Help finding LA real estate agent

[Coronita]

What about torrance? It’s about 45-60 minutes. I’ve made it between torrance and santa monica around that time not using the HOV lane.

[Former SD resident]

[quote=FormerSanDiegan]other FS D –

What part of SD did you live in previously ?

We lived in San Diego for a decade+ before moving to LA. We lived in Central / Central Coastal San Diego (Clairement, then Bay Park) and didn’t want to live too far inland for climate purposes. This pointed us to areas like Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, etc (which were a bit too expensive). But we found some nice pockets on LA’s west side that are really nice places to live. You shouldn’t omit these areas in your search.

The places you are looking are nice, but to me the heat and air quality in places like Pasadena overcame the positives you’ve already mentioned.[/quote]

I grew up around the Poway/RB area then the last 4 years after college rented in Carmel Valley. We don’t really like the idea of the extreme heat but schools and safety are our biggest considerations. We do have an Autistic 3 yr old son (and 1 yr old daughter) and will be trying to take advantage of the additional services offered in CA, both through our insurance and school system.

What nice pocket areas did you find? I’ve heard about torrance and culver city but seems a little out of our price range. We’re looking for a 3/2 SFH under 675K, we can technically afford more on my husbands salary but don’t want to stretch too far with a special needs child. We are planning on renting initally to get a better feel for the area but also feel a little clueless on where to rent. If it’s true that the only reasonable place we can afford is out in Valencia then I feel we should rent out there to see if hubby can handle it, otherwise we’ll have to re-evaluate if a townhome/condo would be better.

Thanks for all your input.

[CA renter]

F SD,

I think you could definitely afford a nice house in Woodland Hills for that money, but like everywhere, prices have gone up a bit with this lack of inventory and low interest rates. Still, if you’re really interested, definitely check it out.

Compared to Valencia, the houses in WH are older/have more character, and the lots tend to be bigger. There are more tree-lined streets in WH, etc. which give it a totally different vibe compared to the newness and “sameness” of Valencia. I should note that the people I know who’ve moved to Valencia have no problem with this. If safety and schools are your top priorities, Valencia would probably be a better bet.

At this moment, rents everywhere are pretty high and appear to keep climbing. 🙁

[WarChestSM]

I have been running a Santa Monica based bubble blog for 5 years. Just google “santa monica distress monitor”. Anyway, I turned more bullish a few years back and ended up buying in Culver City. I also work in downtown LA and my commute is 10 miles and is against the traffic flow for the most part so it is quick. The light rail just opened as well so you can go that route too. You also get away from LAUSD schools here which is good. $675k is on the lower side for something decent here but there are pockets of Culver City which could work for you in that range. Best of luck.

[WarChestSM]

And I should mention that you will hate your commute to downtown from just about anywhere in the Valley…even with transport options it will be brutal. The weather is also a big deal as it is really hot in the valley in the summer. I would advise ponying up a few extra bucks and staying out of the valley if you can.

[Former SD resident]

Another thought is North Orange County. I saw a few small pocket communities with newer homes in our price range (buena park) and of course there are plenty of older homes. The big question is, is the area nice and safe, are the schools good, etc? If my husband had to find another job there are a lot, for what he does, in Irvine. Also, we still have several friends and family in SD so the drive would be shorter. So for those in the know, would you consider North OC or is Nroth LA still a better bet?

[Former SD resident]

bump.

anyone know if north OC should be a consideration (if we’re considering Valencia). the schools seem better than LA and looks like we could afford a decent home in buena park or Fullerton within our price range. would the commute be just as bad from Fullerton as Valencia/ woodland hills? thanks for any advice you can give.

[spdrun]

Why not snap up a bunch of rentals in less-nice areas and use them to finance rent on a two or three bedroom apt in a nicer part of town (read: near the beach)?

The American perception that you have to own the place where to live to be “somebody” is asinine.

[Former SD resident]

[quote=spdrun]Why not snap up a bunch of rentals in less-nice areas and use them to finance rent on a two or three bedroom apt in a nicer part of town (read: near the beach)?

The American perception that you have to own the place where to live to be “somebody” is asinine.[/quote]

Not really a practical option for us. We’re a fairly young family with a 3 year old special needs child and a 1 year old. Don’t think we can take on rentals too. Just want to live in a decent safe neighborhood with good schools, but maybe that is too much to ask in the LA area.

