Moving to LA for three months - help!!

[loopsngeorge]

Hello! I wondered if anyone on here could offer any advice. DH is going to study for a term at UCLA which means we're going to be spending Jan - April next year in LA. We're really excited but also a bit daunted as we have a three year old son and have to fund it all ourselves!
We're looking at renting in either Santa Monica or Westwood. Santa Monica really appeals because of the beach and having somewhere to walk but the only negative thing I've heard (apart from the rental prices!) are that there are a lot of homeless people. I'm from London so obviously used to living in a big city but I have no experience of USA cities and I didn't know how much notice I should take of this. Do you think this is a major problem with living in Santa Monica? Any other views on the pros and cons of living in either area with a child?
Also I was wondering what sort of activities I'll be able to do with DS. He's currently in pre-school but I assume I won't be able to put him in pre-school over there for a term. He really loves school and being with other children and I don't want to deprive him of that while we're there. Are there many mother and toddler groups or other things we could join do you think? If anyone can point me in the direction of where to find out about this sort of stuff that would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Louise

There are a few MNers in that area, so I am bumping this for you. I am in the Midwest so am no help, I'm afraid.

Hi there I'm in Colorado. Califrau/Sittingbull are the ones you want for CA. However, I would use the internet for research. Try a Montessori pre-school for your DS. There may even be one associated with UCLA. I know that the University of Colorado has one for its students/staff. I'm sure that you'd find one you could put your ds in for a term. Other recommendations - Abrakadoodle, Music Together classes, swimming classes. People are very keen on being busy with their children over here. Abrakadoodle is an art program and great fun and they have classes in Santa Monica.

Abrakadoodle CA . Try Gymboree too - gym classes similar to Tumble Tots in the UK. Good luck and have great fun. I love it over here.

I'll come over and help you ....

Santa Monica has a lot fewer scarey homeless people than London. Just use your common sense, if someone seems overtly friendly or down-n-out then assume they are to be wary of. I think public restrooms on the beach are best visited at busy times of day, but otherwise not unacceptably hazardous (still a bit grotty, though). SM is expensive place to live, but very appealing otherwise, as you say. Bit noisy and grotty in some areas (nearest to Venice).

Oh, and airplanes from local airport buzz the area a lot, but that doesn't bother everyone.

I don't know Westwood -- I imagine SM is a lot nicer.

Don't know for sure about M+Toddler groups but if you CAT me I may be able to find out. Most mothers in SoCal work full time, so I imagine there aren't a lot of groups to go to.

Hi loopsngeorge. I live in Los Angeles, not far from UCLA. There are no more homeless in la than in london; they are just a little more obvious because of the good weather and the lack of a need for serious shelter. In any case, I would advise finding a place closer to UCLA as the traffic is pretty awful in Santa Monica heading east. Though if your dh is commuting off hours this may not be so much of an issue. Since you are doing this way in advance, you may well manage to find a pre-school place for the time. You might be able to fill in a place that someone else has left, since a lot of people don't want to switch midyear. However, preschool places are expensive (about $1000 a month for a full time place and only a little less for part time). In any case, I think you will find people much friendlier here than in London and you will easily make friends in the park with your child. You will want to look on www.craigslist.org for a sublet for the time you are here. You must plan on buying or renting a car while you are here. It really is impossible to survive in la without one. And of course, make sure you have travel insurance to cover health costs. Feel free to CAT me for more specific information and help.

Thanks everyone! That's really helpful.
The commuting time from Santa Monica is an issue as DH is looking at going on the bus, so maybe we will look more at Westwood as well. I think to a certain extent we will have to go with whatever we can find for such a short rent. We did look at Oakwood furnished properties but they are very expensive so will probably leave that as a last resort. I've been looking at craigslist but wasn't sure if it's too far in advance to start apartment hunting...

Alipiggie - i will definitely look into those classes. thanks for that. UCLA does have childcare but there is a year's waiting list so I've been told it's unlikely he'll be able to go there, although I'll put his name down anyway.

Right, I will find out how to do this CAT business! Thanks again for your help.

