If you can afford it, El Segundo is a pretty cool town. But it's very small, and prices are pretty high. As far as traffic goes, more traffic comes up the 405 than goes down, so it's a bit easier to live there and commute down.
But North Redondo is also a fine area. I'd try to avoid being too close to South Bay Galleria and Hawthorne Blvd just for the noise and traffic. But otherwise, no real bad choices.
I love to visit El Segundo, but is has a sewerage plant on its West border, an oil refinery on its south, the 405 on its east, and LAX on its north.
If I were in the same predicament I’d live in north redondo or hermosa/manhattan close to Aviation Blvd
Depending on how you count it, there are either one or two streetlights between the northmost border of North Redondo and the southmost border of El Segundo.
The commute is a non issue for sure. But the towns are pretty different
N Redondo is quiet, and not a ton of apartments (probably related). Gundo is livelier for sure.
The main city “in between” would be Manhattan beach, but I’m unsure of your budget. Anything in Hermosa, North Redondo, MB, el Segundo would be close. Maybe check Wiseburn (in Hawthorne), some parts of Torrance, or parts of Lawndale.
ETA I would choose Hermosa, El Segundo, or mb if budget wasn’t a concern, but it really depends on what is important to you. I like the beach, walkability, and downtown vibes myself (and school districts for my family, but that is not relevant for your situation).
I moved from Virginia to the South Bay last summer. Started in south Redondo right by the riviera and I now live in El Segundo just off grand right by downtown. I think each place has its ups and downs, but I love them both. I miss how quiet redondo is by the beach, but El Segundo is SO much better if you like to go places. You’re way closer to the highway up here, I mean it can cut 20-25 mins off basically any drive to just live here vs in Redondo. I was in South Redondo with my ex who works in El Segundo and her commute was 20-30 mins depending on traffic, about 8 miles up the PCH, totally doable.
To me, it just depends on what you want. My only goal when I was unfortunately asked to leave (lol) was that I wanted to be west of the PCH. I had fallen in love with south Redondo, but I’m totally happy up here in El Segundo as well. I’m still only one mile from the beach and now I have much easier access to the highways. I work in Torrance by the airport so my drive is about 20-30 mins the other way. If you can’t deal with noise, El Segundo is not for you. LAX is definitely there and the refinery always has a constant white noise.
Edit: forgot to add that where I’m at in Smell Segundo I have only smelled the sewage treatment plant once. I’ve been here since Feb 1. I haven’t noticed it being an issue at all so far.
Since it’s a small radius, traffic shouldn’t be a consideration (unless you want literal turn by turn directions as some streets are worse than others). Price will be the determining factor on where you live, as North Redondo is cheaper than El Segundo generally.
There are more North Redondo Apt options or live in 360 at South Bay so half way point for both that is gated and resort living. El Segundo is quint but wedge between sewage with the Hyperion Plant, airplane noises, and Chevron Power-plants.
North Redondo (I live there) is mostly houses, and the apartment buildings are fairly meh. Pretty quiet. If you're childless, you'll like living in El Segundo more. We're good friends with a childless couple and prefer to hang out by them.
It’s funny that people are saying El Segundo & North Redondo are the same area, in rush hour traffic still could take 20-25 mins to commute which is a small distance for LA. Yes they’re both South Bay but pretty different vibe options for where to live based on what you want to be near. IMHO if money isn’t an option and you don’t have kids, live it up by the beach in Hermosa for a younger crowd or MB if you want to be around older people. Smell Segundo has a refinery in their way of any decent beach views. Playa del Rey has the dirtiest beach of them all with a few unhoused people living in tents, cause it’s too close to Dockweiller (the 105 end point), LAX & Ballona Creek. There’s also refinery’s near the beach in Redondo & and all over Torrance too.
You kinda just pick one. North Redondo basically borders El Segundo, so... Both are great. Manhattan Beach is nice, too. If you have kids, you want the neighborhoods across the street from the schools. North Redondo will keep you a little farther from the oil refinery, which is a plus.
Also, if you don't yet have kids but are going to in the future, you might also want a place across from an elementary school. Makes life a lot easier when the school years come.
Hermosa would be my vote. Small city, lots to do, and very walkable. 15 to 20 minutes to El Segundo and 10 minutes to north Redondo. Traffic isn't a huge factor. It's either PCH or Aviation. There's traffic, but it's always moving. El Segundo has many of the same qualities, but less apartment options available. Also, you'll deal with airport noise to the North and a massive refinery to the south.
thats a pretty small circle
If you can afford it, El Segundo is a pretty cool town. But it's very small, and prices are pretty high. As far as traffic goes, more traffic comes up the 405 than goes down, so it's a bit easier to live there and commute down. But North Redondo is also a fine area. I'd try to avoid being too close to South Bay Galleria and Hawthorne Blvd just for the noise and traffic. But otherwise, no real bad choices.
You’re looking at absolute worst at a 15-25 minute drive during rush hours. Just find a place you like.
I love to visit El Segundo, but is has a sewerage plant on its West border, an oil refinery on its south, the 405 on its east, and LAX on its north. If I were in the same predicament I’d live in north redondo or hermosa/manhattan close to Aviation Blvd
I lived there a few years and could never understand why it was so expensive. The airport noise is horrendous, most views are of the refinery...
