Originally Posted by
chrisl137
You should really pick based on what you want to be near. From Pasadena, it's faster to get to San Jose (via BUR) during commute times than it is to get to the west side. And you don't want to have to go through DTLA on a regular basis - it really chokes traffic. In or out is ok, but through isn't fun.
I'm most familiar with the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley area, having been here over 20 years. It's not really a student town - Pasadena grew up somewhat separately from LA as a sanatorium town for people from the east with TB to live in a dry, warm climate, and eventually it all merged in the sprawl. Caltech and Art Center have fairly tiny student populations, and PCC is a commuter school for the whole valley. That said, you won't find a lot of luxury apartments - there are quite a few small complexes, and a few that are newer, but it's mostly single family houses, sometimes that have been split, but more often have a single-unit front house and a back house/granny flat that's anywhere from 1 to 3 units, sometimes attached to a garage that goes with the front house. There are a few fancy-ish places in and near Old Pasadena - I'm not sure any are even over 10 stories, though. When I've visited people with nice apartments, I don't think any had doormen. And it's nowhere near cheap - it's hard for people on experienced engineer salaries to afford a place in/near Pasadena. It is convenient to BUR, but not LAX - you don't want to have to go through DTLA to get to/from LAX if you don't have to worry about a commute the rest of the time. Anything near Old Pas or South Lake would be walkable, but it's mostly a residential car-town. The Gold Line to union station + Flyaway Bus isn't bad, but it's not faster than driving most of the time, though it's much cheaper than a ride share or parking. The Chinese food on this side of town is definitely better than on the west side.
Thanks so much. I learned a lot about Pasadena by reading your message. Fun coincidence, I do take Flyaway bus from LAX to Union Station and then ride the Gold line metro to Del Mar station at Pasadena. Most of my experience about the town is based on just walking down Colorado Blvd and S Lake Ave. I used to think Pasadena as a student town.
Regarding apartments, I am not looking for a fancy apartment or doorman building. A secure building with sincere management staffs and a reasonable package handling procedure will be ideal. It could be a condo (rented from owner) or a unit in a single family home. In fact, a furnished condo will be terrific.
If you happen to know some buildings and/or locations to tour, please post. Thanks very much.
Originally Posted by
ajGoes
No place in Santa Monica is more than a half hour from LAX by car or an hour at worst by bus. There are lots of alternate routes when the 405 is jammed, as it so often is. Excellent medical care is readily available from two Kaiser facilities, the famous St. John's Hospital ("where the celebrities go to die"), and many others. The city is full of older people who have selected it as an ideal place to retire.
Exactly my experience. I ride Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (probably #7 , but there are a few other routes) to/from LAX. It goes by Pico Blvd. Takes about 40 minutes to/from LAX to Expo metro station at Santa Monica downtown. Never had any issue with traffic etc. Ride is very cheap compared to NYC. Regarding hospitals etc, UCLA medical center is right there. Thanks for the other references. There are about half a dozen Big Blue Buses to UCLA from Santa Monica downtown (I think couple of them run 24/7). Many UCLA students live in Santa Monica area. Plus many celebrities (Larry David?).
If you happen to know names of apartment buildings/complex in Santa Monica, please post. Condo will be great too. Thanks.
Originally Posted by
DELee
Is there a specific location you're going to be spending most of your time at? A job perhaps? An attraction? An activity such as training? Or some place you want to be such as a beach? Going to a school or university?
This area is a huge place and a literal wasteland for apartments and other rental units. Narrowing down the locale(s) where you'll be spending much of your time would help folks give you some more effective feedback.
David
Hi David! Santa Monica (preferred) or Pasadena. Do you have any recommendation about apartment building/complex. Thanks.
Originally Posted by
OskiBear
You might also consider renting a condo directly from the unit owner. I live in Downtown Long Beach and we have a corridor of high-rises on Ocean Blvd (mostly condos and now some newer apartments) and there are a handful of renters in my condo building. We are a high-rise and we have nice amenities including a 24-hour doorman/security guard. Package delivery and security are among the top reasons why I love my building. With a condo that's mostly owners, you'll probably have a better living experience and nicer amenities. I'm not sure how one goes about finding such units (do people advertise widely, use a management company, etc.), but I'd think it would be a good option.
I like this. But I never been to Long Beach (heard its a nice and popular community). Is there a Metro line or public transit to go?
Originally Posted by
zip10001
My girlfriend used to live in Marina Del Rey.
new 1 br condo rental less than $3000 (3 years Go)
Thanks very much. I believe Marina Del Ray is just south of Santa Monica. Santa Monica Big Blue Bus to LAX runs by Pico Blvd crossing Marina Del Ray. If I remember it correctly, I have heard there is a large homeless population, crime rate is high at some parts of the town and (unlike Santa Monica) its not safe to walk around everywhere in Marina Del ray after dark. I could be wrong. There is a Hilton Garden Inn in Marina Del ray, and it used to be substantially cheaper (almost half-priced) than the Double Tree or Hampton Inn in Santa Monica in pre-Covid-19 era. I might take a 2nd look at Marina Del Ray. Do you remember the apartment building/complex where your girlfriend used to live? Many thanks.
Originally Posted by
Error 601
When I was getting a hard sell for working full-time out of El Segundo I saw plenty I liked in the $2000 to $2500 range there and in Manhattan Beach. I thought about Redondo Beach but never seriously looked there.
Access to LAX was however my primary criteria.
How safe is Manhattan Beach neighborhood? It is located in South LA just west of the infamous Compton area, right? Thanks.