My husband and I are thinking of retiring near LA

[Chalco]

Any thoughts about this. We're not rich, but not poor. Our daughter lives
in Burbank, but that's a little expensive for us. We'd like someplace that's
cheap and safe. Closer to the beach would be good.

We also need culture. He's a writer and film buff and I do sculpture
and some performing--solo shows. We both like art, movies and theater.
I may continue my psychology practice, not sure yet about that.

I was looking at Oxnard town center as an option. Someone else suggested
Playa del Rey.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Laffy Kat]

1. Oh. I clicked because I thought you meant LA Louisiana..

And, having spent some time there with relatives, I was going to ask "why?". But you mean L.A.! That's better, although I can't help you at all. Sounds fun, though.

[Rollo]

2. California + Beach Expensive

Generally as you go inland, housing prices get lower, although probably still higher than in places like Ohio.

Since you'll be retired, you can live far from cities and not worry about a daily commute. But in some areas, people live a hundred miles from the major metro areas to get cheaper housing but wind up with brutal multi-hour commutes.

There may be some cheaper flood damaged housing available in the summer

[Chalco]

4. Thanks for your input.

We're gonna look west of Burbank, also. It gets cheaper out there.

I think we want to be somewhat close to LA because he wants to do some screenwriting and
I want to do improv. Yes, the traffic is awful. But we live in DC and it's awful here, too!

[pinboy3niner]

6. If that's where you're looking, keep in mind the Metrolink commuter rail lines

They run to Union Station in L.A. and include subway and bus connections. You avoid the traffic and the parking fees and the fare is half-price for seniors. The weekend special is a great way to explore L.A.--low price for unlimited travel beginning late friday through Saturday and Sunday. The trains are clean, have restrooms, some booths with tables, plug-ins for electronics, and eating and drinking are okay.

[Chalco]

10. Thanks! Didn't know abou this!

I'll check it out when we go to look things over.

[Rollo]

13. Or you could consider the SF Bay Area, or the Sierra Nevada foohills.

A lot of people seem to retire to the Gold Country.
However, I wouldn't say it's a bastion of people likely to log into DU...

The North Coast seems to be more liberal than the rest of rural CA. Might be the green stuff they grow.

I'm planted firmly in the East Bay. Bought a house here in the 90's when I could still afford it. No way I could buy one today, without selling first. The SF Bay Area has most of the rest of the state beat when it comes to culture. And I would like to think that all screen writing really requires is a good internet connection. But maybe face time is necessary to sell scripts. SF does have a film industry, but it seems sort of eclectic. And Oakland is a diamond in the rough.

[mnhtnbb]

3. If Burbank is too expensive for you, the beach areas around L.A. will be worse.

My husband and I left Santa Monica (5 minutes from the beach) in 1988. The house we sold then is now valued 600% more than what we got for it.

If you go south--to Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, you might find better values--but you will have significant driving
time to get anywhere in town.

If you want to go north--to Oxnard--you might want to consider Santa Barbara for cultural activities and its proximity to UCSB.

How much of your move is desire to be near your daughter? Is she established in Burbank? Do you expect to see her once in a while or more often?
If you want to see her more frequently, think about how much time you'll spend driving back/forth on the freeways. They're awful. Or, get yourself
a map of the subway routes/Amtrak routes and consider locating where it would be easy for you to take the subway/train to visit in Burbank.

We've ridden Amtrak north of L.A. a couple of times and there are some nice places--not so far from the beach--going north that would be a lot less expensive than any of the beach communities around L.A.

Good luck!

[Chalco]

5. I didn't realize Santa Barbara was that close

But isn't Santa Barbara a little expensive, too.

We want to be somewhat near our daughter. She will be based in the LA area, not sure she'll stay
in Burbank. She's an animator so LA area is where she'll be.

We can afford around $425,00 for a place. I've looked in Oxnard and found some good places in
town center which is then not too far from the beach.

Our other option is Florida which is cheaper by far but not close to the kid.

[kysrsoze]

7. We live in Santa Clarita and it's very nice here

It's about 30 miles north of L.A. The real estate prices are quite reasonable and the people who live around here are great. We lived in Chicago prior to here, and S.C. is about as safe as a mother's womb.

We're not that far from Burbank, Glendale, Santa Monica, etc. There is a commuter train to downtown L.A. There are cheaper places, but they are typically more remote or a little rundown. Fillmore is a nice, quiet and reasonable place, but a longer drive. Castaic is alright too. Of course this all depends on what kind of place you are looking for and what you're willing to spend.

You could also check parts of the San Fernando Valley. There are also some areas like Fullerton, which are decent and reasonable.

Like everyone else here said, get closer to the beach and you will pay much more.

[Chalco]

11. Thanks, didn't know any of this.nt

[Tikki]

8. We live in Ventura County. (Oxnard is in Ventura County)

Amtrack and Metrolink and freeways...all there, all lead to Burbank.

Or take PCH 1 down the Coast.

Find a reputable real estate agent and check out Ventura County. (about a dozen, either cities or towns here)

Close enough to LA for the action....far enough away for some peace and quiet.

But if you are going to buy instead of rent anywhere in Southern or Central Coastal CA....
remember....location, location, location..to hold your property value.


The Tikkis

[Lebam in LA]

9. Oxnard is probably the least expensive beach town (near)

On the westside (close to beaches) you can't find a place to buy for under $500K for 1 or 2 bedroom needing renovations. Rents are running about $3500/month for 1 or 2 bedroom.

Housing market is out of control. Playa del Rey is very very expensive. I live in Culver City which is a great location but if I hadn't been in my rental for the past 20 years, I couldn't live here. 3 bedroom house next to me sold for $875k a little over a year ago.

[Chalco]

12. Yes, Oxnard seems somewhat reasonable.

Thanks!