Moving from DC to LA with teens: can public school work and if so where?

[Anonymous]

My husband has the chance for a promotion to LA (office downtown) so we are exploring our options if he were to accept (it’s a government job, SES). We wouldn’t stay in CA long, but looking to sell our house here and stay at least 3 years in a rental. This is an attractive option for us because 1) my job is remote and 2) we’d love to live in warmer weather, are sick and tired of DC weather (and crime), and 3) our teens are down with moving so we feel like it’s a good time. I know that’s a lot of info but any recommendations for housing or schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband has the chance for a promotion to LA (office downtown) so we are exploring our options if he were to accept (it’s a government job, SES). We wouldn’t stay in CA long, but looking to sell our house here and stay at least 3 years in a rental. This is an attractive option for us because 1) my job is remote and 2) we’d love to live in warmer weather, are sick and tired of DC weather (and crime), and 3) our teens are down with moving so we feel like it’s a good time. I know that’s a lot of info but any recommendations for housing or schools?

Lol crime? Do you live in the burbs?

[Anonymous]

Look on City-Data. Good info there on schools and neighborhoods for relocation.

I lived in Redondo Beach for a few years 20 years ago. It was quite pleasant and family-friendly. Very expensive now, I'm told, but at the time it was affordable to us.

Santa Monica has good schools, but the neighborhood near the beach is overrun with homeless encampments, just FYI.

[Anonymous]

My sister lives in a gated community in Beverly Hills with some very famous and rich people. Armed thieves hiked the canyon and robber one of the houses.

[Anonymous]

Downtown puts you kind of far from the areas with the best public schools. Will he have to go into the office every day or can he work from home sometimes? And how long of a driving commute is acceptable to him? That will help us with suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Here are some houses for rent in San Marino, near Pasadena, which isn’t too far from downtown. https://www.apartments.com/houses/san-marino-ca/

[Anonymous]

Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale: the arlingtons of LA county

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all your quick replies. Yes, he’ll need to go into the office daily. He definitely doesn’t want to spend an hour each way everyday. Our budget is about $4000 a month for a 3 bedroom if possible. Is this doable?

[Anonymous]

Try Burbank. It’s about 30 min in traffic to downtown. Not exactly exiting, but you can probably rent a house for $4000-$5000/mo. The high schools are decent.

[Anonymous]

I just did a quick search for 3 bedroom homes in Burbank…they look to be in the $4k- $7k range. If your husband decides to accept the position, you will probably have to adjust your wishlist. Either commute or your budget, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are some houses for rent in San Marino, near Pasadena, which isn’t too far from downtown. https://www.apartments.com/houses/san-marino-ca/

This. San Marino if you want public schools and it's also so nice there. It's also near JPL (Jet Propulsion Labs) so a lot of folks are the sciencey-type compared to where I currently live on the Westside.

[Anonymous]

^^ forgot to add that I'm in Pacific Palisades and Pali High is a good school, but the area is pricey.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your great responses. I really had no idea how expensive rentals would be, and honestly for $6k a month I would have thought the homes would be nicer. Might be a determining factor actually so thanks again for the super great feedback. This is why I love DCUM!!

[Anonymous]

I would say the same - Pasadena, San Marino. Great publics, not too terrible of a commute to DTLA. Burbank depends on where you're zoned school-wise.

I wouldnt live in Bev Hills/Brentwood/Westside/Palisades/Malibu - commute to DTLA would be brutal (although the other great publics are located in those areas).


There are a lot oof great privates, you may qualify for aid, you never know.

[Anonymous]

We lived in Santa Monica until 2015. At that time you might have got a 2 bed apt for $3500 and a small bungalow (2-3 bed) for $5000 per month. But rents and house prices have gone through the roof - they just climb in LA.

For schools I would look at Malibu High, SAMOH (Santa Monica High School), South Pasadena High, Beverly Hills (as someone suggested) and then yes, probably Glendale.