Redondo Beach

If you look at a map of Redondo Beach, you'll see that it is divided into two distinct areas, North Redondo and South Redondo, and they barely touch at a tiny constriction near 190th and PCH. These two areas have very distinct property types and price points, influenced mainly by the topography (North Redondo is pretty flat except for the Golden Hills area) whereas South Redondo has lots of ocean view hillsides, and by the proximity to the beach -- North Redondo does not touch the beach, being interrupted by Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. Because of this, North Redondo tends to be less expensive than South. It also has better freeway access if you need to commute to your job.

Both parts of Redondo have excellent schools, restaurants, shopping, and strong resale values.

North Redondo has a lot of townhouse options as well as mostly smaller single family homes and the infamous "tall and skinny" single family homes on their 25 foot wide lots of the Golden Hills area. South Redondo also has lots of townhomes as well as single family homes in "the Avenues" (Avenue A through H) and many condominium projects, especially near the beach such as those on Catalina and the Esplanade. South Redondo also has some very affordable housing options such as the four "The Village" complexes (Seascapes I, II, and III plus the original 600 - 660 The Village) as well as Brookside Village, which is FHA approved and at the entry level of Redondo Beach homes.

Riviera Village shopping, "RAT' (Redondo And Torrance) Beach, and the King Harbor area all are wonderful places for recreation in the Redondo area.

I've sold lots of homes in Redondo -- let me put that expertise to work for you!

.Redondo Beach in two halves, North and South.
North Redondo (where part of my family lives) is stepped back from the ocean after Manhattan and Hermosa Beach. (where we live) The City is really aligning to try and boost out the Power Plant.

South Redondo Beach is blessed to align to the ocean. The streets North to South are called the jewel streets; they are alphabetical A- Agate, Beryl, Carnelian, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet then pause for Torrance Bl. to cross followed by Opal, Pearl, Sapphire, then Knob Hill Crosses. ( We were married right there in the Religious Science Church) The Avenues begin then North to South with A through I. Then there are the Sister streets also alphabetical. If you are heading to Lucia and crossing Helberta...you know you are close. I was told they are streets named after the daughters from the Dominguez family. Learn more from Redondo Beach Patch-See (http://redondobeach.patch.com/articles/historian-delves-into-local-roots#photo-12848674)

We lived on Avenue F for about 5 years. We know first-hand about the quality of Tulita, which is a fantastic School as well as Parras, Alta Vista, and Redondo High. There are other wonderful schools and summer camps, like Riviera Hall School, and Carden Dominion. South Redondo is a great family community with sports for all ages. You may have been to the Christmas Tree light area.

Redondo Public services department and Libraries stand out as a model for other communities. The quality of services and goodwill make you feel really valued as a person living there. I've talked to them as they work to handle a gopher taking out whole plants at a time, to bubble sprinkler heads to conserve water, to checking Fire Hydrants on local streets. This proactive, smart, community is working together to try and vote out the AES Power Plant and restore its right to a valuable and safe community at the beach.

Redondo is a big big place with so many communities. Apartment’s crowd together on Ave G but it's affordable and there is a Foreign Exchange School nearby on PCH. Everyone can walk to the Beach, to shop or dine H.T Grill, Hennesseys, Starbucks, (everything to eat or buy is avail in blocks from any country.) Discover the true heart of Redondo, a walking paradise, with its shops and places to stop in, Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Albertsons, Vons, Trader Joes, Chase, B of A. Blaine Nutrition, Cafe Arrigato. It’s well worth the trip and to visit and consider buying a home. There are many classes, Music and Dance, just name it for kids, and Redondo has it. Our RE/MAX Estate Properties office is on Elena just off Palos Verdes Drive North.