It is way too much in advance to start looking for a place. You really don't need to start more than a month or two beforehand. In fact, if you check in with me closer to the time, I may even be able to put you up for a few weeks while you find something.
Taking the bus anywhere is a fairly impractical option in Los Angeles unless you have lots of spare time on your hands. A bicycle would be a more practical option (don't forget we rarely have rain), but really you just need a car.

Cars are incredibly cheap to buy and run in California. but cycling is good stuff, too

Loop, you've got some good info. already re: playgroups and contacts. Craigslist is pretty good. You might be able to place your son somewhere if you also agreed to work and/or volunteer at the same place.

I lived in LA for several years, and nobody...I mean nobody...takes the bus..I would be more afraid of the people on the bus than the homeless people. (BTW, I have no problems with buses in DC area and other places on east coast, but not LA). Santa Monica would be a big commute too, depending on what hours you're traveling. However, there is a playground at the beach and you can play on the beach with DS. Westwood is nice, but more urban. It is also a nice area, and close to the campus. You would probably find more people there in the same situation as you too (temporary folks, students, etc.), but both are fine. Also, look at Brentwood. Basically anything west of the city is better than the east..you've heard about East LA, right? Avoid the east. You might also look into carpooling options via the web and through the university, but most people in LA don't even like doing this.

I asked around and lots of students and lecturers use buses from the beach cities -this might help.
www.transportation.ucla.edu/students/commuting/publictransit/bruingo/
But you will need a car for the weekends - skiing in Big Bear, going to Big Sur. You will need a car!
There is no such thing as a cheap car in LA - old bangers cost $4K. Though you will recoup this when you sell it on again.

Wow, thanks so much for all this info. I will follow up all the advice about preschools and classes - that sounds quite promising. SofiaAmes - thanks for your very kind offer.
We will definitely be renting a car as its possible that DH will have a lot of long weekends so we're planning on seeing as much of California as we can. Actually that's our main reason for doing this trip! If anyone can recommend anywhere to rent a car for an extended period that would be great.
It would be nicer for me if I didn't have to drive DH to UCLA and he could commute somehow but I can see it might not be as simple as that. Thanks for all the pointers anyway. Oh, and is cycling really a possibility?? I thought the traffic would be way too dangerous. DH used to love cycling when he was a teenager - maybe its time for him to get back into it!

That sounds good! Thanks for the recommendation. I'm hoping it'll be warm enough to need air con in Jan-March!
I've just been having a look on the UCLA website. They have a 'parent participation' preschool which looks good. You have to co-op a couple of times a month which would be fine but there are some scary fines for not raising enough money for the school or coming in late!!
How did your kids take to moving to California?

I hope you have a wonderful time. We lived in Orange CA for year when ds was 9 and dd, 4. Had a fantastic time doing lots of travelling at weekends etc. Have a ball!

I doubt you will need A/C that time of the year. It's the rainy season..well as rainy as it gets in LA. Seriously, winter is the time it's most likely to rain, and you might get snow too in the San Gabriels..the nearby mountains, but it will not ever snow in the city. In fact, it's sometimes a bit cold in LA. No need for a heavy coat but be sure to take sweaters and jackets. Also, you will probably need a heavy coat if you go up the mountains.

I don't think it would be safe to cycle either, but just my opinion. Some cities have excellent bike lanes (Seattle, Portland, Boulder,CO and many in CA) but the roads around UCLA are narrow and some have curves and most Americans are not patient drivers.

Be sure to visit the Getty Center. It's a wonderful museum and yes, still fun for children. Visit on a clear day (winters are usually clearer too) and you will also have excellent views. I would take a bus there because parking is by reservation only, but you can visit anytime by bus. Also, agree if there are dedicated buses or lots of commuters, students, etc. on the bus..well then it's probably okay to take the bus, but avoid them if you think it doesn't feel right. Griffith Park is also nice, but make sure it didn't burn in the last fires as they came very close to the area and the Los Feliz neighborhood was evacuated for awhile.

