Several communities make up the greater Palos Verdes area, including Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Peninsula, and Palos Verdes Estates.  While prospective residents must consider the qualities and pitfalls of each community, there is no need to worry about education for the children. The award-winning Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District operates seventeen schools in the area and provides an exceptional education to each of the area’s youth.  Important considerations for people exploring the south bay area is proximity to the water, type of community, homeowner’s association policies, and proximity to the interstate for easy transportation into Los Angeles proper.

Located just 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, the city of Long Beach is situated in Orange County near the Pacific coast. With a population of about 493,000, Long Beach is the largest city that is not a county seat. The city is home to the Port of Long Beach, which is one of the world’s largest shipping ports, and has a large underground and offshore oil industry, as well as aircraft, automobile parts, electronic and audiovisual equipment, and home furnishing manufacturing. Long Beach is home to major corporations including Epson America, Molina Healthcare, and SCAN Health Plan. Over the past years, Long Beach has developed greatly to become a center of high-technology and aerospace industries.

Some of the major employers in Long Beach include Boeing, Verizon, Gulfstream Aerospace, and the Bragg Companies. Hospital service is available at hospitals such as Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Mary Medical Center, and Pacific Hospital of Long Beach. Residents can use several modes of public transportation such as the Metro light rail, Amtrak, Greyhound Lines, and several bus services, and the city is served by the Long Beach Airport. Long Beach offers great dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities, as well as major attractions of the arts, music, performing arts, and culture. Some popular attractions include the RMS Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, Pike Amusement Zone, and Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.