Place to live - commuting to Hawthorne & Venice (Long Beach: townhomes, neighborhoods)

[spacecarrot]

We currently live in Long Beach - and while we love it, my spouse will be starting a job in Venice. I work in Hawthorne; and we both have very flexible hours (so we can avoid peak traffic times). Now that we're both working sorta in the same area, we're wanting to reduce our commute time and live near work. We do not have any children (plan is after 3 years).

Our preference is to buy a home (2-3 br, 1-2 ba; price range is up to 650k) in a neighborhood that's safe, has decent school options (whether charter or public), is safe, within 30 minutes driving to Hawthorne and Venice for work, and is pleasant to walk around. We live in Belmont Heights right now and absolutely love being able to walk to 2nd street in Belmont Shores just for a stroll (even though we rarely walk inside any of the shops). Ideal situation would be if we can find something similar.

We find Westchester pleasant, though it may be too quiet as the few times I've gone there in the evenings, I have NEVER seen anyone walking the dog, running, etc. Santa Monica seems ideal - but it's too expensive.

Suggestions for areas?

[nowincal11]

El Segundo and Westchester are the best options.

[BRinSM]

the only place similar to belmont shore on westside is main st in santa monica, but that is WAY more expensive than the LBC. $650k is unfortunately on the low side for any of the 'interesting' areas anywhere near your work locations. having said that, if you don't mind a boring area (similar to westchester) but with good schools, the holy glen/del aire neighborhoods just south of LAX may be an option. this way you're both fairly close to work and the beach. culver city also may be an option, but you'll probably only find fixers that are next to the freeway in your price range. if you don't mind sharing walls, that would probably open up a lot more options for you. there were some nice townhomes in el segundo that my wife and i looked at last year before buying elsewhere.

[taydigga]

I'd say move to Culver City, it has a great school system, not LAUSD. I mentor(ed) a few kids from there and they have an amazing system. You can also do Cheviot Hills or Mar Vista.

[spacecarrot]

Thanks for the tips guys! Really appreciate it.

Just checked out Holly Glen area in Hawthorne today, and it seemed quite nice. Close to everything, including work, well lit, and seemed diverse where we actually saw young couples (we saw majority of old folks in Westchester). Is anyone familiar with Holly Glen area?