Moving to L.A.

[lostkitty]

HELP! I am a longtime reader here on Piggington from my upstate NY home. Looks like we are headed back to CA, but not to my beloved San Diego.
I have no idea where to start in looking for a good neighborhood in L.A. within 30 min drive to Gardena.
We have a list of wants and needs and am just wondering if anyone knows any online resources? Anyone have first-hand experience or opinon they would please share?

I know how to find the “facts” highschool test scores, etc. The info I cant find is walkability, traffic congestion, youth orchestras, sports (soccer baseball karate) etc. My girls only request is that there be “no stupid bitchy rich kids like on the tv show Housewive’s of OC”.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Coronita]

[quote]My girls only request is that there be “no stupid bitchy rich kids like on the tv show Housewive’s of OC”. [/quote]

That is going to be tough in L.A.,unless you are going to send them to the gettos… Sorry….They don’t call this L.A. for nothing….

[Coronita]

[quote]My girls only request is that there be “no stupid bitchy rich kids like on the tv show Housewive’s of OC”. [/quote]

That is going to be tough in L.A.,unless you are going to send them to the gettos… Sorry….They don’t call this L.A. for nothing….

[Coronita]

[quote]My girls only request is that there be “no stupid bitchy rich kids like on the tv show Housewive’s of OC”. [/quote]

That is going to be tough in L.A.,unless you are going to send them to the gettos… Sorry….They don’t call this L.A. for nothing….

[Coronita]

[quote]My girls only request is that there be “no stupid bitchy rich kids like on the tv show Housewive’s of OC”. [/quote]

That is going to be tough in L.A.,unless you are going to send them to the gettos… Sorry….They don’t call this L.A. for nothing….

[Coronita]

[quote]My girls only request is that there be “no stupid bitchy rich kids like on the tv show Housewive’s of OC”. [/quote]

That is going to be tough in L.A.,unless you are going to send them to the gettos… Sorry….They don’t call this L.A. for nothing….

[Coronita]

I’m sorry to hear you have to move to L.A. That sucks…I grew up in L.A. burbs…..and hated it…. But, all is not lost…Here’s some areas can consider

Within 30-40mins of local commute traffic to Gardena:

Option #1:

Palos Verdes Estates
Rolling Hills Estates
Rancho Palos Verdes
The zip codes are 90274, 90275

http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/
http://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/
http://www.palosverdes.com/PVE/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Palos_Verdes

Statistics says about 67% white, and 26% asians, if you care. Also, public schools are pretty high ranking. There is also a well know private school
(Chadwick k-12) which is good if you are willing to cough up $$$$$$$.

Pros: Good neighborhoods, good families, and lots of retirees, and good school districts. Good public schools. (Palos Verdes Peninsula HS and Palos Verdes HS). Safe area…Most cities with a private police force that is not part of LAPD.

Cons: Some snobby people (they type you would find in Rancho Santa Fe)….Particularly, if you live in Rolling Hills Estates or Palos Verdes Estates. Homes are pretty old in some areas….Not cheap.
No easy freeway access. It takes about 30-40 mins to get onto the 405 freeway or 110 freeway. Area is considered secluded. Home prices are pretty expensive, though you might find things slightly cheaper these days. Consider renting in the area first. Not sure if you were the person that previously posted about hating folks that felt entitled in Coronado or something. If you were, this is probably not the place for you…Actually, i would say L.A. in general isn’t a place for you….But i guess the difference between this city versus say others, is this is more of a “old money: type of community.

Rancho Palos Verdes(RPV) has more of your upper middle class (enginerds, small biz owners, etc). Rolling Hills Estates (RHE) is more of your wealthy community (some of the older homes have breading grounds for horses). Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) has your typically snooty old money type of people. There is also an “unincorporated” area (formerly known as Miraleste)…I’m not a big fan of that area, because it borders San Pedro, which while isn’t considered a bad area, does have it’s usually L.A. issues, like gangs.

