Job in El Segundo, fam in OC: Long Beach or Redondo Beach? (Norwalk: how much, live)

[HSP1161]

With two little ones and a move-fatigued wife, we're trying to figure out where to plant. We like areas with character, that are walkable/bikeable and safe.

The job is in El Segundo near the green line station, but our sphere of family and friends are in OC.

We love Long Beach (specifically Los Altos and Belmont Heights) but are terrified of the commute to ES.

Manhattan Beach is too expensive, Hermosa is too dense, PV is too remote, can't handle the airport proximity to ES. That leaves RB.

Last weekend we looked at south Redondo in the "Avenues" area. It's nice, but we're concerned that it is rather deep in the south bay. I've heard horror stories navigating between the two cities. On Sunday, it took 20 minutes to go 7 miles -- and that was no traffic! My cousin lives in ES and commutes to RB - she says it's consistently 30 mins per day. Furthermore, getting to/from OC would be a bear and we visit our friends/family many times a month.

So we're taking a closer look at Long Beach. Am I fooling myself if I think blue line/green line tango would reduce the 405 headache? Or a car with a carpool sticker?

[1200RT]

My business was in ES for several years, and I had a staff member who lived in LB. She lightly complained about the commute, but never enough to move closer. I don't recall the commute time off the top of my head -- but I think thats actually a pretty common commute. I can't comment on the public transportation aspect.

[Joe Van Fossen]

The blue line/green line trek would reduce the headache of traffic, but wouldn't reduce your commute time. Long Beach sounds like a good area for you, considering your situation. A car with a carpool sticker would be a nice option too, but I'm not sure how much that will help.

[HSP1161]

Originally Posted by Joe Van Fossen

The blue line/green line trek would reduce the headache of traffic, but wouldn't reduce your commute time. Long Beach sounds like a good area for you, considering your situation. A car with a carpool sticker would be a nice option too, but I'm not sure how much that will help.

Thanks! My experience on the 405 is carpool saves a tremendous amount of time... I was thinking door to door, Los Altos to El Segundo, average 35-40 minutes in carpool rather than 55-60 without.

In looking at the Metro timetable, the time on the blue line is ~15 minutes from PCH to Willowbrook. And the time on the green line is ~15 minutes from Willowbrook to El Segundo. Trains run every ~5 minutes. Am I wrong in pegging the metro commute at 35 minutes, plus travel to/from stations?

All of this compared with an average 30 minute commute between Redondo Beach and El Segundo ... ?

Are my estimates on track or off?

[Joe Van Fossen]

I think your estimates are pretty good. I don't have much experience in the carpool lane on the 405, but I know it can be hit or miss on the 57 and some others.

It sounds like what it comes down to is deciding whether or not to go with the carpool sticker car or the metro, which probably end up being close to the same commute time. I used to take the metro every day (Metrolink to Union, then Red to Blue line, terminating at Pico). I found it to be a much better than driving, even though it took me about the same amount of time. Just a lot less stressful.

[HarryKerryJr]

Try both and see how you like each. Since the time for both car and public transit is about the same, I would say that not having to drive is a plus.

[mayorhaggar]

I think the green line runs every 8 minutes during rush hour, and it can get kind of unreliable depending on how behind they are. Plus often you'll pull into Willowbrook on the blue line and run upstairs just as the green line is leaving, so you have to wait 5-15 minutes for the next train. It's not an easy connection since neither line really runs often enough, and the trains really crowded.

I had to ride the green and blue for a temp job earlier this year from downtown Long Beach to LAX and generally it was just a pain in the butt, I'd say the commute was about an hour on most days, maybe about 50 minutes. Also the people who ride on the green and blue are pretty ghetto, so be prepared for that. They never bothered me but if you're easily spooked you might be uncomfortable.

Honestly I'd go for Redondo Beach. Or maybe look at Culver City? Yes they're far from OC but so is your job. If you drive on the 405 during the weekend traffic isn't that bad. It's still a long trip but it's better to drive an hour on the weekend than over an hour to work every day during the week.

[calipoppy]

+1 for Redondo Beach

[blind spot]

I'm in agreement with those who say live closer to your job as opposed to family and friends (and either way, both locations are close to OC. Weekend traffic on the 405 isn't that bad).

What you could maybe do is drive up from long beach to the Norwalk metro station and take the green line all the way in, but I'm not sure how long it takes to drive from LBC to Norwalk every day during regular commute hours. I had a training class in El Segundo and did that, it took me half and hr or so to reach the train from where I lived at the time (not long beach), and then the whole train ride, but you know what, it was so much less stressful sitting on the train and being able to read/do whatever instead of sitting in soul crushing traffic...anyway that would avoid any stress from switching metro lines. Just a thought if you do opt to stay in long beach. But Redondo beach is really nice, that's a good option too! Much quicker commute.

[HSP1161]

Originally Posted by crazy carrie

What you could maybe do is drive up from long beach to the Norwalk metro station and take the green line all the way in

Why would you do that when the Blue Line connects with the Green Line in Willowbrook ?