Relocating help!! (Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine: to rent, home, neighborhoods)

[washington1]

Hi! We are relocating from the Seattle area my husband will be working out of El Segundo. Looking to rent, preferable SFR under $3000/month in family friendly community. We have 2 children: 3 and 1 years old I stay home with them, so am looking to be near parks, shopping and possibly beaches. Any recommendations? We will buy probably after we are there a year or so and can get a feel for the area. Also, looking for a non-denom Christian church, too, and good preschools!! Thanks so much for your advice!!

[Charles]

Hmmm, Seattle to El Segundo...his company's name doesn't start with a "B" does it?

What is your husband's commuting tolerance?

I am not familiar with these areas personally, but close by areas with reportedly good schools may be found in El Segundo, and along the coast north and south of LAX. These coastal areas are going to be very expensive and generally not new and not spacious.

Here is a great tool for finding potentially good schools. It is where I would start:

School Performance Maps

The areas above might mean an up to 30 minute commute.

In most cases heading east from LAX (same as El Segundo) the schools are bad and the neighborhoods are not of great reputation.

If you can go a little farther maybe look towards Los Alamitos or Palos Verdes (expensive), again I am not familiar with this area but I've read feedback on it earlier. (And if his company name does start with a "B", in PV, you'd be centrally located to Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Seal Beach, and El Segundo.)

Even a longer commute is Irvine, now we're talking 45-60 minutes during rush hour. Great schools - some of the best in the US, new construction, well planned.

Would hesitate to suggest anything in the San Fernando Valley as it is just too far in traffic and you'd have to find pockets of good schools or worse, live in the Conejo Valley or Calabasas - just too far.

Work that map I linked above.

Also, it is important that your husband becomes familiar with the traffic in LA. The area around El Segundo and LAX has got to be about the worst in Southern California - it is almost always bad. Unless he is clocking in before 7AM he will be in traffic. It is bad at 2PM. Check www.sigalert.com during his possible commute times. You'll see what I am writing about.

I've had many opportunities to work in El Segundo and I just could never find a way to make it work with kids and commuting and affordability.

[washington1]

Thanks, Charles! No- his current company starts with a Wa- and ends with a Mu and was taken over by the FDIC So much fun! New company, but not Boeing

He is fine w/ a commute, preferably not much more than 30 min. I am assuming he will have pretty normal business hours, but may be able to come in and leave a bit early... we'll see!

Thanks for your help! I will check out the map

[Charles]

Originally Posted by washington1

Thanks, Charles! No- his current company starts with a Wa- and ends with a Mu and was taken over by the FDIC So much fun! New company, but not Boeing

He is fine w/ a commute, preferably not much more than 30 min. I am assuming he will have pretty normal business hours, but may be able to come in and leave a bit early... we'll see!

Thanks for your help! I will check out the map

Bummer. Boeing will let people really flex their time like 6-230.

He's in for a rough ride unless you guys live close.