Apartments and Townhouses around Los Angeles [Archive]

bousozoku

Feb 16, 2006, 07:01 PM

For those of you living near Los Angeles, could you give me some advice?

I'm currently researching living around Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, Stanton, etc. I have a house which I'm selling here, but I certainly can't afford a house there. I'm not sure what to do but a townhouse is probably affordable with a proper job--otherwise, a decent apartment.

You know the area better than I do. I don't really think that I want to move into Los Angeles and I can't imagine living near the shore because of the cost. I thought that living closer to the Cleveland National Forest seemed a good idea. Of course, it's been partly ravaged lately.

Thanks for your help!

balamw

Feb 16, 2006, 07:10 PM

I'm not sure what to do but a townhouse is probably affordable with a proper job--otherwise, a decent apartment.

Don't be so sure. :(

I'm on the other side of LA (North & West). In our area townhomes are few and far between, and some new ones in our development are selling for over $550K. :eek: :confused: :eek:

B

iBlue

Feb 16, 2006, 07:45 PM

where will you be working down there? the commute will probably be a big deciding factor in your location.

bousozoku

Feb 16, 2006, 08:39 PM

Don't be so sure. :(

I'm on the other side of LA (North & West). In our area townhomes are few and far between, and some new ones in our development are selling for over $550K. :eek: :confused: :eek:

B

I should have a decent down payment.

where will you be working down there? the commute will probably be a big deciding factor in your location.

Yes, of course, but I don't know and I'm trying to restrict it to somewhere reasonably close to the area outlines.

~Shard~

Feb 16, 2006, 08:43 PM

$550K USD for a townhouse/condo?!? :eek: Another reason I'm glad I'm livin' where I'm livin'.. ;) :cool:

rdowns

Feb 16, 2006, 08:47 PM

$550K sounds reasonable. My neighbor just sold his 1BR condo (same as mine) for $449K. We both bought these in 1992 for $125K. I'd sell mine in a heartbeat if I had someplace else to go.

balamw

Feb 16, 2006, 09:40 PM

$550K sounds reasonable.
Yeah, to those coming from NYC, Boston, DC, ... these real estate prices are "reasonable", to those in the rest of the country they think we're all nuts.

;)

B

bousozoku

Feb 16, 2006, 09:49 PM

$550K sounds reasonable. My neighbor just sold his 1BR condo (same as mine) for $449K. We both bought these in 1992 for $125K. I'd sell mine in a heartbeat if I had someplace else to go.

Considering that my current 3 bedroom house is probably worth half that, it's not completely reasonable but compared to San Diego or San Jose, it's acceptable.

3rdpath

Feb 17, 2006, 12:58 AM

According to the latest news, home prices in southern california are beginning to drop. Granted, the drop is only a few % since December but I think it represents a trend. I'd rent here for awhile before buying.

Also, there are quite a few great pockets of neighborhoods that are located in cities you might not presently be considering...and you might even decide that the commute from the beach is worth it.

Anyway, of the cities you named, the only one I'd recommend is the town of Orange. It's really nice, has an old fashioned town square and very pretty vintage craftsman style homes. Its not cheap there but it is a nice place to live.

Anaheim is a place I'd stay away from. With Disneyland, a baseball stadium and a huge convention center it has major traffic issues.

I highly advise looking for your abode in the recycler ( which is online here (http://www.recycler.com/ladefault.asp)) or craigslist.
You can get a good feel for the market here. I actually found the house I bought in the recycler. It was a FSBO and was exactly what I was seeking-unlike the places my agent kept showing me...

Good luck...and welcome, California's a nice (though expensive) place to live.

bousozoku

Feb 17, 2006, 01:22 AM

Thanks, I haven't lived in California (San Jose, Sunnyvale) since before I was 4 years old, but even then, I noted a radical change in people when we moved.

Of course, if the area is too expensive, I could always move to Riverside...maybe not. I'd be moving to Bakersfield or Fresno almost as quickly. :eek:

I can't believe that it's cheaper closer to the shore. Someone here mentioned Costa Mesa as being cheaper than Orange or Fullerton. I'm just trying to stay as far from the mess as possible.

