AF Member - PCS to LA AFB in Aug - Dec timeframe - Need assistance (Torrance: 2013)

[nativesun1979]

I recently received notification that I will PCS to LA AFB sometime between August and December 2013. I have started my housing search but would like to gather as much information as possible before making a decision on where to live. I lived in Burbank many years ago (about 18 years to be exact), so I am not that familiar with the area anymore.

I am married with no kids, but have 3 cars (one of which has to be in a garage or private storage facility for insurance purposes). My housing allowance is approximately $3,150, but I would prefer to spend less than that if possible as I know my insurance rates are going through the roof due to the move, and I expect to pay a lot more for food and gas. I would prefer a single family home, but am willing to settle for an apartment, townhome, or condo if it is in the right location with good amenities.

I would appreciate any information and tips that you are willing to provide. Thanks!

[nativesun1979]

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Beth56]

The Air Force Base is in El Segundo which is a pretty nice little town. And the schools are great for future reference. The commute would not be an issue. And there is storage in El Segundo also. I know a gentleman who stores his sweet little "Woody" somewhere in town and has had no problems.

The only problem in El Segundo is finding a home not too near LAX noise, and the refinery/hyperion stink that occurs on occasion. I know several families that live there and they haven't made an issue about it.

[bmwguydc]

Do you want a single-family house? If so, Torrance and Redondo Beach might not be impossible around the max range. However, if you wanted to be under budget, but with a decent single-family house, albeit a bit further from the base, you might like areas of north Orange County, particularly the Seal Beach, Rossmoor, and Los Alamatos area where you could pretty easily find a single-family home with a one or two car garage, below budget, though you would be inland at Seal Beach, not on the water. The downside to this area would be the 405 at rush hour, but if you have flexibility as to an earlier start in the day, it might not be a bad area to consider.

[JTGJR]

You should begin your seach in Del Aire (west of 405 Fwy) and Holly Glen (west of 405 Fwy)in Hawthorne, and the city of El Segundo. El Segundo has a huge car culture - Automobile Driving Museum.

As for the airport noise, I'll assume that, being in the Air Force, you're somewhat familiar with jet noise. Fact is, probably 2/3 of the homes and apartments with a heavy impact of LAX noise, have received residential sound insulation upgrades from LAWA grants to El Segundo.

On the west side, Hyperion hasn't been an issue in over 15 years. Maybe a handful of noticeable days. Most of the residential area is north of Chevron and I've rarely gotten a whiff from there either.

[nativesun1979]

Any additional advice is appreciated. Thanks!