where do i start? LA/its surrounding neighborhoods is where we might be relocating to and i know nothing about the area at all. i’m not even sure where to start my research! how do i find the best neighborhood to situate us in? the husband is interested in a beach front property. where would i look? any California guppies here willing to help me out? timeline is long’ish- we are thinking of moving within the year but, realistically, i would hazard a guess of 12-18 months from now, so i don’t need answers right away but it would be so helpful to at least start on my research. not having planned anything is making me twitch lol.
Re: moving to a new city
Guppies who are currently in and around LA might give better advise but I have lived in Irvine (Orange County) for years, and that's one of the best places that I have ever lived.
Good schools, safe neighborhoods, almost negligible crime rate and polite people. Irvine is also close to desi community area like Garden Grove & Costa Mesa. City itsself is around 40-45 miles from downtown LA
Re: moving to a new city
^ how long does it take to drive to downtown LA from Irvine?
Re: moving to a new city
^ how long does it take to drive to downtown LA from Irvine?
depends on the time of the day and where u actually are going but on average something b/w 40min-60min.
AS you are in Toronto, think of its as if driving from Markham/Scarborough Town center to SQ 1, Mississauga
Re: moving to a new city
LA is big. if you want to get a feel for LA’s various neighbourhoods, check this interactive map out.
Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times
the LA one sees in the media is mostly the richer portions of westside/west LA, and the coast along the santa monica mountains(the malibu coast). if you are raising a family, you would most likely be interested in the San Fernando valley (known as “the valley” to angelinos), or the Verdugos (especially pasadena). both these areas are still huge with plenty of smaller neighbourhoods, the best ones in general are ones that are adjoining the hills. but not everyone needs hills. Westside has affordable areas too, and is cooler in summers. single folk would probably like this part the best. South bay and long beach areas are also alright, but less desirable in general than the valley or the verdugos.
Desi grocery stores are scattered around, and arent all that great compared to what i have seen in other parts of the US.
Does work involve a certain location? like i said before, LA is huge. you have to live within a reasonable distance or the commute will kill you. Irvine to downtown is not doable for average people on a daily basis, unless one hops on the train service, which is only possible if one works/lives close to the few stations. Also, think about how much you are willing to spend on rent/mortgage. This will narrow down areas automatically. 
everything is expensive - sales tax is as high as 9.75%. car insurance rates are high. gas prices are the highest in the US. electricity rates are high. public schools usually arent as good as in most other places. private schools are expensive compared to other places. but the weather is divine. all year round. if you love the outdoors, there is plenty to do. the beach, the mountains. <3 drivers are idiots. people are a mixed bunch, but very good looking (ive been in ohio for 2 weeks, people look so weird here).
Re: moving to a new city
^ thats very helpful, thanks!
work location hasn’t been decided yet. he’ll be where ever the ad agencies are clustered since his work is tied into theirs. if silicon valley is where the tech companies live, where do the creatives go?
i’ve been browsing through this site, and all the areas that i’ve heard are desirable places to live in with a young child are ones that are super $$$. http://www.lalife.com/
and in terms of safety- how much of a factor is it when deciding neighborhood? is it a real concern in daily life, or something you mostly hear when **** goes down and the media reports it?
Re: moving to a new city
I am moving to calabasas area in a month. It's about 20ish miles from LA. I've heard woodland hills, aguora hills etc within calabasas are all good places to live in (although none would be beach properties). Close to LA but yet away from the hustle. Malibu is within close proximity.
I have close friends who live in Redondo beach area. It's close to the beach and they seem to love the place. So this could be something you could look into.
Re: moving to a new city
heh.. ad agencies! you can't toss a rock without hitting a couple of them any where you are in LA. so i guess you guys will have plenty of options, SGC.
safety isn't that big of a concern if you avoid certain parts of LA at certain hours. most of the city is quite safe.
twittwit, calabasas is pretty good. rents are on the lower side and apartments are nicer. you can hop over the mountains and hit the beach, not too far. and lots of hiking, mountain-biking, running trails in the hills right in your backyard. agoura hills is awesome. only issue about that area is it gets a little warm in summers.
Re: moving to a new city
^ yeah what’s up with this varying weather- i’ve come across this a few times now in regards to certain part of LA. dumb question but is it just the landscape that dictates how cool or hot a place will feel?
also, i google mapped half a list of ad agencies in LA that i found online and they seem to be mostly clustered around the west end- Google Maps
any thoughts on good neighbourhoods near by, queer?
Re: moving to a new city
Like any coastal climate, the closer you are to the ocean the cooler it is. In SoCAL, inlands do get hot during mid summer, but the good thing is there are plenty of beaches to cool off.
West side (west LA) is closer to the ocean and has some very nice neighborhoods. Santa Monica is good too.
Re: moving to a new city
Dont have anything to contribute, but I loveee LA!
Re: moving to a new city
^ what do you love about it? tell me all!
Re: moving to a new city
I love LA too. Its very lively, the weather is great and can't beat the beaches. Its expensive though!
Re: moving to a new city
decent: Irvine is most beautiful and clean piece of land I ever saw in CA. I love that place more than Los Angeles.
SGC: weather of California is lovable. 