Huntington Beach - pollution health risk? (Los Angeles, Rainbow: low crime, homes, neighborhood)

[ranuser99]

We're looking to move away from West LA for greener pastures, with an eye on:


- good schools
- coastal (or semi-coastal)
- relatively clean environment
- lower crime
- home pricing at or less than west LA
- larger lot, 6,500+
- budget 1 - 1.5mil


We will still have some family and connections to West LA, so would like to not move too far away. Huntington Beach quickly became a strong candidate due to it's proximity to Los Angeles and other factors above.


However I just stumbled upon articles detailing numerous superfund/dump sites in HB's history. One in particular in south HB next to Edison High, connecting it to a seemingly high rate of very rare childhood cancer. The affected families feel the Toxic waste dump(s) in South HB are to blame. Here are some references:


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14 Superfund sites:
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371 tanks and spills:
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11 "Polluters"
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I'm interested in any comments / opinions about pollution issues in HB.


We've been visiting regularly and liked various areas (Harbor, Seacliff area, South area). There is no "proof" connecting these environmental issues with health issues, but that doesn't mean it's not a problem. Common sense makes one think to stay away.


Thanks for any input.

[owl6969]

Originally Posted by ranuser99

We will still have some family and connections to West LA, so would like to not move too far away. Huntington Beach quickly became a strong candidate due to it's proximity to Los Angeles and other factors above.

Might be for a few parts.. Thats like far or not really in proximity and like most wouldn't think of traveling between those places during the weekday..

[ranuser99]

Thanks for replying but a reminder to others that I'm interested in feedback regarding your opinions and experiences concerning HB pollution. We're willing to be approx. 1hr away from West LA to keep a few visits per month practical. Self-employed so weekday commutes are not an issue.

[Joe Van Fossen]

I don't have any personal experience with it, but I have a friend/old boss who's been living and surfing in HB for years. He's in his 50s now and still does as far as I know. I also have a friend who lives in a neighborhood with homes in your price range in HB and he really likes it there. He's living closer to the Wieder Regional Park area though. To my knowledge, none of them or their immediate families have had cancer or issues related to pollution or toxicity. This is highly anecdotal though.

[russlancea]

I don't have direct experience with the toxic dumps in HB, but over the years, I've learned about enough problems in this city to make me not want to buy there.

Other than the toxic waste dumps, there's the problem of oil drilling. From what I've read, HB used to do a lot of oil drilling and there's concern now that some homes in HB are sinking due to this. Back around 2009, I went to a party in HB where the host told me and the guests at my table that her newly purchased and renovated home was sinking. Sinking? Yes, sinking. She pointed to a corner of the house, but I don't remember seeing anything odd. I had to take her word for it, but was she aware of this when she bought the house? Oh, she did, but she bought it anyway.

Three years ago, my husband and I visited various schools in HB. One of which was Liberty Christian, across the street from the Rainbow Waste Facility. I asked if it ever smelled because of the trash site. I got a very honest answer that killed the deal for me: yes, sometimes the wind would blow the stink towards the school. When it got bad, the school would call Rainbow...

I'm sure there are many wonderful homes on safe, stable ground in HB, but it seems some homes are not .

[DinsdalePirahna]

That waste site is a city disgrace... even though a lot of people live in nice homes in that area, I would stay away from it.


Overall HB is a great place to live. Relatively low crime for a city of its size. Friendly, unpretentious population. almost every little area has a few really good hole-in-the wall restaurants, and bars.

We are partial to the harbour area, since we like being near the water. The beach, harbor and wetlands are all walking distance. Walking our dogs through the nature reserve after work is a great way to unwind.