Any suggestions California DUers?

[Paper Roses]

I don't follow this group because I am from the East Coast but my sister and her husband live in Upland. They have been trying to find a house to rent in a residential area closer to my BIL's job. He commutes 2 1/2 hours each way to work everyday and is very tired of it, plus the owner of their house has put it on the market.

Anyone in the following towns know of a nice-not huge-reasonable house to rent. It would be for 2 to 3 years. Any help is appreciated and I would forward the info to them. The quote below is from her e-mail to me yesterday. They are running out of time.

"Thanks...we are looking in the Anaheim Hills area, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Rowland Heights, Whittier and most cities in Orange County."

I told her that I would post on DU to see if anyone had any leads.
Thanks for any help.

[Joanie Baloney]

1. Well...

That's a big area with lots of different places available. How many bedrooms do they need? Do they have kids, pets? Do they need a fenced yard, etc.

Craigslist is always good to get a feel for prices, etc. I get the feeling they want a detached house, not a condo or town home in a complex. I scanned a few ads and I liked this one:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/apa/2580617746.html

It isn't brand new, it's near a main freeway and it has some land. Very rare for $1850. Also tell them to check their local free weekly (it's The Reader in my parts).

Good luck to them...the commute can be brutal, so closer is better!

-JB

[proud patriot]

2. sorry I'm in N california

totally not familiar with that area

[Beaverhausen]

3. The best thing to do is drive around the area and look for 'for rent' signs

seriously. Many people don't advertise their rentals, and just put up signs.

Also, that way, she can see what the neighborhood looks like and/or what neighborhood she does want to live in.

[Iggo]

4. Well, I live in Whittier...

...and one thing to remember about Whittier is that it's freeway close to exactly nothin'. (There are no freeways in Whittier, is what I'm saying.) Just a heads-up if your people are planning on taking the freeway to work. Also, and here's something we didn't think about at the time, it means giving way more involved directions to people who are visiting you from out of town. You have to tell them to take the 5 and get off in Norwalk then drive, or take the 605 and get off in Pico Rivera then drive, or take the 60 and get off in Hacienda Heights then drive, or take the 57 and get off in Brea and then drive, or take the 91 and get off in La Palma and then drive...well, you get the picture.

That said, my brother and I moved from the 909 to Whittier four years ago because the commute to L.A. and back to Rancho Cucamonga every day (about 3 hours total) was killing us. So I feel for your people, I do.

So anyway, I guess I don't have any leads, 'cause I haven't been looking in years. There are nice parts of town in all those cities you mentioned, including Whittier. Just remember that quirk about the freeways.