Agree with expat's Getty suggestion - it's a wonderful place. However, when I visited, you had to book entry tickets (and reserve parking too) quite a bit in advance, so it is not (unless things have changed), a place you can spontaneously decide to visit.

That's funny califrau. I found that my ds (who was 4.5 when we moved back to la) would count in an english accent until the high twenties and then switch to an american accent. Funniest was my dd who goes to a Jewish preschool and came home telling that "toosh" was Amercian for bottom. My kids were completely unfazed by the move. And I just love being back here in the sunshine and with all the friendly people.
I wouldn't be too put off by expatinengland's description of our "rainy season." We might get 4 or 5 days of rain in the 6 months you are here. Though it does get chilly at night and when you are out of the sun (think of the desert), so bring sweaters and light jackets.
You are going to have so much fun that you will never want to go back.

Thanks guys for all the help and suggestions. at the American accents. I wonder if DS will pick one up!

You've certainly encouraged me that we'll have a good time. I thought that being able to live somewhere for such a short period as 3 months was such a good opportunity that it was worth a gamble. Although all the planning seems a bit daunting, I can't wait to get out there and experience LA!
I'm sure I'll be posting soon when we've got some more concrete plans.
Thanks again.

Hey there,

You've had some good advice here so I'll just add a few more things. I'm from LA, so I'm qualified.

www.westsiderentals.com - it will cost you 25 pounds to join and it's good for three months. It's like findaproperty.com but nearly every rental is listed on it and there are no further fees - no estate agents for rentals in Los Angeles. craigslist is also good but pretty much anyone serious about finding an apartment will join westside rentals. Also, very few flats come furnished. you will pay a premium for that. You can rent furniture, however. There are a number of companies, try a google search.

Ditto other comments on the car thing. Traffic SUCKS all thru LA, but it's no worse than London. Thing is, public transport is for scary people (except in Santa Monica right around the water.) You want your own car, cheap is fine. Hell, you can get (and not pay) all the parking tickets you want if you're just there for three months... Your car won't get towed that quickly!

Most important thing is to live very very close to UCLA. This is a quality of life issue. Otherwise you have to add an hour commute each way, no matter where else you live. I lived two miles from work and it often took me 45 minutes to get home. Did I mention traffic SUCKS in LA?

Re cycling - there's awesome cycling near the beaches but no easy way to get to UCLA unless you're used to cycling in London, in which case it will be a piece of cake. uhhhh, after you master riding on the right side of the road!

Hope this helps a little. Oh, and don't forget to learn to surf while you're there. Venice Beach, baby!

Thank you so much DSC, I was wondering about joining westsiderentals.
Do you know anything about corporate apartments like Oakwood? I'm wondering if by the time we've paid for utilities and furniture hire etc it would be worth paying the extra for these type of places.
Will it really take that long to commute to UCLA even from Santa Monica?? Guess I might not be rollerblading by the sea before breakfast
thanks again for the tips, especially about the parking tickets!!

www.fastautosales.com

Lots of used cars listed there for under $2000.

But you'll find decent cars for even less in local paper, or word of mouth. There's a "lemon" law in California which supposedly protects people who buy used cars that breakdown within a week after you buy it (not sure how effective it is in practice, but more protection than you get when buying used cars in the UK).

Thanks lljkk, will take a look at that!

Hey Loops,

So sorry, I didn't have a watch on this thread so didn't know you'd replied with another question.

It's not that getting from SM to UCLA is SOOO bad, and for three months you could live with it in order to experience SM living. There's an Oakwood in Venice /Marina del Rey that my hubby lived in when he first got to California and he definitely recommends it. SM is better than Venice, tho, as you'll be closer to the 10 Fwy. You want to stay off the 405 under any and all circumstances. It is the single busiest highway in the world, I've heard. It sucks, I know for sure.

Yes, I've had a rethink and as you'll only be there for a short time, get a place in SM. Really make the most of it! It will be cold (ish) and overcast a lot, such is beach living, but it will almost never rain, the sun WILL come out lots and coming from the UK, you'll think you're in heaven.

I've got a watch on this now so feel free to ask me more or you can email me at my screen name @gmail.com