Tale of two cities (commuting). I work in Irvine/She is Pasadena. What to do?

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JohnnyLA_IHB

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Soo...



My wife and I are thinking of trying to make the best of our situation and want to buy a house that is (relatively) equa-distant work commute for both of us which is to Irvine and Pasadena. She has a business that is unmovable and I need to stay at my company for at least 3-5 years.



We seriously considered South Corona for the price/newness but from what I hear on other sites and here it would be hell commute for me and for her. Correct?



There are the only options that we can think of:



1) House in Yorba Linda/Brea - I take the 241 S toll. She goes north to 201W. (She's willing to take a hit on commute since I've been driving to Irvine from Pasadena for the last 2 years).



2) Get something in Fullerton - Both take the Metro opposite ways I bike to work but she has to take another train/walk to Pasadena.



3) Get a place in a coastal city such as Long Beach/HB/Seal Beach. Will the commute be hellish for her on something like the 710?



4) Say screw it and both get apartments in our respective cities and commute 2x a week to each other's place and on weekends.



We are mid-30's, will not have children, and saved enough to afford a mid-size home somewhere like YB.



Any other suggestions that you can think of or like any of the above?



Thanks :)
 
Do you like living in Pasadena with the exception of the commute?



My husband use to take the metro train from Fullerton to Irvine. A free shuttle would take him to and from the train station to his office. He really enjoyed the train over driving because he got to read. His company picked up the tab too.



I would suggest you rent in alternative places before you buy since it will be a major change.
 
Pasadena and Irvine seem to be at two ends of traffic congestion (the 5, 405, 605, 110, 710, 210, 10, 57 and 91 all seem to have heavy traffic between the two cities). Therefore being equidistant from Pasadena-Irvine (Cerritos, La Habra, Pomona) would suck for both of you. I guess it depends on whether you prefer OC or LA lifestyle and living. I would suggest stay in or around either the Pasadena or Irvine area and one of you take the Metrolink to work. It's inexpensive, relaxing (if you like to nap, read, or mentally check out), saves time, and is greener than sitting through 45 miles of traffic.



There's a number of new condo/townhouses in Pasadena near the metro stop, though I believe the HOAs are $200+/month. If you're looking for a SFR, you might want to look around San Marino and Arcadia.



Good luck!
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1239231735]Do you like living in Pasadena with the exception of the commute?



My husband use to take the metro train from Fullerton to Irvine. A free shuttle would take him to and from the train station to his office. He really enjoyed the train over driving because he got to read. His company picked up the tab too.



I would suggest you rent in alternative places before you buy since it will be a major change.</blockquote>


I tried to do the train commute from Pasadena for 3 months last year over the summer and it was hell most of the time.





Commute time to Irvine: Pasadena line to Central Station (20 min.) Central Station to Irvine (1 hour but VERY unreliable at least last summer. Broke down a half dozen times or was 20 min. late). Bike from station to work (15 min.) 1 hour 40 min++. one way...ehh.



Also MetroLink's schedule is horrible for the commute back into LA from O.C. It ends at 4:50 pm from the Irvine Station and my employer really can't have me leave during "core hours" which are to 5:30-6 pm.



So..that give me Amtrak at a later time. OMG!!...Last year I was stranded a half dozen times times in OC because the train was either: late 2-3 hours min. or wouldn't let us on because they were full and only could take passengers to Fullerton. My wife had to drive from Pasadena to pick me up those times.



So..I like Pasadena but not THAT much. :) Maybe the Fullerton option would be best...
 
[quote author="not a realtor" date=1239230919]East Long Beach. It's a great place to live and it's faily central. You can take the blue line to pasadena as well.</blockquote>


Hmm..The Blue Line sounds like an option if it goes directly to Pasadena. Thanks for the info. :)
 
[quote author="JohnnyLA" date=1239229805]Soo...



My wife and I are thinking of trying to make the best of our situation and want to buy a house that is (relatively) equa-distant work commute for both of us which is to Irvine and Pasadena. She has a business that is unmovable and I need to stay at my company for at least 3-5 years.