Combinations of homes from Historic, tree lined streets, to the Esplanade with buildings of condos towering along the Pacific. Specifically from street to street you will find the single family beach homes and a variety of sizes and shapes. I love California where people live and let live and walk the pets along the sidewalks.
North Redondo has an area of homes called the TRW Tract. Other streets have such a mixture of homes and dates built, that you would be amazed and the neighborhoods have a distinct personality. One might be all single family homes, the next might be duplexes built like Mansions. I promise you Redondo Beach dirt alone is worth the price. They say Buyers set the prices; it’s what they will pay. Values are up all over the South Bay. There is something for everyone here. First time buyers, tenants, moving up or moving downsize you can walk everywhere. People love it. Expensive… its relative. After all it is the Beach and as Zig Ziglar said, God's not making any more of it

In the Riviera Village you will quickly see that our little village is growing up and embracing an appriciation of good food and shopping. You've got the Yellow Vase, a very European Cafe where you can sit out in the Southern Californian sunshine and enjoy a coffee or a full lunch. Dolce Vita across the street has a new owner as of the last 5 months but looks like they are making some improvements.

Stroll into Beauty Loops and suddenly you feel like you are back in a European shop with a great selection of items that inspire some serious spending.

Looking for a good burger? You've got Hennesy's or Bull Pit.

Esplanade is THE place to stroll with your beloved dog. You can see all shapes and sizes as people sit and enjoy the daily dolphin show. The acquatic life is indeed a real show.

I could go on and on about South Redondo Beach, the place I call home. But you must explore and enjoy for yourself!

Redondo Beach is a beach community in the South Bay of Los Angeles just south of Hermosa Beach and west of Torrance. Redondo Beach is home to King Harbor, one of the finest recreational marinas on the west coast, and also has numerous restaurants in the King Harbor area and on the Redondo Beach Pier. Redondo Beach consists of 6.3 square miles and some of the finest beaches in the Los Angeles area. .

Neighborhoods:

South Redondo: This is the area of the city south of Herondo/Anita/190th Street that is adjacent to the ocean. This neighborhood contains King Harbor and the Redondo Beach Pier, as well as the Esplanade, a street running the length of the beach in Redondo with homes and apartments with ocean front views. At the southern tip of Redondo Beach is Riviera Village, a shopping village with excellent shops and restaurants. This area includes many condominium and townhouse developments which have replaced older single family residences on large lots.

North Redondo: This area of Redondo Beach stretches north of 190th Street, extending to Marine Avenue on the north, with Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach on the west. This area includes the City's largest shopping center, the South Bay Galleria, at the corner of Artesia Boulevard and Hawthorne Boulevard in the City's easternmost area. Many of the single family homes are in the northern half of the city which is several miles inland and consequently command lower overall sales prices than those found in other South Bay beach cities. This area also includes large lots which have had old single family residences replaced by two homes on a lot, and even if they are detached homes, some are considered townhouses because they may share some common area, such as a driveway.

Culture:The center of cultural and arts programs in Redondo Beach is the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. This 1,457 seat theatre hosts the South Bay Civic Light Opera company as well as the Distinguished Speaker Series where such speakers as Astronaut John Glenn, Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, Comedian Dennis Miller, author Amy Tan, former Secretary of Education William Bennett, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and political humorist Mark Russell were scheduled to speak in 2005.

The Redondo Beach Unified School District consists of eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school (Redondo Union High School), one continuation school, and one adult school. The schools score generally high on the state standardized test scores.

Redondo Beach Pier: The Pier at Redondo Beach is home to several sea food restaurants and other enjoyable recreational activities. It is a horse shoe shape, with restaurants and shops anchoring each end.

King's Harbor: This recreational boating Marina located just north of the Redondo Beach Pier is home to several excellent restaurants including the Chart House and the Cheesecake Factory.

Parks: There are 14 neighborhood parks in the City of Redondo Beach. Aviation Park, the location of the former Aviation High School, is the site of the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, and has a gymnasium and a running track. Alta Vista Park, located on El Camino, just south of Prospect, is a 10 acre park with a tennis and racquetball center, 3 lighted baseball fields, one soccer field, 8 tennis courts, a community center, picnic tables, play structures and swings, and rest rooms.Two of the more interesting parks are the Seaside Lagoon and the Wilderness Park.

Seaside Lagoon: This park, west of Catalina on Portofino, is a 4 acre salt water lagoon, that uses heated water from the adjacent power generation plant to warm the waters of the lagoon, which are great for swimming. The park has picnic benches, bar-b-que facilities, play equipment. There is also a grassed area and luau shelter for day and evening events.

