New Yorker - Job relocation to LA office in westwood/beverley hills. HELP!!! (Los Angeles: apartments, to rent)

[mktrader77]

So my job is relocating me to Los Angeles. I have no idea where to start. My family consists of me, my wife and our lovely 4-year-old daughter. We've lived in New York city all our lives so it will be a drastic change for us. Unfortunately we do not have any friends or relatives living in California so I didn't know who to turn to. Hopefully people reading this can help and it will be greatly appreciated. I listed some details below:

1. Looking to rent a clean (somewhat modern) 2Bedroom apartment - cost $1500-$1800.
2. Since my daughter will be starting kindergarten in a year we need to live in a neighborhood with good schools.
3. My new office is located in Beverly Hills, and I would like to find the best possible commute either by public transportation of driving.
4. Need a clean safe neighborhood.


Again, everyone's help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Mike

[BRinSM]

www.schoolperformancemaps.com/ca draw a five mile radius around your office (roughly 30 minute commute) and find some schools that meet your standards. unfortunately, there probalby won't be too many, lausd is pretty terrible for the most part. also, the areas with good schools will also be very expensive and 2br apartments in your price range will be hard to come by.

without knowing much else, i recommend westwood or culver city. you should be able to find a decently priced 2br apartment in these areas and also be within a short drive of your office (the bus may even be an option). you'll certainly want at least one car for the family, this is LA after all.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mktrader77

1. Looking to rent a clean (somewhat modern) 2Bedroom apartment - cost $1500-$1800.

HousingMaps

[Island_OnThe_Land]

While LA and NYC are very different cities, it might help to note what part of NYC you have been living in. We can then qualify our suggestions in the context of where you have been used to living.

That said, I think BrinSM has some good suggestions. Culver City is close and I hear good things about their public shools (although at the High School level it may NOT be so great but that is not a great concern to you yet).


Also, it is POSSIBLE to find something in Beverly Hills in your price range. It won't be easy but give it a shot. I just saw a posting for $1,400 for a 2 Bed/1.5 bath in Beverly Hills. There is NOT a "BAD" area in Beverly Hills and the public schools are excellent. That said, you'd want to check out the housing in person to make sure it is NOT a slum landlord.

Key thing to point out how the LA region is governed: The City of LA is approx. 4 million people. The LA Unified School District (LAUSD) is the school district run by the City within the City limits. It has all the challenges of many big city school districts and in some areas the schools are TERRIBLE. But in some neighborhoods the schools are pretty good (esp. at the K-5 or k-6 level). However, the entire population of LA County is approx. 10 million people. So in addition to the City of LA you have approx. 50 to 60 smaller cities with their OWN school districts. Many of these smaller schools are VERY GOOD. Culver City is one example of this (close by to your job). Beverly Hills is another example.

Here are some "GOOD" neighborhoods close to Beverly Hills (safe, clean, etc) that are PART of the City of LA. I can't comment on the quality of the K- 5 schools in these neighborhoods, you'll have to investigate it. Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Beverlywood (next to Beverly Hills but part of City of LA), Brentwood, West Los Angeles, and the Fairfax District.

[mktrader77]

Originally Posted by Island_OnThe_Land

While LA and NYC are very different cities, it might help to note what part of NYC you have been living in. We can then qualify our suggestions in the context of where you have been used to living.

That said, I think BrinSM has some good suggestions. Culver City is close and I hear good things about their public shools (although at the High School level it may NOT be so great but that is not a great concern to you yet).


Also, it is POSSIBLE to find something in Beverly Hills in your price range. It won't be easy but give it a shot. I just saw a posting for $1,400 for a 2 Bed/1.5 bath in Beverly Hills. There is NOT a "BAD" area in Beverly Hills and the public schools are excellent. That said, you'd want to check out the housing in person to make sure it is NOT a slum landlord.

Key thing to point out how the LA region is governed: The City of LA is approx. 4 million people. The LA Unified School District (LAUSD) is the school district run by the City within the City limits. It has all the challenges of many big city school districts and in some areas the schools are TERRIBLE. But in some neighborhoods the schools are pretty good (esp. at the K-5 or k-6 level). However, the entire population of LA County is approx. 10 million people. So in addition to the City of LA you have approx. 50 to 60 smaller cities with their OWN school districts. Many of these smaller schools are VERY GOOD. Culver City is one example of this (close by to your job). Beverly Hills is another example.

Here are some "GOOD" neighborhoods close to Beverly Hills (safe, clean, etc) that are PART of the City of LA. I can't comment on the quality of the K- 5 schools in these neighborhoods, you'll have to investigate it. Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Beverlywood (next to Beverly Hills but part of City of LA), Brentwood, West Los Angeles, and the Fairfax District.

I currently live in Queens and commute to New York City - my current door to door commute is 50minutes.

Thanks!!!!

[Island_OnThe_Land]

Ok, good to know. I think it's safe to say all the areas we've suggested so far will be much SHORTER than a 50 minute commute.

[RJay123]

You might want to consider a place in the San Fernando Valley and just commute 50 minutes or so to work if you want a wider range of schools.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by RJay123

You might want to consider a place in the San Fernando Valley and just commute 50 minutes or so to work if you want a wider range of schools.

The thing is, if he lives in the valley he'll either A) Save no money to get to the better schools in the valley AND he'll have a nasty commute or B) Save money, have lousy schools, AND still have a nasty commute.

[mktrader77]

Thanks for all your input. This is helping a lot. I will be visiting LA in the next month to gain more familiarity with the area. Please keep the reply's comming.

Thanks All!!

[Island_OnThe_Land]

Originally Posted by RJay123

You might want to consider a place in the San Fernando Valley and just commute 50 minutes or so to work if you want a wider range of schools.

I agree, I think it's not too crazy to consider living in the San Ferndando Valley. Granted I agree with Charles that your commute could be hellish.

That said, there are some merits to living in the San Fernando Valley:
1. There are there are SOME VERY GOOD public schools there. My older sister was a teacher and lives in West Hills. She sends her 10 yr old and 12 yr old to 2 very good PUBLIC schools there. Her husband commutes to Downtown LA. I personally WOULD not do that but to him/them it's WORTH it.

2. Slower pace of life and you get more bang for your buck (larger house, larger yard for same price/rent as West LA, etc).

The downsides to the San Fernando Valley:
1. Hotter summers, colder winters (still MORE pleasant than NYC by a long shot).
2. Air Quality NOT as good as West LA
3. Commute would be worse
4. Slower pace of life=less things to do (culture, night life, etc).

Some of the "nice" areas of the valley include: Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, West Hills and Valley Village.