Looking for a place to live. Working in Burbank but won't have a car. Am I stupid? (Glendale: apartments, insurance) - Los Angeles - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

greatfire · 10-02-2007, 01:08 PM

Alright, I may end up working in Burbank for a little while. The place is near the Yahoo! building (in the same complex, just a different company), to give you some idea of the work location. Anyway, if I move back to Burbank, then I wouldn't have a car to get around. Do you think this is smart? I wouldn't have a car, because I can't really afford one right now (esp. the insurance), and I still don't have my drivers licence.

Anyway, I'm trying to find a place to live that would be close to the Yahoo! building (walkable, if possible), or if not close, then accessible by train/bus/whatever.

But more than a place that's close, I'd like to find a place that's in a safe, nice area. I don't like waking up to the sight of old run down buildings that make me feel like a failure living in a slum. I'm willing to live on meager amenities to go home to a decent apartment in a nice part of town.

Summary:

I'm trying to find a nice apartment in a good, safe area that is located such that I can get to/from there to work by walking/train/bus/etc.

Any advice?

Bronze18 · 10-02-2007, 01:33 PM

I dont live there so maybe I should keep my mouth shut...but nevertheless from what I know of L.A. based on the times I've visited and what I hear, you REALLY need a car to get around. I just wouldn't chance it if I were you. By the way @ "Am I stupid?", no but you ARE hilarious for including that in the subject line of your post. Thanks for the laugh and good luck!

Charles · 10-02-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatfire

Alright, I may end up working in Burbank for a little while. The place is near the Yahoo! building (in the same complex, just a different company), to give you some idea of the work location. Anyway, if I move back to Burbank, then I wouldn't have a car to get around. Do you think this is smart? I wouldn't have a car, because I can't really afford one right now (esp. the insurance), and I still don't have my drivers licence.

Anyway, I'm trying to find a place to live that would be close to the Yahoo! building (walkable, if possible), or if not close, then accessible by train/bus/whatever.

But more than a place that's close, I'd like to find a place that's in a safe, nice area. I don't like waking up to the sight of old run down buildings that make me feel like a failure living in a slum. I'm willing to live on meager amenities to go home to a decent apartment in a nice part of town.

Summary:

I'm trying to find a nice apartment in a good, safe area that is located such that I can get to/from there to work by walking/train/bus/etc.

Any advice?

I'd bet you could do it. Yes, there will be inconveniences for a while. Besides, if you don't have a car then you don't have a car. It wouldn't be forever anyway. What about a mountain bike with panniers to use on most nice weather days? There is so much density of goods, food, and services in that area that you wouldn't have to go too far. A car might be more of a hassle if 90% of your trips are less than one mile anyway.

CMYK · 10-02-2007, 02:16 PM

I think it's doable, if you're willing to put up with the inconveniences of walking in a city that's designed for cars.

The song lyrics "no one walks in LA" is very true. However, there are actually quite a few buses around, and the trains (the few of them that there are) can get you over to the hotspots for the most part. Check out MTA.net.

However, LA is in no ways a city like Chicago or NY where you can easily get by without owning a car. Everything here is spread out and even your 'local' bakery or watering hole takes time to get to.

The worst part is that since most people drive everywhere, there's usually not a lot of other people walking around. So it might get you a few stares and honks (especially if you're of the feminine persuasion) since you might be the only one around that's actually using the sidewalk.

This of course depends on where you are since some areas in themselves are very pedestrian friendly (downtown Burbank, Toluca Lake, Media District, Empire Center, downtown Glendale), but most people drive to these places, park, then hang out and walk around.

LaoTzuMindFu · 10-02-2007, 03:33 PM

You said "....moving back to Burbank". Have you lived there before? Are you male or female? This is useful info to determine what may be the best locations for you. Yahoo is at 3333 Empire street which is not too far from the airport. There isnt much in that general vicinity but industrial/warehouses. You would have to walk past Hollywood Way/Vanowen to the metro-link that will take you into the downtown burbank for food, movies, entertainment, etc. or you can continue on all the way to downtown LA.

If youre female, I would suggest trying to find a place close to the Metro station in Burbank near the 5fwy. Its a rather safe walk and it will take you pretty close to work.

greatfire · 10-02-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBeez

You said "....moving back to Burbank". Have you lived there before? Are you male or female? This is useful info to determine what may be the best locations for you. Yahoo is at 3333 Empire street which is not too far from the airport. There isnt much in that general vicinity but industrial/warehouses. You would have to walk past Hollywood Way/Vanowen to the metro-link that will take you into the downtown burbank for food, movies, entertainment, etc. or you can continue on all the way to downtown LA.

If youre female, I would suggest trying to find a place close to the Metro station in Burbank near the 5fwy. Its a rather safe walk and it will take you pretty close to work.

I lived there for a few weeks while I was interning..

I lived with some random person in a sublet, which is something I'm desperately trying to avoid (sharing a room).

I am a male.

capoeira · 10-02-2007, 04:32 PM

The 94,163 & 394 bus lines go by your work location. If you find a desirable area to live near one of these lines you will have a direct bus ride to work. Example,live in Glendale close to the 94 line and have a 35 minute bus ride to work.

longbeachhomes · 10-15-2007, 08:25 PM

Taking the bus is okay here in Socal, but the commute time is killer. Been there. Better to drive or car pool. You'll have time to do other things than sit in the bus forever! Some bus routes mean you have to connect in really bad areas. We had a friend who refused to drive had bottles thrown at him at a bus stop. He was in Watts at the wrong time of nite.

GO JACKETS · 10-15-2007, 09:19 PM

I went out with a girl who lived in Burbank and didn't have a car. So there is at least one other person who does it. I went out with a girl in Hollywood who didn't have a car too. People seem to be able to pull it off. I don't know how I end up dating them though. That's probably not real helpful but it should be encouraging at least. haha

UB50 · 10-15-2007, 09:20 PM

You could live around the Media Center Mall (Glenoaks) and probably commute easily enough. The area is nice around there with a lot of things you can walk to when you aren't working.

I wouldn't live near the Yahoo building. It's in the triangle (north of the train tracks, south of I-5) that I think is the most rundown area of Burbank. Buena Vista, either north of I-5 or south of VanOwen has lots of little apartments. Ditto with Hollywood Way.

The other thing you have to worry about is grocery shopping. I'd probably try to find something close to a shopping center.