Question about Harbor City/Lomita by PCH (Torrance, Redondo Beach: real estate, apartment)

[vegaspilgrim]

This is just out of curiosity. I've driven a few times on the Pacific Coast Highway from the 110 through "Harbor City" (which I understand is part of the city of LA) and Lomita on the way to Torrance/ Redondo Beach. I've heard how this is supposedly a bad area, but I'm not sure why. First of all it's beautiful-- it's right by Palos Verdes/ Rolling Hills Estates, there's a major golf course (Harbor Park) there, tons of palm trees lining the road. That section of PCH at least at first glance seems chock full of really cool restaurants and shops, a lot of old school motels and nostalgic stuff. Just right up the road as soon as you hit Crenshaw there are a number of nice, upscale shopping centers and luxury car dealerships. What about the area along PCH between Crenshaw and the 110 though? At first glance it looks like it would be a really cool area to check out. But if this is really a dangerous area then I'll steer clear. How "bad" is this area really and where does it get its reputation from?

[EscapeCalifornia]

My wife grew up in that area and she says the worst parts of Harbor City are right along the 110. The farther west you go (toward Torrance) the better. Just across the 110 from Harbor City is Wilmington which is really bad.

[streetscenes]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

My wife grew up in that area and she says the worst parts of Harbor City are right along the 110. The farther west you go (toward Torrance) the better. Just across the 110 from Harbor City is Wilmington which is really bad.

Proximity to Wilmington is the key, get further from this area and things get better. City of Lomita is an interesting, little town. Real estate is a little jumbled up and you find blocks with small SFR, duplexes and triplexes and small apartment buildings. Very few tracts of just SFR property. I think Lomita would be a nice, starter area for people looking to buy in the South Bay. There are a couple of nice condo complexes, very large, just west of the 110 and north of PCH. They are very large, gated and have nice amenities. On the south side of PCH in this area is a large park, I think this is where Reggie the alligator was living for a while.

[vegaspilgrim]

Any other comments?

[MuffinCups]

The area you described on PCH from the 110 Fwy to Crenshaw is actually 3 different cities. Harbor City is from the 110 Fwy to Western Ave.

Lomita is from Western to Pennsylvania Ave, After Pennsylvania Ave. is where the city of Torrance begins.

Like many cities there are good and bad parts. Gang members and their parents inability to control kids and find alternatives to joining gangs is the biggest problem in these areas.

If you have a choice, look for places west of Crenshaw Blvd. & South of Sepulveda Blvd. & you should be fine.