Can you tell me about Panorama City? (Los Angeles, Santa Clarita: apartments, power lines)

[crmorgan7]

I just applied for a job at Kaiser Permanente in Panorama City. My husband and I are in our late 20s, don't want kids, and looking for a new and interesting place to live. We currently live in SC and we hate it. We enjoy watersports, hiking, kayaking, shopping, sight seeing, and much more. We are pretty open minded.

With that said, can you tell me anything about the area? Is it urban or suburban? Boring or exciting?

[Count David]

Panorama City, Los Angeles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not so new, but it will be interesting and exciting. Bring those open minds with you.

Not much in the way of water-sports close by, except for the ocean within commuting distance. No kayaking that I know of.

[Charles]

It's Southern California, there's always something interesting to do. Focus on commuting and neighborhood quality. You can always trek to kayaking and hiking on weekends when you'll have the time to do those things.

Depending on your budget, you might like to live a little further south in Sherman Oaks or Encino areas or perhaps Studio City (art/entertainment industry crowd) or Burbank (though more older people in Burbank). More interesting, more amenities, probably more people in your age demographic group. Traffic heading north to Panorama City on the 405, 5 or 170 probably isn't that bad in the morning (but I am not totally sure - check Sigalert.com Los Angeles Traffic Map during your expected commute times).

Panorama City is almost in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. Lots of immigrants. Not too modern (still visible power lines, bill boards, no master planning), flat, monotonous, inhabited by some 1st generation Americans, kids who speak English as a second language, strip malls, apartments, family single family ranch style homes, light industry.

[Fontucky]

Both Lake Piru and Castaic Lake are about an hour away for those fresh water pursuits such as water and jet skiing, although Lake Piru prohibits PWC.

[crmorgan7]

About how much would we need to spend to get a nice rental? Our household income would be around $150k give or take a little.

[Count David]

A maximum of 25% of your take home pay is a good start. That should be more than enough to get you into a good place in a good area.

[DowntownVentura]

Three areas I will throw in

1. Santa Clarita, suburban, family style. Easy commute to Panorama City and lots of outdoor activities, including lakes, close.
2. Woodland Hills. Shopping, lots of shopping. Some clubs, easy access to the beach as well as the Santa Monica Mountains for hiking and bicycling.
3. Sherman Oaks, night life, shopping, access to Santa Monica Mountains for hiking/biking. Access to the beach is a little further than Woodland Hills

I prefer the water sports, including kayaking, on the ocean rather than lakes. If you prefer lakes, I would consider Santa Clarita.

[perek]

I moved out here 2 years ago from Spartanburg, I currently reside in Woodland Hills. I would recommend only considering south of ventura blvd if you can. Personally I would choose Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks in no particular order. Woodland Hills has the best value in housing bar none and is super close to the canyons and beaches. Encino has a great stretch of ventura in the encino commons, woodland hills is the most convenient neighborhood in LA, Sherman Oaks has the nicest mix of city and suburb.

[crmorgan7]

Perek, are you glad you made the move? How expensive is it compared to what we're used to here in South Carolina?

[perek]

Best decision I ever made. Sure it's more expensive, there is a reason for that. Happiness > Money