Redondo Beach - Conflicting stories (San Diego, Torrance: apartment, low crime, townhomes)

[Cyridame]

First, a bit of background info about myself...

I consider myself your average Joe.

My childhood was spent in an upper-middle class neighborhood in Houston, Texas. It was a fairly affluent neighborhood, but there were significantly sketchier areas of town a mere 5-minute drive away. While I can't exactly claim to have grown up on the "street," I wasn't exactly a silver-spoon baby either. Most of my adult life has been spent in the suburbs of Philadelphia, a family friendly place...which again was in one of those middle-of-the-road "transitional" places that's wedged in between a blue-collar working class neighborhood and a town where various NBA stars live.

I'll be moving to LA soon with my fiancee, and marriage + kids are definitely in the foreseeable future. Through my extensive research on schools, location, convenience, etc. Redondo Beach ended up being the best choice for us.

However, I frequently see conflicting reports on the area in my research. I've read horror stories about Redondo Pier and South Bay Galleria and how armed robberies, stabbings, and carjackings are an everyday occurrence that frequently go unreported (thereby deflating the crime stats). On the flip side, I've also read that Redondo Beach, like the other two beach cities are virtually free of violent crime and a wonderful place to raise a family.

My question is for LA residents who have lived there years (or decades). Which "version" of Redondo Beach is the "real" one? Are the horror stories I've heard simply biased views from rich elitists that see only what they want to see? Or is Redondo Beach really a veneer of safety hiding a breeding ground of crime underneath?


EDIT: If my question's a bit too general...let's rephrase it a bit. Would you feel comfortable taking a midnight stroll on the beach by yourself? On your street? On Redondo Pier?

[JTGJR]

Welcome Cyridane! You're hearing conflicting information because there's always the good side and the flip side to living in the South Bay, just as there is in West LA and other upscale areas.

Redondo Beach gets it a little bit more than the other beach cities because it's larger, stretches further east and has some "attractions" that can draw a small population of undesirables (homeless, out-of-area gang members, etc.)

Generally, there are two geographies of RB- North Redondo and South Redondo. Again, generally, South RB is considered the more desirable area but I've never had an issue with North RB.

The horror stories that you read are over-exaggerated. Yes, there can be some gang problems and petty crimes around the South Bay Galleria, but it's not a daily occurrance. You need to realize that the Galleria is on Hawthorne Blvd., a major north south, predominantly shopping thoroughfare. Just down the road is the Del Amo mall which, I think, is still the second largest mall in the US. Both of these malls pull shoppers from all demographics and they shop side by side, in harmony. How many malls have you been to where you can valet park?

As for the Pier, it's no different than Venice or Santa Monica piers- though probably a bit more sedate than those two. Gang members do show up at the pier and there can often be problems as the night progresses, but I'd venture that there are more problems with drunken behavior from non-gangsters on a regular basis.

Interestingly, each of the 4 beach cities all have a unique vibe. Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan and El Segundo all have different personalities and qualities depending on what you're looking for. But they all share a reputation for being desirable, safe, expensive communities with distinguished school districts.

Would you feel comfortable taking a midnight stroll in any of these cities? I'd say yes, so long as you're smart about it and stay away from areas that may be known for some issues. A perfect example is Hermosa Beach. It's a beautiful quaint, artsy beach town that I have no issues strolling on any given day. BUT, I'd never consider taking that same stroll with a child after about 8pm. Not because of any danger, but the downtown has a completely different personality at night- a bar-hopping, drunken, bohemian beach town.

So, having lived in the south bay for over 35-years, I'd say that Redondo Beach would be a nice place to settle down and raise a family.

I'd be happy to provide any additional info upon request.

[Cyridame]

Thanks for the help, JTGJR

Manhattan Beach was my first choice because I've never heard anyone say anything negative about it, but there aren't very many homes in my price range.

I've looked into Hermosa Beach as well, and even though I found it charming, it didn't really have that family-friendly appeal I'm looking for. It probably would've suited me better if I were ten years younger.

I haven't thought too much about El Segundo. It seems a bit too close to the airport so noise is a concern, but I should probably look into it before I make any final decisions.

Thanks again!

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by Cyridame

However, I frequently see conflicting reports on the area in my research. I've read horror stories about Redondo Pier and South Bay Galleria and how armed robberies, stabbings, and carjackings are an everyday occurrence that frequently go unreported (thereby deflating the crime stats). On the flip side, I've also read that Redondo Beach, like the other two beach cities are virtually free of violent crime and a wonderful place to raise a family.

