Burbank - Small Town feel in Large Metropolis
-
4/27/2008
One reviewer commented that they could not afford to buy a house in Burbank. That's probably true, esp. with the rise in prices in the last 4 years. The cost of our house area has risen 200K in 4 years. That is down from the 300K rise a year and a half ago, (so down 100K value in last 1.5 years.) Insane. The houses here are post-WWII, so they are small 3 bedrooms of about 1000 sq ft each. Lots avg about 6000 sq ft. TO buy, you need two incomes and help from family, or plan to rent out some to other people to help cover the mortgage. Houses generally rent for about 2100-2500, which covers mortgages plus taxes.
The city has a small town feel, and small government, so things get done. If you want to open a business, you call them and they answer the phone (yes live person!) right away. If you go down there, the business license office has no line, and people help you right away. The police and school district are separate from LA. The police are responsive. The schools are really good, and its an added benefit that they are separate from LA Unified School District, which has so many people and students that it could be its own city. That's why people buy here. The lawns are generally manicured, and gardens well kept. The schools and police are good, and its safe to walk the streets, even at night. There are few areas where it might not be a good idea, but in general people take care of their properties,a dn the neighborhoods are good.
The downtown is vital shopping and restaurant area, and family oriented. They are improving the Burbank Blvd with trees, and 2 years ago a bike trail was designed on former rail line, along Chandler Blvd. Its very nice, with trees now.
To give you an idea of the small town feel, everyone was very excited when a new Bakery opened in the Magnolia Park district, which has a lot of nice trees and antique shopping. It was an event to go to the new bakery. (!) And I was among them, because that area at the time needed more restaurants, and who doesn't like pastries!
There are long commutes to some jobs. If you work in Westwood, which is by the 405 FWY at Wilshire BLvd., the commute can take 1 to 1.5 hours each way. That is very long. It's about 45 min to drive to the 101 and 405 Fwy intersections.
Working in Glendale, Pasadena, or Studio City would be fine. For Pasadena, you would be traveling opposite the flow of traffic. The traffic on the freeways on the weekends is very bad, too. Everyone gets out on Sat. to go do stuff, so its crowded from 10:30am-2pm often. generally, we are doing stuff around this town, so it isn't a problem.
Some areas are under the Burbank airport (I am one). It's loud, and our hosue was soundproofed. You can't keep the windows shut all the time, esp. on summer nights. The airport has been increasing service in the last 3 years, and high end jets and small prop planes have increased too. That said, its really convenient to fly out of this airport. Imagine coming home and having a 10 minute drive home!! Flights are a little higher in cost because there is less competition- sometimes $160 per ticket.
We are looking for a new place to live because we want to live without planes, and in a smaller city. Being in LA can be difficult. Long commutes are hard when you have small children, because its time away from home (11.5 hours on a 8 hour day plus 1 hour for lunch.) Jobs are definitely here.
Where to look for houses: Just north of Alameda, east of Buena Vista is very nice; also these: NE and SE of Glenoaks and dntn Burbank, up in the hills. But really, there are nice homes all over, and nice neighborhoods. I have heard there might be gang activity N of the Burbank mall around the park there (N of Kmart), but I haven't confirmed that.
Hope that helps you with your search.
DS495 | Burbank, CA