I am possibly relocating to L.A. for a job. What areas or cities around L.A are safe for my family?

Question

Also looking for: 2 to 3 bedroom home, large yard for family and dogs, no more than an hour commute to downtown L.A., $300,000 dollar home.

Looks like $300k will not work. I was trying to be optimistic. How about the $300k to $500k range. (Thanks for all the great answers so far.)

Answer 1

Wow. That's a tough one. $300,000 in a safe area? Sorry hun not gonna find that. Either rent a house or buy a townhome or condo.

You are either going to have to -
1) Pay more than that
2) Give up the yard and dogs
3) Give up your safety
OR
4) Commute more than one hour.

I have spent DAYS and HOURS looking at homes in every possible area of Los Angeles praying to find something affordable. I consider myself an expert on how UNaffordable L.A. really is.

Pomona has some homes in the $300,000 - $400,000 range - they aren't dangerous but not exactly suburbia either.

If you don't mind a 1-2 hour commute - PALMDALE is the way to go. HUGE homes for $300,000 - $400,000. Brand new, 3-5 bedrooms, fireplace in the bedroom, huge backyard, gated community or really safe surburbia land. They are just booming in growth right now and for the most part the houses are new,nice and safe. You will have a longer commute but is well worth it. My family took a visit out to Palmdale to look around and see the model homes - I was very impressed. It was nice but not boring like the suburbs where I grew up. I am very picky and I know for women it is easy to get bored if you are not working. There was a main area too with buses that reminded me more of L.A. and then there are suburbs and parks also. Lots of new stores and malls. Everything is growing. There are alot of hispanics but don't let that stereotype you - it is not dangerous and there are no gangs like Los Angeles. It is sort of an escape for hispanics and whites both that got tired of Los Angeles but want to stay closeby. The only thing is the earthquake risk is just a tiny bit higher than Los Angeles. But as long as you are prepared, get home owners insurance, etc. you should be fine.

For house hunting I reccomend both www.craigslist.org and http://www.ziprealty.com/index.jsp

"A grand 3 bedroom + 2.5 bathroom in the prestigous oasis patio homes" it's under $300,000.
http://www.ziprealty.com/buy_a_home/logged_in/search/home_detail.jsp?listing_num=207614&page=1&property_type=CONDO&mls=mls_so_cal&cKey=33skldj9&source=GAVAR Damn I want this house now..

A little more expensive but there are alot like this for this price -
http://www.ziprealty.com/buy_a_home/logged_in/search/home_detail.jsp?listing_num=204257&page=2&property_type=SFR&mls=mls_so_cal&cKey=t5q973q3&source=GAVAR

Another 3-bedroom
http://www.ziprealty.com/buy_a_home/logged_in/search/home_detail.jsp?listing_num=202971&page=1&property_type=SFR&mls=mls_so_cal&cKey=vg2xl1dq&source=GAVAR


Here are some more in Palmdale -
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/rfs/198401900.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/rfs/197088591.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/rfs/196145884.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/rfs/196959304.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/rfs/196737565.html



In Los Angeles that same price gets you this in COMPTON -
http://www.ziprealty.com/buy_a_home/logged_in/search/home_detail.jsp?listing_num=Y65127&page=1&property_type=SFR&mls=mls_so_cal&cKey=zk7kv0mg&source=SOCALMLS

Answer 2

L.A. is very, very expensive. You might get a small condo in the $300k price range, but not a house.

There are many safe areas. I personally like the San Fernando Valley (Encino, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Studio City) area. It's really good for families. The commute to downtown is about 45 minutes in traffic.

Further out, the Santa Clarita area has *more* affordable (but still not cheap) housing. This is also a great place to raise a family. The commute can be anywhere between an hour and an hour & a half depending on traffic.

Realistically, a 3 bedroom house with a small yard in a safe but not glamorous neighborhood within one hour driving distance (in traffic) of downtown is going to run you at least $600k.

Look up some of the cities mentioned on realtor.com and you can see what typical properties are running.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I have lived in the L.A. area all of my life and really love it here, but with your stipulations, I really would consider not relocating here.

If you did decide to come here, there are lots of factors to consider in deciding where to live. Do you like extreme heat and all new development? Consider the Santa Clarita Valley. Like an older, more established area? Consider La Crescenta/La Canada and Pasadena. Want to be closer to the snow? Consider Claremont and Montclair. Most of the residential areas have better sections than others; drive around areas you are interested in and see what the school kids look like. That's always a good indication of the area.

As others have said, you will be hard pressed to find a house in the $300k range with 2/3 bedrooms and a large yard. We live in Diamond Bar, which is just about an hour commute downtown if you time it right, and condos like our 3BR 2BA have been going for over $400k. They are nice, with a patio, but certainly not a yard for dogs.

And depending where you are coming from and how much more they job pays, you might really find yourself struggling with the increased cost of living. Insurance, taxes, gas, etc. are all more here. I know the "sticker shock" really makes the move here unpleasant for some people. Others I have known have gotten a job that is paying enough to take the increase into account.

Really look at the big picture when you consider relocating. LA is a great place to live but not for everyone!

Good luck with your decision!

Answer 4

Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose, Pasadena, Burbank...all safe ..and many nice neighborhoods, and are pretty close to LA. However, houses are a lot more than 300K. You might look at Tunjunga, Shadow Hills area for houses possibly in that price range. Tujunga does have some nice neighborhoods..but you really need to look as some are kind of crappy...lots of biker types live up there. Cheaper houses can be found in and around the Valencia area..but the drive is further.

Answer 5

Huntington Beach

Answer 6

Pasadena is a safe area but you get half of the house for $300,000 dollar.

Answer 7

None. Housing costs are astronomical. 300 grand is gang turf.

Answer 8

you can try the passadena area the san fernado valley,glendale area and the west los angeles