkable and kind of boho hip without being sketch like say Eagle Rock or Downtown. I like Larchmont Village too but i think it's more expensive.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by DynamoLA

What's a "DH"? Designated Hitter?

That, and a Designated Husband.

[Londonteacher]

You will be fine and you can live perfectly well on that- all my friends rent for between 2000- 2700 per month for a 3 bed house.
Eagle Rock is fantastic and not sketchy at all but not sure about the commute.Mount Washington is lovely and no 1 elementary is up there.Personally I find the Miracle Mile area very boring- we lived there when we first arrived and it was just uninspiring but I like some greenery.
Westside Rentals is good for rentals.
Good Luck

[Lynda88]

Thanks so much for advice. Will definitely look into the tax situation- and yes looking forward to not being charged ridiculous prices for stuff I can get cheap in the States. DH is dear husband- DD, DS... Got those? It must be a mom forum thing