LA with a Family? (Los Angeles, Long Beach: house, neighborhood, private schools)

[Loperder]

We've got a 4 year old and are considering relocating from a small coastal town in California down to LA. Why? Well because we're all bored to death here. For sure the beach and slow pace are nice but we miss city amenities. However all I hear is how people hate LA. Yet when they want to do something like Shop, or see a game, or do something special, to LA they go.

I've lived in big cities so I know the costs and hassles. I think for us am eye opener was that crazy, stupid people are everywhere so singling out the big cities a being crazier isn't true, sadly.

So are we way off here? We'd have the beach, Disney, restaurants, shopping, sports, etc..

[nightlysparrow]

Third option: a suburb.

[MordinSolus]

Depends on your budget. If you can afford to live in an area with good schools then you should absolutely do it if it will make you happier.

[disgruntled la native]

LA is a terrible place to raise a kid. Live in one of the suburbs. Options include but are not limited to: Thousand Oaks, Pasadena, North Orange County, Long Beach Area, SGV, Santa Clarita

[Voyageuse]

I vote for Pasadena. As an Atlanta transplant friend described it, "Pasadena is L.A., but not really." The only downside is that the public schools suck, and the summers are brutally hot. South Pasadena might be a good option if you'd prefer sending your kids to public school.

[MordinSolus]

South Pasadena has great schools and is still close to the city, but it is pricey. I don't know if the Summers are any cooler though.

[Texamichiforniasota]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

LA is a terrible place to raise a kid. Live in one of the suburbs. Options include but are not limited to: Thousand Oaks, Pasadena, North Orange County, Long Beach Area, SGV, Santa Clarita

Correction, LA is a terrible place to raise a kid if you don't have a good income. The areas with good schools/amenities are expensive. If you can afford a good neighborhood, not only is it a good place to raise kids but you also can live somewhere with easy access to city amenities. Pasadena/SGV are also good options, although Pasadena schools aren't really much better than LA. If you are on a budget, then consider TO and SCV, but the commutes are bad and they have a reputation for being a little more boring/cookie cutter, which doesn't sound like what you are looking for in your post. Long Beach might be good, I don't spend enough time in OC to comment.

[BRinSM]

I have a family of four and we live in a modest, yet nice part of the San Fernando valley. We love it here. Sure, the summers are hot, but the amenities make it worth it. I am from orange county, but I prefer all the activities that LA has to offer. My kids aren't of school age yet though, so my feelings may change in the next few years. For now, we enjoy living here and hope that we may work our way up to being able to afford a house on the westside someday.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

If you move to a suburb, then please work there too. The roads are jammed all throughout Los Angeles with people who want to work in the city, but live elsewhere.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by Texamichiforniasota

Correction, LA is a terrible place to raise a kid if you don't have a good income. The areas with good schools/amenities are expensive. If you can afford a good neighborhood, not only is it a good place to raise kids but you also can live somewhere with easy access to city amenities. Pasadena/SGV are also good options, although Pasadena schools aren't really much better than LA. If you are on a budget, then consider TO and SCV, but the commutes are bad and they have a reputation for being a little more boring/cookie cutter, which doesn't sound like what you are looking for in your post. Long Beach might be good, I don't spend enough time in OC to comment.

Even if you're rich it's not all that... the ones in a mansion and attend private schools are often more messed up than any poor inner city kid. LA is a tough place to grow up regardless of income.