Where do i live? (Orange, Burbank: affordable apartments, how much, to live)

[niteflite]

Hello. I may be moving to the los angeles area in a few months from the east coast. The wife will most likely be working in calabasas, and i'll be working downtown. From looking at the map it looks like encino or sherman oaks would be an ideal location. But how is the commute going to be to downtown? Should we live closer to downtown since calabasas may be going against traffic?

[Kashmir]

Just throw in the towel now. lol

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by niteflite

Hello. I may be moving to the los angeles area in a few months from the east coast. The wife will most likely be working in calabasas, and i'll be working downtown. From looking at the map it looks like encino or sherman oaks would be an ideal location. But how is the commute going to be to downtown? Should we live closer to downtown since calabasas may be going against traffic?

Actually, Sherman Oaks or Encino are probably about your best picks. It really doesn't matter too much which direction you are traveling on the 101, as traffic is pretty heavy either way. If you head into downtown from that area, the drive isn't too bad if you go early enough, but that means being downtown by 6 or 6:30 A.M. Any later than that, it gets a lot heavier. As far as heading to Calabasas from Sherman Oaks or Encino, I think earlier is better there, too, but I am not as familiar with that drive. My wife used to go from Encino to Calabasas before we were married and it only took her 15 to 20 minutes, but that was nearly fifteen years ago. I'm sure it takes a bit longer now. About the only other place I would recommend would be Studio City, which is a little closer to downtown, and may be closer to splitting the difference between downtown and Calabasas.

Of course, where you choose to live will depend on what amenities you want to be close to, and how much you're willing to spend on housing or rent. Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and Encino tend to get pricey, especially on the upper end of the housing spectrum. It used to be that you could find some fairly affordable apartments in these areas, but I haven't looked into that for a number of years.

I can't really think of too many other areas that would be desirable, unless you keep going east, into Burbank or Toluca Lake, but then you will both end up driving further.

I hope this information is helpful to you.
-Joe

[SandyCo]

Sherman Oaks or Encino would be fine. You could take the Orange Line busway to the North Hollywood station and catch the Red Line subway to get to downtown L.A. There is no great public transportation going from Sherman Oaks to Calabasas, so your wife would have to drive, but it is doable. Good luck, and welcome to City-Data.