Great school districts in San Gabriel Valley? (Riverside, Glendale: foreclosures, houses)

[dawninmiami]

My family just moved from Florida to South Pasadena. We love it here! But we are looking to buy a house in another year or so, and it is much too expensive in SoPas. We are looking for some other neighborhoods to consider for our family.

We need an excellent school district - one with 9 or 10 rated elementary, middle, and high schools. (Much like South Pasadena has, but further East and therefore with lower housing prices.)

My husband is working in Downtown LA, but is taking public transportation. He is willing to spend up to 1.5 hours each way to commute.

From looking at the school performance maps, here is a short list of neighborhoods. Any ideas about these?

Arcadia
Temple City
Glendora
Walnut
Diamond Bar
Cerritos
Cypress
Los Alamitos

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[timelesschild]

Arcadia is so nice and clean, with beautiful mountain views. The only problem with it is public transportation. No trains. If you live in the northern part of Arcadia, though, you can get pretty close to the Sierra Madre Villa Station of the Gold Line. That would be my top pick from your list, because the Gold Line is significantly cheaper than the Metrolink train. Also, Arcadia's housing prices are becoming attainable, and the lots are a little bigger than the ones in Temple City.

Temple City isn't very pretty, and doesn't have a train anywhere close. There is some sort of overlapping area between Temple City and El Monte, though, and you might be able to live in a place that gave you good schools and a reasonably close trip to the El Monte Metrolink Station. I'm not sure where that would be, but it's worth a look.

Glendora - you might live somewhere that was sort of close to the Covina Metrolink Station.

Those are the ones I know anything about. Good luck!

[uptown_urbanist]

I agree; I'd stick with Arcadia if public transportation is an issue. The other areas may have some express buses to downtown, though; I know some of the cities out there also have their own assorted bus lines, although I'm not familiar with the routes.

Once you start getting out as far as places like Glendora the commute is going to start getting really long. I know you're willing to take on a long commute, but given that Arcadia is pretty, has nice houses, has good schools, has nice amenities like the Arboretum, and is that much closer to downtown, I'd go with that if you can find a place in your price range. Thinking longer term, if the Gold Line extension gets built there will also be a station in Arcadia, which would be nice. (as well as in other areas that would be convenient for many of those areas, of course)

[dawninmiami]

I'm looking at housing prices and it looks like Arcadia is too expensive as well. I'd even consider going all the way out to Orange County or Riverside. I see that the Metrolink takes about 45 minutes from there to Union Station. I just wish I knew more about these areas.

[dawninmiami]

What do you think of Santa Clarita? It looks like lower prices (according to Trulia Heat Map), plus excellent schools. Though I see that the train does not leave there until a late time in the morning. Also the Burbank/Glendale districts seem attractive.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by dawninmiami

What do you think of Santa Clarita? It looks like lower prices (according to Trulia Heat Map), plus excellent schools. Though I see that the train does not leave there until a late time in the morning. Also the Burbank/Glendale districts seem attractive.

My friend lives in Santa Clarita and she takes the train to downtown....I don't know the schedules but "the train does not leave there until a late time in the morning" doesn't sound right.

[timelesschild]

I'd wait and see what happens before buying. There is supposed to be another set of rate resets and another flood of foreclosures starting September 1. The prices are going to drop some more.

[dawninmiami]

Originally Posted by Charles

My friend lives in Santa Clarita and she takes the train to downtown....I don't know the schedules but "the train does not leave there until a late time in the morning" doesn't sound right.

You are right, I was looking in the wrong place.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by dawninmiami

My family just moved from Florida to South Pasadena. We love it here! But we are looking to buy a house in another year or so, and it is much too expensive in SoPas. We are looking for some other neighborhoods to consider for our family.

We need an excellent school district - one with 9 or 10 rated elementary, middle, and high schools. (Much like South Pasadena has, but further East and therefore with lower housing prices.)

My husband is working in Downtown LA, but is taking public transportation. He is willing to spend up to 1.5 hours each way to commute.

From looking at the school performance maps, here is a short list of neighborhoods. Any ideas about these?

Arcadia
Temple City
Glendora
Walnut
Diamond Bar
Cerritos
Cypress
Los Alamitos

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Ok, let me first say if you are finding So Pasa too expensive and I agree you will find Arcadia too expensive as well. My suggest, from the areas you have listed would be Temple City, especially if you can find something in the Arcadia School district, which some of T.C. and then Glendora. Los Alamitos would be on my short list as well. You haven't mentioned your price range or what is important to you other than a good school district.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by dawninmiami

I'm looking at housing prices and it looks like Arcadia is too expensive as well. I'd even consider going all the way out to Orange County or Riverside. I see that the Metrolink takes about 45 minutes from there to Union Station. I just wish I knew more about these areas.

you absolutely do not want to go as far as Riverside, unless you plan on seeing your hubby on weekends only.