good neighborhoods around el segundo area (Los Angeles, Torrance: apartment, for rent, crime)

[hiworld]

Could anyone recommend a good neighborhood to live in, near El Segundo? I'll be moving to LA soon, for a job that I got in El Segundo. I'd prefer to spend at the most 30 minutes driving to work every day, so that's the range I'm looking for. Also, I'm in my 20's, and it'd be good to live around people my age too. moneywise, I can afford about $1600/month for rent.

btw, I've read some of these posts on LA, and it seems like everyone thinks the crime is pretty bad. I've been living in Chicago for the past five years, and haven't had any problems (didn't live in the best area either).. and from the research I've done, Chicago has way more reported crimes than LA each year.. So, is there anyone who's lived in both Chicago and LA and can tell me how their experiences with crime compared in both cities?

thanks a lot for your help!

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by hiworld

Could anyone recommend a good neighborhood to live in, near El Segundo? I'll be moving to LA soon, for a job that I got in El Segundo. I'd prefer to spend at the most 30 minutes driving to work every day, so that's the range I'm looking for. Also, I'm in my 20's, and it'd be good to live around people my age too. moneywise, I can afford about $1600/month for rent.

btw, I've read some of these posts on LA, and it seems like everyone thinks the crime is pretty bad. I've been living in Chicago for the past five years, and haven't had any problems (didn't live in the best area either).. and from the research I've done, Chicago has way more reported crimes than LA each year.. So, is there anyone who's lived in both Chicago and LA and can tell me how their experiences with crime compared in both cities?

thanks a lot for your help!

hiworld, -Congratulations on the job offer. Let me first offer you a word of caution.. In some ways, I see your point of view: At first, the stats and visual of living in a city such as Los Angeles is appealing and it does appeal to thousands, that's why our housing is outrageous. However, this is a large city with tons of problems. These problems are blurred out, and ignored by a large part of the film industry. Not to scare you, but in some sections the police presence is extremely LOW.. no one will speak your language.. the feeling of security will be vapid.. ..and the concept of sharing anything at all in common with your neighbor besides your gang signs and graffitti tags isn't all too far-stretched. However, El Segundo is in the South Bay, which remains to be some of the safest, friendliest, and tight-knight communities in Los Angeles county. The areas to the direct north and south are definitly "safe" by LA standards. Inland, should be avoided-especially at night. Hawthorne has a bad reputation as well as the neighboring areas of Inglewood, Lennox, and parts of Lawndale.

Since you are in you're twenties, I highly recommend that you look into the Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach area. The commute would be "very good" be LA's standards. The local environment has a plethora of young professionals like yourself. You will find the people in the area to be a 'very fit' bunch, beach orientated, and socially active at night. Hermosa Beach has a famous comedy club at which Jay Leno is the guest on Sunday nights. Their are numerous informal and formal restaurants, bars, clubs, and live music events. The area is definitely very vibrant. I lived in M.B./H.B. area for about two years and often felt safe enough where I was to leave my car doors unlocked(I don't recommend it) quite a few times. Manhattan has higher rents, more expensive homes, and the scene tends to be more families and retirees. Redondo would be a third option, -less expensive at that, but the commute from there would extend you to about 25-30 minutes.

I wish you well.

[Josh22]

Well, comparing Los Angeles to Chicago via crime stats will not work, at all. Los angeles is so big, and there are nice areas - and at the same time, terrible areas. The worst parts of Los Angeles are probably the worst areas in the country. Although since Los Angeles is so big, it's impossible to judge an area based off the entire Los Angeles crime stats. One part you live in might be low in crime rate, and another area might be so high, that if that area had it's own person crime rate, it'd probably be extremely high.

Although in terms of close to El Segundo I'd recommend: Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Santa monica (possibly, some not so great areas, and also some nice areas), and also West Torrance. (no to East Torrance, not a good area, and North torrance isn't really a bad area, it's just not the greatest area).

And yeah, Hawthorne, Inglewood, and Gardena aren't good areas.

[WINNIEK]

The beach cities are a definite option but, I think that a $1600 budget for Manhattan Beach wll be tight.Westchester is a good option as well as a little further out Culver City.Both of these areas a pretty safe and you should be able to find many apartment in your price range. Both cities decent commute to El Segundo and nice crowd of people in your age range.

[dpray2]

Playa del Rey or Westchester is a good bet, I usually get home in about 15 min from El Segundo. On a rare ocasion is might take me 20 min.

Rent runs around 1300 for a studio and 1600 for a one bedroom.
In Weschester it rund around 1100 for a studio and 1300 for a one bedroom.