[quote=Navydoc]I would second the Torrance recommendation. I lived there myself for my first year here. Be aware that Torrance is quite large and diverse, with neighborhoods ranging from having refineries in your backyard to upper middle class near Rolling Hills. RPV is lovely, but quite expesive, as is Manhattan Beach. The area of Torrance bordering Rolling Hills at PCH and Crenshaw is quite nice, with reasonably priced homes. There is a large Japanese community there which is interesting, and since I moved there from Japan it made me feel comfortable. They tend to take very good care of their neighborhoods and demand quality schools. Adds a nice flavor of divesity to an otherwise overwhelmingly latino city.
As for traffic, it’s LA. Much worse than San Diego as a whole. The 405 headed south in the afternoons can be pretty brutal. Avoid the 110 like the plague.[/quote]
Gardena has a large japanese community, and there are plenty of Karate dojos in Gardena lostkitty (got my ass kicked there in competition in my youthful days).
Torrance has a large Japanese community, mainly because there are(were) a lot of companies with offices in Torrance. a lot of the Japanese employees go out there to Torrance on a job rotation for 5-8 years. It works well for the rental markets, especially around the area of the townhomes off PCH (behind the Target and Del Amo Fashion Center).
Torrance is big, and borders some seed(ier areas). Just make sure you pick an area in torrance which is better. I would try to avoid the area around Lomita (though it’s not a bad area, isn’t great).
Torrance has a plethora of shopping malls/etc, and you’ll find the place pretty convenient. Del Amo is one of the largest malls. It use to be a better mall, but in more recent days there has been a lot more crime and hangout for some gangs, especially on the newer side of the mall. There also your typical Costco, Home Depot, and Sam’s Club. PCH is lined with ethnic restaurants, and small shops along Hawthorne
PV’s air is more stiff. This is the “Shops at Palos Verdes”, which are more like your and standard fashion valley stores( Banana Republic,etc). You won’t ever find a target/walmart/home depot in PV. Residents would never allow it. However, you won’t find a gang problem there. The biggest drawback of PV, is that you always have to go out of the area to shop. You have your Vons, Sprout, and Bristol Farms supermarkets. But you won’t find any big discount stores there.
