big family relocating to LA, are we nuts?? (Los Angeles, San Diego: real estate market, lease)

[Bakeneko]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Sorry, just from the questions you ask you know little to nothing about LA, first off you don't need A/C all year round(July, Aug, Sept), second you don't seem to know the area at all.

If you were single, or a married couple with maybe one kid(and preschool age at that), I would say go for it.

And your wife wanting to work in the entertainment industry sounds nice but without connections most likely not going to happen.

When you have kids(and you have a lot of kids) you have to put their interests first, moving kids away from their friends and activities is a lot to ask.

The only opportunity I see for your kids is to be able to play outside more. Not really a reason to move.

I'd agree - LA is full of people that want to get into the entertainment industry. Chances of a SAHM of ten years in her mid 30's making it big?

I think your children will be giving u more than you think...

[jklewis54]

Short answer: No, I wouldn't. So CA is not worth the downsides for a family. Except for an annual Disneyland Pass.

[theraven24]

Originally Posted by jklewis54

Short answer: No, I wouldn't. So CA is not worth the downsides for a family. Except for an annual Disneyland Pass.

This is an insult to Angelenos who were born and raised here. I was born and raised here, I have a college degree, as well as my eldest brother, and my other two siblings are in college right now. None of us drink or do drugs, have never gotten into any serious trouble, and we're good people. Our parents are still together as well.

[perrrrz]

This seems to be one of those "3 requirements, choose 2"scenarios:

1) affordable
2) good commute
3) good schools, sports access

Where's the best trade off though? I'm in the same boat with trying to fulfill #1 & #3, knowing #2 will take a hit. I just accepted a position in Santa Monica and will be starting after new year's. My large family will be joining me after the school year ends. I was considering the same places the OP is looking into, and some others.

Does no one take transit there, or is it all car-centric that the metro lines/regional rail is inefficient? I'm wondering if taking the train makes the commute more manageable.

[DougStark]

I'd recommend you check out Phoenix metro before deciding on metro LA since you have a family. If you can tolerate our summers, you will be able to afford a huge, comfortable home and very nice neighborhoods.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I'd recommend you check out Phoenix metro before deciding on metro LA since you have a family. If you can tolerate our summers, you will be able to afford a huge, comfortable home and very nice neighborhoods.

Your "summers" are 8 months long.

Phoenix is great in the winter. That's about it.

Better enjoy that big huge home, you're stuck inside it most of the year.

Some of us like to be outside, not prisoners of A/C most of the time.

[UserName14289]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Your "summers" are 8 months long.

Phoenix is great in the winter. That's about it.

Better enjoy that big huge home, you're stuck inside it most of the year.

Some of us like to be outside, not prisoners of A/C most of the time.

^^^^ This.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by perrrrz

This seems to be one of those "3 requirements, choose 2"scenarios:

1) affordable
2) good commute
3) good schools, sports access

Where's the best trade off though? I'm in the same boat with trying to fulfill #1 & #3, knowing #2 will take a hit. I just accepted a position in Santa Monica and will be starting after new year's. My large family will be joining me after the school year ends. I was considering the same places the OP is looking into, and some others.

Does no one take transit there, or is it all car-centric that the metro lines/regional rail is inefficient? I'm wondering if taking the train makes the commute more manageable.

Not enough info, like exactly what "affordable" means to YOU, renting or buying and for how much space, and how long a commute you can take

[norman_w]

Los Angeles you will drop because of the pollution. And nobody will quit driving their cars so it won't get better. You'll be adding to the problem. It averages out to owning 5 cars for every one person in LA.
Earthquakes come without warning. Its not like a hurricane where you have warning. All of a sudden everything starts shaking and you can barely stand up let alone move. You think the whole house is going to come down around you or the earth will open up and down you go. And that was a tiny earthquake, just a tremor.
A lot lot lot of people go there and don't want to work because then they won't be discovered. Whats the only two jobs you can do in this situation? Thats right, prostitution and drug dealing. Adding to the already huge problem. You'll eventually have to explain all this to your kids. On the good side, the kids will know they don't want to be in this position when they grow up.
I agree, Phoenix is so much better than Lax and Tucson is even better. Las Vegas and Phoenix are the hottest places and freezing at night, so Tucson is better. Its a different kind of heat, there's no humidity. I never experienced humidity until I went to the East Coast. 89d with humidity is absolutely horrible. There's so much water in the air. 105d in Tucson is fine. Don't need ac, have a fan. Phoenix there's a lot of water in the air because of all the stupid fountains in the gated communities.

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by norman_w

Los Angeles you will drop because of the pollution. And nobody will quit driving their cars so it won't get better. You'll be adding to the problem. It averages out to owning 5 cars for every one person in LA.
Earthquakes come without warning. Its not like a hurricane where you have warning. All of a sudden everything starts shaking and you can barely stand up let alone move. You think the whole house is going to come down around you or the earth will open up and down you go. And that was a tiny earthquake, just a tremor.
A lot lot lot of people go there and don't want to work because then they won't be discovered. Whats the only two jobs you can do in this situation? Thats right, prostitution and drug dealing. Adding to the already huge problem. You'll eventually have to explain all this to your kids. On the good side, the kids will know they don't want to be in this position when they grow up.
I agree, Phoenix is so much better than Lax and Tucson is even better. Las Vegas and Phoenix are the hottest places and freezing at night, so Tucson is better. Its a different kind of heat, there's no humidity. I never experienced humidity until I went to the East Coast. 89d with humidity is absolutely horrible. There's so much water in the air. 105d in Tucson is fine. Don't need ac, have a fan. Phoenix there's a lot of water in the air because of all the stupid fountains in the gated communities.

this is pure comedy, thanks for the laugh.