I'm surprised that the traffic in Anaheim wasn't worse. I was in the area in June 2005 and it didn't seem nearly as bad as Orlando. I even spent time on the Orange County Expressway at evening rush hour a couple of times and it seemed perfectly easy to handle.

illegalprelude

Feb 17, 2006, 02:05 AM

i would look at North Hollywood or Sherman Oaks

iBlue

Feb 17, 2006, 02:29 AM

i would look at North Hollywood or Sherman Oaks

sherman oaks? surely you jest. the valley [south of ventura] is seriously expensive. :eek:

you might not have to go out as far as the san bernadino or riverside area but that is usually the right direction to lower cost and still live in a decent area. LA is weird though, you can go from a great neighborhood to a total crap-heap in 10 minutes flat. (i usually recommend navigation systems to everyone not familiar to the area)

maybe the Chino Hills area, or if you prefer closer to shore, Long Beach actually has some ok priced real estate if you are willing to do a bit of looking.

just a couple ideas anyway :)

Deepdale

Feb 17, 2006, 02:31 AM

$550K USD for a townhouse/condo?!? Another reason I'm glad I'm livin' where I'm livin'.

You are fortunate in that respect. Real estate prices in and around major American cities is nightmarish and truly deserving of the term "irrational exuberance."

bousozoku

Feb 17, 2006, 02:44 AM

sherman oaks? surely you jest. the valley [south of ventura] is seriously expensive. :eek:

you might not have to go out as far as the san bernadino or riverside area but that is usually the right direction to lower cost and still live in a decent area. LA is weird though, you can go from a great neighborhood to a total crap-heap in 10 minutes flat. (i usually recommend navigation systems to everyone not familiar to the area)

maybe the Chino Hills area, or if you prefer closer to shore, Long Beach actually has some ok priced real estate if you are willing to do a bit of looking.

just a couple ideas anyway :)

I stayed in the Chino/Ontario area while I was visiting. It's pretty reasonable but there were some pretty ugly areas...like parts of Floriduh here. I don't particularly remember Chino Hills but I was probably there looking for In-n-Out. :D I also considered Hacienda Heights because of all the Asians there but I've heard that it's not all that nice.

I saw plenty of L.A. County and it's surprising that it's like that but it seems a lot like here. It's amazing when you have to pass shacks with tin roofs (rooves? I've never used that) to get to some really expensive homes. There was a fruit & vegetable stand like that outside an upscale development and the one two story home that you could see was right behind that building. Imagine waking up in the morning and looking out the window onto some tin roof. :eek:

iBlue

Feb 17, 2006, 02:53 AM

I stayed in the Chino/Ontario area while I was visiting. It's pretty reasonable but there were some pretty ugly areas...like parts of Floriduh here. I don't particularly remember Chino Hills but I was probably there looking for In-n-Out. :D I also considered Hacienda Heights because of all the Asians there but I've heard that it's not all that nice.

I saw plenty of L.A. County and it's surprising that it's like that but it seems a lot like here. It's amazing when you have to pass shacks with tin roofs (rooves? I've never used that) to get to some really expensive homes. There was a fruit & vegetable stand like that outside an upscale development and the one two story home that you could see was right behind that building. Imagine waking up in the morning and looking out the window onto some tin roof. :eek:

the whole area is baffling with respect to distance from the good to the bad and the ugly. if you are interested in being in LA itself and in the valley, northridge is not a bad way to go. people hear that word and think of that goddawful earthquake (it really did suck) but because of that the prices are sometimes lower... and also with it being north of ventura blvd. being north of the blvd is not terrible or anything, it is just a reflection of price and the oh-so-important 'status' of living in LA. <sigh>

it used to be that canyon country was a great way to go for afforable but nice real estate but it's not that way anymore. too many people figured that out. :p the commute is a pain from there too.

there's so many directions to go. if you are patient you can often find a steal, but it's a needle in a haystack most times.
have you thought of talkiing to a real estate agent? (i know, that is generally evil but it might get you some ideas)

bousozoku

Feb 17, 2006, 03:17 AM

the whole area is baffling with respect to distance from the good to the bad and the ugly. if you are interested in being in LA itself and in the valley, northridge is not a bad way to go. people hear that word and think of that goddawful earthquake (it really did suck) but because of that the prices are sometimes lower... and also with it being north of ventura blvd. being north of the blvd is not terrible or anything, it is just a reflection of price and the oh-so-important 'status' of living in LA. <sigh>

it used to be that canyon country was a great way to go for afforable but nice real estate but it's not that way anymore. too many people figured that out. :p the commute is a pain from there too.

