Need recommendation on afforadable yet nice places to live commutable to Torrance (Hawthorne: apartment)

[Sadhere]

There's a job opportunity in Torrance ca and we currently live in southern Vermont which I'm not too fond of. I grew up in northern ca and miss its beauty and milder weather. I looked into Torrance but can't make heads or tails. Seems like there's nice aspects but bad ones too (gangs etc). And then as far as places to live it seems like nothing good in our price range for renting (1200)....yes we're not rich. We have a baby as well. My ideal location would consist of a casual town atmosphere that's not boring but not overdone consisting of cute Cafes, coffee houses, nice local food etc., nice beach and beachtown, elements of quaintness, artsy, and good for raising a child. what I don't like about where we are now is that I'm bored and have to drive far to get to nicer areas....also despise the harsh winter to come. So my question for those who live there...is Torrance not a good place describing what I want? Are there any other options that are not too far away and are a better fit? I was curious about San clement but it's a bit far and it's probably just as expensive too. But it seems nice from things I read.

[bigdumbgod]

Walteria area of Torrance might be worth a look.

[MtnSurfer]

As was mentioned in your other thread, Gardena and Lomita are possibilities with certain reservations. Hawthorne is pretty bad now. What you will run into is a lot of questionable, seedy locations mixed in with a few decent neighborhoods like El Camino Village next door to El Camino College. It's a great college, BTW.

Even parts of Torrance can be seedy in an area known as Torrance PO. Its not really Torrance and a completely different school district. We managed an apartment just east of Western Ave. and there were gun shots, drug busts, police helicopters, raids and a whole host of undesirable factors only minutes from the better areas. The fringe areas are very weird that way, differing sometimes block to block. Lomita has some ok areas.

Is your income fixed or do you have the possibility to advance/grow? The best reason to move to the South Bay area would be to go back to school at El Camino and learn a skill which could provide a better paying career. They have a huge campus that is very affordable if you have the desire or ability to go back to school.

I would only live in those neighborhoods 'temporarily' until you could move to somewhere like Torrance with better school districts for your child. Use this map to zoom into the areas in question. you will see right away where the better neighborhoods and associated schools are: http://schoolperformancemaps.com/ca/

Derek