My partner and I currently live separately in Culver and Venice. I currently WFH but I am looking at taking a job in Sherman Oaks that would be a ~40% pay increase and we'd have a budget of ~$5,500 for a place. We're trying to find a good balance between outdoor access / distance to hiking and mountain biking trails, surfable waves, proximity to work, and a solid potential community that is young (mid 20s - early 40s), ethnically diverse, creative, and LGBTQ friendly.

We're considering the regions around Topanga and the state park but are worried about lack of community. Also considering the West Valley closer to the Santa Monica Mountains. Really open to hearing everyone's thoughts and opinions.

FYI, currently I live walking distance to the beach but I grew up on a ranch in the middle of nowhere and my soul is being slowly destroyed by lack of access to terrestrial nature. She lives in a nice neighborhood but it's permeated by traffic and going on a walk involves exhaust fumes and few natural spaces. We're both musicians and would prefer to have a bit of that in our lives, as well. I currently rent a recording studio in the Sawtelle region and would love to keep it if possible, but I am open to other arrangements.