Sort of OT - Relocating to So-Cal - Need Advice

Found out this week that I was chosen for an assignment within my company that will require me to relocate to So-Cal.

I will be working in Torrance and am wondering which areas near there are good areas to live for a gearhead.

Move would occur somewhere around March of '09 and last 2 - 3 years, so I am trying to plan ahead as much as possible.

What I'm looking for are specifics. I know So-Cal is busy, and expensive, and on and on and on. I lived and worked in San Diego in '04 so I know that there are definite differences between here (Central Kentucky) and there.

My ideal living situation would be a small house with a larger garage (dreaming I know) or even industrial space. It would have to be rental since the company is footing the bill for my living expenses.

I'd also like to hear from some of the HAMBers in the South Bay area as to what goings on I could (should) attend or maybe get an invite to for next season.

I appreciate any and all comments (including "stay home redneck"). Feel free to PM me if you'd rather go that route.

Thanks, in advance, to all.

- RBR

 

http://www.socalcarculture.com/

Has a list of everything going on in the area from cruises, shows and swap meets.

As far as the area, you can't pick a bad part of Torrance. Lomita is adjacent (with lower rent) and they still have a few older un-renovated lots with small homes and huge yards. Most of these have been converted to duplex to give an idea of the lot size. Unfortunately, most of these also have the tiny garage, but there would be tons of outdoor room for projects (doubt you will be building big garages for a 3 year rental move).

Too bad it's happening next year, I might have a rental coming up in a couple of months.

Feel free to PM me if you want me check something out.

 

Don't GO!
The cost of housing is 5 times what you are used to.
Been there, done that...
LEFT!!!!

 

the word "so-cal" makes me cringe. why can't people say southern california? or just plain old california? jeez.

anyhow, don't move to carlsbad by the sea. it sucks there.

 

Again, my company is paying all expenses. Thanks.

1. Because so-cal is so-cool? Actually, take a look at the avatars of people in that area. There are more listed as so-cal than anything else.

2. Because California is a big fucking place and I didn't want to know about a rental house in San Jose or National City. Now, do you have something useful besides Carlsbad by the sea sucks?

 

Torrance is a good town -- good city services like police, fire, schools. It's not cheap -- nothing here is -- but it's certainly not at the high end of the price scale. You really want to avoid rush-hour freeway commutes here, which are horrible, so if you're working in Torrance it's a pretty easy choice.

I moved to San Pedro 4 years ago, which is a little ways South and East from Torrance, because it was a very good value in quality/cost.

There are cheaper suburbs nearby -- Lawndale, Lomita, Gardena, Harbor City -- but I think they are all below Torrance in quality of life.

The South Bay (which includes all the cities mentioned above) is not really the hub of car activity in SoCal, but it has a reasonable share of stuff going on. It's a bit of a hike to Pomona, or Burbank, or other places that may be more car-centric, but I think its advantages outweigh its deficiencies.

Hope you like it!

 

You forgot to mention that a guest room needs to be at the top of the list.

I'm going to miss you around these parts but I'll come out to visit for sure. I've got a chicken dinner with your name on it the next time you come to the Motor City.

 

Like all cities, you have your good and bad areas. In Torrance, West High is probably the best. Its the most expensive but they have the best school district. Southwood is the next best and its close to Pacific Coast Hwy. The northern area of Torrance is ok but has a higher crime rate. Old Town Torrance is quaint and quiet. The east end has the highest crime and the cheapest housing.

The next nicest, closest city is Lomita. It has an old town feel with a lot of mom & pop stores. Some of the houses have huge lots because it was an old farming community. San Pedro has some really nice areas on the south end, closest to the ocean.

 

Forgot to mention Gardena. The was a 3 bedroom house for sale on an industrial lot. It included 11 garages, but my wife said no! She wanted a backyard.

 

Sure. Escondido sucks too.

 

I consider you the luckiest person I know.

I love that area. I stayed in Torrance and worked in Downey for my company a couple of years ago. I saw SO MUCH stuff that is car-related within just a few miles that it made my head spin. You will enjoy it.

I'd live in Torrance or San Pedro, maybe.. MAYBE Carson. Wouldn't go north of Torrance though. Can't go wrong with the beach communities if your company will foot the bill. Good luck! Are they hiring?

 

are you still married to her??

