Santa Monica work, where to live?

[d_vader123]

Originally Posted by majoun

Torrance. It's closer than Agoura Hills or Thousand Oaks.

I was considering Torrance, but from what I've read and heard, it's a pretty unattractive place.

I think there was even a thread here saying exactly that.

No offense to Torrance or anyone living there. That's just what I've heard. TO, Agoura Hills, and Calabasas look much more attractive.

[LoveMeSomeSFVHouses]

TO, Agoura Hills, and Calabasas are very pretty, but Torrance really isn't a bad place at all. A lot of it is nice, IMO. I have a friend just west of the Del Amo mall and their neighborhood is fantastic.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by adr3naline

Don't buy right out of the gate. There's high likelihood you'll regret it, as you'll likely find a more fitting neighborhood while you poke around in the first year. For now just rent the space you need - not more, not less...and don't make it so difficult on yourself.

^^^ THIS ^^^

I know it's a pain to move twice but considering you really don't know much about LA this is the smart thing to do. Still continue to do your research and rent in the neighborhood you're considering buying.

Another poster mentioned SFV can be "affordable" less than $750K. There is nothing in the neighborhoods you will consider as "good" for your family. You'll need to be south of Ventura Blvd in Encino. Lake Balboa is basically a flood zone and is the same as Van Nuys, Reseda, etc. They are not good school choices.

Do you have flexibility in your work hours with the new job? Can you work start early/ late so you can commute around the rush hour traffics? This will open up a whole lot of choices for you finding a good neighborhood with good school district. Places like TO/ Agoura and western Orange County (HB/ Los Alamitos/ Cerritos) becomes viable neighborhoods.

[LoveMeSomeSFVHouses]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Another poster mentioned SFV can be "affordable" less than $750K. There is nothing in the neighborhoods you will consider as "good" for your family. You'll need to be south of Ventura Blvd in Encino. Lake Balboa is basically a flood zone and is the same as Van Nuys, Reseda, etc. They are not good school choices.

This isn't even remotely true at all. The most expensive part of Encino is North of Ventura Blvd in an area called Amestoy Estates. You don't NEED to be south of Ventura in Encino. Sure - South of the Blvd is more affluent in general across the South Valley, but it doesn't mean that there aren't great neighborhoods north of it as well. Especially for those under 1M since it's getting pretty hard to find anything SotB for under 1M. Encino Village and Encino Park are both running in the $700s (although Encino Village is more than Encino Park) and not in Van Nuys, Reseda, etc.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with Reseda (or Van Nuys or Lake Balboa) anymore. Many Realtors besides myself are considering it a place that's seeing more appreciation right now because many people have moved into the area and the schools have come up significantly. Lorne & Stagg are both 7s, which for an under $600K price point, is a pretty good thing. Lake Balboa is a favorite right now for people who are priced out of Encino but still want to be close by. But certainly, do your research.

OP - I strongly urge you to drive the neighborhoods and see for yourself. Do some research and consult with a Realtor to see which neighborhoods are best for you and your family's needs. I think a lot of it has to do with what kind of house you're comfortable with to help determine what area will be the best suited for your needs.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by LoveMeSomeSFVHouses

This isn't even remotely true at all. The most expensive part of Encino is North of Ventura Blvd in an area called Amestoy Estates. You don't NEED to be south of Ventura in Encino. Sure - South of the Blvd is more affluent in general across the South Valley, but it doesn't mean that there aren't great neighborhoods north of it as well. Especially for those under 1M since it's getting pretty hard to find anything SotB for under 1M. Encino Village and Encino Park are both running in the $700s (although Encino Village is more than Encino Park) and not in Van Nuys, Reseda, etc.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with Reseda (or Van Nuys or Lake Balboa) anymore. Many Realtors besides myself are considering it a place that's seeing more appreciation right now because many people have moved into the area and the schools have come up significantly. Lorne & Stagg are both 7s, which for an under $600K price point, is a pretty good thing. Lake Balboa is a favorite right now for people who are priced out of Encino but still want to be close by. But certainly, do your research.

OP - I strongly urge you to drive the neighborhoods and see for yourself. Do some research and consult with a Realtor to see which neighborhoods are best for you and your family's needs. I think a lot of it has to do with what kind of house you're comfortable with to help determine what area will be the best suited for your needs.

Not true? What is the school rating for Van Nuys and Reseda High Schools?

[majoun]

Originally Posted by d_vader123

I was considering Torrance, but from what I've read and heard, it's a pretty unattractive place.

I think there was even a thread here saying exactly that.

No offense to Torrance or anyone living there. That's just what I've heard. TO, Agoura Hills, and Calabasas look much more attractive.

The anti-Torrance thread was from a troll.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Not true? What is the school rating for Van Nuys and Reseda High Schools?

Very bad.

Reseda is improving as I recently posted, but it is still not a place for a family with school-age children.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by majoun

Very bad.

Reseda is improving as I recently posted, but it is still not a place for a family with school-age children.

Thank you. I was rebutting some Realtor from SFV trying to convince OP (with school age children) to buy in those areas.