Torrance verses Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach (Los Angeles: to rent, crime, new home)

[Lynore Oliveri]

Can anyone give me the factual scoop on what city is better to live in with children! Schools crime cost of living etc!

[Panamajack78]

Manhattan Beach is way more expensive than Torrance or Redondo Beach.

[nyctransplant27]

Manhattan Beach has the best schools, the least crime, and is the most expensive and absolutely the best place to raise kids. MB school district is indisputably better than Redondo and Torrance - Mira Costa is one of the best high schools in LA.

[IM90046]

Originally Posted by nyctransplant27

Manhattan Beach has the best schools, the least crime, and is the most expensive and absolutely the best place to raise kids. MB school district is indisputably better than Redondo and Torrance - Mira Costa is one of the best high schools in LA.

Disagree.
Although the the Manhattan Beach school district has a higher Api than the Redondo Beach school district, the percentage of AP students is higher at Redondo High. The Sports are stronger, there is better diversity both racially and socioeconomically. Both high schools have drug issues because of the wealth of the students but Mira Costa has it much worse. Redondo Beach has a more "family" feel and Manhattan Beach is more trendy, flashy and less of a community.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by IM90046

Disagree.
Although the the Manhattan Beach school district has a higher Api than the Redondo Beach school district, the percentage of AP students is higher at Redondo High. The Sports are stronger, there is better diversity both racially and socioeconomically. Both high schools have drug issues because of the wealth of the students but Mira Costa has it much worse. Redondo Beach has a more "family" feel and Manhattan Beach is more trendy, flashy and less of a community.

Both are excellent schools. I see the rivalry between the two schools hasn't changed in 40 years.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by Lynore Oliveri

Can anyone give me the factual scoop on what city is better to live in with children! Schools crime cost of living etc!

Torrance, Redondo and Manhattan Beach all have an excellent school system. Out of the three cities, Torrance will probably have the most crime, but it is also a very large city. There are areas that I would avoid living in that are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is not great. You would need to ensure you are living in the Torrance Unified School District. The South Torrance area is very nice. The cost of living would probably be lower in Torrance. Manhattan Beach is the most expensive of the three.

Redondo or Torrance would offer great schools and a lower cost of living. A lot of wealth has moved into the Manhattan Beach area which has changed the little beach town. There is now a lot of McMansion type homes on small lots (backyards are rare), traffic, and tourists to contend with, but it is still are darn nice place to live if you can afford it. You won't find much under $2 million dollars to buy or under $3,500 to rent.

[IM90046]

Originally Posted by Beth56

Both are excellent schools. I see the rivalry between the two schools hasn't changed in 40 years.

LOL you bet! Go SEAHAWKS!

[Mr. Zero]

Originally Posted by Beth56

Torrance, Redondo and Manhattan Beach all have an excellent school system. Out of the three cities, Torrance will probably have the most crime, but it is also a very large city. There are areas that I would avoid living in that are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is not great. You would need to ensure you are living in the Torrance Unified School District. The South Torrance area is very nice. The cost of living would probably be lower in Torrance. Manhattan Beach is the most expensive of the three.

Redondo or Torrance would offer great schools and a lower cost of living. A lot of wealth has moved into the Manhattan Beach area which has changed the little beach town. There is now a lot of McMansion type homes on small lots (backyards are rare), traffic, and tourists to contend with, but it is still are darn nice place to live if you can afford it. You won't find much under $2 million dollars to buy or under $3,500 to rent.

Backyards are rare? Maybe in the sand section, but then you're a short walk to the ocean. The lots are a lot larger in the tree section, hill section and East Manhattan Beach. The standard lot size near Mira Costa is 7500 square feet.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zero

Backyards are rare? Maybe in the sand section, but then you're a short walk to the ocean. The lots are a lot larger in the tree section, hill section and East Manhattan Beach. The standard lot size near Mira Costa is 7500 square feet.

There are some areas that have larger lots such as those in East Manhattan and the Hill Section. But anything West of Sepulveda, would be hard to find a new home with much of a backyard. Every inch of space is taken up by the house. Many of the new homes overshadow the smaller single story homes. These large homes stop the sunshine from entering the backyards. You can't even grow veggies anymore on some properties. Overbuilding on lots seems to be a very popular thing to do. But it leaves no outdoor space. But with the land so expensive, the houses get bigger.

And believe it or not, not everyone goes to the beach, even living so near to it.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by IM90046

LOL you bet! Go SEAHAWKS!

Mira Costa Mustang's!