Well summer may not really be over but for the students out there it’s winding down. Happy back to school and we hope it’s a little easier than last year.
If you’re looking for more information on Torrance Schools click here.
Schools are Very Important to the Torrance Real Estate Market
It’s no real secret that good schools help drive real estate values in certain neighborhoods and communities. Buyers with kids want to be in
areas with good schools and that higher demand helps keep values up. Even those without kids greatly benefit from a strong school system. The stronger the schools the more insulated a market is from any downturns. That was very evident in Redondo Beach that saw home prices drop during the recession and housing crisis, but only a very small amount compared with other local areas that do not have as strong a school system.
A recent CAR study showed that 47% of home buyers said good schools were very importan, 23% said that they were somewhat important, 11% said not very important and 19% said that it was not important at all.
The 19% may not realize just how much of an influence schools play on values and demand. Good elementary schools are often part of a good community and without question most buyers would like to live in a good community.
The Torrance Unified School District is highly ranked and that creates a very high demand, especially for families thinking of living in this coastal community.
The study also conclued that 43% of consumers age 34 or under believe highly rated schools are very important. 58% of consumers earning more than $100,000 a year think that highly rated schools are very important.
Torrance Schools….how they score
By Keith Kyle
Without question one of the many reasons people want to live in Torrance is the highly ranked Torrance Unified School District. From the elementary schools to the highly regarded high schools, the district has a lot to offer and always ranks high in state test scores. Both South and West High were recently named one of the Top 500 Public High Schools by Newsweek. See the school test scores in nearby Redondo Beach CA.
| TORRANCE UNIFIED | 860 | 869 | D | -9 | |
| Elementary Schools | |||||
| Anza Elementary | 916 | 918 | A | -2 | Yes |
| Arlington Elementary | 885 | 887 | A | -2 | Yes |
| Edison Elementary | 860 | 876 | A | -16 | Yes |
| Evelyn Carr Elementary | 813 | 834 | A | -21 | Yes |
| Fern Elementary | 844 | 864 | A | -20 | Yes |
| Hickory Elementary | |||||
| Howard Wood Elementary | 842 | 846 | A | -4 | Yes |
| John Adams Elementary | 850 | 853 | A | -3 | Yes |
| Joseph Arnold Elementary | 899 | 907 | A | -8 | Yes |
| Lincoln Elementary | 894 | 897 | A | -3 | Yes |
| Riviera Elementary | 907 | 918 | A | -11 | Yes |
| Seaside Elementary | 902 | 915 | A | -13 | Yes |
| Torrance Elementary | 821 | 837 | A | -16 | Yes |
| Towers Elementary | 908 | 916 | A | -8 | Yes |
| Victor Elementary | 899 | 916 | A | -17 | Yes |
| Walteria Elementary | 906 | 909 | A | -3 | Yes |
| Yukon Elementary | 838 | 859 | A | -21 | Yes |
| Middle Schools | |||||
| Bert M. Lynn Middle | 910 | 936 | A | -26 | Yes |
| Calle Mayor Middle | 908 | 928 | A | -20 | Yes |
| Casimir Middle | 859 | 862 | A | -3 | Yes |
| Edward J. Richardson Middle | 907 | 921 | A | -14 | Yes |
| J. H. Hull Middle | 800 | 826 | A | -26 | Yes |
| Jefferson Middle | 858 | 887 | A | -29 | Yes |
| Madrona Middle | 882 | 891 | A | -9 | Yes |
| Philip Magruder Middle | 846 | 827 | A | 19 | Yes |
| High Schools | |||||
| North High | 807 | 815 | A | -8 | Yes |
| South High | 875 | 876 | A | -1 | Yes |
| Torrance High | 811 | 822 | A | -11 | Yes |
| West High | 868 | 873 | A | -5 | Yes |
Eight South Bay high schools make Newsweek’s top 500 list
Eight South Bay high schools made Newsweek magazine’s annual list of America’s Top High Schools, and two ranked in the top 100.The list released Wed 8/19/15
Source: Eight South Bay high schools make Newsweek’s top 500 list
Neighborhood Spotlight – Southwood Torrance Homes
Sitting between West Torrance and South Torrance is the wonderful neighborhood of Southwood. This small area also sits just east of
Redondo Beach and the proximity to the ocean means milder weather and great ocean breezes that other parts of the city don’t enjoy. Comprised mainly of 1940s and 1950s beach style bungalows, the area is still more affordable than some of the nearby beach cities while still having a certain charm lost in some of these other areas with oversized homes, makes a statement type architecture and over development. Some homes have gone the route of maximum square footage, but the majority still look like homes that belong in the neighborhoods and give homeowners a bit of space and separation. Although prices are still below neighboring South Redondo, they have risen dramatically in the past 2 years with most original smaller 3 bed/1 bath homes starting in the mid to low $600’s for fairly original, but nice condition, and the larger 3 bed/2 bath 1400 foot (many homes added a family room accounting for the extra square footage) selling anywhere from the mid to low $700s up to the low $900’s depending on location and condition.
What makes the area so special is the community feel, with an abundance of parks, dog parks and schools all within walking distance. A quick drive down just about any street says it all with pride of ownership being quite apparent. Manicured lawns, updated homes, tree lined streets and an abundance of neighbors walking the area makes for a great atmosphere. Contact us if you are interested in learning more about Southwood or would be interested in receiving free email updates with the latest listings.