I have been offered a job in LA. I would be able to live anywhere I want, though I don't want to be too far out to the east (towards Pomona). Besides being able to find a house with some room for a few cars in a relatively safe area that is less than 500k, I'm a bit concerned about my cars. I think they could all pass emissions (if I put a cat on em), but I seriously doubt that they could pass any visual inspection.

Besides emissions, what else do they check for in the LA area and is there any difference in the testing or emission laws from the Glendale to Laguna areas?

Any specific neighborhoods/developments I should look at?

Thanks,
Wyatt

 

Stay away from Glendale, the cops are not modified-car friendly. Neither is Alhambra, San Marino...small cities basically. Burbank is pretty cool, tons of modified hot rods running around on full slicks. As long as you are quiet enough at idle and under moderate acceleration, you're golden. Old rotas are even better...I've never had a problem in 3+ years in an Rx2 with 100 db+ exhaust. L.A. city cops are easier...there's too much happening in LA to bother with cars...occasionally. Just don't draw attention...I drive in 4th gear much of the time and only rev it out when I know its safe.

 

ok your getting a job in pomona...get a place in pomona, trust you dont wanna live 20 miles away from where you work, traffic in LA is the worst. Laws in glendale...lets see having a 2dr sports car ??? hahhaha glendale cops are ****** ******** but if you know your way around then you wont see any cop's and be lucky for that 15-20 mins that your driving around, In eagle rock which is the next city over is in LA county (unlike glendale is san fernando valley), and its on the very tip top on LA county so you dont really see any cops no matter where you go but whenever you move down u gotta come out the the meets and what not.

 

As far as emissions goes, your going to have a very tough time getting your cars smogged if they are not completely stock. It can be done, but it is going to be a pain.

As far as housing, 500K will not get you much, 600K is the range you need to be in for a 3Bdrm 2Bth house in a decent area. There are some nice areas in the San Gabriel Valley for homes. Just remember if you live east of Pomona you will deal with massive traffic coming into and going home from work.


Welcome to California, hope you enjoy your stay.

 

For that price I would look at Covina, Pomona, Chino, Chino Hills, with maybe San Dimas and La Verne for a smaller house.

I live in San Dimas and prices a crazy for houses... but you may find something.

If you need a realtor let me know... My realtor really does great job and helps with the loan

 

Where will you be working? A lot depends on how much time you're willing to spend on your commute.

 

CH Represent 425k for a 3br single story here in Chino Hills.

 

I live in West Covina(right next to Pomona), and although I'm renting right now with a couple friends, it's OK safe around here. Cops haven't given me any crap around this area, so I don't think they will bother you. If I was you, I would most likely find a place to where you can park your cars, like a garaged place, because some shady people roam the streets :P I used to park my car anywhere, but I've seen people scoping out my FD.....now I just leave it at the parents house for storage Just my 2 cents though, and good luck finding a house! Take your time, and be patient.

 

It's an odd job, as a field service guy for an scientific instrument company. I would be working from home, but the instruments are located throughout LA, but I believe the concentration instruments is highest running north/south vs. to the east. Job wise there doesn't seem to be any advantage to being located in any particular area, and I would get paid regardless if I was sitting in traffic or actually working.

Covina seems like a possibility. There isn't any way I could go over $500 on a 30yr fixed. My and my GF income would hardly be 130k. Maybe I should say screw it, and get paid more (based on the cost of living) in the Midwest, but CA just seems a bit more fun, and of course I wouldn't mind making a bunch of $$$ in the housing market in CA and coming back to NM to drive up the housing prices here like all the other Californians over here.

 

You key words were "find a house with some room for a few cars in a relatively safe area that is less than 500k", maybe look for a condo or townhouse and live someplace closer to the beach. IMHO, that is the place to be, but I am biased. I haven't seen too much rotary hating here in the beach area (hell, I haven't even been pulled over for no front tag, or when I was running my N-1 exhaust without silences) and you would be close to Rotary Power in Gardena, and the beach "views" ;-)

 

The housing market has plateau'd and beginning to fall. Don't expect tom make big bucks buying houses now.