So you are saying that you did NOT check all that stuff out before deciding to spend $80,000????
Just looking at the chart or even google earth you can see that you would have to fly a few miles to get to un-congested areas.
Group 3 has been at Van Nuys many years and I have never heard any complaints. They are not generally known as one of the big "international" schools, and do not train for the CAA or EASA standards.