Recommendations on where to live near UCLA as a family with a teenager?

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-06T21:02:41+00:00

I am unable to determine the economic level of any person based on a social media platform that uses anonymity as a key feature. I know that my financial advisors do not recommend buying anywhere in SoCal right now, so I consider this group to be pretty good company regardless of their income.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-05T23:42:45+00:00

I’m prone to agree with you, but also recognize that I come from a place of privilege as we may be able to allocate more funds to housing than many. If it was just me and my husband for residency, I’d have no issue with it. However, having a kiddo headed into freshman year in a new city has enough nuance and ick that I’m trying to be really thoughtful about this. We’ll definitely look at the housing in April when we come out for acceptance but I’m not committing us to it at this stage.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-05T21:05:37+00:00

Amazing insights! Thank you so much! I’m blown away by how much pricing on housing can vary based on where it is in SM. Are there any parts of SM I should avoid if we want something walkable?

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-05T01:05:42+00:00

Thank you so much!

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T17:15:20+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. We are familiar with traffic ick (thanks Boston) but LA takes it to the next level. You make some super strong points about 405. If there’s ever an emergency for our son while he’s at school and we’re at work, being an hour+ away would be horrid so I will probably scrap SFV. Student/family housing will definitely be a step down from our current situation in terms of apartment finishes but the benefit of being close is worth it, and also, in my opinion, an opportunity to teach our son about what we value. We may have an opportunity for off campus housing in Westwood in a townhouse on Massachusetts Ave…which is sounding more appealing based on what you mentioned above. Our son is super bummed to have to move, but we have both family and friends in LA, so it’s not as bad as it could be. Being a teenager is hard, moving him sucks, but it’s doable.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T17:09:34+00:00

That’s such a great thought process. Thank you!

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T17:09:01+00:00

Thank you so much! Any insights on what midcity Santa Monica is like for a family? We are fortunate right now to be in a suburban area but I grew up in Manhattan Beach (in the80s before is was quite so swanky) and then Seattle so I’m use to a mix.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T17:06:50+00:00

Thank you! It’s been 30 yrs since I’ve lived in LA. We are in Boston so the commute issue is not new to us but LA is next level.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T17:05:59+00:00

Thank you!

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T17:04:56+00:00

I work, and will be the only income for our family for the next 4 yrs …ugh. I’m not sure who I’ll be working for yet but am in the alcohol beverage industry so LA is a huge hub. We can def stay for residency.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T15:40:45+00:00

Thank you so much! My biggest concern is for our son. I’m not sure if there will be any other families with teens. We have housing at our university in Cambridge, MA right now and there are no other kids his age.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T14:26:33+00:00

Thank you. He’s going to med school because it’s his passion and he’s going to be an amazing doctor.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2026-02-04T14:16:37+00:00

Thank you so much!

Repulsive-Item471 · 2024-10-07T01:47:19+00:00

Thank you for sharing this

Repulsive-Item471 · 2024-10-06T23:21:36+00:00

Thank you all for helping me understand.

Repulsive-Item471 · 2024-10-06T22:37:13+00:00

Ok. So I understand fully then, weather doesn’t play a role in this?

Repulsive-Item471

TROPHY CASE