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Old 02-28-2014, 05:42 PM
 
6 posts, read 15,235 times
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My husband has a tentative job offer in Monterey Park. We have 3 young kids and are looking for a nice community to settle into nearby. Any suggestions on where to start looking? A few more things about us:

We can deal with a 2 bed apartment-kids can share a room right now. So, we don't need a house or a 3rd bed right now. Rather have a safe, clean, nice apt that is tiny in the right neighborhood...our budget it very tight for the first year or so once we arrive in LA until I can find some part-time work. I have seen some tiny apts in Burbank and Glendale for about 1300-1500/mo. That's our ideal price range.

Small commute is okay, we have cars. Up to 30 min would be the max though.

Looking for a walkable community. Living in a small place we would like to be able to walk the kids out of the front door to a park or shops or whatever.

Looking for decent schools - they don't have to be top of the line. Just safe. We live in a place right now in CA with "terrible" schools and the kids are thriving there.

We'd like to start off in an extremely cheap rental and then once we get settled get into a nicer rental, maybe a small house. Don't want to change the kids school, so we would like to land and then stay in the same community.
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Old 03-01-2014, 12:29 AM
 
Location: East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
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South Pasadena, Temple City would be places to start looking. Monterey Park is also pretty safe, not sure about the schools, though.
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Old 03-01-2014, 01:58 AM
 
Location: El Sereno, Los Angeles, CA
733 posts, read 933,998 times
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What's wrong with Monterey Park itself, seems pretty nice to me...
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Old 03-01-2014, 01:45 PM
 
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Also, keep in mind that many of the 'not great or terrible schools' in CA are perfectly fine for lower grades. Middle/High school is something to consider, since your kids are older. That's when the schools and the social climate often take a marked turn for the worse. There are many neighborhood schools working to improve and bring back the k-8 concept, as well. And some middle/high schools have implemented IB or other programs. I'd look ahead at the ms/hs in the area you want to live, to see what kind of improvements you can except in the years to come, as well as the overall current state of the school. Check great schools dot org for parent reviews, as well.
And you could also consider the magnet/charter schools nearby that might offer options, how long the waiting list is, etc. To expand your options for the long term.
Just as a side note, the commute would be longer due to traffic, but mileage wise is not that far: Chino Hills has very good schools and is a great area for families, albeit not walkable in an urban sense.

Seriously, when you have younger kids, it's very different. Speaking from experience on the school/neighborhood front.....Just my .02. GL.
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Old 03-01-2014, 10:17 PM
 
6 posts, read 15,235 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrmsd View Post
Also, keep in mind that many of the 'not great or terrible schools' in CA are perfectly fine for lower grades. Middle/High school is something to consider, since your kids are older. That's when the schools and the social climate often take a marked turn for the worse. There are many neighborhood schools working to improve and bring back the k-8 concept, as well. And some middle/high schools have implemented IB or other programs. I'd look ahead at the ms/hs in the area you want to live, to see what kind of improvements you can except in the years to come, as well as the overall current state of the school. Check great schools dot org for parent reviews, as well.
And you could also consider the magnet/charter schools nearby that might offer options, how long the waiting list is, etc. To expand your options for the long term.
Just as a side note, the commute would be longer due to traffic, but mileage wise is not that far: Chino Hills has very good schools and is a great area for families, albeit not walkable in an urban sense.

Seriously, when you have younger kids, it's very different. Speaking from experience on the school/neighborhood front.....Just my .02. GL.

You know what, you raise an important thought that I hadn't thought of before. I will have a middle schooler in about 3 years. Something to think about. I have taken a look at Great Schools and I am a little overwhelmed by how many schools there are in all of the neighborhoods we've looked at so far. Thanks for your input!