there's so many directions to go. if you are patient you can often find a steal, but it's a needle in a haystack most times.
have you thought of talkiing to a real estate agent? (i know, that is generally evil but it might get you some ideas)

I really wasn't interested in living in L.A. outside of Little Tokyo, although Venice Beach looks wonderful. :D

A musician friend in Burbank works for his mum in her real estate office. I think it might help but I haven't gotten to talk much. I need to sell the house here first to see what I can do.

tangerineyum

Feb 17, 2006, 03:22 AM

Ontario represent ! w00t w00t ! its within 45 mins of like 5 apple stores, the closest being in Rancho Cucamonga and its a very decent place to live if you know where to look.

We have tons of trees and are in the middle of 5 major freeways. traffic is very decent so long as you dont have to drive to or from LA at 8am, 3pm or anytime from 5-7pm. haha ! To get to downtown LA is a 30 min commute, add another 15 if your going to Santa Monica. And right now construction is booming, tons of new homes and apartments being built and its good looking and cheap. Ontario, Gateway to the Inland Empire.;)

bousozoku

Feb 17, 2006, 03:50 AM

tangerineyum

Feb 17, 2006, 11:55 AM

Euclid is a major artery in my little town, except you were stuck down south by the 60 where it smells like cow. If ontario is indeed one of your choices, try closer to the 10 and Euclid, thats our historic college park area, very posh east coast type house. Beverly Cleary had a house in that area, thats where the mayor lives, half the city council... but not me, im not cool enough. I live a few blocks outside of college park, but im working on it.

bousozoku

Feb 17, 2006, 03:42 PM

Well, I don't choose where motel chains put their units. :D

By the way, would someone please tell me where Woodland Hills is? I see several jobs but I can't find it on the map.

balamw

Feb 17, 2006, 03:45 PM

By the way, would someone please tell me where Woodland Hills is? I see several jobs but I can't find it on the map.
San Fernando Valley, generally north of LA.

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/maps/mapresults/insert;_ylt=Anu.lqMCIRruaeNMQg4uyhML3kcC/*-http://maps.yahoo.com/linkmap?addr=&csz=Woodland+Hills%2C+CA&state=CA&uzip=91367&ds=n&name=&desc=&lat=34.16853&lon=-118.605797&mlt=34.16853&mln=-118.605797&zoomin=yes&BFKey=&mag=4

B

~Shard~

Feb 17, 2006, 03:57 PM

You are fortunate in that respect. Real estate prices in and around major American cities is nightmarish and truly deserving of the term "irrational exuberance."

Yeah, I know what you mean. I like living here where my hard earned money goes a lot farther for me. :cool:

bousozoku

Feb 17, 2006, 04:15 PM

San Fernando Valley, generally north of LA.

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/maps/mapresults/insert;_ylt=Anu.lqMCIRruaeNMQg4uyhML3kcC/*-http://maps.yahoo.com/linkmap?addr=&csz=Woodland+Hills%2C+CA&state=CA&uzip=91367&ds=n&name=&desc=&lat=34.16853&lon=-118.605797&mlt=34.16853&mln=-118.605797&zoomin=yes&BFKey=&mag=4

B

Thanks so much. I didn't think about doing that. :D

Yeah, I know what you mean. I like living here where my hard earned money goes a lot farther for me. :cool:

You also get snow and cold for free. That's quite an attraction.

balamw

Feb 17, 2006, 04:38 PM

You also get snow and cold for free. That's quite an attraction.
Snow and cold. Earthquakes and widlfires....

Potaytoes. pohtahtoes. ;)

B

iBlue

Feb 17, 2006, 05:05 PM

By the way, would someone please tell me where Woodland Hills is? I see several jobs but I can't find it on the map.

i grew up mostly in woodland hills, great area!

