Where to live in LA (Los Angeles, Long Beach: lofts, condos, homes)

[jr28]

Dear all,

I am moving from the UK to LA pretty soon and am looking for a bit of help! I am likely to be working in some pretty spread out places within LA. Given that the traffic sounds like it is pretty nasty, I need to pick where I live very carefully. I will be working in downtown LA (prob about 25%), Orange County (Irvine) (prob 60%) and Torrance. If I lived in Redondo/Hermosa/Manhattan beach area - would that be a nightmare to each place? Any ideas on how long the different journeys would take? Or any other suggestions on better places?

All of these places seem so close, but obviously the traffic means that they aren't really.

Appreciate your help

[TheRealAngelion]

If you will be working 60 percent of the time in Orange County then you might want to live there. Another option to consider is Long Beach.

[NaplesRes]

Long Beach is central for your commuting with every type of neighborhood you could want.

Belmont Shore / Naples / Peninsula = beachy and expensive

Downtown is urban - condos / lofts (and has a train to downtown LA)

Park Estates, Virigina Country Club, Bixby Knolls = large expensive estate homes

East Long Beach = middle class suburbs

Stay away from North and Central LB

[jr28]

Thanks for your comments. I will look into Long beach.

Anyone that can give me any idea on commuting times from manahattan beach etc I would appreciate - just so I have understand what I am dealing with.

Thanks. really excited about moving to LA!

[TheRealAngelion]

According to Mapquest, it takes 30 minutes to get from Manhattan Beach to downtown. However, during peak traffic hours, you need to add another 15-30 minutes.

Use Mapquest as a guide to see driving distances and routes and tack on another 15-30 minutes to give yourself a more realistic commuting time when factoring traffic.

Driving Directions from Manhattan Beach, CA to Los Angeles, CA

[SaintLaurent]

Originally Posted by TheRealAngelion

If you will be working 60 percent of the time in Orange County then you might want to live there. Another option to consider is Long Beach.

Ewwww. Orange County.

I think you will be fine Manhattan Beach.

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by SaintLaurent

Ewwww. Orange County.

. ya unless you have a family, don't live in the OC.

i think LB is your best choice. it's five minutes' drive to torrance, you can take the metro public transportation train to downtown LA, and the commute to Irvine will take maybe 45 minutes during rush hour. hermosa and manhattan beach are way too far if you will mostly be going to the OC

[FarewellLA]

Also, Manhattan Beach and area is located pretty far from the fwy, which only adds to the commute time. I'd recommend Long Beach as well.