Safe, desirable areas within 30min of downtown LA? (Burbank, Brea: extended stay, best neighborhoods)

[schatter]

I will be spending 4-5 days/wk in LA, commuting in weekly from SF. I am trying to figure out the best neighborhoods for a rental apartment search and would love to get some advice. My criteria below. Thanks!

- Rent @$1,000/mo, can go up by a bit if place is v desirable, I know that is tight since I'd prefer 1br place, although large studio might work
- 1 br ideal, spacious studio 2nd option, must have parking
- Under 30 min by reliable public transport to S Flower St in downtown
- SAFE neighborhood, stay away from rough neighborhoods at all costs
- Some charm walking distance - pedestrian friendly, coffee shops, family friendly, bookstores, nice & friendly crowd
- Not too far commute-wise from either Burbank airport or LAX
- Not east of city - I hear the beach is quite a ways so assuming not practical to be close to ocean although I'd love it
- Nice to have: views, greenery

[UB50]

How long of a lease are you willing to sign?

If you are looking for a month to month place, I'd check the "Extended Stay" places but they are going to run more than what you are hoping to spend.

Also, you need to pick: Burbank or LAX. They are actually pretty far apart with traffic.

[KnoxTown]

Live in Burbank

[uptown_urbanist]

I'd look into Los Feliz. It has charm, is pedestrian friendly, safe, on the Red Line for a fast ride downtown, has a nice bookstore, cafes, etc. It's near Burbank airport, or if you want LAX you can just take the Red Line to Union Station and then get on the Flyaway bus. It's greener than some areas, and near Griffith Park. I think there are some places available for your price range, probably either small 1-BRs (if lucky) but more likely the studio. Still, the location is great, and I think it sounds like a good fit.

[UB50]

Uh, guys? There is this request:

"Under 30 min by reliable public transport to S Flower St in downtown"

That's a tough one.

[schatter]

Originally Posted by UB50

How long of a lease are you willing to sign?

If you are looking for a month to month place, I'd check the "Extended Stay" places but they are going to run more than what you are hoping to spend.

Also, you need to pick: Burbank or LAX. They are actually pretty far apart with traffic.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

Lease: I'd look for either month-to-month or 6 month lease max.
Airport: I can use either, looks like Burbank is preferable since most desirable areas seem to be north/west of downtown....

Is <30 min by subway/bus/rail not feasible from places like Los Feliz?

Please let me know of additional areas, and I will look up Los Feliz.

Btw my employer can also pay for free parking in downtown in lieu of public transportation costs, but I'm wary of driving in/out of downtown every day...pl advice.

[King0fthehill]

Originally Posted by UB50

Uh, guys? There is this request:

"Under 30 min by reliable public transport to S Flower St in downtown"

That's a tough one.

Miracle Mile...the areas between Fairfax/La Brea and Wilshire/San Vicente. From Fairfax, 720 or 728 bus don't take more than 30min to reach East LA or Union Station, respectively (their terminuses).

[UB50]

Union Station is at least 15 minutes from S. Flower St.

So, you got something else?

Los Feliz had no rail so you are looking at bus lines.

All rail lines go into Union Station so you can figure out where you have to go from there.

[UB50]

With your restrictions, I think you need to rent downtown. $1500 a month, year lease. Cough it up! Oh, and parking is 10 miles away!

[King0fthehill]

Originally Posted by UB50

Union Station is at least 15 minutes from S. Flower St.

So, you got something else?

Los Feliz had no rail so you are looking at bus lines.

All rail lines go into Union Station so you can figure out where you have to go from there.

I know its at least 15 minutes from there. By saying its 15min from there, it means she should definitely make it there <30min.

Its even less if she decides to go the train route ...