Where to live in LA area

[Anonymous]

I've only been a visitor to Playa Vista (and I live in Chevy Chase now). That said, when we visit the Playa Vista commercial area feels very much like Bethesda Row. Meanwhile the town houses /condos on the side streets where I park in Playa Vista seem familiar to anyone who spends time in downtown Bethesda / Pike & Rose, and any of the other LiveWorkPLAY insta-towns in MoCo. King Farm, etc.

And fwiw, the young families with strollers, dogs, and elementary-age kids look exactly like the UMC young Bethesda families, but Cali version. Good sunglasses, toned arms, so many pair of On Cloud shoes ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s your budget op? Unfortunately, $3 million is the starting point for something decent, but not great, in areas like cheviot hills and westwood. Santa Monica is usually more expensive. Areas like west Chester and Culver City will be cheaper.

Our budget will be around 1.3, and we are okay living in a condo/Townhome in the right area. We have extended family near Playa/Westchester, which would significantly reduce our childcare costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your budget op? Unfortunately, $3 million is the starting point for something decent, but not great, in areas like cheviot hills and westwood. Santa Monica is usually more expensive. Areas like west Chester and Culver City will be cheaper.

Our budget will be around 1.3, and we are okay living in a condo/Townhome in the right area. We have extended family near Playa/Westchester, which would significantly reduce our childcare costs.

I think you should just do this. Keep us updated. (Although not westchester)

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

I'm living in Pacific Palisades and have lived in Santa Monica and Westwood and Redondo Beach...brother lived in Pasadena and Altadena, DH worked in Century City. In the DC area, I've lived in Falls Church and most recently Arlington.

So my kids went to Corpus Christi in Pacific Palisades for elementary. I highly recommend this school as it's down to earth, sweet, good education and the head priest Fr. Kidney is terrific. The most important thing is the school community families are fantastic, thoughtful, and inclusive. While most kids are probably from the Palisades, kids were also from Brentwood, Santa Monica and a few from Malibu. Kids tent to matriculate to Catholic (Loyola for boys, Marymount for girls, or Oaks Christian), or to Palisades Charter High School, but my kids went on to Harvard-Westlake and some kids to Marlborough.

Another good one nearby us is Calvary Christian on Palisades Drive (Christian, not Catholic). I do have some experience with them when my kids were very young and it was great.

In Santa Monica, St. Monica's on 8th st. is well-regarded. Another well-regarded one is St Paul the Apostle in Westwood.

[Anonymous]

I think Playa Vista is a great option for young families. I used to live in Marina del Rey which we loved but has got a bit too busy now. We often went to Playa vista to have brunch and our daughter loved the fantastic playground there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP,

I'm living in Pacific Palisades and have lived in Santa Monica and Westwood and Redondo Beach...brother lived in Pasadena and Altadena, DH worked in Century City. In the DC area, I've lived in Falls Church and most recently Arlington.

So my kids went to Corpus Christi in Pacific Palisades for elementary. I highly recommend this school as it's down to earth, sweet, good education and the head priest Fr. Kidney is terrific. The most important thing is the school community families are fantastic, thoughtful, and inclusive. While most kids are probably from the Palisades, kids were also from Brentwood, Santa Monica and a few from Malibu. Kids tent to matriculate to Catholic (Loyola for boys, Marymount for girls, or Oaks Christian), or to Palisades Charter High School, but my kids went on to Harvard-Westlake and some kids to Marlborough.

Another good one nearby us is Calvary Christian on Palisades Drive (Christian, not Catholic). I do have some experience with them when my kids were very young and it was great.

In Santa Monica, St. Monica's on 8th st. is well-regarded. Another well-regarded one is St Paul the Apostle in Westwood.

Thanks for the great school recommendations. I would love to live in the Pacific Palisades, just not sure we could swing those prices on our income!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My first choice would be Cheviot Hills, a charming neighborhood right next to Century City. I used to work in Century City and would drive through there to get to work and wish I lived there.

Also, I have friends who moved from Arlington to El Segundo and have been really happy with their neighborhood

Cheviot Hills is lovely but there's no store / grocery/ cafe etc for literally miles, so it's a 100% drive only neighborhood which can be depressing.

I lived there. This is a good option. It is not walkable int he sense you can walk to stores but it is LA. Why would you want to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My first choice would be Cheviot Hills, a charming neighborhood right next to Century City. I used to work in Century City and would drive through there to get to work and wish I lived there.

Also, I have friends who moved from Arlington to El Segundo and have been really happy with their neighborhood

Cheviot Hills is lovely but there's no store / grocery/ cafe etc for literally miles, so it's a 100% drive only neighborhood which can be depressing.

I lived there. This is a good option. It is not walkable int he sense you can walk to stores but it is LA. Why would you want to?

