Shortlisting Kid-friendly L.A. Suburbs: near CHLA (Los Angeles, Riverside: 2013, safe neighborhood)

[Ritu Season]

I am looking at a potential move to a suburb in the L.a. area, come 2013. While doing internet research, I came across this link:

[SIZE=3]Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]And I am using this to better understand the neighborhoods. I would like to shortlist neighborhoods which offer the following:[/SIZE]

• [SIZE=3]Excellent public schooling[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=3]Relatively safe neighborhood[/SIZE]
• [SIZE=3]A commute which is <= to a 30 minutes drive to Children's Hospital L.A.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Any thoughts/comments are being looked out for on this forum.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Thanks much in advance.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Ritu [/SIZE]

[Ritu Season]

Also: South Pasadena and Mt. Wash are two areas which have been suggested, and they are on our list to study further. Thanks, R

[JohnG72]

The only places 30 min rush hour commute to children's hospital with excellent public schools are Burbank, La Cresenta, and S. Pasadena.

A small bit further, and you can include La Canada, San Marino, and Beverly Hills.

Mt Washington might have a good elementary school, but after that, I wouldn't call the schools very good.

[Ritu Season]

Thank you JohnG72! I will move forward towards researching Burbank, La Cresenta and researching S. Pasadena a bit more. I can now put Mt. Washington at the back of the list.
Best,
Ritu

[ccm123]

Of those 3 areas, my choices would be (ranked):

1/ South Pasadena
2/ La Crescenta
3/ Burbank

[CaliInChappaqua]

La Crescenta and Burbank are farther than La Canada. Keep La Canada on your list.
San Marino is right next door to South Pasadena and perhaps even a bit closer to CHLA.

Do you have a budget? What other amenities are you looking for in a community?

[JohnG72]

Burbank is by far the closest and just looking at a map bears that out. Using the 5 South(or Victory to Riverside Drive) to Los Feliz, Google maps shows it as 7.6 miles from mid Burbank(around 5fwy/Olive St.)

South Pasadena is 11 miles, La Crescenta is 14, La Canada is 13.

I think you are confused by what CHLA is....its located at Sunset/Vermont on the border of Hollywood and Los Feliz.

[CaliInChappaqua]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

Burbank is by far the closest and just looking at a map bears that out. Using the 5 South(or Victory to Riverside Drive) to Los Feliz, Google maps shows it as 7.6 miles from mid Burbank(around 5fwy/Olive St.)

South Pasadena is 11 miles, La Crescenta is 14, La Canada is 13.

I think you are confused by what CHLA is....its located at Sunset/Vermont on the border of Hollywood and Los Feliz.

You are right! I was confused. I was thinking of USC Women's and Children's Hospital at the intersection of the 5 and the 10.

[smokingGun]

are you a resident or fellow? How old are your kids? If they're in elementary school I suggest La Crescenta/Montrose. I've heard good things about Ivanhoe Elementary in Silverlake too... it went through a rough patch when families were fleeing the city but it's definitely on the upswing. I have to admit that my friends with kids who live in Los Feliz/Hollywood Hills do send them to private school. It's part of the cost of living in the heart of LA LA Land.

[Ritu Season]

@JohnG72: Thank you so much. I need to research South Pasadena, La Crescenta and Burbank. At this point, La Crescenta appears to be most appealing though it is the farthest.

@ccm123: Burbank is last on our list too, as we are not focusing on the San Fernando Valley at this time. Thanks for the input!

@smokingGun: Kids are preschool age at this time. I am hoping that this will be our last move, and so I am trying to make decisions with a long-term perspective (minimum-next 5 years). Thank you for your input about the elementary schools in La Crescenta/ Montrose. I hope to find a good public school, wherever we decide to settle.

Best,
Ritu