Commuting time from Torrance to Santa Monica? (Hawthorne, Culver City: apartment, rentals)

[Blacksword]

Can anyone help me with this. I am planning a move to L.A. possibly in the next couple of weeks. My job is in Santa Monica, but the pricing in areas around there is outrageous, we are looking at a couple of places in Torrance. How long, on average, do people familiar with the city think this will take in rush hour, around 8 a.m. in the morning and around 6 or 7 at night? Thanks.

[wasabica]

I commute from south torrance to culver city, near the 405/90. commute ranges from 40 min to 1.5 hours, sometimes worse. I leave at 7. If I left at 8 would be way worse. Not sure where you are in SM, but Venice or WLA would be another 20+ minutes, easy. I am looking to sell the house and move back north, not worth it.

[WINNIEK]

Be prepared for an extremely long commute.I would say close 1 1\2hr each way.What area of Torrance are you looking.The nicer areas of Torrance are pretty close to prices in Santa Monica.There are a couple of areas of Torrance that are not so nice and that might be the reason that these places are significantly cheaper.Can you give me an idea of the addresses for the properties you are considering?

[Blacksword]

Hi, thanks for the estimates....this is really depressing news. The apartment I am looking at currently is located on W. 208th St. I undertstand that the farther east you go, the worse it could get, is this a bad area? The rent prices anywhere near Santa Monica are just outrageous...I really need to find something with at least some space....850+ square feet, and that will allow dogs as my wife has two chihuahuas. We need something not more than $1400/month in rent, and anything near Santa Monica around that range is a 290 square foot closet that won't allow pets!

Thanks for any help

[fairweathergolfer]

A close friend worked down in Torrance and lived in Brentwood (North of Santa Monica). It took them half an hour in the morning and about an hour at night. They worked regular business hours. Hope this helps.

[Stevedr83]

Blacksword,

Ok, I live in Torrance and I am an expert on this question. You want to live as close to RPV/Rolling Hills as possible or close to Pacific Coast Highway. Now here is the rub, you don't have any freeways close to you, so it takes about 1/2 an hour to get the freeway. You have to go up Hawthorne or Crenshaw to catch the 405. The problem is you don't want to live close to the freeway, this is bad for your health. Once you get on the freeway it can be 1/2hr to 1hr 1/2 to get to Santa Monica, also it depends how far off the freeway you have to travel and if you can take advantage of the 10 freeway. Good Luck.

[wasabica]

no, 208th is not good.

I have employees in that price range who found places in culver and el segundo. Don't depend on westside rentals, check out the argonaut and LA times - consider renting a guest house, etc. Brentwood and westwood village do have stuff in that price range, but prob under 1000 sq ft. Have you considered going east? downtown is very up and coming...? Also, there are decent parts of koreatown (a few) and even areas near the century city mall that may be accessible.

Originally Posted by Blacksword

Hi, thanks for the estimates....this is really depressing news. The apartment I am looking at currently is located on W. 208th St. I undertstand that the farther east you go, the worse it could get, is this a bad area? The rent prices anywhere near Santa Monica are just outrageous...I really need to find something with at least some space....850+ square feet, and that will allow dogs as my wife has two chihuahuas. We need something not more than $1400/month in rent, and anything near Santa Monica around that range is a 290 square foot closet that won't allow pets!

Thanks for any help

[Josh22]

Originally Posted by Blacksword

Hi, thanks for the estimates....this is really depressing news. The apartment I am looking at currently is located on W. 208th St. I undertstand that the farther east you go, the worse it could get, is this a bad area? The rent prices anywhere near Santa Monica are just outrageous...I really need to find something with at least some space....850+ square feet, and that will allow dogs as my wife has two chihuahuas. We need something not more than $1400/month in rent, and anything near Santa Monica around that range is a 290 square foot closet that won't allow pets!

Thanks for any help

Yeah, that's in the East side of torrance, 208th street.. and it's not a good area. If you don't mind living in the ghetto, then that apartment in Torrance is fine. I doubt you'd want to live there though heh.

Thing about LA is you get what you pay for. In the good cities, it's expensive.. in the bad cities, it's inexpensive. You can try west torrance, it's a thousand times better than East torrance - although the pricing will be higher. Not sure how much higher though, but someone else here might know hehe.

[WINNIEK]

Originally Posted by Blacksword

Hi, thanks for the estimates....this is really depressing news. The apartment I am looking at currently is located on W. 208th St. I undertstand that the farther east you go, the worse it could get, is this a bad area? The rent prices anywhere near Santa Monica are just outrageous...I really need to find something with at least some space....850+ square feet, and that will allow dogs as my wife has two chihuahuas. We need something not more than $1400/month in rent, and anything near Santa Monica around that range is a 290 square foot closet that won't allow pets!

Thanks for any help

I agree with everyone else 208th st you might steer clear of.If it is just you and your wife you can rent a 1 bedroom in a decent area for $1400. Westchester and Culver City ar good options for you.Both cities will cut your commute time down significantly.I am not sure about the situation with the the dogs that will be up to the management company.I assure you in rush hour traffic you will not make it to Santa Monica in 30 min from Torrance .My husband works in Santa Monica we live in Westchester and it takes him 45 minutes in the morning and about 1 hour in the evening.This is about the midway point between Torrance and Santa Monica.

[dusesean1986]

Hey Guy Move In 2 Years Then The 405 Freeway Will Have Three Extra Lane On Each Side For The Hellish Part...peace December 2008 Mark It On Your Calendar