It was late December 1988. My family and I lived in a gorgeous 1920s home in the Old Northeast section of St. Petersburg, Florida. My four children were happily ensconced in a top rated private school. I was one of the founding member of the Ballet Society, and life was humming along in the happy lane. Naturally, it was time to move.
I was a reluctant house hunter. I thought Los Angeles was a fun place to visit, not to live. As the jet approached the Los Angeles area the night I arrived, I was struck by how immense the area is. I wondered how I would find the right schools, the right neighborhood and the right house to begin the California chapter of our lives.
I had 3 Absolutely Must Haves:
1. CLEAN AIR - Don't laugh, I thought it would be impossible to find, but with a child with severe asthma it was my number one criteria. 
2. TOP RATED and RANKED SCHOOLS - As a former teacher quality education was a top priority.
3. LOCATION - We needed to be close to freeways (to join the 405 crawl), schools, hospital, airport and for fun the ocean/beaches, mountains and desert.
Jackpot! I found them all in Palos Verdes! They are still here waiting for you.
Ok, the desert and mountains are a couple of hours away, but they are both worth the drive and the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
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Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Norma's award winning site as the best Palos Verdes homes and real estate blog since 2007. Selected by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
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I have loved driving through Palos Verdes whenever life has taken me out of Orange County. So much personality! I'm glad you found a place that met your criteria, and more, I'm sure...
Norma - What a beautiful photo. I love the coast of southern CA, much warmer than the Northcoast (Humboldt). It's great when you find a place that meets not only your needs, but desires too.
C&C at January Financial: Come on up!
Jessica - Yes, it can be a bit chilly up your way, but still beautiful.
Of course those beautiful cliffs don't hurt either, dont see many of those in FL
Norma,
I can why you love Palos Verdes, beautiful picture in your post. How long did you live in St. Petersburg, Florida? I have clients who have moved from Tampa Bay area, and one year later they called and they are moving back. I guess, they didn't find their jackpot.
Kelly - Not many cliffs in Florida, but lots of beautiful beaches!
Sharon - I lived at 1650 Beach Dr. in St. Petersburg from 1986-1989.
Norma,
We were in town at the same time for, I moved to Tampa in 1988 from Washington, D.C.
Thanks for sharing.