I think you have your answer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My first choice would be Cheviot Hills, a charming neighborhood right next to Century City. I used to work in Century City and would drive through there to get to work and wish I lived there.

Also, I have friends who moved from Arlington to El Segundo and have been really happy with their neighborhood

Cheviot Hills is lovely but there's no store / grocery/ cafe etc for literally miles, so it's a 100% drive only neighborhood which can be depressing.

I lived there. This is a good option. It is not walkable int he sense you can walk to stores but it is LA. Why would you want to?

Exactly, LA is similar to a lot of the DC area in this regard. You’re going to be driving a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP,

I'm living in Pacific Palisades and have lived in Santa Monica and Westwood and Redondo Beach...brother lived in Pasadena and Altadena, DH worked in Century City. In the DC area, I've lived in Falls Church and most recently Arlington.

So my kids went to Corpus Christi in Pacific Palisades for elementary. I highly recommend this school as it's down to earth, sweet, good education and the head priest Fr. Kidney is terrific. The most important thing is the school community families are fantastic, thoughtful, and inclusive. While most kids are probably from the Palisades, kids were also from Brentwood, Santa Monica and a few from Malibu. Kids tent to matriculate to Catholic (Loyola for boys, Marymount for girls, or Oaks Christian), or to Palisades Charter High School, but my kids went on to Harvard-Westlake and some kids to Marlborough.

Another good one nearby us is Calvary Christian on Palisades Drive (Christian, not Catholic). I do have some experience with them when my kids were very young and it was great.

In Santa Monica, St. Monica's on 8th st. is well-regarded. Another well-regarded one is St Paul the Apostle in Westwood.

I live in the palisades and LOVE it here. Perfect community for young families, great schools (both public and private), close to everything but not sketchy like Venice or Santa Monica. But agree that its very expensive so perhaps up in the highlands (kind of a drive up and down that hill though) could work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP,

I'm living in Pacific Palisades and have lived in Santa Monica and Westwood and Redondo Beach...brother lived in Pasadena and Altadena, DH worked in Century City. In the DC area, I've lived in Falls Church and most recently Arlington.

So my kids went to Corpus Christi in Pacific Palisades for elementary. I highly recommend this school as it's down to earth, sweet, good education and the head priest Fr. Kidney is terrific. The most important thing is the school community families are fantastic, thoughtful, and inclusive. While most kids are probably from the Palisades, kids were also from Brentwood, Santa Monica and a few from Malibu. Kids tent to matriculate to Catholic (Loyola for boys, Marymount for girls, or Oaks Christian), or to Palisades Charter High School, but my kids went on to Harvard-Westlake and some kids to Marlborough.

Another good one nearby us is Calvary Christian on Palisades Drive (Christian, not Catholic). I do have some experience with them when my kids were very young and it was great.

In Santa Monica, St. Monica's on 8th st. is well-regarded. Another well-regarded one is St Paul the Apostle in Westwood.

Far from Playa Vista. OP’s budget is $1.3 million.

[Anonymous]

1.3 is not doable for a house on the Westside anywhere near Century city.

They need to increase their budget or live their life in the car commuting FAR for something decent.

Get a decent condo in Pacific Palisades for the schools and save on private school tuition and commute

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP,

I'm living in Pacific Palisades and have lived in Santa Monica and Westwood and Redondo Beach...brother lived in Pasadena and Altadena, DH worked in Century City. In the DC area, I've lived in Falls Church and most recently Arlington.

So my kids went to Corpus Christi in Pacific Palisades for elementary. I highly recommend this school as it's down to earth, sweet, good education and the head priest Fr. Kidney is terrific. The most important thing is the school community families are fantastic, thoughtful, and inclusive. While most kids are probably from the Palisades, kids were also from Brentwood, Santa Monica and a few from Malibu. Kids tent to matriculate to Catholic (Loyola for boys, Marymount for girls, or Oaks Christian), or to Palisades Charter High School, but my kids went on to Harvard-Westlake and some kids to Marlborough.

Another good one nearby us is Calvary Christian on Palisades Drive (Christian, not Catholic). I do have some experience with them when my kids were very young and it was great.

In Santa Monica, St. Monica's on 8th st. is well-regarded. Another well-regarded one is St Paul the Apostle in Westwood.

I'm the above OP. Some people rent condos in the area (there are condos in Pacific Palisades). Also there is an area of the town that is less expensive because it's more remote. It's called "The Highlands" and it's backed up onto wilderness; it's totally unique.

Honestly, I'd rent until I got used to the different areas. When we moved to the DC area we rented because it's hard to really know if you are landing in the right spot until you've lived somewhere a while.

[Anonymous]

You can buy a single family house with 3-4 beds and a back yard in Burbank / Glendale / Pasadena for $1.3

[Anonymous]

You can't afford it.