May work in Woodland Hills, but where to live? (Santa Monica: rental, low crime)

[BlendyWee]

Can anyone suggest a nice community within commuting distance to Woodland Hills? 45 mins max commute would be desirable. Would love a small community with friendly, progressive people. Main Street, quirky restaurants, shops, etc. Low crime, nice places for kids & dogs. Am I dreaming or is this possible?

[BRinSM]

if you have kids, woodland hills would probably be your best bet, they have some of the best schools in the entire LAUSD. although it's not the most exciting area, there are malls nearby and plenty of stuff on ventura blvd. pretty much everywhere in LA will have what you are looking for to some extent, the bigger issue will be how you have to spend for housing.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BlendyWee

Am I dreaming

Renting or buying?
Budget?
What type of housing?
Ages of kids?
Spouse working too? Where?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by BlendyWee

Can anyone suggest a nice community within commuting distance to Woodland Hills? 45 mins max commute would be desirable. Would love a small community with friendly, progressive people. Main Street, quirky restaurants, shops, etc. Low crime, nice places for kids & dogs. Am I dreaming or is this possible?

I see you had a post 3 minutes prior to this one telling someone to "come here" to LA and spend time in Santa Monica to see how they like it.

Where are you currently living here in LA? Will Woodland Hills be too much of a commute from where you are now?

If you can answer the questions Charles posted above it would be a great help as well to give you specific info instead generalities.

[Paula Lynn]

I would move to Woodland Hills - very nice homes.

[LABornandRaised]

Areas in the Valley closest to Ventura Blvd tend to be more progressive, especially in terms of politics, so that would include Woodland Hills. There are some interesting restaurants in Woodland Hills, some quirky, most of them are mainstream though. There's a broad range of restaurants from cheap to chic.

[BlendyWee]

I gave advice to someone from London to visit before moving out - since I used to live over there and I know the desire of Brits to come to LA, I wanted to jump in. Not really connected to my question, as I am possibly taking a job in Woodland Hills but wanted to scope out a nice area to live in that would be a reasonable commute.

Would be renting a home to start with, have kids and dogs. Budget for rental home would be around $2500 per month - 3br. School quality is very important, just one elementary school age kid but he has some special educational needs. Live in AZ now and travel back and forth to So Cal often for work.

Thanks for the info!!

[Makin Moves]

I just went to woodland hills. Iv'e been looking for somewhere to move and was turned onto woodland hills. It's not west LA or Santa Monica trendy but its basically what youre looking for. looks like it might have some descent restaurants. Ate at Ci Ci's and it was good a litte different. Schools, I read are the best public ones you can find in LA. The houses and views are amazing and its a short drive to Mailbu - Santa Monica via 405 or Topanga. Im thinking of moving there myself unless I find something better. I hear the 405 can be nasty at times.

My only complaint is that it seems like it could get boring, its the suburbs though. big pluses for me is the housing is a little cheaper, schools sound real good, beach and nightlife is a half hour away depending on traffic.

[BlendyWee]

Originally Posted by Makin Moves

I just went to woodland hills. Iv'e been looking for somewhere to move and was turned onto woodland hills. It's not west LA or Santa Monica trendy but its basically what youre looking for. looks like it might have some descent restaurants. Ate at Ci Ci's and it was good a litte different. Schools, I read are the best public ones you can find in LA. The houses and views are amazing and its a short drive to Mailbu - Santa Monica via 405 or Topanga. Im thinking of moving there myself unless I find something better. I hear the 405 can be nasty at times.

My only complaint is that it seems like it could get boring, its the suburbs though. big pluses for me is the housing is a little cheaper, schools sound real good, beach and nightlife is a half hour away depending on traffic.

Thanks - very good info. We are definitely moving now, so will be checking out this area along with some others closeby. Not sure yet where we want to settle.