Until you get your transfer, rent a home in OC for a year just before LA County line, such as, Seal Beach, Rossmore, Los Alomitos, Cypress, La Palma, La Habra. You can find some very nice homes and freway close. Travel to RB (5 to 78 to 15) should be about 1 hr without heavy traffic.
My wife has relatives in east SD that we go see every so often. We take the 5-78-15-8 route. We have been considering a 2nd home condo purchase in RB for a few years.
I live in Buena Park (next to Knott’s) and commute to Torrance everyday. Takes about 1 hr with traffic between 6am-8am, 40 mins without. Downtown LA would be a bit more. There actually is a house down our street trying to sell/rent (4b,3b, 2500+sf). I don’t know how much they are asking for rent, was $729K sell, much too high.
Those school districts above are pretty good to very good. Buena Park Elementary is ok, Middle and High schools are not. I send 2 of 3 to privite school. Last one starts next year. My kids are 11, 8, 5.
West or South Torrance may be another rent option, but the drive to RB would kill you. I will take 20-30 mins to get to any freeway.
I like La Habra area on Beach (Hawk’s Point). Some very nice new homes. All the shopping centers in the area are very new. My wife drives up there to do most of her shopping (Cosco, Sam’s, etc). And no LA sales taxes.
