Another Question About My Move... (Long Beach, Torrance: hardwood floor, apartments, rental)

[KnoxTown]

Hey everyone,

A while back, I started a thread about relocating from Knoxville to LA. The posts were very helpful, so I thought Id come back for more!

Originally, I was going to move to out LA alone, somewhere on the west side. A friend of mine is planning to move out there also, so were are going to get a place together. The only problem is that his parents want him to live somewhere around his uncle, who lives in Palos Verdes... We don't really have to be five minutes away or anything, but within a reasonable driving distance.

Checking out maps, etc.... I have come up with the following....

Torrance
Carson
Manhattan Beach
Long Beach
Santa Monica

After checking out some rental listings, it looks like we will be able to afford a decent place (maybe around 1900). Both of us have dogs, so we would like to be near a park or something.

As far as jobs, he will be working with his uncle, so he's fine. I will be sending out resumes soon, but should be able to afford the rent, etc...

Basically, I would like to know any specifics or personal experiences you have had in these places. How is traffic, to and from, these cities to downtown or other places that I might need to go.

Thanks again for the help!!!

[KnoxTown]

I know someones out there wants to help me out...

[OutOfSoCal]

Manhannan Beach would be my first choice, hippier, safer city. Santa Monica has rent control and is livable commute to most LA locations. What city will he be working in ?

torrance, Long Beach both have some good areas but also some shady areas, be careful
Carson is mostly shady, IMO. I work in Carson

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by OutOfSoCal

Manhannan Beach would be my first choice, hippier, safer city. Santa Monica has rent control and is livable commute to most LA locations. What city will he be working in ?

torrance, Long Beach both have some good areas but also some shady areas, be careful
Carson is mostly shady, IMO. I work in Carson

Thanks for the response. Dumb question, but what exactly does Santa Monica having rent control mean?

His uncle has stores all over the place. I'm guessing he will be kinda going where they need him to. Although I don't know where Im going to be working, any of the mentioned areas should be alright.

As far as Long Beach, I heard the Signal Hill area is nice?

[Sorcerer68]

What sort of life do you want? Suburban? Urban? Isolated/barracaded? Walk to everything? Quiet? Hum of the city? Palos Verdes is a huge, quiet island that's clean and safe but extremely boring for younger people. Long Beach runs the gamut. Belmont Shore is nice, downtown by the ocean has killer apartments that are a huge bargain compared to other areas. Signal Hill is ok. Skip Carson. Southwest Torrance is the nicest part of Torrance, it runs all the way to Torrance Beach which is gorgeous but expensive.

Tell us what kind of lifestyle you desire.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer68

What sort of life do you want? Suburban? Urban? Isolated/barracaded? Walk to everything? Quiet? Hum of the city? Palos Verdes is a huge, quiet island that's clean and safe but extremely boring for younger people. Long Beach runs the gamut. Belmont Shore is nice, downtown by the ocean has killer apartments that are a huge bargain compared to other areas. Signal Hill is ok. Skip Carson. Southwest Torrance is the nicest part of Torrance, it runs all the way to Torrance Beach which is gorgeous but expensive.

Tell us what kind of lifestyle you desire.

We are both 23, so a few good bars and restaurants and we will be alright. Regarding lifestyle, I like good mix of things to do and safety/quiet. The area doesn't have to be like Westwood, just somewhere where we can do our thing ans have some fun.

[jessemh431]

One of my first suggestions for young people is always Belmont Shore which is a district in Long Beach. It is a beach community with a few fun bars along the main drag, but it's also close to downtown Long Beach where you could have some fun, but you could always drive to West Hollywood when you're in the mood for extreme partying.

Belmont Shore
Beach close condo (broken link)

Naples Island
Naples Hardwood Floor unit (broken link)

Downtown LB
READY TO RENT NOW! BY THE BEACH! WASHER/DRYER INCLUDED! (broken link)

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

One of my first suggestions for young people is always Belmont Shore which is a district in Long Beach. It is a beach community with a few fun bars along the main drag, but it's also close to downtown Long Beach where you could have some fun, but you could always drive to West Hollywood when you're in the mood for extreme partying.

Belmont Shore
Beach close condo (broken link)

Naples Island
Naples Hardwood Floor unit (broken link)

Downtown LB
READY TO RENT NOW! BY THE BEACH! WASHER/DRYER INCLUDED! (broken link)

Thanks! I checked out the area and I like it so far. It looks like about 15 miles from Palos Verdes, how will that translate in driving time? Freeway or surface streets? Also, how is the Long Beach communities for dogs? Thanks again

[jessemh431]

It is not far at all from PV. Even during rush hour, since it is quite close, you could just get on any street going north until Pacific Coast Highway and take that west. Then, depending where your uncle lives, take Western Ave, Crenshaw Blvd, Hawthorne Blvd, or Palos Verdes Blvd south. Don't worry, though. If you know those street names as being located in South Central, forget everything...they start down in PV are perfectly fine.

As for dogs, those apartments I showed you they are dog friendly. There is a large park called Bixby Park on the bluffs over the beach near the first listing. It is dog friendly also located a little less than 1 mile away.

There are a couple small parks on Naples Island, but I'm not sure if they are dog friendly. There is Naples Plaza right in the middle of the island. Marine Park is on the north east side and it has a beach. There is one more on the south side but I don't know the name. It's a small island so they are all within walking distance.

The third one is less than a block from the beach and only a few from the center of downtown long beach. There is Marina Green Park and Rainbow Lagoon Park, but, again, I dont know if they're dog friendly.

Within easy driving distance of all three are Caesar E Chavez Park, Colorado Lagoon Park, Marina Vista Park, Rogers Park, Rose Park, 14th Street Park, Drake Park. In Signal Hills, which isn't too far, there is a park overlooking all of Long Beach. But, I don't know if these are dog friendly, I just looked them up on GoogleEarth.

[KnoxTown]

^Thanks for the info. You are helping out SOOO much.