Hermosa and Manhattan beach (Redondo Beach, Culver City: apartment, rentals, condo)

[pmartbrown]

I am considering moving to LA to work in W. Hollywood. I'm married with three young children and would like to live in an area with very good elementary schools and neighborhoods that my wife could enjoy going for walks with the kids. We heard that Hermosa and Manhattan beach had good schools and we thought it would be great to live close to the beach.

However, what does it take to live there? It looks like homes are all over $900k. Is it possible to rent a 3/2 type home or condo for a reasonable amount, say $3000/mo?

Thanks!

[dusesean1986]

Originally Posted by pmartbrown

However, what does it take to live there? It looks like homes are all over $900k. Is it possible to rent a 3/2 type home or condo for a reasonable amount, say $3000/mo?
Thanks!

I've lived in Manhattan Beach for 19 years of my 20 year life, and the schools are in the tops of California. I attended Mira Costa High School, and it has an excellent track record with college admissions offices all over the United States. Hermosa Beach students can choose whether to attend Redondo Union High School(Redondo Beach) or Mira Costa High School.

You could easily afford a Townhome for 3K a year. I'd say the rent in Hermosa Beach is a tad bit cheaper. Redondo Beach has some excellent townhomes. I'm not sure if you could be real close to the beach, those are quite pricey, but you could definently be a five to ten minute drive from the beach. If your commuting to Westwood, the traffic is horrendous on the 405 freeway, but will clear up after construction of the 405 freeway between State Route 90 and Interstate 10 in both the Northbound and Southbound directions. Fortunately your not traveling too far, but I would say your commute will be an hour or a tad more each way. This construction will end in winter 2008, so you won't have to wait to long. I would almost take surface streets once in Culver City, don't take a popular street because the traffic could be poor , take a simple but fast streets.

Hope that helps!

[wall st kid]

3k will get you something nice in MB or Hermosa.

U can get a 3 bedroom condo/th with about 1500 sq ft for 3k.

[aliali]

I have been struggling to find something decent for even $4000 right in Manhanttan Beach and Hermosa Beach with 1700 sqft, 3Br/2bath.
There is stuff for $3000 or so but it is not in very good condition. Redondo had more options, I am still looking..........

[dusesean1986]

In North Redondo Beach off Vanderbilt, my friend rents out a beautiful town home for 2K. It's only a six minute drive to the beach. There are no bad parts of Redondo, and this area is very nice, with many proffesionals. I do pizza delivery, and am able to view many beautiful homes in the cheaper North Redondo area.

[SouthBayTodd]

manhattan is most expensive...followed by hermosa and then redondo.

unless you insist on being right by the water, you might try the golden hills area of redondo beach. it is very nice, but technically in redondo so you save a bit on rent/house prices

[Lisa from Philly]

We're also moving this summer to LA and my husband will be working in W Hollywood. We have two young children too, and I've been trying to find the best area for kids, schools, etc. You have quite a bit more to spend on rent however,; we're looking in the $1800 range for a two bedroom. I just finished speaking with a friend who moved from Manhattan Beach 6 years ago and loved it. I was even thinking of moving to W Hollywood since husband will be working there...

[jlrobe]

Originally Posted by pmartbrown

I am considering moving to LA to work in W. Hollywood. I'm married with three young children and would like to live in an area with very good elementary schools and neighborhoods that my wife could enjoy going for walks with the kids. We heard that Hermosa and Manhattan beach had good schools and we thought it would be great to live close to the beach.

However, what does it take to live there? It looks like homes are all over $900k. Is it possible to rent a 3/2 type home or condo for a reasonable amount, say $3000/mo?

Thanks!

I love MB and HB. Great area, although too expensive. Manhattan will be about 1.1mil, HB will be about 900k. There are some rentals, but they are expensive. A 3 bedroom APARTMENT (not condo) would cost you about 2700/month. The commute to West Hollywood would be over an hour at least if not more. Traffic is getting alot worse. North Redondo is the least nice area, but you could rent a 3 bedroom condo for 2100, and a 3 bdrm apartment for 1750 (suprisingly, but true as a good friend of mine currently has one).

Great area though.

[PureHapa]

I think you can get something for $3k in any of those towns, but commuting from the beach cities to WeHo is not fun. WeHo is not near the freeway, so you will be spending lots of time commuting on very busy surface streets every day.

[SouthBayTodd]

commuting might not be fun, but living in the south bay is.

it is a really good place for kids too - so the commute might be worth it.

you are welcome to read-up on more south bay info at my site too: southbaychat.com