[desmond]

[quote=Former SD resident]bump.

anyone know if north OC should be a consideration (if we’re considering Valencia). the schools seem better than LA and looks like we could afford a decent home in buena park or Fullerton within our price range. would the commute be just as bad from Fullerton as Valencia/ woodland hills? thanks for any advice you can give.[/quote]

You are spinning your wheels, Orange County is to far, Fullerton forget it. Woodland Hills? to expensive and it is in the Valley (San Fernando). The elementary schools in Valencia are always getting some distinguished award, check the scores. Valencia is a planned community, meaning not crappy strip malls next to homes next to schools next to methodone centers (like the Valley). I guarantee you will not find a better place to buy, rent and raise your kids if your husband is working in downtown. I am reading some of the comments from the people from SD and although they are trying to help they are not. Here are the websites:

http://www.santa-clarita.com/
http://www.santaclaritatransit.com/

Give Neal a call or email him, he will answer any questions on RE from Orange County up to LA and he is THE expert in Valencia (Santa Clarita). Get answers from a pro, not me………

[WarChestSM]

Valencia?! 35 miles outside of downtown LA. So far away and so friggin hot out there! Live 10 miles away and actually have some culture in your life and find a place in or around Culver City. The Expo line goes to downtown from there if you want the public transit option, otherwise the drive ain’t bad. And you are looking at 80 degree days in the summer vs 95 degree days in Valencia.

[ocrenter]

I second Culver City. Cheaper option compared to Santa Monica and yes, you are out of LAUSD. I’ve taken the Expo line myself and it is a great way to get into DT. Plus you just can’t beat the weather. South Pas has great schools but very pricey. What about Toluca Lake? It isn’t quite as bad as North Hollywood, not sure about schools though. He’ll be able to take the red line at Universal to DT. Another enclave to consider within the city would be Hancock Park.

Then there’s more working class Asian enclaves of Alhambra and Monterey Park, still very close to DT and because of the Asians, schools are good.

Traffic in LA is absolutely horrendous, so I would throw out Woodland Hills and Santa Clarita. Yes these are excellent communities with great schools, but the commute will get really old really quickly for your husband. Metrolink from Santa Clarita to union station is 1 hour. Keep in mind he would have to drive to the station, then somehow get to his office from union station, would not be surprised if you are looking at 1.5 hour each way. The same goes for North OC. With 2 kids, especially one with special needs, you can’t afford to have your husband waste 3 hours everyday on the commute.

Lastly, consider town homes instead of just SFR, you’ll have more opportunities open up for you.

Best of luck!

[CA renter]

[quote=Former SD resident]Thanks CA Renter. We are attactrated to the SFV because like everyone else it seems like the schools are better and you get more for your money. We would love to live closer to DTLA, but we require good schools and at least a 3BD/2BA and stongly prefer a SFH. Our budget is $675K so if it’s possible to get in a good neighborhood for that than we’re more than willing to live there. We do plan to rent initially but with 2 small kids, and the low interest rates we’d like to buy sooner rather than later.

I’ve heard good things about Eagle Rock, is that a nice area? Any others we should consider closer to DTLA? Thanks again![/quote]

F SD,

Here’s one option to consider. It’s within your budget, and as far as commutes to DTLA, it’s about a close as you can get for the price in the SFV.

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Sherman-Oaks/4524-Tyrone-Ave-91423/home/4830723

The schools might be an issue. I think the elementary school is okay, but the middle and high schools might leave something to be desired. Of course, you might be able to choice into another school. Again, my personal knowledge regarding LAUSD is dated, so be sure to check for yourself.

http://rsi.lausd.net/ResidentSchoolIdentifier/

Just throwing this out there.

[ocrenter]

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Toluca-Lake/10434-Moorpark-St-91602/home/5309169

here’s one that went pending within your price range.

drive to University City metro station is 5 min, 30 min metro red line to DT, plus time to the office. probably 45 minutes each way tops.

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Culver-City/10821-Franklin-Ave-90230/home/6724785

here’s a pending one in Culver City.

5 min to the culver city metro station, 30 min to downtown. also 45 min each way tops.

another thing to remember, the metro is roughly one train every 10 minutes. whereas metrolink can go from 30-50 minutes between trains. your husband misses the train coming back and suddenly his commute is now 4 hours instead of 3.

[desmond]

A 1610 sf house for $650K? When was the last time you tried to drive down Moorpark Blvd? Do you realize you have apartments then homes then stores then stop lights then bumper to bumper traffice 24 hours a day? It’s crazy in the valley and very dangerous and I am no pussy. Please stop with guessing your not doing anybody any good. Culver City, I am sure it is fine but if you have the money, and alot more than a $650k budget, but again it is crowded and having “culture” is a code word for it sucks……..If you are raising kids Valencia is the place. My wife and I put our emphasis on raising our two kids, everybody knows that here, that is why I know what I am talking about.

[Author]

Posts