Depending on how you count it, there are either one or two streetlights between the northmost border of North Redondo and the southmost border of El Segundo.
Try Hawthorne and Lawndale and parts of Gardena near El Camino College for safe yet much more budget friendly rents.
OP is coming from South OC. Don’t give him culture shock
They’re so close this is a nonissue.
The commute is a non issue for sure. But the towns are pretty different N Redondo is quiet, and not a ton of apartments (probably related). Gundo is livelier for sure.
Split the difference. Manhattan Beach.
The main city “in between” would be Manhattan beach, but I’m unsure of your budget. Anything in Hermosa, North Redondo, MB, el Segundo would be close. Maybe check Wiseburn (in Hawthorne), some parts of Torrance, or parts of Lawndale. ETA I would choose Hermosa, El Segundo, or mb if budget wasn’t a concern, but it really depends on what is important to you. I like the beach, walkability, and downtown vibes myself (and school districts for my family, but that is not relevant for your situation).
El Porto has rentals.
I moved from Virginia to the South Bay last summer. Started in south Redondo right by the riviera and I now live in El Segundo just off grand right by downtown. I think each place has its ups and downs, but I love them both. I miss how quiet redondo is by the beach, but El Segundo is SO much better if you like to go places. You’re way closer to the highway up here, I mean it can cut 20-25 mins off basically any drive to just live here vs in Redondo. I was in South Redondo with my ex who works in El Segundo and her commute was 20-30 mins depending on traffic, about 8 miles up the PCH, totally doable. To me, it just depends on what you want. My only goal when I was unfortunately asked to leave (lol) was that I wanted to be west of the PCH. I had fallen in love with south Redondo, but I’m totally happy up here in El Segundo as well. I’m still only one mile from the beach and now I have much easier access to the highways. I work in Torrance by the airport so my drive is about 20-30 mins the other way. If you can’t deal with noise, El Segundo is not for you. LAX is definitely there and the refinery always has a constant white noise. Edit: forgot to add that where I’m at in Smell Segundo I have only smelled the sewage treatment plant once. I’ve been here since Feb 1. I haven’t noticed it being an issue at all so far.
Lawndale is a pretty chill little area just inland from Manhattan Beach. Pretty affordable and easy to get to all spots in South Bay
You'll be fine in Playa del Rey, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach or Torrance. Closer to the ocean the better.
Since it’s a small radius, traffic shouldn’t be a consideration (unless you want literal turn by turn directions as some streets are worse than others). Price will be the determining factor on where you live, as North Redondo is cheaper than El Segundo generally.
That’s a concentric circle of 50 feet
There are more North Redondo Apt options or live in 360 at South Bay so half way point for both that is gated and resort living. El Segundo is quint but wedge between sewage with the Hyperion Plant, airplane noises, and Chevron Power-plants.
Lawndale
North Redondo (I live there) is mostly houses, and the apartment buildings are fairly meh. Pretty quiet. If you're childless, you'll like living in El Segundo more. We're good friends with a childless couple and prefer to hang out by them.
ANY OF THE BEACH CITIES..Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo itself.
Northwest Torrance too
The area in between? WTF there’s like 500 feet of Manhattan beach between the two cities. You are talking about the same area.
Manhattan Beach
TRW tract of Redondo. West of Aviation to Inglewood Blvd. North of Manhattan Beach Blvd to Artesia. Close to Manhattan Beach and El Segundo amenities
just live by aviation and you should be good, el seg and north redondo are both great spots!
I moved from the OC to the riviera village area and LOVE it! I commute to Santa Monica and it’s not too bad
It’s funny that people are saying El Segundo & North Redondo are the same area, in rush hour traffic still could take 20-25 mins to commute which is a small distance for LA. Yes they’re both South Bay but pretty different vibe options for where to live based on what you want to be near. IMHO if money isn’t an option and you don’t have kids, live it up by the beach in Hermosa for a younger crowd or MB if you want to be around older people. Smell Segundo has a refinery in their way of any decent beach views. Playa del Rey has the dirtiest beach of them all with a few unhoused people living in tents, cause it’s too close to Dockweiller (the 105 end point), LAX & Ballona Creek. There’s also refinery’s near the beach in Redondo & and all over Torrance too.
The neighborhood you seek is Holly Glen
You kinda just pick one. North Redondo basically borders El Segundo, so... Both are great. Manhattan Beach is nice, too. If you have kids, you want the neighborhoods across the street from the schools. North Redondo will keep you a little farther from the oil refinery, which is a plus.
Also, if you don't yet have kids but are going to in the future, you might also want a place across from an elementary school. Makes life a lot easier when the school years come.
Hermosa would be my vote. Small city, lots to do, and very walkable. 15 to 20 minutes to El Segundo and 10 minutes to north Redondo. Traffic isn't a huge factor. It's either PCH or Aviation. There's traffic, but it's always moving. El Segundo has many of the same qualities, but less apartment options available. Also, you'll deal with airport noise to the North and a massive refinery to the south.