Where to live outside of LA

Honestly, more and more people are thinking about leaving LA these days. But you still want to be close enough to grab dinner with friends or get to the airport, right? It's not just about space or saving money anymore—though that helps. Every direction from LA offers a completely different vibe. Beach life, mountain solitude, or suburban comfort. Your choice really depends on how much traffic you can handle, what you've got in the bank, and what kind of community you're after. Let's dig into what's out there.

What are the best suburbs near Los Angeles for families?

If you've got kids, you're probably thinking about schools first. Safety too. These three places keep coming up for a reason.

Calabasas feels almost rural in parts—like you're in the countryside but with nice cars in the driveway. Schools are fantastic, especially Viewpoint and the Las Virgenes district. There's hiking everywhere, crime is low, kids play outside. The catch? You'll need at least $1.5 million for a house. Maybe more.

Thousand Oaks is a bit more down-to-earth. Still great schools, lots of parks, actual community events. It's in Ventura County so you're a bit farther out—45 minutes to downtown if traffic's not a nightmare. But you get more space for your money. Solid choice if you want balance.

Pasadena is different—historic, walkable, its own little city really. Top schools, the Norton Simon Museum, the Rose Bowl. Commute to downtown is only 20-30 minutes. Houses are expensive and competitive, but you get charm and culture instead of strip malls.

What are the most affordable places to live outside of LA?

Let's be real—affordable in Southern California is relative. But these places are actually cheaper than LA proper. Like, noticeably cheaper.

Lancaster and Palmdale up in the Antelope Valley—man, those are cheap. Like $400,000-$500,000 for a house. That's half of what you'd pay in LA. But there's a reason. It's desert. Hot summers. And the commute? God, 1.5 hours each way if you're lucky. Metrolink exists though. Best for remote workers or people who really love the desert.

San Bernardino/Riverside—the Inland Empire—is another story. Prices around $500,000-$600,000. Commute can be 1-2 hours, but the area has its own jobs now. You can get a house with a yard, which feels impossible in LA. Practical choice.

Oxnard is coastal but not Santa Monica prices. Median around $700,000. Beach access, quieter life, no extreme heat. Commute's about an hour. Maybe more if traffic's bad.

Which cities near LA have the best job markets?

You don't want to just commute forever. These places have actual jobs nearby.

Irvine is basically a planned city for tech and healthcare. Blizzard Entertainment, Edwards Lifesciences, tons of biotech. Many people work locally, so the commute to LA is secondary. Median home price is over $1.2 million though. Expensive but dense with opportunity.

Santa Clarita has entertainment industry stuff—The Ranch studio, plus healthcare and retail. Commute to LA is 30-45 minutes. Homes around $700,000. Good middle ground for working professionals.

Burbank is the media capital. Warner Bros., Disney, NBCUniversal. Downtown LA is 15-20 minutes away. Housing is expensive, median $1.1, but you can walk to things and your commute won't kill your soul.

What is the best beach town to live in near LA?

For ocean people, nothing beats living by the water. Santa Monica is amazing but crowded and pricey. Manhattan Beach is upscale, family-friendly, but you're looking at $2 million plus. Long Beach is more affordable—around $800,000 median—and has a diverse culture, arts scene, the Aquarium. Commute to LA is 30-40 minutes. For quieter vibes, Ventura feels like a small beach town. Median $700,000, commute about an hour. You trade time for tranquility.

"I moved from Silver Lake to Ventura two years ago. The commute is long, but I go surfing before work, and my kids play in the yard. The trade-off is worth it for the quality of life." — David L., former LA resident

Checklist: How to choose your new home outside LA

• Calculate your true commute: Drive or take the train during peak hours to test the time.
• Check school ratings: Use GreatSchools.org or Niche.com for local data.
• Assess local job market: Research top employers in the area to reduce commute dependency.
• Compare cost of living: Include taxes, utilities, and insurance, not just rent/mortgage.
• Visit in different seasons: Some areas (like Lancaster) have extreme heat or smog.
• Evaluate community amenities: Parks, grocery stores, and healthcare access matter.

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