Commute from Santa Monica to Loma Linda (Torrance, Redlands: apartment, condos)

[akina]

Hi, I am considering a job in Loma Linda where my salary would be doubled. Currently, my commute is 15 minutes. I love in Santa Monica, and I love the beach, surfing, and am near family and friends. However, I am 30, single, and am mainly focused on furthering my career at the moment. Is this a crazy commute from Santa Monica to Loma Linda? Does anyone know if it is reverse traffic? Would I be better off sacrificing the things I love to move out to Loma Linda for this opportunity? I would love some input! THANKS.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Against traffic? Mostly, if such a thing really still exists in a place like SoCal. How does 3-4 hours a day in the car sound? I recommend Download Audio Books, iPod And Digital Audio Books | Downloadable Online Audio Books | Audible Audiobooks | Audible.com.


I think Google Maps says it best:

76.9 mi – about 1 hour 19 mins (up to 3 hours 20 mins in traffic)

[MtnSurfer]

Hey Akina,

As a Loma Linda graduate, surfer/beach lover and crazy commuter I can say I was in your shoes over 10 years ago. I drove from Torrance to LLU everyday. I left very early in the morning to beat the multiple rush hour choke points along the way. Although class started at 8:00AM I would usually arrive closer to 7:00AM and study in my car. The times I left later I really regretted it as the commute was substantially worse. Then I had to get out of there by 2:00PM or it started getting really bad on the way home. I would think traffic is worse now with more ppl overall on the fwys.

I mean think about it that commute for a moment. You are driving through some of the largest urban areas of the nation. Heck even Santa Monica to LA isn't a pretty commute. I would highly recommend giving it a test run before even considering doing such a commute. But really even though you are young it is something which is not sustainable and will burn you out. I was so glad to finally graduate and be done with that long haul daily grind. And I actually fell asleep at the wheel a few times in the early morning/pre-dawn running on empty. Fortunately I awoke quickly.

While going to school I envied the students who moved out there. And there were times I was so exhausted I just grabbed a hotel room or slept on friends floors. Let me put it this way, although I loved the beach lifestyle I was spending too many hours on the road to ever enjoy it once I got home. So I was paying a premium in rent, gas and auto related expenses for something I could really only enjoy on the weekends anyway. It would have been easier and more enjoyable to live in Loma Linda and driving to the coast on weekends.

Anyway I guess it really depends how much you want to grow in your career right now. If you have an opportunity you could look at it as a way to achieve your long term goals. And ultimately with more experience and career advancement you will probably be able to live at the beach again. Just make that your goal. I mean its not like you are moving to the MidWest or anything. I actually moved to CO with my family for several years in which time I was able to advance in my career. And now we're back on the coast living in Monterey.

Will you be working at the Medical Center?

Derek

[akina]

Derek, Thank you so much for the great information. Now, I have more questions for you! I totally agree w/ you- moving out there might be a lot less stressful. I am someone that enjoys the 'simple life' and commuting 3+ hours a day does not involve that. I am really considering making a huge change, which like you said, could be completely temporary, yet set me further on my career path. Yes, I would be working in the Medical Center. I have a lot more information regarding the job to find out. Can you tell me the 'coolest' areas w/in Loma Linda to live? I wouldn't want to live in an area surrounded by rowdy students, but definitely somewhere around people and maybe walking distance to a park, market, or coffee. I'm not sure if that exists out there!? What kind of apartment could I get for $900? Is LL dog friendly? THANK YOU!!!

[MtnSurfer]

Hey Akina,

As far as cool areas I am not really sure since most of LL literally revolves around the University and medical center. And to be quite honest with you the students are much more serious than your typical university environment as they as primarily medical students and studying too much. So you won't find your typical animal houses like you might get around USC, UCLA, etc...

With regards to the area it is very conservative as it is a big Seventh Day Adventist town as is LLU. Although I am not SDA I didn't really mind it. It took some getting used to eating vegetarian on campus thats for sure. Its amazing what those guys can do with tofu.

And the university has an awesome gym and pool as they are very health conscious. So I recommend talking full advantage of that. I would think Medical Center Staff would also be allowed to use their facilities. And the swimming will keep you in shape for surfing as well.

Rental rates out there are much more affordable than the coast. Many students use off campus housing/condos/roomates. I am not sure about current prices - check craigslist for that one.

Derek

[1200RT]

You're nuts to do that commute. I live in SM, and get out to Redlands (just east of LL) several times a month. Even with the "reverse commute" heading east, you're not going to have fun.

There are some nice spots in Redlands, good bars in the area .... its hot as ** in the summer and smoggy, but overall not a bad spot. At off-peak times you can do Redlands to S.M. in 1:15 without issue. You have several options on route (10,60,210, and even the 105/605 to avoid DTLA, if necessary). Point being, you can get to the beach/family fast if its not rush hour.