The cities are pretty well funded. (Heck they were giving out free christmas light and energy saving light exchanges if you turned back your old lights)

Option #2: Torrance, CA

If’re your more comfortable with a more upper middle class area, your second option would be to consider Torrance, CA. The city is large, and depending on location, prices will vary. West High
is was the best high school in that area at the time..

http://www.whs.tusd.org/
20401 Victor St
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 533-4299

Option #3:
Manhattan Beach:

Pros: Beach
Cons: Homes are $$$$$$. And you are going to have a really tough time if you have issues with folks being materialistic, fake, and generally shallow…

But that’s generally L.A. for you…Good luck.. I really don’t understand people complaining about San Diego materialism…It’s much worse in L.A.
Sorry, don’t want to sugar coat it for you. I didn’t enjoy living in L.A.

[Coronita]

I’m sorry to hear you have to move to L.A. That sucks…I grew up in L.A. burbs…..and hated it…. But, all is not lost…Here’s some areas can consider

Within 30-40mins of local commute traffic to Gardena:

Option #1:

Palos Verdes Estates
Rolling Hills Estates
Rancho Palos Verdes
The zip codes are 90274, 90275

http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/
http://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/
http://www.palosverdes.com/PVE/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Palos_Verdes

Statistics says about 67% white, and 26% asians, if you care. Also, public schools are pretty high ranking. There is also a well know private school
(Chadwick k-12) which is good if you are willing to cough up $$$$$$$.

Pros: Good neighborhoods, good families, and lots of retirees, and good school districts. Good public schools. (Palos Verdes Peninsula HS and Palos Verdes HS). Safe area…Most cities with a private police force that is not part of LAPD.

Cons: Some snobby people (they type you would find in Rancho Santa Fe)….Particularly, if you live in Rolling Hills Estates or Palos Verdes Estates. Homes are pretty old in some areas….Not cheap.
No easy freeway access. It takes about 30-40 mins to get onto the 405 freeway or 110 freeway. Area is considered secluded. Home prices are pretty expensive, though you might find things slightly cheaper these days. Consider renting in the area first. Not sure if you were the person that previously posted about hating folks that felt entitled in Coronado or something. If you were, this is probably not the place for you…Actually, i would say L.A. in general isn’t a place for you….But i guess the difference between this city versus say others, is this is more of a “old money: type of community.

Rancho Palos Verdes(RPV) has more of your upper middle class (enginerds, small biz owners, etc). Rolling Hills Estates (RHE) is more of your wealthy community (some of the older homes have breading grounds for horses). Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) has your typically snooty old money type of people. There is also an “unincorporated” area (formerly known as Miraleste)…I’m not a big fan of that area, because it borders San Pedro, which while isn’t considered a bad area, does have it’s usually L.A. issues, like gangs.

The cities are pretty well funded. (Heck they were giving out free christmas light and energy saving light exchanges if you turned back your old lights)

Option #2: Torrance, CA

If’re your more comfortable with a more upper middle class area, your second option would be to consider Torrance, CA. The city is large, and depending on location, prices will vary. West High
is was the best high school in that area at the time..

http://www.whs.tusd.org/
20401 Victor St
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 533-4299

Option #3:
Manhattan Beach:

Pros: Beach
Cons: Homes are $$$$$$. And you are going to have a really tough time if you have issues with folks being materialistic, fake, and generally shallow…

But that’s generally L.A. for you…Good luck.. I really don’t understand people complaining about San Diego materialism…It’s much worse in L.A.
Sorry, don’t want to sugar coat it for you. I didn’t enjoy living in L.A.

[Coronita]

I’m sorry to hear you have to move to L.A. That sucks…I grew up in L.A. burbs…..and hated it…. But, all is not lost…Here’s some areas can consider

Within 30-40mins of local commute traffic to Gardena:

Option #1:

Palos Verdes Estates
Rolling Hills Estates
Rancho Palos Verdes
The zip codes are 90274, 90275

http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/
http://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/
http://www.palosverdes.com/PVE/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Palos_Verdes

Statistics says about 67% white, and 26% asians, if you care. Also, public schools are pretty high ranking. There is also a well know private school
(Chadwick k-12) which is good if you are willing to cough up $$$$$$$.

