Moving - Redondo, Manhattan or Hermosa? (Torrance, Orange: apartments, low crime, neighborhoods)

[Orange2Angeles]

HELLO!

I am considering one of these beach towns and have done some internet research.. BUT - What do the locals think of these neighboring towns for a young family? I live in Santa Monica and could tell you a lot more about it than you will find from statistics, so I would LOVE AND APPRECIATE a locals point of view of their town and the ones next door...

As a resident of one of these areas, how do you think one compares over the other in things like: Low crime (not statistics but what you see around town that isn't likely getting reported), family friendly things like parks or beach boardwalks, things to do (like farmers markets, local events, etc.), have you noticed a positive/negative change in the area lately, and things like this...


Thanks for the help!

*(Have lived in Beach towns from OC to LA, last 10 years.. inland cities are not an interest of ours)

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Orange2Angeles

HELLO!

I am considering one of these beach towns and have done some internet research.. BUT - What do the locals think of these neighboring towns for a young family? I live in Santa Monica and could tell you a lot more about it than you will find from statistics, so I would LOVE AND APPRECIATE a locals point of view of their town and the ones next door...

As a resident of one of these areas, how do you think one compares over the other in things like: Low crime (not statistics but what you see around town that isn't likely getting reported), family friendly things like parks or beach boardwalks, things to do (like farmers markets, local events, etc.), have you noticed a positive/negative change in the area lately, and things like this...


Thanks for the help!

*(Have lived in Beach towns from OC to LA, last 10 years.. inland cities are not an interest of ours)

I love those towns. All three sort of run together--you'll have friends in all three and do activities in all three. Manhattan Beach can be a bit yuppie/Junior League/prep school (but not always). North Redondo has the most crime (especially near the Galleria, and again not always--the beach bars are probably about the same when it comes to crime). The apartments near the beach are the youngest/rowdiest areas. The beach cities are all family friendly, and have lots of parks and things to do. And, as noted before, if you live in one you will use the parks throughout the south bay. Reading the Daily Breeze and the Beach Reporter is a good way to become familiar with the neighborhoods.

[bigdumbgod]

Redondo Beach (south) would be best for most families. (I grew up as a teenager in Hollywood Riviera, so I'm kind of biased, FYI, but it's a pretty nice place to build a nest). Torrance and Rat beach are awfully nice amenities to have at your disposal, as is Riviera Village, The Esplanade, and Redondo Pier. Quality schools as well, and quite safe.

Hermosa leans more toward a surfer/party vibe, and MB is a yuppie/doctor/lawyer/New Age-y kind of a place, and really expensive (but pretty awesome if you dig the beach volleyball). Both these towns are very densely built and populated, so people live in very close quarters.

As was mentioned, the Beach Reporter is a pretty good source for getting a feel for these places...and for housing co$t$ [hint - have a drink handy before perusing these]