~Shard~

Feb 17, 2006, 05:30 PM

You also get snow and cold for free. That's quite an attraction.

balamw took the words right out of my mouth. (And yes, having snow is a lot of fun!) The summers get a bit much at times (100-120 degrees fahrenheit) but it's all good as well. :)

When I see all the tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters in this world, I think that cold winters are nothing to complain about - I'll take it any day. :cool:

bousozoku

Feb 17, 2006, 07:16 PM

balamw took the words right out of my mouth. (And yes, having snow is a lot of fun!) The summers get a bit much at times (100-120 degrees fahrenheit) but it's all good as well. :)

When I see all the tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters in this world, I think that cold winters are nothing to complain about - I'll take it any day. :cool:

Considering that I'm still enjoying a bit of frostbite I got years ago in a blizzard and have survived other natural disasters, I'll stay away from the snow and the cold as much as possible. :D

i grew up mostly in woodland hills, great area!

You must have lived in a big house. :D

~Shard~

Feb 17, 2006, 08:43 PM

Considering that I'm still enjoying a bit of frostbite I got years ago in a blizzard and have survived other natural disasters, I'll stay away from the snow and the cold as much as possible. :D

Understood, to each their own! :) Yes, frostbite would suck - I make sure I'm always bundled up and layered when the weather gets that cold...

iBlue

Feb 17, 2006, 11:50 PM

You must have lived in a big house. :D

yeah, i dominate like that :p

no, i just lived in woodland hills for most of my formative years and spent less time living in the calabasas highlands, briefly in brentwood and the bit in encino. i moved around quite a bit for a while there.

by the way, the alhambra area is a primarily asian neighborhood, however it can get a bit rough, lotta 'riff-raff', but i thought i'd mention it just the same since you mentioned that interest.

bousozoku

Feb 18, 2006, 12:23 AM

yeah, i dominate like that :p

no, i just lived in woodland hills for most of my formative years and spent less time living in the calabasas highlands, briefly in brentwood and the bit in encino. i moved around quite a bit for a while there.

by the way, the alhambra area is a primarily asian neighborhood, however it can get a bit rough, lotta 'riff-raff', but i thought i'd mention it just the same since you mentioned that interest.

Well, at least, you stayed in the same metropolitan area. I was on both coasts and in the midwest.

Riff-raff sounds kinda good to me but I know it wouldn't be. I miss being around Asians a lot, though. :(

Well, at least, I know a little bit more about the area than I did 24 hours ago. I saw some job for Taco Bell in Irvine but I'm thinking that it might not be a good fit considering how much fun I make of their SoCal Mexican food. :D I'll keep looking. It's going to be interesting.

tweakers_suck

Feb 18, 2006, 12:37 AM

Well, at least, you stayed in the same metropolitan area. I was on both coasts and in the midwest.

Riff-raff sounds kinda good to me but I know it wouldn't be. I miss being around Asians a lot, though. :(

Well, at least, I know a little bit more about the area than I did 24 hours ago. I saw some job for Taco Bell in Irvine but I'm thinking that it might not be a good fit considering how much fun I make of their SoCal Mexican food. :D I'll keep looking. It's going to be interesting.

Come to beautiful Temple City. It is near Arcadia, San Gabriel, Alhambra, and other cities nearby with lots of Asian peoples and it is very safe. It can be a bit pricey -- my 1600 sq ft 3 bedroom 2 bath is prolly worth 650k -- but it is close to downtown, pasadena, and freeways to whereever else you want to go. And if you have kids, the schools are excellent. I've lived here for about 4 years. Not much riff-raff lives here, but they do pass through. PM me if you have specific questions about the area. I process crime scenes in the county of LA and can point you out to places I wouldn't go late at night. Send me a PM if you have specific questions.

bousozoku

Feb 18, 2006, 01:05 AM

Come to beautiful Temple City. It is near Arcadia, San Gabriel, Alhambra, and other cities nearby with lots of Asian peoples and it is very safe. It can be a bit pricey -- my 1600 sq ft 3 bedroom 2 bath is prolly worth 650k -- but it is close to downtown, pasadena, and freeways to whereever else you want to go. And if you have kids, the schools are excellent. I've lived here for about 4 years. Not much riff-raff lives here, but they do pass through. PM me if you have specific questions about the area. I process crime scenes in the county of LA and can point you out to places I wouldn't go late at night. Send me a PM if you have specific questions.

Thanks, it's definitely another point of focus. There are a few. I may end up with a headache. :D :eek:

Maybe, I'll just go there, become an actor and work in a restaurant and live on the streets. :D