Pros: Good neighborhoods, good families, and lots of retirees, and good school districts. Good public schools. (Palos Verdes Peninsula HS and Palos Verdes HS). Safe area…Most cities with a private police force that is not part of LAPD.

Cons: Some snobby people (they type you would find in Rancho Santa Fe)….Particularly, if you live in Rolling Hills Estates or Palos Verdes Estates. Homes are pretty old in some areas….Not cheap.
No easy freeway access. It takes about 30-40 mins to get onto the 405 freeway or 110 freeway. Area is considered secluded. Home prices are pretty expensive, though you might find things slightly cheaper these days. Consider renting in the area first. Not sure if you were the person that previously posted about hating folks that felt entitled in Coronado or something. If you were, this is probably not the place for you…Actually, i would say L.A. in general isn’t a place for you….But i guess the difference between this city versus say others, is this is more of a “old money: type of community.

Rancho Palos Verdes(RPV) has more of your upper middle class (enginerds, small biz owners, etc). Rolling Hills Estates (RHE) is more of your wealthy community (some of the older homes have breading grounds for horses). Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) has your typically snooty old money type of people. There is also an “unincorporated” area (formerly known as Miraleste)…I’m not a big fan of that area, because it borders San Pedro, which while isn’t considered a bad area, does have it’s usually L.A. issues, like gangs.

The cities are pretty well funded. (Heck they were giving out free christmas light and energy saving light exchanges if you turned back your old lights)

Option #2: Torrance, CA

If’re your more comfortable with a more upper middle class area, your second option would be to consider Torrance, CA. The city is large, and depending on location, prices will vary. West High
is was the best high school in that area at the time..

http://www.whs.tusd.org/
20401 Victor St
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 533-4299

Option #3:
Manhattan Beach:

Pros: Beach
Cons: Homes are $$$$$$. And you are going to have a really tough time if you have issues with folks being materialistic, fake, and generally shallow…

But that’s generally L.A. for you…Good luck.. I really don’t understand people complaining about San Diego materialism…It’s much worse in L.A.
Sorry, don’t want to sugar coat it for you. I didn’t enjoy living in L.A.

[Coronita]

I’m sorry to hear you have to move to L.A. That sucks…I grew up in L.A. burbs…..and hated it…. But, all is not lost…Here’s some areas can consider

Within 30-40mins of local commute traffic to Gardena:

Option #1:

Palos Verdes Estates
Rolling Hills Estates
Rancho Palos Verdes
The zip codes are 90274, 90275

http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/
http://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/
http://www.palosverdes.com/PVE/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Palos_Verdes

Statistics says about 67% white, and 26% asians, if you care. Also, public schools are pretty high ranking. There is also a well know private school
(Chadwick k-12) which is good if you are willing to cough up $$$$$$$.

Pros: Good neighborhoods, good families, and lots of retirees, and good school districts. Good public schools. (Palos Verdes Peninsula HS and Palos Verdes HS). Safe area…Most cities with a private police force that is not part of LAPD.

Cons: Some snobby people (they type you would find in Rancho Santa Fe)….Particularly, if you live in Rolling Hills Estates or Palos Verdes Estates. Homes are pretty old in some areas….Not cheap.
No easy freeway access. It takes about 30-40 mins to get onto the 405 freeway or 110 freeway. Area is considered secluded. Home prices are pretty expensive, though you might find things slightly cheaper these days. Consider renting in the area first. Not sure if you were the person that previously posted about hating folks that felt entitled in Coronado or something. If you were, this is probably not the place for you…Actually, i would say L.A. in general isn’t a place for you….But i guess the difference between this city versus say others, is this is more of a “old money: type of community.

