Where to live in LA?

m0ld · 2023-07-21T18:01:26.837Z

Planning on moving out there next year, definitely going to keep an eye on this thread. We’ve been looking in Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena. Lots of condos in the 650-800k range. It’s further inland than we’d like to be, but it’s also what we can reasonably afford. My partner grew up near Santa Monica, so for her it’ll be a nice homecoming of sorts.

captain8 · 2023-07-21T18:08:34.955Z

Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena are all great places, and also if you’re lookin at the Long Beach area check out signal hill, seal beach, shoreline village

and definitely check out the Larchmont area

Discover Los Angeles

A Walking Tour of Larchmont Village

Read on for a walking tour of historic Larchmont Village, from one of LA’s best coffee shops to unique stores and excellent restaurants.

Angstwulf · 2023-07-21T18:42:25.714Z

I’m going to set aside cost and availability here. But those will be factors that will sadly guide your choice more than anything.

Your office will be the area immediately north of LAX, a poorly planned and chaotic airport. There will be traffic snarls at rush hour and prime arrival times so you will need to plan your commute carefully.

That said, any of the large communities adjacent, Santa Monica, Culver and Venice are convenient. They can be lively with a lot of activities and dining.

Between Palos Verdes and Santa Monica are the most accessible beach towns. My favorite is Redondo. Manhattan and Hermosa are nice. Venice used to be the artsiest and may still have some boho chic left.

After that, you have other areas of LA. Traveling to Playa is a nightmare. But that’s the West Coast life….

The downtown part of LA used to be nothing but condemned remnants of grand hotels and offices. It has been revived and there is a thriving nightlife. It’s so special that the young and hip only referred to it as DTLA even though it takes just as long to say it.

Areas that were ethnic or working class enclaves have been gentrified. East LA, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Korea Town and Pico Rivera are now places to find apartment fit for single living. Some still retain a bit of what made them special, some are developing into social/entertainment centers suitable for single living.

I’m not going to get into whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. There is a lot to read up on each yo let you make that informed choice.

Echo Park, Silverlake, Hollywood. All have their appeal.

Me?

If I was a workaholic: Culver or Venice.

If I was a workaholic who can work remotely? San Pedro…Long Beach…one of the beach areas not so nearby.

obscurerobot · 2023-07-21T18:53:37.516Z

Angstwulf:

If I was a workaholic who can work remotely? San Pedro…Long Beach…one of the beach areas not so nearby.

Keep in mind that most of the LA beaches have very short, steep breaks. IDK what policies are these days regarding surfboards at those beaches, but if they are allowed it would be short boards and very short rides. I think the fun surf spots are mostly to the north and down south in San Diego.

jdaddyaz:

All that said it seems that the good for them far outnumber the bad

My comments about California in general tend towards the negative, but I’ve spent a lot of my life in the area. If California is pulling you in, it may be worth spending some time there. There are definitley a lot of good things in California that can help you overlook the bad.

djadonis206 · 2023-07-21T18:56:52.448Z

What about Los Feliz (East Hollywood) too far?

Dr.K · 2023-07-21T19:34:22.515Z

Anywhere close to Elektron office should be good.

chrisroland · 2023-07-21T19:47:33.697Z

anywhere but the Valley

maymind_trax · 2023-07-21T21:41:44.627Z

Have lived in LA for about seven years now, all in the Northeast quadrant.

I would say that if your job is in Playa Vista and you’ll be going in to the office and not working remotely, you should try to find a place that’s as close to your work as possible.

Lot of discussion about different neighborhoods on here which is all good and dandy but if your commute is going to be an hour each way, it’s not going to matter if you live on the nicest street in echo park / silverlake / wherever.

I would also worry less about neighborhoods and focus more on specific blocks. Things change here drastically block by block.

Feel free to PM me if you’d like more info / like to chat, OP.

chrisroland · 2023-07-21T22:05:42.145Z

but anything west of the 405 (incl Playa Vista) you’re gonna pay through the nose to rent given proximity to the beach, if you can find something at all. living on the eastside to commute that far is probably not ideal (putting it mildly). Culver City/Palms/Mar Vista might be a good place to start that also not likely to break the bank

neet · 2023-07-21T23:02:01.040Z

The Valley

hausland · 2023-07-22T00:53:24.526Z

Personally I really like the Echo Park area, but I’m not local to LA at all, so take that with a grain of salt.

captain8 · 2023-07-22T01:01:24.310Z

best home studios in echo park, silver lake, los Feliz

JPM · 2023-07-22T03:01:06.771Z

Thanks for all the answers!
Really helpful!

Angstwulf · 2023-07-22T12:59:33.251Z

Malibu.

Otherwise, yeah, The OC, Pismo, Ventura or San Diego for longboarding.

Angstwulf · 2023-07-22T13:05:53.263Z

No storefront. Just a sign out if a 2nd floor office space or waiting for Ricky Tinez to grab lunch at King Taco or sumptin’.

Now, you could find a place near Perfect Circuit, a better theme park than Disneyland.

Of course, that means living in Burbank. &%# that!

I joke.

Sorta…

abluesky · 2023-07-22T15:58:38.219Z

I lived for 12 years in Santa Monica near Venice and I loved it.

aMunchkinElfGraduate · 2023-07-22T16:03:19.853Z

I suggest you live close to your work. Save yourself from a soul-crushing commute, even if that means picking a more modest dwelling.

I live in South Orange County (between LA and SD). I’m lucky to work for my local school district, not too much driving. There are a ton of parks in my neighborhood.

Years ago, I commuted to and from San Diego for six years. So unpleasant…I get mild PTSD every time I have to drive down there.

I know plenty of people who’re ostensibly fine with long commutes. They listen to podcasts or whatever. I don’t believe them. Commuting is, I believe, killing them from the inside.

abluesky · 2023-07-22T16:57:43.037Z

I commuted to work on a bicycle. Was faster than traffic. If I had to drive, I would relax in a Korean spa during rush hour.

JPM · 2023-07-22T21:42:41.284Z

Commute is something I’d love to avoid.
I worked pretty much across the street (1block) from my last place but was laid off.
So I know this is probably not going to be found in LA, but the nice weather makes me think cycling could be a good option.
Also looking at Google maps it’s kinda shocking how many roads don’t seem to have a sidewalk in LA haha!

Angstwulf · 2023-07-23T01:40:40.922Z

Sidewalks??? In LA??? You kiddin’???

what we call roads, you noobs give quaint little nicknames. Like Autobahn.
Sidewalks? Aren’t those the things that the valet parker is standing on when you need to park your Escalade?

Ooohhh….what about

Sidewalks? We got rid of them so German tourists in Santa Monica would get hit by cars instead of mugged.*

In all seriousity, some of the neighborhoods near Playa, like Culver City and Santa Monica would be great bike commutes, depending on whether you are okay in heavy traffic.

Plus, believe it or not, there is public transportation here. It’s not fully featured but between the rapid commuter buses and light rail, it has become more viable.

I have friends who bike to the stop/station then jump on public transport until they get close enough then back on the bike.

*tasteless, I know. But if you lived here in the late 90’s you would get the reference.