Moving to 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.

[AK]

Lakewood and Rossmoor are nice places to live. There are desirable parts of Cypress, Cerritos, Los Alamitos, La Mirada, La Palma, and eastern Long Beach, though those might be at the outer edge of your driving radius.

As far as traffic congestion … from what I remember the 105 and 710 not quite as bad; 22, 91 and 405 can be bad; and the 5 should be avoided at all costs, day or night. Watch the various online traffic maps during commute hours to see the real choke points.

Dunno about the “Real Housewives” factor … seems every area has some kind of problem with some percentage of the older kids, though maybe not quite as outrageous as on that @#$%&! TV show.

[AK]

Lakewood and Rossmoor are nice places to live. There are desirable parts of Cypress, Cerritos, Los Alamitos, La Mirada, La Palma, and eastern Long Beach, though those might be at the outer edge of your driving radius.

As far as traffic congestion … from what I remember the 105 and 710 not quite as bad; 22, 91 and 405 can be bad; and the 5 should be avoided at all costs, day or night. Watch the various online traffic maps during commute hours to see the real choke points.

Dunno about the “Real Housewives” factor … seems every area has some kind of problem with some percentage of the older kids, though maybe not quite as outrageous as on that @#$%&! TV show.

[AK]

Lakewood and Rossmoor are nice places to live. There are desirable parts of Cypress, Cerritos, Los Alamitos, La Mirada, La Palma, and eastern Long Beach, though those might be at the outer edge of your driving radius.

As far as traffic congestion … from what I remember the 105 and 710 not quite as bad; 22, 91 and 405 can be bad; and the 5 should be avoided at all costs, day or night. Watch the various online traffic maps during commute hours to see the real choke points.

Dunno about the “Real Housewives” factor … seems every area has some kind of problem with some percentage of the older kids, though maybe not quite as outrageous as on that @#$%&! TV show.

[AK]

Lakewood and Rossmoor are nice places to live. There are desirable parts of Cypress, Cerritos, Los Alamitos, La Mirada, La Palma, and eastern Long Beach, though those might be at the outer edge of your driving radius.

As far as traffic congestion … from what I remember the 105 and 710 not quite as bad; 22, 91 and 405 can be bad; and the 5 should be avoided at all costs, day or night. Watch the various online traffic maps during commute hours to see the real choke points.

Dunno about the “Real Housewives” factor … seems every area has some kind of problem with some percentage of the older kids, though maybe not quite as outrageous as on that @#$%&! TV show.

[AK]

Lakewood and Rossmoor are nice places to live. There are desirable parts of Cypress, Cerritos, Los Alamitos, La Mirada, La Palma, and eastern Long Beach, though those might be at the outer edge of your driving radius.

As far as traffic congestion … from what I remember the 105 and 710 not quite as bad; 22, 91 and 405 can be bad; and the 5 should be avoided at all costs, day or night. Watch the various online traffic maps during commute hours to see the real choke points.

Dunno about the “Real Housewives” factor … seems every area has some kind of problem with some percentage of the older kids, though maybe not quite as outrageous as on that @#$%&! TV show.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Coronita]

[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.

[Coronita]

[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.

[Coronita]

[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.

[Coronita]

[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.

[Author]

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