We are looking at Monterey Park as an option and Alhambra, too.
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Old 03-03-2014, 12:18 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles, CA
555 posts, read 799,409 times
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Monterey Park, Alhambra, and San Gabriel (all near MP) are nice. Lots of shops within walking distance. All three have well-regarded schools. Alhambra and parts of Monterey Park and San Gabriel are served by the Alhambra Unified School District (e.g. Repetto Elementary and Mark Keppel serve MP but are part of AUSD; San San Gabriel High is part of AUSD). Very good schools. Certain parts of Monterey Park and San Gabriel are served by other neighboring school districts. In San Gabriel, Gabrielino High School is well-regarded. The area is ethnically diverse, has low crime, and offers quite a few walkable areas. Lots of independent shops and restaurants, and ethnically diverse, if that's your thing. Bruggemeyer Library and Barnes Park are nice gems in Monterey Park. Alhambra's Alhambra Public Library, Almansor Park (and other parks) are very nice as well. These places get a lot of use from residents of all ages. Almansor is quite lively well into the evening, with tons of people playing basketball, T-ball, bocce ball, etc. It has a new play area and it has a walking/jogging track that is well used by everyone from kids to the elderly. San Gabriel's Vincent Lugo Park is a regional gem -- one of the more unusual playgrounds. Very fantastical. You won't see this everywhere.

Alhambra Unified School District is K-8 (elementary) and 9-12 (high school). You can't go wrong in this school district. If your kids have special needs, the district is well-funded and offers plenty of services, everything from services for autistic kids to parenting classes for pregnant teens. I know less about the neighboring school districts. AUSD's reputation is considerably better than the overall reputation of Los Angeles Unified School District.

Plenty of apartments in this area in your price range.

Alhambra's Main Street is quaint and offers many restaurants, cafes/tea shops, a movie theater, a live theater, some shops, and one supermarket. Many apartments in this area.

Alhambra's main drag is Valley Blvd. It's less quaint, but offers more restaurants, cafes/tea shops, supermarkets, and stores. The business district stretches roughly from Atlantic Blvd eastward to the edge of town, where San Gabriel begins. Around San Gabriel, the business district becomes considerably more dense.

Monterey Park's downtown is along Garvey Blvd and stretches from Atlantic to the east. It's similar to downtown Alhambra in that the street is relatively narrower and the streetscape is walkable. Plenty of restaurants, tea shops, supermarkets, and stores.

San Gabriel's downtown is considerably smaller, though it does have some interesting restaurants/cafes/tea shops/shops, etc. It's in a historic district alongside the San Gabriel Mission. Its business district also includes Las Tunas, which is the same street as Alhambra's Main Street (just to the east and in a different city). Las Tunas sort of "T's" into the street that goes through the historic area w/the mission.

Caveat: If you don't like Asian or Latino people, these communities may not be for you. The area is very inclusive and has been ethnically diverse for generations. People intermingle, are friends with each other, date and marry each other. A lot of times people link ethnic diversity with crime and low quality of life. This couldn't be further from the truth here in Alhambra/Monterey Park/San Gabriel. Property values here are solid. It's not sleepy though; there are plenty of places to hang out, plenty of enrichment opportunities and free community events for kids and families. Plenty of restaurants -- some of the best Chinese restaurants in the entire United States are here. Lots of innovation and competition here. At times it can feel like a place with urban, cosmopolitan, international flair. At times, it can feel like Mayberry (e.g. community pancake breakfasts at the local fire department open house). Along the business zones, it can be quite lively and many restaurants open well into the night. But turn off that major street, and you're immediately inside a quiet, suburban street full of single family homes, condos, or apartments, with people walking their dogs, etc.

One more thing about the schools: They may rank lower than places like neighboring San Marino and South Pasadena, but I can honestly tell you AUSD graduates can and often do compete quite well w/San Marino and South Pas students. We get into the same colleges, end up at the same work places, and often earn similar amounts, if that's of any concern.