My question is for LA residents who have lived there years (or decades). Which "version" of Redondo Beach is the "real" one?

Armed robberies, stabbings and carjackings an everyday occurrance and unreported? What a crock of HORSE----!!! This is why you have to take online forums with a grain of salt.

I grew up in South Redondo and in almost 40 years, it's pretty much the same except they had to build a new pier after storm and fire damage. I still go to the pier and the beach there and I assure you whatever crap you've described reading isn't true. 3 generations of my mother's side have lived in (and continue to live in) the area. The Galleria is on the other side of town but isn't anything like what you just described. It doesn't have that South Redondo insulated feel but it's no more dangerous than any other mall. Urban legends started about Del Amo in the 70's of people hiding under cars with knives. It turned out to be along the lines of "the gang members will shoot you dead if you flash your lights at them". Ridiculous. It sounds like the people who wrote what you read aren't familiar with the area, prone to fiction or both. The Galleria is in the extreme Northeast corner of Redondo Beach.

Feel free to ask about Redondo. It's quiet and a nice place to live. I prefer South Redondo. The beach and area have one of the nicest (if not THE nicest) coastal microclimate in Southern California. The beach is gorgeous, the bike path is wonderful to use and to socialize. North Redondo is built higher density and has a different vibe. South Redondo is almost the only beach community with lots of room between the houses. It's also spotless. It's very clean and many neigborhoods are filled with long, long time residents. The big downside is that if you need to go to other parts of the L.A. area, the freeways are far.

Don't listen to the idiots.

[Sorcerer68]

oops

[vegaspilgrim]

I'm pretty new to LA myself so don't take this as relocation advice, but I've done a lot of exploring and Sorcerer68 is spot on. My #1 favorite part of LA county is the south Redondo Beach/ Rancho Palos Verdes/ south and west Torrance area. One of my favorite areas is the "Riviera Village" area on Catalina and the adjacent Esplanade. Also, Ave I and PCH have a lot to offer. This is a very nice area, and quite scenic, especially when you look towards the south and see the cliffs and the hills of the PV peninsula. I think part of the reason why I like this area is it's the closest thing in LA that reminds me of San Diego, my favorite city in California. Unfortunately, you look to the north and the view is quite ugly with a bunch of powerplants and smokestacks in the distance. I don't really care for the Redondo Beach pier and the oil refinery area much at all. Hermosa Beach might be fun to visit, but I would never want to live there. I can't really pin down why, but I don't like Manhattan Beach at all. Even though Manhattan Beach is a lot closer for me, I usually drive the extra 15 minutes or so to get to south Redondo Beach/ Torrance Beach where it's a lot nicer. Also, I don't see what's so great about El Segundo, unless if looking at a Chevron oil refinery is your cup of tea. But south Redondo Beach area... rocks!

[JesusisLord]

The Redondo Beach Galleria is on the outskirts of Redondo Beach and it's a mall. Every mall without crime, take me there. My cousin in low crime Utah said there was a shooting at a nearby mall. The Redondo Beach Pier has some cholos on the weekends, and a lot of Latino families. If your white, you can really stick out here. I choose to embrace the diversity. The area surrounding the Redondo Pier is completely crime free. Redondo Beach is a great neighborhood for raising families, the median income is high and so are home prices. There's good diversity, North Redondo is good, but yes South Redondo is definently more upscale. I would recommend for families the section of 190th street and Inglewood Ave in Redondo. I also remind you alot of Redondo is two or three house townhomes on one property, and apartment buildings.Hope that helps!

[Cyridame]

What do you folks think of the area north of Artesia Blvd, between Aviation Blvd. and Inglewood Ave. near the city of Lawndale? I realize that area is generally considered a less desirable area of Redondo Beach, but homes are significantly more affordable there.

It's either that or a home I found in the Golden Hills section, but the tri-level floor plan with steps everywhere is just about a parent's worst nightmare to babyproof.

[littletaina]

I may be taking a job in Torrance, and also thinking about living in Redondo Beach. Where did you end up choosing? What are the ave rents for a decent 2-3 BR house?

[Macross21]

Between Aviation and Inglewood is ok. You could walk at night there. However east of Inglewood isn't so good, lots of latino gangs.

As mentioned RB is mostly townhomes tightly compact together, you'll have a hard time finding a place with a yard for kids. If you're looking for a more suburb feel you may want to consider south pasadena, san marino or arcadia. Great places to raise a family.