What's the nicest place to live in L.A. California ?

Question

I have 2 daughters. One is 18 and is in college but in Seattle. She would always come and visit us on the holidays. And the other one is 15. I need a nice place with the beach and parks and restaurants. I work as a professional chef. I also need a nice high school and stuff for my daughters. Like malls, coffee shops, theatres, beaches, parks etc.

What would you suggest?

Answer 1

the hills like thats for sure

Answer 2

there are no nice places in toss angeles..  I would suggest you follow your daughter and move to seattle.

The others here providing areas to live have completely lost it and should stay out of the sun..  No way in h**l are you able to afford some of the areas they suggest ... on a chefs salary.

Answer 3

Get a place near where you work. As LA is 85% good areas.

Answer 4

Beverly Hills. LOL!

Answer 5

"LA" is such a big place, there are so many neighborhoods/cities where you can live. Of course, even within a city or neighborhood, there are safer sections and less-safe sections.

In Los Angeles, some nice sections are West LA, Brentwood, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Eagle Rock, Encino, Tarzana, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Granada Hills, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, Chatsworth.

To the east: South Pasadena, parts of Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Glendora, San Dimas, Laverne, Azusa, Rancho Cucamonga.

Along the beach: Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, Rancho PV.

In Orange County aka "The OC": Seal Beach , Huntington Beach , Newport Beach , Corona Del Mar , Laguna Beach , Dana Point , Capistrano Beach , San Clemente , Brea, Yorba Linda, Orange, Tustin, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest

To the west: Agoura, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Moorpark.

This is not an all-inclusive list, but it's a start.

Answer 6

Anywhere in/near Orange County, CA.  Stay away from the L.A. area.  In OC you get the beach, good schools, but it's pricey to live there.  As a chef I think you have a better chance of getting a job there too.  Good luck!

Answer 7

Orange County is much nicer than LA; especially for a family - The middle-to-southern end, in particular (Huntington Harbor, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point).  If you go more than 5 miles inland, it will be hotter and more congested.  You should be able to find a job as a fine chef there, but I'd check that out before you move:)   South Coast Plaza (and Crystal Court) is a HUGE shopping center nearby; and there are lots of other, smaller ones too.  The school system in these cities will be better than most, especially in the LA area.

Answer 8

Santa Monica

Answer 9

Can you live someplace temporarily until you find a job? The restaurant and catering business has slowed down a bit due to the economy. Commuting is a big time consuming expensive hassle here in LA.

Also, what is your budget - are you going to buy or rent?

What size home do you need/want?

Living near any beach in LA is expensive. 1 block away from Venice beach in an OK neighborhood, 800 sq ft home = 1 million $. 2 bd condo in a beach city, not near beach = 500,000+. Santa Monica 2 bd apt - maybe you could find in a not great area for $1500, but more like $2000 and up in a better area.

Private or Public High School?

FYI - The desired/good private schools run from about $13,000 - 30,000 a year in LA county. There are some good religious schools that are less, but they generally require A LOT of volunteer hours and long relationship with their church.

For public school info - http://www.greatschools.net/ Also lists of some of the private schools.

For private schools - http://www.gmacrealestate.com/marketsser...  Then click on a city, then See all City, CA Schools for a list of schools. http://www.privateschoolreview.com/count...

None of the private school lists are complete.

For home prices - http://www.realtor.com/ Also has some rentals.

Rental info - http://losangeles.apartments.com/

http://www.westsiderentals.com/

http://www.rent.com

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/

Google Los Angeles Apartments for more ideas.

There are big malls, parks, great hiking, theatres, etc literally everywhere from the beach to Pasadena and beyond. You'd really have to live in the boonies to not be surrounded by things to do in LA County.

Personally I don't like the Westside LA traffic (west of Hollywood to the beach) so I stay at the beach on the weekend only and during the week we are east of there in the hills where it is more laid back and less traffic. A lot of it is personal preference, like I don't like Orange Co (too all the same for me), but others love it and I can see their points. Best to visit and see what feels right to you.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Ladera Ranch, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, San Clemente, Mission Viejo are great areas to live!!!!!