Good luck, and welcome to the neighborhood!
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Old 03-04-2014, 01:01 AM
 
6 posts, read 15,235 times
Reputation: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by sydlee View Post
Monterey Park, Alhambra, and San Gabriel (all near MP) are nice. Lots of shops within walking distance. All three have well-regarded schools. Alhambra and parts of Monterey Park and San Gabriel are served by the Alhambra Unified School District (e.g. Repetto Elementary and Mark Keppel serve MP but are part of AUSD; San San Gabriel High is part of AUSD). Very good schools. Certain parts of Monterey Park and San Gabriel are served by other neighboring school districts. In San Gabriel, Gabrielino High School is well-regarded. The area is ethnically diverse, has low crime, and offers quite a few walkable areas. Lots of independent shops and restaurants, and ethnically diverse, if that's your thing. Bruggemeyer Library and Barnes Park are nice gems in Monterey Park. Alhambra's Alhambra Public Library, Almansor Park (and other parks) are very nice as well. These places get a lot of use from residents of all ages. Almansor is quite lively well into the evening, with tons of people playing basketball, T-ball, bocce ball, etc. It has a new play area and it has a walking/jogging track that is well used by everyone from kids to the elderly. San Gabriel's Vincent Lugo Park is a regional gem -- one of the more unusual playgrounds. Very fantastical. You won't see this everywhere.

Alhambra Unified School District is K-8 (elementary) and 9-12 (high school). You can't go wrong in this school district. If your kids have special needs, the district is well-funded and offers plenty of services, everything from services for autistic kids to parenting classes for pregnant teens. I know less about the neighboring school districts. AUSD's reputation is considerably better than the overall reputation of Los Angeles Unified School District.

Plenty of apartments in this area in your price range.

Alhambra's Main Street is quaint and offers many restaurants, cafes/tea shops, a movie theater, a live theater, some shops, and one supermarket. Many apartments in this area.

Alhambra's main drag is Valley Blvd. It's less quaint, but offers more restaurants, cafes/tea shops, supermarkets, and stores. The business district stretches roughly from Atlantic Blvd eastward to the edge of town, where San Gabriel begins. Around San Gabriel, the business district becomes considerably more dense.

Monterey Park's downtown is along Garvey Blvd and stretches from Atlantic to the east. It's similar to downtown Alhambra in that the street is relatively narrower and the streetscape is walkable. Plenty of restaurants, tea shops, supermarkets, and stores.

San Gabriel's downtown is considerably smaller, though it does have some interesting restaurants/cafes/tea shops/shops, etc. It's in a historic district alongside the San Gabriel Mission. Its business district also includes Las Tunas, which is the same street as Alhambra's Main Street (just to the east and in a different city). Las Tunas sort of "T's" into the street that goes through the historic area w/the mission.

Caveat: If you don't like Asian or Latino people, these communities may not be for you. The area is very inclusive and has been ethnically diverse for generations. People intermingle, are friends with each other, date and marry each other. A lot of times people link ethnic diversity with crime and low quality of life. This couldn't be further from the truth here in Alhambra/Monterey Park/San Gabriel. Property values here are solid. It's not sleepy though; there are plenty of places to hang out, plenty of enrichment opportunities and free community events for kids and families. Plenty of restaurants -- some of the best Chinese restaurants in the entire United States are here. Lots of innovation and competition here. At times it can feel like a place with urban, cosmopolitan, international flair. At times, it can feel like Mayberry (e.g. community pancake breakfasts at the local fire department open house). Along the business zones, it can be quite lively and many restaurants open well into the night. But turn off that major street, and you're immediately inside a quiet, suburban street full of single family homes, condos, or apartments, with people walking their dogs, etc.

One more thing about the schools: They may rank lower than places like neighboring San Marino and South Pasadena, but I can honestly tell you AUSD graduates can and often do compete quite well w/San Marino and South Pas students. We get into the same colleges, end up at the same work places, and often earn similar amounts, if that's of any concern.

Good luck, and welcome to the neighborhood!
Wow! Thank you for the detailed response! This is exactly the insider info I was looking for. We prefer ethnically and culturally diverse neighborhoods and are focusing in on the exact areas you mentioned. Our budget is going to be pretty tight for a year or two...hoping we can find a decent rental. Thank you again!
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