We seriously considered South Corona for the price/newness but from what I hear on other sites and here it would be hell commute for me and for her. Correct?



There are the only options that we can think of:



1) House in Yorba Linda/Brea - I take the 241 S toll. She goes north to 201W. (She's willing to take a hit on commute since I've been driving to Irvine from Pasadena for the last 2 years).



<span style="color: red;"><strong>2) Get something in Fullerton - Both take the Metro opposite ways I bike to work but she has to take another train/walk to Pasadena.</strong></span>



3) Get a place in a coastal city such as Long Beach/HB/Seal Beach. Will the commute be hellish for her on something like the 710?



4) Say screw it and both get apartments in our respective cities and commute 2x a week to each other's place and on weekends.



We are mid-30's, will not have children, and saved enough to afford a mid-size home somewhere like YB.



Any other suggestions that you can think of or like any of the above?



Thanks :)</blockquote>


My vote.



<img src="http://images112.fotki.com/v589/photos/2/200700/3409518/BE004154-vi.jpg?1144240441" alt="" />
 
Fullerton / Brea / Diamond Bar / Walnut / San Dimas. corridor You're close to the trains and pretty much every single freeway so your commute options are endless. La Habra and Whittier are too far inland and schools are not so hot. Can't beat the steady values relative to other communities. Corona is a big fat NO. Even on the weekends commuting anywhere in or out of Corona remains a terrible drive.



My .02



Soylent Green Is People.
 
[quote author="JohnnyLA" date=1239237315][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1239231735]Do you like living in Pasadena with the exception of the commute?



My husband use to take the metro train from Fullerton to Irvine. A free shuttle would take him to and from the train station to his office. He really enjoyed the train over driving because he got to read. His company picked up the tab too.



I would suggest you rent in alternative places before you buy since it will be a major change.</blockquote>


I tried to do the train commute from Pasadena for 3 months last year over the summer and it was hell most of the time.





Commute time to Irvine: Pasadena line to Central Station (20 min.) Central Station to Irvine (1 hour but VERY unreliable at least last summer. Broke down a half dozen times or was 20 min. late). Bike from station to work (15 min.) 1 hour 40 min++. one way...ehh.



Also MetroLink's schedule is horrible for the commute back into LA from O.C. It ends at 4:50 pm from the Irvine Station and my employer really can't have me leave during "core hours" which are to 5:30-6 pm.



So..that give me Amtrak at a later time. OMG!!...Last year I was stranded a half dozen times times in OC because the train was either: late 2-3 hours min. or wouldn't let us on because they were full and only could take passengers to Fullerton. My wife had to drive from Pasadena to pick me up those times.



So..I like Pasadena but not THAT much. :) Maybe the Fullerton option would be best...</blockquote>


I certainly empathize with your public transportation frustrations. I lived in Italy for awhile were I had to rely solely on public transportation. There were many times were I felt charged to lead the world wide movement to ban trains and buses. However, my husband did do the Fullerton to Irvine commute for 1.5 years without too many problems. Every now and then there would be delays because of suicides but there was always room and the commute time was about 20 minutes. I don't know how the commute to Pasadena is, though.

I really like Fullerton. We are looking for a home there right now. <a href="http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/forums/viewthread/4129/">Go here for a good thread about Fullerton</a>

I'm drawn to the Fullerton neighborhoods north of Chapman called Raymond Hills & Golden Hills. Many of the homes in Raymond Hills have 180 to 360 degree views of Orange County. There is a assortment of architectural styles to be found here. Historic, modern, custom estate, you name it, it's there. Raymond Hills is north of Chapman between Brea Blvd & State College. Most of the unique homes with 1/2 acre to 1 acre lots are farther up the hill from Chapman. Golden Hills is west of Raymond Hills between Harbor and Euclid. Here you'll find mostly historic homes on tree line streets. Both neighborhoods are within a short walk to the train station in Downtown Fullerton. <a href="http://www.1630skylinedr.com/">Link to pics of a home in Raymond Hills here</a> Below are some photos of the Jacaranda trees that line the streets of Golden Hills.

