Lynne Pope Kw

The Best City within the City of Los Angeles is not downtown. It’s Century City. The obvious fact is that it is a truly planned and well-designed community. The land area was sold from 20th Century Fox studio and developed by Alcoa. Built to the most modern Earthquake standards it became the City built with a plan.
This is the urban lifestyle. The fact that anyone can go to the mountains or to the beach is great for all people living in LA. But walking to work and being one of the few fortunate people to live there is a savings of years of hours of driving. It makes sense to the people who live there with the skyline of a beautiful city. Think of this; compare trying to live near downtown LA. We have one of the most unique things of all, a great City providing a community of workplace with valuable properties surrounding it.
I have friends who live there. The dwellings are fantastic, valuable for resale and slow turnover. Neighbors do know each other, they have lived there for a long time.

Discovering Silverlake. The panoramic views and charm of this unique city place it as a top place to know about. The beauty of looking at the ocean and the lake is possible from some spots. Everyone is already talking about the restaurants and the hip community. Its True.

The Music scene and the arts intertwine as the streets. Its a lifestyle. I have visited the street music festival, the record shop Origami for vinyl records, awesome restaurants and some art shows that they have going on all the time. Modern Architecture with many Richard Neutra homes are in Silverlake. Walt Disney found this area and it fit him like a glove, after all he is the most visionary, creative guy and so Unique!

The people who live there really are so glad to be there. Its green, with privacy and urban all together.
Everything is so close. When we go there or eat out there it feels special, like an event.

Hermosa Beach- Becoming the most famous small town in the world. Sports has brought athletes to the community. Now, they are moving here from every sport! The weather allows families to enjoy year round outdoor activity. The older homes are being replaced by the latest greatest ones and Plantation style is winning the prize. Hot Volleyball, cool water, a town for athletic people, young or not so young- everyone is out walking, riding or running by this is the place to BE. Be yourself, be fun, be free! Home prices have continued to rise but the community has town-homes that compare in price to plantations in other states. Its still possible to find a community to find something affordable but each year its farther from the water.

North Hermosa Beach Sand Section is a Family Treasure
Living with school age children in North Hermosa Sand section is a dream lifestyle. Our little Pocket of community would not live anywhere else, once they find it. Our family bought in 1960 and more family in 1985 and more in 2004. Three generations of our family are living in homes within a block from the water now. Many of our neighbors are like that too, generations of family, a mixture of family living in the family home, or purchased when something comes up near where they grew up. We lived 8 houses away from grandmother. It's like living as close to the Hawaii lifestyle but with a great city nearby. Weekends people don't want to leave, we are where people want to vacation.

Hermosa Valley and View schools have teachers and staff that amaze me. The parent and student portal keeps us aware of grades and homework. Our high school choice is Mira Costa or Redondo Union High. Parks and Recreation community center is bustling with activity for every age, with sports, theater groups, and art classes. History is preserved right there in the Historical Society very well and worth a visit. Hermosa Valley Park has something for every age, or party, trees for climbing, picnic and grill stations, hills to run around in, Basketball area, soccer or field sports.

When we turn right on Artesia off Pacific Coast Highway it is a thrill to see the magnificent Ocean. Our community loves the sunsets. We get excited when whales spout like shooting fire hydrants, or dolphin groups leap lazily along. Our kids go to the Green Store for a treat or Marthas for breakfast of lunch. They play on the swings or getting older get to walk or bike or razor or skateboard to the Pier. They play tennis, have the skateboard park or are in local plays in our Community Center on Pier. Summers are the best with surf lessons and ocean safety. We see our neighbors in beach chairs lined up along the water, surfing or out on Paddleboards. In winter it gets quieter and residents enjoy the seasonal change of open beaches and smell of fireplaces as we walk.

Our streets have one hour parking permits March 15th through summer if really close to the water. Walking along the strand is absolutely what we do. Circling the blocks with our dogs, talking to neighbors, and watching sunsets is a ritual. Walk out on our Pier, shop local and discover what we have.

Hermosa has a mixture of beach homes and mansions. We sadly miss every beach house torn down. Land is expensive in all the beach cities in varying degrees. There is some sticker shock to people who first want to move here. The South Bay homes held their value very well along the bumpy Real Estate market down and up turns. Right now there is very little inventory. People who have bought and sold with me have said they want to live north of 10th or Pier and West of Valley Drive. One review about Hermosa says it has apartments. Every city has some and that is misleading to Hermosa as a whole. In our 1.5 square miles most of the apartments are along the South border of the Sand section. That is where young professionals new to the area can find a first place to lease and have their dog or cat. Then they learn the area and many move up to a purchase. Young people love moving here for the water, volleyball, bike and lifestyle.

Stuff Happens; like neighbor communities homeowners are drawing a line in the sand to defend the beaches from Oil drilling and Power Plants. Defending that stance since 1958, Hermosa Beach voted No to oil drilling. When an Earthquake in Santa Monica and Culver City struck Hermosa Beach rolled along in the sand and only lost our power for a day. Our community got even closer. My husband took flashlights over and checked on the two neighbors that are widowed. Neighbors do know neighbors. We miss the Bijou Theatre, the Either or Bookstore and Taco Bills. Everyone loves the Pier curve and upgraded landscape. Its fun to enjoy the established and new restaurants. Times change things, and now there are enough entertainment spots. Some get it right and stay and some go away. We enjoy Hermosa Beach and treasure each sunny day!