Jewish family moving from Dallas to LA (Oxnard, Burbank: sale, coupon)

[ohnosnam1]

Hi, we're a young, Jewish family moving from Dallas to LA. We're really leaning towards the Pico-Robertson area, but it seems that the cost of living is about 2.5 times more than in Dallas. We are Modern Orthodox Jews and want to live in a neighborhood with synagogues, kosher restaurants, schools, etc. within walking distance.

If I made, say, $100k in Dallas and lived comfortably in a 2,000 sq ft home with 2 cars and the usual trappings of a yuppy lifestyle, how much would I need to make in LA to live a similar lifestyle? $250k? Is there a convenient "multiplier" I can use to determine cost of living in LA generally and/or Pico-Robertson specifically?

Thanks for the responses.

[ccm123]

One of these cost of difference calculators may help:

Cost of Living Calculator: Compare the Cost of Living in Two Cities - CNNMoney

I take these calculations with a "grain of salt" since everyone's financial situation is different. The housing in Southern California is what is much more expensive than in the DFW area.

[disgruntled la native]

Pico/Robertson, or I would say Beverlywood the area immediately south of it, isn't too expensive. I'd say 100k a year is close to the median salary in Pico/Robertson and Beverlywood. However, to have the comfort you had in Dallas may require double the salary, so you would likely downsize here. And yes that is the area you want to live in if you want to walk to tons of synagogues, kosher eateries, and orthodox Jewish establishments.

[5pyg1a55]

Pico Robertson is a heavy renter's neighborhood, not really a "yuppy lifestyle" neighborhood, except on the outskirts where it transitions into "nicer" neighborhoods.

75% renters and the average household income is $65k--a LOT of run down, trashy apartment buildings not renovated since the 50's. Small apartments packed with large families. There's a few newer, nice condo buildings, but living in them still places you next to the trashy buildings. I mean toilets in front yards, old mattresses on the sidewalk, loudness + thin walls/windows (you can hear folks in the next building eat dinner, argue and watch TV), and "handyman" construction at strange hours.
Landlords can be sketchy, especially at the run-down buildings. However, it's very safe. A small amount of property crime- mostly theft from cars.

There's also a heavy Persian population in P/R, so hopefully you have no problem living among Muslims.

There' a single-family-house neighborhood just East of La Cienega & North of Pico called Carthay you may want to check out. It's nicer; gardens, green lawns, nice clean streets, mostly all homes, etc... Carthay does trick-or-treating for the kids, too.

There's no direct multiplier, but you might live alright on $250k- that's up to you, but I think it would be tight with kids. A 3 bed 2000ft home around P/R or Carthay runs around 1.2 mil, give or take (and they will not be brand new like Dallas suburb McMansions). The smaller homes or condos start around $700k and they may have not been renovated in some time. Groceries are expensive- at least $300/week for a family and that's if you coupon and buy on sale only. Private school is expensive. Gas is expensive $4.50/gallon usually, though I've seen it over $5 recently.

[nightlysparrow]

There is also a large Orthodox enclave in the SanFernando Valley in North Hollywood, around Burbank Boulevard, Whitsett Avenue and Oxnard Streets.

Way less expensive there.

[BRinSM]

I would also look into the valley. Pretty much any neighborhood along the 101 will have good sized Jewish population with the accompanying synagogues and kosher markets. The further west you go the less expensive the housing is. Woodland hills may be a good option depending on where you will be working. You could survive on $100k there, but you'll probably need to rent an older, smaller home. 2000+sf is a luxury in most of LA.

[Olamm]

LA doesn't have that many Orthodox Jews unlike N.Y.

[Miss Pip]

Originally Posted by 5pyg1a55

...There's also a heavy Persian population in P/R, so hopefully you have no problem living among Muslims.

I've hardly see many Muslims in LA. In Encino there's a lot of Persian Jews but not Muslims.

[ohnosnam1]

Thank you guys for such great answers. Didn't really expect it.

75% renters and the average household income is $65k

That's surprising. With some of the home prices I've seen, both for purchase and rent, it doesn't seem like $65k could go very far.

I'm glad to hear that the neighborhood is safe, though, given that it's so urban and so densely populated. Is it safe enough, though, to send my kids two blocks down the street to a park on their own?

Does traffic tend to stick to the main thoroughfares?

What business sectors do most people work in? What are the most common occupations for those who own their homes? What about renters?