Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, (Torrance, Santa Monica: apartments, lease, condos)

[GretelGuz]

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach

What are the major differences? I think we want to move to Manhattan beach, but I would like to know a little more about these other options.

We are 32,33, work from home, starting a family, want to lease a house with a yard. not into nightlife, more beachy..

[NaplesRes]

manhattan is yuppy, hermosa is frat boy, redondo is more family but not as much to do.

It's an over simplifcation but I think accurate.

[GretelGuz]

whats santa monica in that same over simplification way?

[andyourlittledogtoo]

Santa Monica is much more crowded and unless you find a rent-controlled apartment it is really expensive. Also, lots of homeless folks hang out there. It is much more LA urban and the beach area is much different there. Santa Monica is 'the westside' along with Beverly Hills etc.

Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beaches are 'the South Bay', and entirely different area and vibe than Santa Monica. Manhattan Beach is pretty 'yuppy' and is expensive. It attracts a lot of affluent professionals who want lovely homes and a community feel near the beach. Also affluent young singles who aren't as into partying perhaps as those who gravitate to Hermosa. Hermosa is very crowded, very young vibe, lots of partying but it also is gorgeous and has a liberal artsy atmosphere to it. Redondo is the slightly less affluent cousin of Manhattan. The houses are not as impressive, there are more condos, but it does attract affluent professionals as well as well to do non-professionals and renters. It has the huge Redondo Pier and huge apartments along the beach.

Personally, I've lived in Redondo and prefer South Redondo Beach to either Hermosa or Manhattan for ease of family living and beauty and closeness to a good beach (Torrance Beach) without the partying and crowdedness of Hermosa or the expense and insular atmosphere of Manhattan. YMMV.

[NaplesRes]

Originally Posted by GretelGuz

whats santa monica in that same over simplification way?

a pretty good mix; and a bit urban

[Bruin5]

I usually go to Manhattan to surf. Definitly more yuppie than the rest of the South Bay. Hermosa, where my mother grew up, has more of the party atmosphere- I avoid that place come night as the area around the pier becomes over run by drunk frat boys and recent college grads. Long story short I have had some pretty bad expriences while trying to get drinks at Pier Ave.

[cali_to_nj]

On the school front, Manhattan and Hermosa are more highly regarded than Redondo especially at the high school level, although at Mira Costa (MB & HB) you'll have the "keeping up with the Joneses" social pressures and the partying/drug influence that are typical to most affluent communities. I would say Redondo is the most ethnically and financially diverse of the three, and the "Hollywood Riviera" section of South Redondo is my dream area to live in. I could never do it because I work in West LA, but if you don't have the commute issues I highly recommend it!

[majoun]

Originally Posted by andyourlittledogtoo

Santa Monica is much more crowded and unless you find a rent-controlled apartment it is really expensive.

Time travel back to 1998, when rent control in SM ended for new tenants, is not a viable option for most people.

[Beth56]

Traffic and rent in Santa Monica is horrible and there is a large homeless population. Hermosa Beach is a party town with problems. Manhattan Beach is expensive and yuppy, but has decent schools. South Redondo is very nice in many ways, and has decent schools. But there will be a commute unless you work nearby. There is no close access to the freeway. And El Segundo is like a little Mayberry RFD, decent schools, but you have the airport noise, etc. to deal with, and limited direct access to the beach. All areas have some drawback. Depends on what you really want.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by cali_to_nj

On the school front, Manhattan and Hermosa are more highly regarded than Redondo especially at the high school level

Actually, Hermosa Beach does not have a high school of their own. Manhattan and Redondo are more highly regarded for their schools.