How's living in L.A. suburbs (Los Angeles, Bakersfield: neighborhoods, earthquakes, safe)

[2469]

I was wondering where there are suburbs or cities somewhat near the city of Los Angeles that are safe, pretty affordable, more of a republican area, and is not prone to big earthquakes or large ones?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Earthquakes can happen anywhere in the LA area. The best you can do is make sure you're on rock instead of sand or landfill. Safe and affordable are relative. In general the farther you get from the city of LA into the San Fernando Valley, Gan Gabriel Valley, or Orange County, the more suburban it gets. Southern Orange County is probably the most republican area you'll find in the LA area but I wouldn't want to commute from there to LA.

[mrsltd]

Originally Posted by 2469

I was wondering where there are suburbs or cities somewhat near the city of Los Angeles that are safe, pretty affordable, more of a republican area, and is not prone to big earthquakes or large ones?

There are 88 cities in Los Angeles County, including Los Angeles itself.

There are 34 cities in Orange County. Again, as Escape said, some of those are a wee bit far if you want to be near Los
Angeles.

In both of these counties (especially Los Angeles) there are large swaths of unincorporated communities, some of them very well-to-do.

Inside of the city Los Angeles, which covers about 480 square miles, there are literally dozens and dozens of neighborhoods.

(For regular consumers of this forum, I am aware that this is my standard shtick with broad questions such as this; I just want the OP to have a whole "playing field" from which to start.)

Not only is south Orange County "republican", but so are places like the west San Fernando Valley (city of LA), and some of Santa Clarita. Also are places like Westlake Village, Agoura, and Calabasas. (I'm equating suburban/rural with republican....feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this count.) Much of the rest of the rest of Orange County would probably work for you as well, and it is closer to LA than the southern part is.

If the political leanings of a place are that important, and you can be a few hours from downtown LA, try Bakersfield or anywhere else in the county where it is the seat (Kern). It is quite different than LA, however.
But there are newer developments there as well.

[LABornandRaised]

I will have to disagree with the West San Fernando Valley being republican. Every congressional representative from the West SFV is democratic.

Go here: http://www.house.gov/ (go to zip finder) and even here: The California State Assembly

The rule of thumb is if you're in the city of Los Angeles, it's pretty much guaranteed to be represented by the Democratic party. Santa Clarita is probably the closest 'Republican' area you'll find to Los Angeles and even that area is becoming more democratic as it grows. Another area that you might consider is Simi Valley as it is an older/white demographic and has a library named after Reagan there.

[nmnita]

It depends on a couple of things: what do you consider affordable and how far from downtown L>A> are you thinking about...

Suggestions, some are more republican than others but all would fit to some degree and vary in affordability:

Glendale and the surrounding areas like La Canada

So Pasadena

Temple City and Arcadia

Glendora (getting pretty far east)

most of Orange county

Some parts of West Valley, but certainly not all. Probably Simi Valley would be one ( am not sure) also possible Westlake Village as well. (again am not sure as I don't know the SFV as well as the SGV.

Nita

[the one]

what do republican areas feel and look like? hmmmm.

[uptown_urbanist]

South Pasadena is definitely not a Republican area, although there are some Republicans living there.

[LABornandRaised]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

South Pasadena is definitely not a Republican area, although there are some Republicans living there.

Agreed, South Pasadena is not Republican at all. The area voted heavily against prop 8, but that's a whole can of worms we won't open on this forum.

Glendale may have some Republican leanings, but again, a lot of the republican representatives there over the last 10 years have been voted out of office and replaced by Democratic members. The area is definitely majority Democratic. You really have to go to the outskirts of the city to go to Republican areas. Like others have mentioned, Westlake Village is a good start or Thousand Oaks. That's not in the San Fernando Valley though. You have to be willing to drive.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by the one

what do republican areas feel and look like? hmmmm.

Republican areas feel and look like Valencia or Taft -- "upscale" or oil town.

[Los Angel]

San Marino was or is a Republican stronghold. I believe it was the headquaters at one time.