Rancho Palos Verdes(RPV) has more of your upper middle class (enginerds, small biz owners, etc). Rolling Hills Estates (RHE) is more of your wealthy community (some of the older homes have breading grounds for horses). Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) has your typically snooty old money type of people. There is also an “unincorporated” area (formerly known as Miraleste)…I’m not a big fan of that area, because it borders San Pedro, which while isn’t considered a bad area, does have it’s usually L.A. issues, like gangs.

The cities are pretty well funded. (Heck they were giving out free christmas light and energy saving light exchanges if you turned back your old lights)

Option #2: Torrance, CA

If’re your more comfortable with a more upper middle class area, your second option would be to consider Torrance, CA. The city is large, and depending on location, prices will vary. West High
is was the best high school in that area at the time..

http://www.whs.tusd.org/
20401 Victor St
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 533-4299

Option #3:
Manhattan Beach:

Pros: Beach
Cons: Homes are $$$$$$. And you are going to have a really tough time if you have issues with folks being materialistic, fake, and generally shallow…

But that’s generally L.A. for you…Good luck.. I really don’t understand people complaining about San Diego materialism…It’s much worse in L.A.
Sorry, don’t want to sugar coat it for you. I didn’t enjoy living in L.A.

[Coronita]

I’m sorry to hear you have to move to L.A. That sucks…I grew up in L.A. burbs…..and hated it…. But, all is not lost…Here’s some areas can consider

Within 30-40mins of local commute traffic to Gardena:

Option #1:

Palos Verdes Estates
Rolling Hills Estates
Rancho Palos Verdes
The zip codes are 90274, 90275

http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/
http://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/
http://www.palosverdes.com/PVE/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Palos_Verdes

Statistics says about 67% white, and 26% asians, if you care. Also, public schools are pretty high ranking. There is also a well know private school
(Chadwick k-12) which is good if you are willing to cough up $$$$$$$.

Pros: Good neighborhoods, good families, and lots of retirees, and good school districts. Good public schools. (Palos Verdes Peninsula HS and Palos Verdes HS). Safe area…Most cities with a private police force that is not part of LAPD.

Cons: Some snobby people (they type you would find in Rancho Santa Fe)….Particularly, if you live in Rolling Hills Estates or Palos Verdes Estates. Homes are pretty old in some areas….Not cheap.
No easy freeway access. It takes about 30-40 mins to get onto the 405 freeway or 110 freeway. Area is considered secluded. Home prices are pretty expensive, though you might find things slightly cheaper these days. Consider renting in the area first. Not sure if you were the person that previously posted about hating folks that felt entitled in Coronado or something. If you were, this is probably not the place for you…Actually, i would say L.A. in general isn’t a place for you….But i guess the difference between this city versus say others, is this is more of a “old money: type of community.

Rancho Palos Verdes(RPV) has more of your upper middle class (enginerds, small biz owners, etc). Rolling Hills Estates (RHE) is more of your wealthy community (some of the older homes have breading grounds for horses). Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) has your typically snooty old money type of people. There is also an “unincorporated” area (formerly known as Miraleste)…I’m not a big fan of that area, because it borders San Pedro, which while isn’t considered a bad area, does have it’s usually L.A. issues, like gangs.

The cities are pretty well funded. (Heck they were giving out free christmas light and energy saving light exchanges if you turned back your old lights)

Option #2: Torrance, CA

If’re your more comfortable with a more upper middle class area, your second option would be to consider Torrance, CA. The city is large, and depending on location, prices will vary. West High
is was the best high school in that area at the time..

http://www.whs.tusd.org/
20401 Victor St
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 533-4299

Option #3:
Manhattan Beach:

Pros: Beach
Cons: Homes are $$$$$$. And you are going to have a really tough time if you have issues with folks being materialistic, fake, and generally shallow…

But that’s generally L.A. for you…Good luck.. I really don’t understand people complaining about San Diego materialism…It’s much worse in L.A.
Sorry, don’t want to sugar coat it for you. I didn’t enjoy living in L.A.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

lostkitty – I remember you from a couple years back indicating that there was indeed life after San Diego. Seems like your timing of leaving southern CA and returning will be pretty good wrt the housing cycle.

