looking for apartment in Torrance or Redondo Beach (Palm Springs, Palm Desert: apartment complexes, rentals)

[Mindy_M.]

Hi everyone,
I need some help in finding an apartment. I'm currently living in Ohio but my mom I are moving out to SoCal as soon as possible, So i'm trying to find some potential apartments for us via the internet. That way once we get out there we can take a look at them and not have to spend so much time driving around looking for one.
We are interested in moving out to the Torrance or Redondo Beach area...but need a 2 bedroom apartment with rent less than $1500 a month. And this is what makes it even more difficult to find what we need...we need one that accepts cats & dogs as we have a dog (under 25 lbs.) and a cat. And I also need to live at least 3 miles back from the ocean, out of the marine layer, as i'm afraid it will affect my health. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and am very climate sensitive. So i dont know if that rules out Redondo Beach or not. Not sure how far back North Redondo goes. But i know Torrance goes 3+ miles back.
By the way, the reason my mom and I are moving out there is because there's a Fibromyalgia specialist in Marina Del Rey that i want to be under the care of.
So does anyone have any apartment recomendations for us? We wouldnt mind living in a senior community as my mom is over 55 and with my illness i'd appreciate the quietness. I'm in my 30's though and i dont know what the rules are on that.

Anyway, so to sum it up... we need a 2 bedroom apartment 3+ miles back from ocean in Torrance or Redondo Beach, That is under $1500 a month and accepts a mini Goldendoodle dog (under 25 lbs.) and a cat. And the place must be clean and fairly quiet.

If you can recommend a place it would be greatly appreciated!!

P.S. since we don't have an exact move date set yet we can wait for an availabilty on the right apartment!!

[indigo2]

I would recommend not moving because of a Fibromyalgia specialist. If at all possibble, find a specialist in your state or the midwest. Moving to LA will be one of the most dramatic experiences of your life. I did it in '85 but for a job.

You may be able to find what you are looking for in an apartment in the area. It is pretty difficult to find an apartment site unseen because you don't know the area and there are not so good areas of some South Bay cities. My complex does not allow pets but the rent is reasonable.

[Mindy_M.]

Originally Posted by indigo2

I would recommend not moving because of a Fibromyalgia specialist. If at all possibble, find a specialist in your state or the midwest. Moving to LA will be one of the most dramatic experiences of your life. I did it in '85 but for a job.

You may be able to find what you are looking for in an apartment in the area. It is pretty difficult to find an apartment site unseen because you don't know the area and there are not so good areas of some South Bay cities. My complex does not allow pets but the rent is reasonable.

I'm moving out there for other reasons too. I've always wanted to live in the L.A. area. I think that moving out there will be the happiest most exciting experience of my life!

So... anyone live in an apartment in Torrance that they can recommend to me based on the needs i mentioned in my original post?

[SandyCo]

I hate to be the one to break this to you but the marine layer can travel many miles inland. If you want nonstop sunshine (except in the winter, when we do get rainstorms), you'll have to live in the desert - either the Antelope Valley (high desert) or Palm Springs / Palm Desert (low desert, which has searing hot temps up to 120 in the summer). Either one of these places would be way too far for you to travel to the medical specialist you described.

The further back from the coast you live, the less the marine layer will affect you, but even in the coastal valleys this influence is felt. Within three miles of the ocean, it's a certainty that you'll be dealing with it.

[indigo2]

Anza Avenue In South Torrance has several apartment complexes and is a good area. A nickname for the Marine Layer is "June Gloom". I personally like it as I do get tired of the sun at times. The marine layer burns off, more often than not, by early to mid afternoon.

[Desert_Rain_Spirit]

Almost anywhere desirable in greater LA you want to move to will be very difficult with pets. Torrance and other South Bay (that means the area south of LAX airport) cities are like that.

The big complexes that are run by a manager group are almost always non-pet.

For smaller units, it will depend on the landlord's 'prejudices'. Some will allow a cat, some will allow a dog. **ALL** will have weight requirements for the pet (i.e., under 20 lb.).

Also, **ALL** will require non-refundable "pet deposits" of $500 or more.

You'll have a lot more difficulty with two pets.

And speaking of $$ -- just to move into a place (let's say $1,500 altho a lot of one-bedrooms or studios start at that) you'll have to pay:
first month's rent
last month's rent
security deposit, let's say $1k
non-refundable pet deposit (assuming you can
find a place that accepts multiple pets)

So, just to walk in the front door you'd have to plunk down $4,500 (per my example).

There's got to be more than one fibromyalgia expert in the country.

[Desert_Rain_Spirit]

Just re-read your post and wanted to comment on the possibility of living in a 'senior community' (for your mother and/or you too).

Senior rentals are few and far between. I have an elderly (83 years old) friend who lives in a senior apt complex in Redondo Beach and there's a 5-year wait list.

And if you're coming from the midwest (as I did) please note that there is LOTS of $$ out here. Torrance has a number of senior condos but -- for instance -- one near the Del Amo Mall (a very good area) starts somewhere between half-a-million or one million dollars. (Forget which.)