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I lived in Redondo Beach 1983-2000, which represented most of my 20s and 30s. We moved to Virginia in 2000 because my husband got a hefty raise--otherwise, we probably wouldn't have moved. I continue to read the Daily Breeze at least 2-3 times a week and return to LA frequently. We aren't planning to move back to Redondo Beach, but I can certainly understand the appeal. These would be my reasons:
1. No matter how expensive it gets, buying a house within 1 mile of the ocean will always be a good investment. People will always want to live near the beach.
2. The weather and lack of mosquitoes make all four seasons pleasant. Allergies are not a problem by the beach.
3. Roses and most other flowers thrive in your garden with very little effort. I thought I was a great gardener, then I moved here and realized I was simply blessed to have a garden in LA. And there are no deer/foxes/rabbits at the beach. When you first move here, you think they're cute. After a few years you realize they are pests.
4. Girls rollerblading in bikinis on the strand. Happy moms with jogging strollers. Happy people doing business by talking on a cell phone sitting on the sand. The beach vibe is cheerful, optimistic, rejuvenating.
5. Groceries and most goods for sale are cheaper in LA than most other paces in the country. You may not believe this but it's true, even when you factor in the 8.5 sales tax.
6. It's relatively easy to get a job in LA. Just about any line of work can be found in LA. The general job climate is more cooperative and productive than in many other cities. (Do you think you have a problem with office politics? Hah!!! Try working near D.C. where people thrive on power trips. The northeast in general is very aggressive and very uncooperative. Nobody shares information or helps each other. You won't appreciate how nice the work environment is in LA until you move away.)
7. People are cheerful, and it's easy for newcomers to make friends. I really miss the general optimism of LA. People in the northeast are generally grumpy and clickish.
8. Churches seem more sincere, more spiritual in LA. Again, you probably won't believe this until you try living in the northeast. And, this is just my opinion. But I went to two fantastic churches during the time I lived in Redondo Beach, and I've never found any place like them out here. Religion here is just something you dutifully show up for on Sunday morning. Words are recited, but not really meant. People talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Go to church at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach if you want a really spiritual experience. And then go surfing--that's a spiritual experience too!
We're staying in Virginia because I've found many things I like about living here, too. But I loved living in Redondo and I can easily see why it's worth every penny if you can possibly afford it.
I lived in Redondo Beach 1983-2000, which represented most of my 20s and 30s. We moved to Virginia in 2000 because my husband got a hefty raise--otherwise, we probably wouldn't have moved. I continue to read the Daily Breeze at least 2-3 times a week and return to LA frequently. We aren't planning to move back to Redondo Beach, but I can certainly understand the appeal. These would be my reasons:
1. No matter how expensive it gets, buying a house within 1 mile of the ocean will always be a good investment. People will always want to live near the beach.
2. The weather and lack of mosquitoes make all four seasons pleasant. Allergies are not a problem by the beach.
3. Roses and most other flowers thrive in your garden with very little effort. I thought I was a great gardener, then I moved here and realized I was simply blessed to have a garden in LA. And there are no deer/foxes/rabbits at the beach. When you first move here, you think they're cute. After a few years you realize they are pests.
4. Girls rollerblading in bikinis on the strand. Happy moms with jogging strollers. Happy people doing business by talking on a cell phone sitting on the sand. The beach vibe is cheerful, optimistic, rejuvenating.
5. Groceries and most goods for sale are cheaper in LA than most other paces in the country. You may not believe this but it's true, even when you factor in the 8.5 sales tax.
6. It's relatively easy to get a job in LA. Just about any line of work can be found in LA. The general job climate is more cooperative and productive than in many other cities. (Do you think you have a problem with office politics? Hah!!! Try working near D.C. where people thrive on power trips. The northeast in general is very aggressive and very uncooperative. Nobody shares information or helps each other. You won't appreciate how nice the work environment is in LA until you move away.)
7. People are cheerful, and it's easy for newcomers to make friends. I really miss the general optimism of LA. People in the northeast are generally grumpy and clickish.
8. Churches seem more sincere, more spiritual in LA. Again, you probably won't believe this until you try living in the northeast. And, this is just my opinion. But I went to two fantastic churches during the time I lived in Redondo Beach, and I've never found any place like them out here. Religion here is just something you dutifully show up for on Sunday morning. Words are recited, but not really meant. People talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Go to church at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach if you want a really spiritual experience. And then go surfing--that's a spiritual experience too!
We're staying in Virginia because I've found many things I like about living here, too. But I loved living in Redondo and I can easily see why it's worth every penny if you can possibly afford it.
Great post! I feel the same way you are. I don't have any complaints in Los Angeles,I find more postive energy here.
I lived in Redondo Beach 1983-2000, which represented most of my 20s and 30s. We moved to Virginia in 2000 because my husband got a hefty raise--otherwise, we probably wouldn't have moved. I continue to read the Daily Breeze at least 2-3 times a week and return to LA frequently. We aren't planning to move back to Redondo Beach, but I can certainly understand the appeal. These would be my reasons:
1. No matter how expensive it gets, buying a house within 1 mile of the ocean will always be a good investment. People will always want to live near the beach.
2. The weather and lack of mosquitoes make all four seasons pleasant. Allergies are not a problem by the beach.
3. Roses and most other flowers thrive in your garden with very little effort. I thought I was a great gardener, then I moved here and realized I was simply blessed to have a garden in LA. And there are no deer/foxes/rabbits at the beach. When you first move here, you think they're cute. After a few years you realize they are pests.
4. Girls rollerblading in bikinis on the strand. Happy moms with jogging strollers. Happy people doing business by talking on a cell phone sitting on the sand. The beach vibe is cheerful, optimistic, rejuvenating.