Anyway, we suffered through a similar move several years ago, moving to LA (west side) from San Diego (in body but not in mind). There are some great neighborhoods and pockets of LA that until we moved here I didn;t really appreciate (It always just seemed like a big sprawling concrete jungle … well because mostly it is).

You didn’t give any indication of price range, which is pretty important.

Assuming that you desire to be reasonably close to the coast (e.g. 5-8 miles), here are my favorite livable areas. These are biased to the north and west of Gardena since that is what I am more familiar with.

Manhattan Beach – Some semi-reasonable areas in terms of affordability to the east. Extremely pricey near the coast.

El Segundo – pretty decent schools, kind of its own isolated community surrounded by industry/commercial on three sides.

Palos Verdes – Expensive enclave, similar in some respects to La Jolla and upper parts of Point Loma.

Upper parts of San Pedro – ON the same hill as Palos Verdes, there are some nice sections of San Pedro, that are directly proportional to altitude. But, I think you would probably have to take the private school path here.

Long Beach – I have no clue other than an observation that the area around the Aquarium was pretty nice when we visited there. There may be other decent options to the south

You also might want to consider the following areas :

Westchester – Just north of the airport. The elementary schools are good here. You might need to consider private school beyond that though (which is actually a general rule of thumb for the nicer parts of LA that fall within the LAUSD).

Culver City – The city has revitalized its downtown. Homes are affordable. Elementary schools are good. AFter that ? It is also going to be the first community on the west side with real transit to/from downtown (which I guess you don’t need). Lots of excellent programs for kids.

If you have some Cash …

Santa Monica – Very good schools. Coastal. Prices are just now starting to recede a bit. It will take you about 30 minutes in the morning to get to Gardena, but might take considerably longer in the evening because of traffic patterns.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

lostkitty – I remember you from a couple years back indicating that there was indeed life after San Diego. Seems like your timing of leaving southern CA and returning will be pretty good wrt the housing cycle.

Anyway, we suffered through a similar move several years ago, moving to LA (west side) from San Diego (in body but not in mind). There are some great neighborhoods and pockets of LA that until we moved here I didn;t really appreciate (It always just seemed like a big sprawling concrete jungle … well because mostly it is).

You didn’t give any indication of price range, which is pretty important.

Assuming that you desire to be reasonably close to the coast (e.g. 5-8 miles), here are my favorite livable areas. These are biased to the north and west of Gardena since that is what I am more familiar with.

Manhattan Beach – Some semi-reasonable areas in terms of affordability to the east. Extremely pricey near the coast.

El Segundo – pretty decent schools, kind of its own isolated community surrounded by industry/commercial on three sides.

Palos Verdes – Expensive enclave, similar in some respects to La Jolla and upper parts of Point Loma.

Upper parts of San Pedro – ON the same hill as Palos Verdes, there are some nice sections of San Pedro, that are directly proportional to altitude. But, I think you would probably have to take the private school path here.

Long Beach – I have no clue other than an observation that the area around the Aquarium was pretty nice when we visited there. There may be other decent options to the south

You also might want to consider the following areas :

Westchester – Just north of the airport. The elementary schools are good here. You might need to consider private school beyond that though (which is actually a general rule of thumb for the nicer parts of LA that fall within the LAUSD).

Culver City – The city has revitalized its downtown. Homes are affordable. Elementary schools are good. AFter that ? It is also going to be the first community on the west side with real transit to/from downtown (which I guess you don’t need). Lots of excellent programs for kids.

