Leaving San Gabriel Valley for the San Fernando Valley (Pasadena: apartments, high crime)

[bobsnow]

Yah, yah...I know. WTF are you thinking? Save it. Haha. Ive already made up my mind. After 7 years in Monterey Park, Im just ready for a change ( although Ill definitely miss seeing my mountains everyday)I just want to be closer to Malibu & Weho, as I spend alot of my free time in both places. Just looking for some insight from you SFV pro's, at this stage

After combing through many old threads for the past few days, it seems as if Lake Balboa, Valley Glen, Valley Village & Northridge all have some of the things Im looking for. Safe/ Clean living area ( Id prefer to NOT be around any riff-raff thug trash) close proximity to a decent night life / shopping scene & Id like to have a nice view of the mountains. Recently single again so, its just me, no kids & $1500 a month is doable for me. Only looking for an apartment. Thanks in advance for your help

[BGS91762]

sFV is hotter and less historical. Didn't like it at all when I lived there.

[nightlysparrow]

If you like Malibu and Weho, consider living closer to Topanga Canyon Blvd. so you can take the canyon route over to the beach/PCH.

Woodland Hills area is nice. Here's a development, safe area, $1.535. for just a studio, but is gated, has a fitness center, pools, laundry in every building, tennis courts, etc. Woodland Hills Apartments in LA County | eaves Woodland Hills

[JustMike77]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

If you like Malibu and Weho, consider living closer to Topanga Canyon Blvd. so you can take the canyon route over to the beach/PCH.

Woodland Hills area is nice. Here's a development, safe area, $1.535. for just a studio, but is gated, has a fitness center, pools, laundry in every building, tennis courts, etc. Woodland Hills Apartments in LA County | eaves Woodland Hills

^This^

I've lived in Warner Center in Woodland Hills for years and it has the best concentration of nice restaurants and shopping, particularly with the opening of the Village. 20 minutes to the beach.

[Astral_Weeks]

^^ I disagree. I grew up in the West Valley and Woodland Hills is pretty generic and boring and HOT! The hottest part of the valley.

If the OP puts proximity to beach at the top of his list....than perhaps Woodland Hills is the way to go.

However, if I was in the OP shoes I'd shoot for something further east like Valley Village. But I value being more close in to more urban areas like WeHo, Los Feliz, etc. The eastern portion of the S.F. valley is not as historic or charming as Pasadena (few places in So.Calif. are) but the eastern valley has some character (Studio City, Sherman Oaks, etc.).

[bobsnow]

Was just looking at a place called The Reserve in Woodland Hills. Looks very nice.

[jamills21]

Woodland is not that bad...it's hot, but L.A. people are sensitive to weather.

[JohnG72]

I grew up in SGV and then lived for 10 years in SFV.

SFV is pretty meh IMO and since I'm a late night person, the lack of late night eats in SFV was super anoying.

Only positive at all to SFV is proximity to Hollywood, which is not a personal positive to me.

[socal88]

If you can find a decent place for $1,500/month, I'd try to find a place in Studio City or Sherman Oaks as those are probably the prime spots for single folks with lots of bars/restaurants/nightlife.

That being said, of the places you listed, Valley Village is the probably the most ideal. Although Northridge is probably the safest of the four places you mentioned, Valley Village is still pretty safe and is close to the action on Ventura Blvd. while right next to the 101 and 170, which makes it easy to get to other parts of the Valley or drop into downtown or Hollywood.

Valley Glen and Lake Balboa are closer to Van Nuys, which is relatively high crime.

[bruhms]

What motivated you to leave?