 

I was born and raised in So Cal. and if I didn't have a Wife and kid, I would live in an industrial unit. Finding a house with a good sized work shop / garage is hard to find at a reasonable rate. Even if your work is "paying the bill" that dosn't mean you have unlimited funds. And if your work requires you to use any of that work shop for company business, then they might let those purse strings out a little more.

Commuting here is shitty. get a place as close to work as posible. Like it was said above, don't go to far north of Torrance.

Car related stuff here happens everywhere and all the time. No matter were you live you will have more trouble deciding what to do then finding something to do.

There is a lot of HAMB friendly activities too.

 

yeah i moved out there for a job and a girl...... worst decision i ever made!!!

 

Do you speek spanish?

 

ditto...too bad you aren't closer...I am moving to North Carolina and will probably be renting my house and shop on 8 acres...2800 square foot shop with offices and mezzanine and 7000 square feet of asphalt...nothing is selling here so I guess we will rent it out...
Get as close to work as possible...make sure your cars cooling system is in order and learn to habla espanol...car stuff everywhere in, dare I say it, So-Cal

 

Because SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA is too damn long and California would indicate that we somehow wish to be associated with Nor Cal, which I think is a different state

And NO ONE that lives in Carlsbad calls it Carlsbad By The Sea

So Cal born and raised for over 50 years Thank You

 

That's funny! I was just gonna suggest PMing you for info! Wat to go,GG...

 

SoCal is very, very expensive. Commuting is pure hell, even at 3:00AM. It's overcrowded, poor air quality and more car activities than you can believe. I lived there 63 years, near the beach and I had to leave before I went crazy. I miss the swapmeets but not much else. Live close to work & lock your doors. Good Luck.

 

kentuky sounds like a much better place to me than shitty air so-cal. if it wasn't for all the cool rides probably would never go there.

 

WHOOHOO! Somebody else to visit when I'm out visiting my sister in HB!!!

Sorry to see you guys move far away. Hopefully we'll still catch up with you guys here and there.

-Bigchief.

 

....just thought of something funny. I know you speak some Japanese with your accent. Can you imagine the look on the hombres faces when your trying to speak Spanish with your Kentucy drawl? PRICELESS!!!

Leave your wagon with me. It'll be in good hands. It doesn't really want to go back home to California anyway. I'll swap in a good 390/4speed combo since your more than 1/2 way there and slap on some fresh red paint. She'll be as good as new when you get back home from the land of fruits and nuts.

-Bigchief.

 

Living in the South Bay, you are pretty close to everything. There seems to be something car-related going on every weekend, even during the winter. If you get out here in March, you will be here just in time for Bad Bob's BBQ.

 

Atta boy, Don! You tell 'um!!

CB

 

I think you meant Cardiff by the sea. It is just outside San Diego.

I was born in Torrance, grew up there and now live in Orange County. If you are from Kentucky my only advice is to try and live as close to the ocean as you can. Torrance or Redondo Beach has some cool areas. Down around Hawthorne and Artesia Blvd and 190th are good areas.
LA is over crowded, the air sucks, the traffic is crazy but there is something about it that makes it home. I travel and am away from home for long periods for work and nothing brings a smile to my face like kicking ass up the 405 in my merc. Good luck and enjoy!

 

Torrance has a Bob's Big Boy that has a cruise night the 1st-3rd Wed of the mo. It is very new and could still use some additional cars to come and hang out for a while.
It's right off PCH/Hawthorne.

Places to live=many, Since work is going to foot the bill, take your time and look around. Housing seems to be getting cheaper if one is going to make a purchase. since that is not you case. look for a house that someone will rent to you before they lose it. The stuff is out there, You have already started looking in the right direction=(HAMB)
Good luck with your search and take a ride out to Downey when you're settled, We''ll have a nice cruise night going @ the Broiler.

 

Wanted to thank everyone for their input (on topic or not). I know this is the cradle of the hobby, that's one of the BIG reasons I accepted this assignment.

I'll be working on Western Ave near the 405 so I was hoping to find something West of the 405 which should help with the commute. I just want a place where I can do some wrenching without pissing too many people off. No kids so I'm not really worried about the school systems or 'normal' stuff like that. Thanks again for the info. Keep it coming.

Man, you know your way to a fat boy's heart! Miss you already Sweetie.

 

Im guessing your going to be working at Toyota? Anything west and south of the 405 and Western you cant go wrong.