Looking for helpful info on relocating to Southern California!!

[stuffavail]

You can absolutely rent a 2 br 2 ba apt for $1500 in Long Beach or Torrance.
Not a huge problem.

[bhcompy]

You aren't going to rent a house for 1500. That's a 2bd apt in a good area(though probably not on LA's west side). I live in Los Alamitos, have a 1400 rent on a 2bd townhouse apt, and the schools are excellent here. It's on the other side of Long Beach, not the best commute but not the worst in LA either.

[JTGJR]

Originally Posted by stuffavail

in this age of acronyms, called PV.

Sorry stuffavail, I had to chuckle. It was called PV way back in the dark ages of the 70s, when I schooled there, as well.

[RobE]

My relatives on my mom's side (as is my mom) are all from Arkansas. You are in for one heck of a culture shock in L.A.

On the plus side, SoCal summers are very dry, so you don't have that oppressive humidity there that you do in Arkansas.

I personally am not satisfied that you can afford to raise your kids in a good area in SoCal. Please think about this move long and hard.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by karlag

My husband has a potential job in the Rolling Hills area of LA. I hear this area is really expensive. We have 2 young girls~1 just started 1st grade and the other will be in Kindergarten next year. So schools are a very important issue. I know nothing about California! I'm a small town Arkansas girl. What are the best cities in this area as far as low crime rate, family friendly, affordable housing?? Websites, personal experience, ANYTHING that will help give me more info!!! Much appreciated! Thanks!

What can I say except, OMG!! Sorry, but you will be in for a total cultural and financual shock. That being said, you haven't mentioned housing budget, but the best, considering schools etc will probably be Torrance. Rolling Hills is extremely pricey....I don't know what else to tell you.

As for 1500, I am not certain you will be able to find much, even a 2 bedroom in Torrance or any of the lower crime areas for that amount, but I might be wrong.

You will love the beach, hate the traffic and love the summer weather.
Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by MuffinCups

Karlag, You did not say if you are looking to rent or to buy. As far as the school district in Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills they are among the best schools in Southern California. There is also a private School Chadwick School.

The city of Rolling Hills/Palos Verdes is absolutely beautiful, virtually no crime, other than occasional white collar crime that can happen anywhere. The only graffiti I have seen was on the McDonalds on Silver Spur & Crenshaw when it closed. No gang presence or crime to speak of.

Houses in Rolling Hills & Rolling Hills Estate start close to $1 million dollars, homes in Palos Verdes start around $650K, unless you look on the eastside that is closer to San Pedro. The area is at the edge of Los Angeles county bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Townhomes & Condos sell for less depending on the size you want.

Many of the residents of RH are doctors, lawyers, business owners, retired actors, and many retired senior citizens who worked for schools & aerospace and bought during the 60's & 70's when the homes were selling for less than $100K.

If you do look for a home, ask to stay away from the area that has peacocks roaming free, they are noisy & messy.

Once you visit, you will never want to leave. The only downside, as the other poster said is the distance to the Harbor freeway, and lack of stores & restaurants.

There is an open air mall with J. Jill, Ann Taylor and other high end stores, & a movie theater & skating rink, but you will need to drive (3-8 miles) to Torrance, Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach for a better selection of stores & restaurants.

If you look for housing in the surrounding areas, try: Redondo Beach, Torrance, Lomita, or the South Shores section of San Pedro, the ex-mayor of Los Angeles lives there and many of the homes have ocean views.


Here are a few links:

Palos Verdes Unified School District

Palos Verdes Peninsula News

HOME - The Daily Breeze

Hope this helps and good luck.

I don't think there is much in Palos Verdes for $650,000.

Nita

[Charles]

Recent sales Palos Verdes SFR < $650K

1253 W Bloomwood Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

2021 Caddington Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

2090 W General St, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

1902 Caddington Dr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

2033 W General St, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

[ehcsrop]

There are 5 communities in PV, 4 of these are incorporated AFAIK, and sub communities to those. For instance, the City of Rolling Hills Estates has 3 communities: South Coast Park, Rolling Hills Country Club and South Rolling Hills Estates. Rancho PV has 4 subs.

There are a wide range of prices. In this market, 650K is doable. If you want to pay 7K a year in taxes.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by ehcsrop

In this market, 650K is doable. If you want to pay 7K a year in taxes.

That $7K sounds cheap for a $650K home when you consider those homes have no Mello Roos and probably no HOA.