5. Groceries and most goods for sale are cheaper in LA than most other paces in the country. You may not believe this but it's true, even when you factor in the 8.5 sales tax.
6. It's relatively easy to get a job in LA. Just about any line of work can be found in LA. The general job climate is more cooperative and productive than in many other cities. (Do you think you have a problem with office politics? Hah!!! Try working near D.C. where people thrive on power trips. The northeast in general is very aggressive and very uncooperative. Nobody shares information or helps each other. You won't appreciate how nice the work environment is in LA until you move away.)
7. People are cheerful, and it's easy for newcomers to make friends. I really miss the general optimism of LA. People in the northeast are generally grumpy and clickish.
8. Churches seem more sincere, more spiritual in LA. Again, you probably won't believe this until you try living in the northeast. And, this is just my opinion. But I went to two fantastic churches during the time I lived in Redondo Beach, and I've never found any place like them out here. Religion here is just something you dutifully show up for on Sunday morning. Words are recited, but not really meant. People talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Go to church at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach if you want a really spiritual experience. And then go surfing--that's a spiritual experience too!
We're staying in Virginia because I've found many things I like about living here, too. But I loved living in Redondo and I can easily see why it's worth every penny if you can possibly afford it.
Great Post. Well written. No question, there is a lot of positive energy and cheerfulness in in SoCal.
Hey, good post. BTW: My husband became a Christian in Redondo Beach, at Hope Chapel!!!! This was before I met him.
Dawn
Quote:
Originally Posted by normie
8. Churches seem more sincere, more spiritual in LA. Again, you probably won't believe this until you try living in the northeast. And, this is just my opinion. But I went to two fantastic churches during the time I lived in Redondo Beach, and I've never found any place like them out here. Religion here is just something you dutifully show up for on Sunday morning. Words are recited, but not really meant. People talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Go to church at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach if you want a really spiritual experience. And then go surfing--that's a spiritual experience too!
We're staying in Virginia because I've found many things I like about living here, too. But I loved living in Redondo and I can easily see why it's worth every penny if you can possibly afford it.
Great post! I feel the same way you are. I don't have any complaints in Los Angeles,I find more postive energy here.
Yes, Normie, I fully agree with what everyone else said regarding your well-written post. I'm a lifelong SoCal resident, have visited other parts of the country and even thought I might want to relocate to a couple of them. But, after thinking long and hard of the positives and the negatives of living here, I felt that staying here would be the best thing for me. Aside from my family, friends and job, there are many reasons why I choose to stay here and dwell on the positive aspects, not the negative. Hopefully, you can get back here someday!
We had quite a few mutual years in Redondo. My yard was amazing too. My rear lawn was full of mint and mixed with the sea air was a wonderful smell...
Quote:
Originally Posted by normie
I lived in Redondo Beach 1983-2000, which represented most of my 20s and 30s. We moved to Virginia in 2000 because my husband got a hefty raise--otherwise, we probably wouldn't have moved. I continue to read the Daily Breeze at least 2-3 times a week and return to LA frequently. We aren't planning to move back to Redondo Beach, but I can certainly understand the appeal. These would be my reasons:
1. No matter how expensive it gets, buying a house within 1 mile of the ocean will always be a good investment. People will always want to live near the beach.
2. The weather and lack of mosquitoes make all four seasons pleasant. Allergies are not a problem by the beach.
3. Roses and most other flowers thrive in your garden with very little effort. I thought I was a great gardener, then I moved here and realized I was simply blessed to have a garden in LA. And there are no deer/foxes/rabbits at the beach. When you first move here, you think they're cute. After a few years you realize they are pests.
4. Girls rollerblading in bikinis on the strand. Happy moms with jogging strollers. Happy people doing business by talking on a cell phone sitting on the sand. The beach vibe is cheerful, optimistic, rejuvenating.
5. Groceries and most goods for sale are cheaper in LA than most other paces in the country. You may not believe this but it's true, even when you factor in the 8.5 sales tax.
6. It's relatively easy to get a job in LA. Just about any line of work can be found in LA. The general job climate is more cooperative and productive than in many other cities. (Do you think you have a problem with office politics? Hah!!! Try working near D.C. where people thrive on power trips. The northeast in general is very aggressive and very uncooperative. Nobody shares information or helps each other. You won't appreciate how nice the work environment is in LA until you move away.)
7. People are cheerful, and it's easy for newcomers to make friends. I really miss the general optimism of LA. People in the northeast are generally grumpy and clickish.
8. Churches seem more sincere, more spiritual in LA. Again, you probably won't believe this until you try living in the northeast. And, this is just my opinion. But I went to two fantastic churches during the time I lived in Redondo Beach, and I've never found any place like them out here. Religion here is just something you dutifully show up for on Sunday morning. Words are recited, but not really meant. People talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Go to church at American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach if you want a really spiritual experience. And then go surfing--that's a spiritual experience too!
We're staying in Virginia because I've found many things I like about living here, too. But I loved living in Redondo and I can easily see why it's worth every penny if you can possibly afford it.
Nice post, normie! Too bad everybody can't live in CA while they're young... or can afford to move back when they're old. The weather... the beaches... the carefree, casual lifestyle... the sunny optimism, sense of adventure and carpe diem attitude. These parts of CA life symbolize the best America has to offer.
The negatives don't matter when you're young and open to "crashing" in a noisy, cramped apartment... or when you're older and have transcended the material. But life in the middle is when it gets hard and when a lot of CA lovers get squeezed out. Loving the lifestyle and being able to afford it are two very different things. It wasn't always that way... and may not be again... but it is now.
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one of the best things about not being in LA anymore. They sure do love hearing themselves talk 
Thoughts from a former Californian
My yard was amazing too. My rear lawn was full of mint and mixed with the sea air was a wonderful smell...