<img src="http://images.ocregister.com/newsimages/life/2008/06/13_jacaranda1_large.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://images.ocregister.com/newsimages/life/2008/06/13_jacaranda8_large.jpg" alt="" />
 
Fan of Cliff May as well. Good suggestion. That is a great neighborhood right next to El Dorado Park. Prices are really coming down there.<a href="http://www.ranchostyle.com/index.html">Cliff May Specialist Here</a> The Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach has some great modern homes by other architects, too. <a href="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/index.php?architect=%&city=Long+Beach&features=f00&startdate=1935&enddate=2009&photo;=%&submitted;=%&view;=%&new_sort=new_desc&search=Search&mysort=photo.iid&order=DESC">See Here</a>



Cliff May Photos I Love Below

<img src="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/fullsize/_MG_4901.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/fullsize/100_3901.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/fullsize/100_3929.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/fullsize/_MG_4606.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/fullsize/IMG_0454.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/fullsize/The_Cwayna_Home_05.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.socalmodern.com/gallery/fullsize/The_Cwayna_Home_04.jpg" alt="" />
 
Pasadena is pretty large-- what part of the city does your wife work in? If it is east side- then the 210 heading west is OK-- but it can get worst going thru Pasadena. My only suggestion is before you do anything- rent a hotel in the area you are looking for a week-- and you both try out your commutes..... preferably before the schools let out for summer break so you can really "test drive" it.
 
[quote author="JohnnyLA" date=1239237457][quote author="not a realtor" date=1239230919]East Long Beach. It's a great place to live and it's faily central. You can take the blue line to pasadena as well.</blockquote>


Hmm..The Blue Line sounds like an option if it goes directly to Pasadena. Thanks for the info. :)</blockquote>


Blue line does not go to pasadena. It goes from long beach to 7th/Figueroa in downtown la. From there you have to connect to red line to go to union station. from union station you transfer to gold line which takes you to pasadena. I'm sure there is a quicker bus alternative, but it not something I have attempted.
 
[quote author="mvgrl" date=1239610672][quote author="JohnnyLA" date=1239237457][quote author="not a realtor" date=1239230919]East Long Beach. It's a great place to live and it's faily central. You can take the blue line to pasadena as well.</blockquote>


Hmm..The Blue Line sounds like an option if it goes directly to Pasadena. Thanks for the info. :)</blockquote>


Blue line does not go to pasadena. It goes from long beach to 7th/Figueroa in downtown la. From there you have to connect to red line to go to union station. from union station you transfer to gold line which takes you to pasadena. I'm sure there is a quicker bus alternative, but it not something I have attempted.</blockquote>


The confusion here is that originally (20 years ago or so), the blue line was supposed to go directly from Long Beach to Pasadena with no transfers. Then, early on, the part between 7th and Fig and Union Station changed to require a transfer to the Red Line, but the section from Pasadena to Union Station was still called the "Pasadena Blue Line" when it was under construction (including a number of years when the project was on hold with no activity).



In any case, even with the double transfer, that's probably significantly quicker than any bus service.
 
Unfortunately, the blue line doesn't go anywhere near east long beach.



And I wouldn't want to live within walking distance of where it does go.





The advantage of the area I was pointing out (ELB, near el dorado park) is that the area is really nice, schools good, and that it is right near the hub of the 405/22/605 fwys, making commuting by car most realistic for the OP's husband/wife commute situation.
 
My husband and I live in the Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach. I work/ attend grad school in Los Feliz/ Beverly Hills and my husband's firm is in Irvine. I take the 710 to the 5 when I have to go to Los Feliz and it's better than the 110 or 405. The 405 to the Westside is horrible no matter the time of day.

My husband's commute is much easier.



I work in film and I remember driving to the Pasadena area a few times for shoots. It wasn't as bad as I would have imagined.



Although we are planning on moving out of Long Beach and back to Huntington Beach when I graduate in June, it's been a fairly good compromise. Bixby Knolls is a very nice area and closest to the 710 and 405 freeways.
 
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