Tell me about Eagle Rock. (Los Angeles, Glendale: middle-class, crime, neighborhoods)

[K 22]

Hi,

I'm from New York and my job is about to send me to LA for about 3 weeks this spring to help set up a new office in Downtown LA. I'd like some info on Eagle Rock since that's where I'll be staying during that time.

I heard it's one of the better LA neighborhoods but I'd also like to know how available amenities are and how safe, quiet it is. One other thing, I'd like to know how available public transportation and how good/bad commute is to downtown LA. I know it's a bit taboo to ask about that but I've only driven a car 3 times in the past 2 years (living in New York, I've never needed to).

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

[timelesschild]

Eagle Rock is pretty nice. It is better above York, and much better above Colorado. Occidental College is a really pretty campus, and a lot of Eagle Rock is organized around Occidental. The grocery stores and things are sort of gritty but generally OK.

The commute to downtown, I can tell you about using the 2 fwy, which is a very decent drive. If you take the 110, it can be challenging. There is a train station in nearby Highland Park, as well as Pasadena. I am not sure how convenient it would be to catch a bus to the train, but I'm sure it could be done.

If you like Armenian food, there is some really great stuff in nearby Glendale.

[happ]

Eagle Rock is a somewhat interesting area of Los Angeles. Upper middle-class above Colorado Bvld & working class neighborhoods. Asian\ Latino & Anglos in equal numbers. Occidental College [where Obama was a student] brings students into the mix. Some fun restaurants & a little nightlife in Eagle Rock but Pasadena is closeby & more hip. Glendale is also next door w/ good shopping\ Americana. Eagle Rock is fairly quiet & not known for crime problems.

Transportation isn't as good as Pasadena or Highland Pk but the Gold Line isn't too far from Eagle Rock. Good bus access. Both the Glendale\2 & Pasadena\110 freeways are crowded during rush hour but downtown is generally under 30 minutes away.

Overall, Eagle Rock is a good choice.

[Green Irish Eyes]

I don't have any personal knowledge of Eagle Rock, but will point you to the MTA's Trip Planner website. It's not quite as good as my old pal, HopStop, but it'll give you a pretty good idea of what your public transit options are.

One thing to remember about public transit in L.A. vs. NYC is that buses may run only 10-15 minutes, so if you miss a connection you may have to wait a while for the next bus to come along.

[K 22]

Originally Posted by happ

Eagle Rock is a somewhat interesting area of Los Angeles. Upper middle-class above Colorado Bvld & working class neighborhoods. Asian\ Latino & Anglos in equal numbers. Occidental College [where Obama was a student] brings students into the mix. Some fun restaurants & a little nightlife in Eagle Rock but Pasadena is closeby & more hip. Glendale is also next door w/ good shopping\ Americana. Eagle Rock is fairly quiet & not known for crime problems.

I like the sound of that. This sounds like a neighborhood I live near. My only issue might be the demographic of people as well... I might stand out a bit but that's OK.

Originally Posted by happ

Transportation isn't as good as Pasadena or Highland Pk but the Gold Line isn't too far from Eagle Rock. Good bus access. Both the Glendale\2 & Pasadena\110 freeways are crowded during rush hour but downtown is generally under 30 minutes away.

Well, the driving is out as I'm 90% sure I won't have a car but as long as the place I'm going (I don't have an exact address yet) is public transit accesible - I'll be fine.

[nickdahammer]

It's nice. Good restaurants, very quaint and unique. We love the breakfasts at Cindy's- a retro (sorta) diner off Colorado.

[King0fthehill]

It's cute, has a diverse ethnic mix (FILIPINO DOUBLE DECKER STRIP MALLS!!), close to Downtown, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank as well as other gentrifying locales such as Highland Park and Atwater Village, is quaint, with many tree-lined streets, also it has a cool budding funky, underground artist/bohemian/hipster vibe and culinary scene.

Plus how many neighborhoods in LA can claim real natural landmarks as the basis for their community's name!?!

Here are some articles on it:
Colorado cool is a boulevard rule - Los Angeles Times
HIP NEST - Los Angeles Times

p.s: transit there sucks. there is the 780 bus, which comes every 5-15 minutes depending on the hour and services Pasadena/Glendale in one direction, and Hollywood/Atwater Village/Los Feliz/Hollywood/Mid-City in the other.

[King0fthehill]

BTW, if you're seriously considering commuting to DTLA via mass transit, you're going to want to try Koreatown, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Highland Park (sketchy), Los Feliz, Silverlake ($$) or even Downtown LB.

[nickdahammer]

Originally Posted by King0fthehill

BTW, if you're seriously considering commuting to DTLA via mass transit, you're going to want to try Koreatown, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Highland Park (sketchy), Los Feliz, Silverlake ($$) or even Downtown LB.

Whatta about Mt Washington? We got transit and a great ES.

[timelesschild]

The OP is only going to be here for 3 weeks.