The area around Covina is nice, and it's pretty close to Alhambra. Don't get on the other side of Downtown L.A. it is a no win situation. Even if you beat the traffic one way you'll get screwed on the other side. Then there's the sports that mess with the freeways, Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, etc, etc, will screw your commute. Stay east of L.A. Someone also mentioned Rancho Cuc. which is a nice area too. Look in the Alta Loma area too which is a part of that and is where I used to live.
Great advice. I'll get around to checking out the areas probably this next week after I get off work sometime. So your saying stay east of downtown L.A.?