Where should we live? We are new (El Monte, Whittier: apartments, neighborhood)

[ZenMaster2008]

My girlfriend and I are new to LA and I have a job working in Irwindale and she has a job working in Whittier. We are trying to decide on where to live so our commutes won’t be too bad. Anyone have any suggestions based on the cities we work in? We only need a 1 bedroom place in a nicer area preferably. We can afford to spend about $1,500 per month, if needed. Less is better but we can swing 1,500.

[Sarah Marie]

There is always a commute in LA!!! I say you can pick a place close to Whittier. THe freeways are a nightmare, choose a place where you both can take the streets. THe traffic is so icky!

[BRinSM]

i would go with somewhere east of pasadena near the 210 freeway like arcadia, monrovia or duarte. these cities are much closer to irwindale, but anywhere in the middle of irwindale and whittier is going to be not as nice of a neighborhood except for parts of covina.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Where are you guys living now?

[ZenMaster2008]

Originally Posted by DaBeez

Where are you guys living now?

we are living in El Monte with a friend but we don't want to stay in El Monte really

[ZenMaster2008]

Originally Posted by Sarah Marie

There is always a commute in LA!!! I say you can pick a place close to Whittier. THe freeways are a nightmare, choose a place where you both can take the streets. THe traffic is so icky!

but what is nice near whittier?

[Charles]

Live closest to the job location which favors traffic (assuming traffic is favored in one direction in the morning and the other direction in the afternoon) for the longest commuter.

[CESpeed]

I would stay near one job so that only one person had to commute. I would definitely say that SGV is better than Whittier. Anywhere along the 210 would be very nice.

[ZenMaster2008]

Ok right now we are looking at 2 options:

1. live in the nicer area of whittier, seems there are some nice apartments and a few co-workers recommended them. my gf could have a 2 mile drive to work and I'd go right up the 605 to work with no traffic.

2. live in the pasadena/arcadia area that we would really prefer. we found some amazing places in pasadena within our budget. I'd hop on the 210 e with no traffic and be to work in no-time. my gf might run into some traffic im not positive how busy the 605 south gets from the 210 to whittier.

option 1 would make our commutes easier but we'd so much more enjoy living in pasadena/arcadia.....I don't know what to do!

[CESpeed]

Enjoy life. Don't live to work, work to live. If you think you'll be happier in Pas, do it. If you are concerned about traffic, check Sigalert.com - Personalized Traffic Reports everyday for a week and see how the traffic patterns are. There's always the option of car pooling.