Wilderness Park: This 11 acre park, on Camino Real and Knob Hill, just south of Prospect, is a natural oasis in the midst of the urban development of the area. The park has multiple camp sites that allow overnight camping, with bar-b-que facilities and restrooms. The park is a favorite overnight trip for local youth groups. Interestingly, this park was originally a Nike missle base that the Federal Government decommissioned and transfered to the City of Redondo Beach on May 7, 1971.

Sports and Recreation: Multiple sports facilities are available at the 14 excellent parks in Redondo Beach. Youth leagues in all sports are available including roller hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball. The Recreation and Sports Department of the City with such programs as Adult sports leagues (men's a co-ed volleyball and slo-pitch softball, and basketball), After school programs, camps, recreation programs for youth and adults, a teen center, a sailing academy and a swim program

Taxes:
Property Taxes: The property tax rate for the fiscal year 2011-2012 is 1.106685% (computed by the standard 1.0% of the property's assessed valuation (in accordance with Proposition 13, a property's assessed valuation is the original purchase price, plus the cost of improvements, based on the value of permits pulled, plus an increase in valuation of 2% per year) plus additional tax rates for voted bonded indebtedness) plus direct assessments of approx. $500-$1,600 per parcel for such items as school parcel taxes, etc..

Property Transfer Tax: The County of Los Angeles levies a transfer tax upon the sale of a property of $1.10 per thousand dollars of the sale price. The City of Redondo Beach levies an additional transfer tax of $2.20 per thousand dollars. Redondo Beach is the only South Bay Beach community that has an additional transfer to be paid upon sale of a property. This is normally paid by the seller.

The City of Redondo Beach operates its own Police and Fire Departments. In 1992, the Redondo Beach Fire Department achieved recognition as a Class II Fire Department.

I remember when I was a kid in the 1970’s my parents were always talking about how great Redondo Beach was. I don’t know if this was specific to my family but I don’t think so. Redondo Beach, I think, was one of those “it” places to live. Redondo Beach now has a crowded field to contend with—Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach. Those all seriously give Redondo Beach a run for its money. But Redondo more than holds its own.

There is, of course, the obvious thing that all of these neighborhoods have going for them: great beaches. Redondo is especially good because it has a little bit more going on than Manhattan or Hermosa. Not only does Redondo have great beaches where you can take an early morning jog or get a tan, it also has a marina to rival that of Marina Del Rey and a pier that is second to only Santa Monica. Redondo Beach is also a bit more affordable than Manhattan and Hermosa.

On the other hand, Redondo Beach is much more family friendly than most of its northern neighbors. Redondo is, first of all, safer than Santa Monica and much safer than Venice. Consider, for example the murder rate. Since 2007 there have only been two murders in Redondo Beach. Although one was a drive by, the other should not be considered in the same category with run-of-mill crime. It involved a former Redondo High School grad who didn’t realize she was pregnant, gave birth, killed her newborn, and dumped the body in a pier side garbage can. The body was found. Everyone who lived around here heard about this case on the nightly news. A truly horrifying occurrence on a number of levels, but the kind of outlier that should not really be counted in with regular forms of crime. Overall Redondo Beach has a much lower crime rate than the national average.

The other thing that makes Redondo Beach much more kid friendly are the schools. Redondo High, for example, regularly gets 33% of kids to pass the math portion of the STAR test and despite having a fairly ethnically mixed student body manages to have 2/3 pass the English portion. SAT scores are a good 100 points above the state average. It missed two No Child Left Behind Standards this last year but this is atypical—usually it passes all such standards.

Redondo Beach is a fairly densely packed place to live in the residential areas. Homes here run the gamut from boxy apartment buildings on the neighborhood’s northern end, to expensive condos nearer to the beach. Because much of Redondo Beach is on an incline, this produces many more opportunities for homes with a view. Some of the best of these are homes in the Mediterranean style with tile roofs and trimmings.

Redondo also gives up very little when it comes to nightlife. You can find everything here, from cool little bars to elegant seafood places to cool little seaside burger joints.

Overall, this is one of the best places in LA to live.