Retiring in Los Angeles As A 65+ Year Old Widow...Advice? (Berkeley: fit in, HOA fees)

[Sam Hobbs]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

When people post on the L.A. subforum and refer to the West side, they mean West L.A., Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Venice, Brentwood, etc.

Did you read the part that includes Some people talk as if the SFV is a different town? This is a situation where we need to agree to disagree. I realize I cannot change your opinion and you need to understand you won't change mine. I expect the majority of SFV residents to agree with me and as I said most of the SFV are residents of the City Of Los Angeles.

[Sam Hobbs]

Originally Posted by Ceece

an hour south to Laguna Woods

The HOA Dues there is $2,220/month. I am sure you get a lot for that but for me I don't need most of it. The HOA Dues in Leisure World is around $400 and I am sure that would be plenty for me. It depends on what you want.

In response to the original post, I am interested in a way to find communities such as those except where the resident owns the property instead of renting. There are mobile home communities in which the mobile home includes the property and the HOA dues are usually under $200 a month. I can find the mobile home communities but I am interested in knowing about condominium and townhouse options. I intend to create a separate discussion for that.

[sourdough]

Forget West LA., small beach town of Carpinteria, City of Carpinteria...Official Site is just a short train ride North has everything you seek. It will be attract your 30 yr. old for visits too.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Forget West LA., small beach town of Carpinteria, City of Carpinteria...Official Site is just a short train ride North has everything you seek. It will be attract your 30 yr. old for visits too.

OP stated she wants to live on the Westside to be close to her daughter.

[Jay100]

Originally Posted by LAForMe

Hello, I am moving to Los Angeles later this year to be closer to my child who is 30 and for a lifestyle change. I have lived on the east coast my entire life and don't have family here anymore so I want to be close to my kid. I am looking to move to the west side of LA. I have a few general questions.

1. Are there any communities for widows or senior groups toward the west side of LA?

2. I am active senior and like to walk. Where are great walking paths or parks on the west side?

3. Any senior living apartments? I am having difficulty locating them online.

4. If you are a senior, what should I expect from this move? What kind of culture shock?

5. What are the safest areas for walking the street? Brentwood, Westwood? Culver City?

Thank you for your help. I am open to any thoughts or advice anyone has.

Westwood is a college town. If you like being around young people 24/7, then, that might be your spot.



I would recommend Brentwood. Although I would not describe that area as pedestrian friendly, if you're creative enough, you could create your own walking path in the quieter residential blocks. There are elderly folk that live in Brentwood but I'm not aware of any dedicated senior living places. I would recommend joining a health club or the Brentwood Country Club. There you can make friends who have common interests and lifestyles.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by Jay100

Westwood is a college town. If you like being around young people 24/7, then, that might be your spot.



I would recommend Brentwood. Although I would not describe that area as pedestrian friendly, if you're creative enough, you could create your own walking path in the quieter residential blocks. There are elderly folk that live in Brentwood but I'm not aware of any dedicated senior living places. I would recommend joining a health club or the Brentwood Country Club. There you can make friends who have common interests and lifestyles.

Why is Brentwood not pedestrian friendly?

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by Sam Hobbs

The HOA Dues there is $2,220/month. I am sure you get a lot for that but for me I don't need most of it. The HOA Dues in Leisure World is around $400 and I am sure that would be plenty for me. It depends on what you want.

In response to the original post, I am interested in a way to find communities such as those except where the resident owns the property instead of renting. There are mobile home communities in which the mobile home includes the property and the HOA dues are usually under $200 a month. I can find the mobile home communities but I am interested in knowing about condominium and townhouse options. I intend to create a separate discussion for that.

What? My friend lives there and it's only $600!

Looking into it your thinking of the Towers, which are a couple hirise buildings that are just a tiny part of that community with all utilities, meals and maid service and who knows what else. I wouldn't consider that sort of thing. The majority of the homes there are various styles of condos and co-ops, with typical HOA fees of $600+/-

[Cinema Cat]

Originally Posted by cornblitz

Santa Monica is very walkable. Palisades Park is a gem ...

Palisades Park is a gem that's heavily encrusted with homeless druggies, alkies, and schizos. The park's public rest rooms are especially gross, and at times even dangerous. But where else is a homeless druggie gonna find a little privacy to shoot up?

It's an oddly incongruous sight. Seeing all the rich yuppies, families, and retirees, strolling or jogging past the homeless, lounging about with their sleeping bags and shopping carts.

[Cinema Cat]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

Why is Brentwood not pedestrian friendly?

South of Sunset is pedestrian friendly. But most of Brentwood is north of Sunset, an area that's pretty isolated (i.e., private and quiet), and often doesn't even have sidewalks.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Ceece

What? My friend lives there and it's only $600!

My aunt and uncle live there. (I would never ask them what their HOA fees are, but I know it's closer to what you're stating and nowhere near what that other poster said.)