Potential Relocation to LA from East Coast - where to live? (Torrance: rentals, townhome)

[Bebe2333]

Hi all. My husband is in the air force and may be reassigned to LA Airforce base this summer. We have 3-year old and one-year old boys. My husband had been stationed out there previously before we were married and lived in Redondo Beach. I'm looking for recommendations on any other areas that may be good for families and also commute-friendly for my husband. We likely will be renting and would like a backyard (don't have one now), but it doesn't need to be huge. Other info: I'll likely be home with the kids and prefer a walkable area. An active neighborhood with kids would be best. We'll be looking for some kind of school program for the 3 year old, so any recommendations for those would be helpful. Am I already too late to sign him up for the 2017/18 school year? If possible, a location that's close to cute restaurants, library, public transportation.

Thanks in advance!

[jamesblazen]

I recommend El Selgundo.

[Astral_Weeks]

What is your approx. rental budget?

In addition to El Segundo, you can consider Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Torrance (depending on your budget).

[airforce backer]

Originally Posted by Bebe2333

Hi all. My husband is in the air force and may be reassigned to LA Airforce base this summer. We have 3-year old and one-year old boys. My husband had been stationed out there previously before we were married and lived in Redondo Beach. I'm looking for recommendations on any other areas that may be good for families and also commute-friendly for my husband. We likely will be renting and would like a backyard (don't have one now), but it doesn't need to be huge. Other info: I'll likely be home with the kids and prefer a walkable area. An active neighborhood with kids would be best. We'll be looking for some kind of school program for the 3 year old, so any recommendations for those would be helpful. Am I already too late to sign him up for the 2017/18 school year? If possible, a location that's close to cute restaurants, library, public transportation.

Thanks in advance!

Us too Coming from FL to LA in June. came here to post this very question. My kids are school age though

[Texamichiforniasota]

Originally Posted by airforce backer

Us too Coming from FL to LA in June. came here to post this very question. My kids are school age though

Budget is probably the most important info to know for people to give a recommendation. There are some amazing places to live, but if they're not within your budget, they're not good recommendations.

[Bebe2333]

It looks like our housing allowance will be around $4k. We'll be looking to rent. Thanks!

[Texamichiforniasota]

Originally Posted by Bebe2333

It looks like our housing allowance will be around $4k. We'll be looking to rent. Thanks!

Then El Segundo is a decent recommendation. That budget woild probably get a 2 br house or 3 bedroom townhome.

[socal88]

I think Redondo Beach and Torrance are your best bets.

Surprisingly, I've also seen a couple home rentals at or under $4K/month in the Rolling Hills Estates and Palos Verdes area. The homes will be older and smaller, but it's a very nice area with top notch public schools.

[Cloudwalker]

The thing I would be concerned about in El Segundo and Torrance is the effect of air pollution on your children, being sandwiched between the airport and the refinery. The refinery has been really bad over the last couple of years, with explosions, fires and a lot of unplanned flaring. It produces more pollution than all the other refineries in California combined. In October last year there was a shelter in place order after a power cut, i.e. don't go outside and turn off your air conditioner. Everybody has a different tolerance for that sort of thing, but that would give me pause when thinking about young children.

What about Culver City or Mar Vista? You'd be looking at 15-20 minutes commute, both areas have lots of families, restaurants, easy drive to the beach, you'll be able to get a single family home for $4000, especially in Culver City (more scope in the 2 bedroom range, but I see some 3 bedroom houses advertised in yr budget.

[PilgrimsProgress]

I'm surprised that the Air Force pays $4000 a month housing allowance. Sounds high. Service people I know struggle financially. No base housing available?