Retiring Near LA (Irvine, Orange, Mission Viejo: condo, houses, safe area)

[stlnative29]

My husband just recently retired and we are looking to move from St. Louis to LA to be closer to our daughter who attends USC. Our price range is about $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 and we want to be in a safe, dog friendly area. Any suggestions??

[TheRealAngelion]

With that price range, you should have a number of good options. What kind of neighborhood/housing appeals to you most (house or condo), beach, urban, suburban, etc.? How close do you want to be to USC in terms of hours?

[stlnative29]

we are looking to buy a house within 2 hours of USC and 30 minutes or less to the beach

[TheRealAngelion]

In LA county: Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Westlake Village, North Ranch, Calabasas

Orange County: Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano.

There are literally so many options. All of these neighorhoods and cities, are different and unique and have their own character, style, demographic, but all are very upscale with great housing stock. You really will need to come to LA to see all of these areas to determine which best fits your personality and style. For example, LA county is more diverse, more cosmopolitan and urban, mixture of new and old money, older neighborhoods with more character, whereas Orange County is newer in feel--new money, newer houses, more suburban, less diverse. Where you live is a reflection of you, so it really is all about your personal tastes and style.

[PureHapa]

Manhattan Beach isn't dog-friendly. It's the only beach town that doesn't allow dogs in ANY city parks. South Redondo Beach is great - you an walk your dogs along the beach (not ON the beach though), and there's an off-leash dog park between North and South Redondo.

[DontH8Me]

Originally Posted by PureHapa

Manhattan Beach isn't dog-friendly. It's the only beach town that doesn't allow dogs in ANY city parks. South Redondo Beach is great - you an walk your dogs along the beach (not ON the beach though), and there's an off-leash dog park between North and South Redondo.

Did you forget about the park that runs between Valley and Ardmore? Plenty of dog-walkers on a daily basis, and the park goes for more than 3 miles if I'm not mistaken. They even have poop bag dispensers along the trail. I've walked my dog plenty of times there and it is very scenic.

[PureHapa]

I wouldn't call that a park. It's a sawdust and bark-covered walk that runs from Hermosa Beach on. I like going to all different parks throughout the South Bay and Palos Verdes with my dog.

[Renn]

We are from LA and although I have spent the last 5+ years helping my mother-in-law in SD, my husband and we are moving back. I was there for 5 months in 2005 interpreting and I can tell you that except for the Santa Monica/Venice Beach area, Pacific Palisades/West LA area, Beverly Hills/Malibu area, LA. You only have "pockets" of safe communities for the most part. If you want safety you have to look at the area's with the higher property taxes because those are the area's that the politician's and police pay attention to the quickest. It's unfortunate but true.
RR

[Rik Sorenson]

La Canada, Santa Monica, West La., Arcadia,--not near the ocean but a nice place--real nice.

You have an interesting choice.

I would go for the area north of Malibu--where the Rockford Files was filled. I

[PureHapa]

Venice is a safe area? Don't agree with that entirely. I wouldn't call the entire South Bay and Palos Verdes Peninsula a pocket either. LOL. Your view is somewhat foggy.