Relocating to Burbank from OC. Where to move? Bike trails are top priority! (Glendale: apartments)

[britomart]

My husband was offered a job in Burbank. We currently live in OC. What are some areas to consider moving to? Top priorities are safety and living close to designated bike paths. We can pay up to 2K/month for rent. We like the idea of being closer to all the great museums and restaurants in LA county, but I'm a country girl at heart and am intrigued by Santa Clarita. We are avid bikers. My hubby would prefer less than a 45 min. commute. Any suggestions?

[ryanms3030]

Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta, La Canada, Montrose, Pasadena, Sierra Madre

[BRinSM]

I'm originally from OC, work in Burbank, and love cycling so I feel like I can be of some assistance. With a 45 minute commute tolerance, that will give you a roughly 15 mile radius to work with. With that said, Burbank has a nice bike path along Chandler which connects to the orange line bike path that take you across the valley to woodland hills then up to Canoga park. There's also some nearby cycling at Griffith park. If you're a more serious cycler, there are some great mountain roads just outside of calabasas. Your budget should afford you a nice 1br in most areas near Burbank except for maybe studio city, so you have plenty of options. Santa Clarita is too far in my opinion. I wouldn't do it, but I can see the allure of the master planned, cookie cutter communities if that's your preference.

[britomart]

Thanks for the info, BRinSM. We're hoping to drive around all these areas this weekend. Are there any designated bike paths in Pasadena other than the Arroyo, which seems really short? I'm not a mountain biker or a "serious" biker. But I live by the Aliso Creek Trail in OC and have become spoiled by it.

[ryanms3030]

Im also a road cyclist. I do a lot of riding in the areas I mentioned. There are tons of cyclists on the road. You can even find group rides on weekday afternoons. There are plenty of designated bike paths in all those areas but also safe riding without marked lanes. Drivers are used to cyclists and a little more respectfull of them then in other areas of LA. We rent a nice 2 bed/2 bath for $1800 in Glendale. Join Pasadena Athletic Association bike club at least for a year. Lots of rides and active members

[britomart]

Hi ryanms3030, good to know, but I am terribly nervous about biking on streets with cars. Even when there is a designated bike lane!

[britomart]

We drove to Valencia, Santa Clarita and Burbank today to check out apartments. We are having a hard time finding an apartment in Burbank/Glendale that is at least 800 square feet, under 2200 and in a safe area... Not sure about Santa Clarita, Valencia was preferable but further. What about Chatsworth or Woodland Hills?

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by britomart

We drove to Valencia, Santa Clarita and Burbank today to check out apartments. We are having a hard time finding an apartment in Burbank/Glendale that is at least 800 square feet, under 2200 and in a safe area... Not sure about Santa Clarita, Valencia was preferable but further. What about Chatsworth or Woodland Hills?

First off there really is not an unsafe area of burbank or glendale. They are two of the safest cities in the country with very low crime rates. When I was apartment hunting about 6 months ago I saw several 2 bed / 2 bath for $1600-1800. The good places did go off the market fast. And riding my bike today I did see a lot of for rent signs. It took me 2-3 weeks of looking to find the place we got. Obviously not as easy if you aren't local though

[BRinSM]

Chatsworth and woodland hills are generally nice areas, but you're looking at close to an hour commute to/from Burbank. Actually, if the job is in the downtown Burbank area as opposed to the media district, chatsworth is probably a relatively painless commute on the 118 and 5 freeways.