Working at ucla harbor any decent places to live? (Long Beach: sales, real estate)

[Skb2000]

My husband is thinking about taking a job at ucla harbor. We would need to live in a fairly close distance. We have kids so schools are a huge factor. Is this possible? Looking to spend no more than 800k on a house

[smokingGun]

You can try Rancho Palos Verdes. Even with the steep declines in real estate though, $800k won't get you much. Most of these homes under $1M are basic 60's track homes that need updating. The schools are excellent though and you can always add-on/remodel when funds allow.

[JohnG72]

At that price range, rent for a while. Prices are going to drop and your rent right now will be 1/2 what your mortgage will cost for an equivalent residence.

Torrance is nice and has great schools. Closest nice community. Currently I find only 12 listings for a price range of $500-800K, 4 bed, 3ba, 1750 sq ft + in Torrance. Like I said, rent for a while.

Other places that are not as close as Torrance, but have good schools and nice community, within 45 minute rush hour drive are Cerritos(really good schools), parts of Long Beach, parts of Lakewood, El Segundo, and most of the beach communities. You're money will go further in LB and Lakewood, but schools are not necessarily as good in all areas.

[NaplesRes]

Originally Posted by Skb2000

My husband is thinking about taking a job at ucla harbor. We would need to live in a fairly close distance. We have kids so schools are a huge factor. Is this possible? Looking to spend no more than 800k on a house

I would try PV or South Torrance first because they are nice and closest. Then I would try East Long Beach. Schools are very good, 800k will get you a relatively nice house, and it's not too bad of a drive.

[Skb2000]

What about redondo/hermosa beach areas? They seem close as well. Are those school districts ok?

[nick2006]

Originally Posted by Skb2000

What about redondo/hermosa beach areas? They seem close as well. Are those school districts ok?

800K won't get you much in hermosa. Are you OK living on a <1200 sft home with a <3000 sft lot that needs extensive updating?

In north redondo, 800K gets you alot but the schools are not the best.....again not bad schools, but not the best.

If you go to 900K, South redondo gets you a nice house east of PCH, near the pier. 1700 sft, built 1950-1960, ~5000 lot

[BRinSM]

torrance has good schools and is very close to the hospital. i would check the area at the base of the hill near the coast.

[SouthBayStuff]

All good advises. If you are not familiar with South Bay (Torrance, Beach cities, PV), rent for 6 months, then decide to buy later. For $800K, your family can definitely get into West and South Torrance (the better part of Torrance), North or South Redondo. Not sure what is the size of your family, so family must need a Single Family Home, but some don't mind a Townhome or even condo. Rancho PV could be a possibility. Also what is your commute limit?

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[nmnita]

I think those suggesting Torrrance are on the right track. The beach areas are going to be out of the price range and PV is way out. As for renting, all I have to say is, property in Ca period acutally, according to a story in our paper a couple days ago have increased though sales are still down. The increase has been consistant for 3 months, very little, but it is still enough to think about buying now. If 800K won't get you much now, you can imagine what it will get you a year from now.

Nita