By Mary O’KEEFE

Amy Chang of Kobeissi Properties knows why families want to move to La Cañada. They’re the same reasons she and her family recently moved.
“There are very good schools and a very good [and growing] Chinese community with a lot of potential in the area,” she said.
Chang was born in Shanghai, China and was living in Japan until 2007 when she and her family moved to America. They chose the west coast, specifically Southern California, because of its accessible flights to China.     When Chang and her husband, who is from Taiwan, started looking into living in either Los Angeles or San Francisco, L.A. won out. With their young daughter, the family first moved to Glendale but discovered that the La Cañada area seemed to better fit their needs.
The foothills community was a good choice.
“The schools [are great] and the community is small,” Chang said. “There is a lot of green [vegetation] and living here is quiet.”
There is a growing community of Chinese immigrants in the area and Chang said she wants to help them in any way she can.
“This summer we [saw] many Chinese families moving into La Cañada,” she said. She is part of a “mama’s club” that offers families of Chinese descent information about the California school system and the differences in the cultures of China and America.
“We sit and talk together about schools and our community,” Chang said.
Currently a real estate agent with Kobeissi Properties, she had been working with Sotheby’s. Changing companies was another move that was well thought out.
“Kobeissi is a famous company in this area,” she said. Chang had spoken to several companies but liked the hometown feel of Kobeissi.
“I think local companies are very important,” she added. “Sandy and Mike [Kobeissi] are so nice and this company is very beautiful.”
An example of the Kobeissis’ friendly reputation was an invitation extended to Chang and her family to their Cars and Coffee event. Held on the first Saturday of each month, Mike Kobeissi shares his love of automobiles with other fellow enthusiasts at the Kobeissi office at 711 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada. Chang thought the event was a perfect way to ease families new to the area into the community.
She said she feels lucky to have found the perfect company in the perfect location.

  crescenta valley, La Crescenta, montrose