names of places near Los Angeles, that is comfortable and reasonable priced to live?

Question

Two friends of mine and I are planning on moving to California in like 4 or so months, and i was wondering if there is any city/town around Los Angeles that is comfortable living and reasonable priced? and please i know your thinking i have no idea because im from Maine, and you can be right to a point but i know it will be expensive i understand that but i believe all 3 of us want it bad enough to be there. so whatever advice anyone can give me about places to live, or jobs i would appreciate it.

Answer 1

First be prepared for sticker shock when it comes to rents. Rents average $1200-$3000 a month for 'decent' apartments. Anything less than $1200 a month will be in the worst, most crime-ridden neighborhoods in town. Sure, rents are cheaper right next to the freeways. So is the noise and the crime.
Look into North Torrance, North Redondo Beach, North Long Beach, and all of Orange County. There are jobs all over the place for qualified applicants, but be prepared to commute 30 miles both ways at 30 mph average speed. The freeways are just as bad as everyone claims them to be. Get used to much faster traffic and near misses in your car every day. Get used to so many more cars on the road. Get used to worse drivers on the road.
There are pockets of peace, if you know where to find them.
Some apartments in Rancho PalosVerdes cost a couple more hundred per month but the scenery, the quiet, and the more often than not decent neighbors make up for it. Torrance is very much a family city, with rents comparable to Palos Verdes and Redondo Beach but has lots of parks and great local shopping.
Avoid West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Venice unless you really are bringing in the big bucks.
Good luck to you.