If you have some Cash …

Santa Monica – Very good schools. Coastal. Prices are just now starting to recede a bit. It will take you about 30 minutes in the morning to get to Gardena, but might take considerably longer in the evening because of traffic patterns.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

lostkitty – I remember you from a couple years back indicating that there was indeed life after San Diego. Seems like your timing of leaving southern CA and returning will be pretty good wrt the housing cycle.

Anyway, we suffered through a similar move several years ago, moving to LA (west side) from San Diego (in body but not in mind). There are some great neighborhoods and pockets of LA that until we moved here I didn;t really appreciate (It always just seemed like a big sprawling concrete jungle … well because mostly it is).

You didn’t give any indication of price range, which is pretty important.

Assuming that you desire to be reasonably close to the coast (e.g. 5-8 miles), here are my favorite livable areas. These are biased to the north and west of Gardena since that is what I am more familiar with.

Manhattan Beach – Some semi-reasonable areas in terms of affordability to the east. Extremely pricey near the coast.

El Segundo – pretty decent schools, kind of its own isolated community surrounded by industry/commercial on three sides.

Palos Verdes – Expensive enclave, similar in some respects to La Jolla and upper parts of Point Loma.

Upper parts of San Pedro – ON the same hill as Palos Verdes, there are some nice sections of San Pedro, that are directly proportional to altitude. But, I think you would probably have to take the private school path here.

Long Beach – I have no clue other than an observation that the area around the Aquarium was pretty nice when we visited there. There may be other decent options to the south

You also might want to consider the following areas :

Westchester – Just north of the airport. The elementary schools are good here. You might need to consider private school beyond that though (which is actually a general rule of thumb for the nicer parts of LA that fall within the LAUSD).

Culver City – The city has revitalized its downtown. Homes are affordable. Elementary schools are good. AFter that ? It is also going to be the first community on the west side with real transit to/from downtown (which I guess you don’t need). Lots of excellent programs for kids.

If you have some Cash …

Santa Monica – Very good schools. Coastal. Prices are just now starting to recede a bit. It will take you about 30 minutes in the morning to get to Gardena, but might take considerably longer in the evening because of traffic patterns.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

lostkitty – I remember you from a couple years back indicating that there was indeed life after San Diego. Seems like your timing of leaving southern CA and returning will be pretty good wrt the housing cycle.

Anyway, we suffered through a similar move several years ago, moving to LA (west side) from San Diego (in body but not in mind). There are some great neighborhoods and pockets of LA that until we moved here I didn;t really appreciate (It always just seemed like a big sprawling concrete jungle … well because mostly it is).

You didn’t give any indication of price range, which is pretty important.

Assuming that you desire to be reasonably close to the coast (e.g. 5-8 miles), here are my favorite livable areas. These are biased to the north and west of Gardena since that is what I am more familiar with.

Manhattan Beach – Some semi-reasonable areas in terms of affordability to the east. Extremely pricey near the coast.

El Segundo – pretty decent schools, kind of its own isolated community surrounded by industry/commercial on three sides.

Palos Verdes – Expensive enclave, similar in some respects to La Jolla and upper parts of Point Loma.

Upper parts of San Pedro – ON the same hill as Palos Verdes, there are some nice sections of San Pedro, that are directly proportional to altitude. But, I think you would probably have to take the private school path here.

Long Beach – I have no clue other than an observation that the area around the Aquarium was pretty nice when we visited there. There may be other decent options to the south

You also might want to consider the following areas :

Westchester – Just north of the airport. The elementary schools are good here. You might need to consider private school beyond that though (which is actually a general rule of thumb for the nicer parts of LA that fall within the LAUSD).

Culver City – The city has revitalized its downtown. Homes are affordable. Elementary schools are good. AFter that ? It is also going to be the first community on the west side with real transit to/from downtown (which I guess you don’t need). Lots of excellent programs for kids.

If you have some Cash …

Santa Monica – Very good schools. Coastal. Prices are just now starting to recede a bit. It will take you about 30 minutes in the morning to get to Gardena, but might take considerably longer in the evening because of traffic patterns.

[Author]

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