Golden State Mobile Lodge

For many residents across California, the dream of homeownership in the state's competitive real estate market can often seem out of reach. Manufactured home communities, commonly known as mobile home parks, offer a viable and often more affordable pathway to owning a home, while leasing the land on which it sits. These communities aim to provide a more accessible entry point into the housing market, fostering a unique blend of personal homeownership and communal living.

Golden State Mobile Lodge, located in the dynamic city of Torrance, California, is one such manufactured home community. Originally a senior park, it has transitioned to an all-age community, aiming to accommodate a broader demographic seeking housing in the South Bay area. While the park strives to offer a community environment with various amenities, it's essential for prospective residents to be fully informed about all aspects of life within the park. This article will provide an overview of Golden State Mobile Lodge, detailing its strategic location, the services it typically offers, its key features and highlights, important contact information, and critical considerations for locals in the California region contemplating residency here.

Torrance, California, is a prominent city situated in the desirable South Bay region of Los Angeles County. It's well-regarded for its mild climate, extensive green spaces, and a strong local economy. Torrance offers a compelling mix of suburban tranquility and convenient access to the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city boasts a highly-rated school system, with many schools falling under the Los Angeles Unified attendance zone, making it a consideration for families. Its strategic position provides residents with a balanced lifestyle, featuring access to both recreational opportunities and significant urban centers.

Golden State Mobile Lodge is conveniently situated at 22600 Normandie Ave #30, Torrance, CA 90502, USA. This location places the community on Normandie Avenue, a major north-south thoroughfare in Torrance, ensuring straightforward access to local amenities and transportation networks. The park's proximity to major freeways such as the I-110 (Harbor Freeway) and the I-405 (San Diego Freeway) is a significant advantage for commuters, offering direct routes to downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and various employment hubs across Southern California. This excellent connectivity streamlines daily travel for work, educational pursuits, and leisure activities.

The immediate vicinity of Golden State Mobile Lodge provides residents with easy access to a wide array of necessities and conveniences. Shopping centers, grocery stores, diverse dining options, and local businesses are all within a short drive. Nearby educational institutions like Harbor College, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and El Camino College, Torrance, add to the area's appeal for students and academics. Additionally, the presence of various parks and recreational areas in Torrance contributes to a higher quality of life, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. While the location on a main avenue offers accessibility, prospective residents should be mindful of potential traffic noise.

As a manufactured home community, Golden State Mobile Lodge offers a range of services that are standard for this type of living arrangement. While specific details should always be verified directly with park management, the following services are typically provided:

• Space Rental: Residents own their manufactured home but lease the plot of land, or space, within the park. This monthly space rent covers the cost of the land lease. Reviews indicate current rates are "going over $1700 a month," with some mentioning an approximate $1,800 as of July 2024, and concerns about "constantly increasing" rates.
• Utility Connections: The park provides the necessary infrastructure for connecting individual homes to essential utilities such as water, sewer (public sewer), and electricity (standard electric). While utilities may have historically been master-metered, the community has been "approved for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Mobilehome Park Utility Conversion Program," which will lead to "direct billing for residents" from the utility company, a significant change.
• Common Area Maintenance: Management is generally responsible for the upkeep and landscaping of shared spaces, including internal roads, common green areas, and facilities like the clubhouse and pool areas. However, some reviews mention concerns about the consistency of "park services... trash, water, electricity" shutdowns and efforts focused on the clubhouse "that no one uses."
• On-Site Management: A management team or resident manager is typically available during business hours to address resident inquiries, enforce park rules, and manage park operations. One review notes "Park Manager Name: Karla" with phone "310-320-3454."
• Trash Collection: Waste management services are usually provided for residents, often through designated collection points or curbside pickup. However, some reviews cite issues with "trash" services being shut down.
• Security: Some online listings mention "Security: Resident Manager or Management On Site" and "Carbon Monoxide Detector(s), Resident Manager, Smoke Detector(s)" within the property details for homes, suggesting some level of on-site security oversight.

Golden State Mobile Lodge features several amenities designed to enhance the residents' experience. While some amenities are typical for manufactured home communities, it's important to consider all aspects based on available information:

• Community Pool: The park offers a community pool, providing a recreational amenity for residents. However, a review states, "the pool is turned off all winter but you pay anyway," indicating seasonal availability or limited access.
• Clubhouse: A clubhouse is available, which may include amenities like a billiard room. Reviews mention "billiards room with TVs" and a "clubhouse with a full kitchen," offering spaces for social gatherings. However, some residents feel the "five times refurbished clubhouse that no one uses" might indicate underutilization or dissatisfaction.
• Laundry Facilities: The park provides "laundry facilities" or "laundry room," which is a common and convenient amenity for residents, especially those whose homes may not have in-unit laundry hookups. Some homes do offer "inside new stackable washer and dryer" and "washer and dryer hook-ups (stackable only)."
• Pet-Friendly Environment: The park is identified as "Pet-Friendly" with "Breed Restrictions," indicating it accommodates residents with pets under certain guidelines.
• "Solar Ready" Homes: Recent additions to the community include "new 'Solar Ready' Rental 2 master suites Home" placed in August 2024, highlighting an effort towards modern and potentially energy-efficient housing options. These new homes feature modern interiors with "Corian countertops," "Whirlpool Stainless Steel appliances," "9-foot ceilings," "central A/C," and "walk-in shower with frameless shower doors."
• Carport Parking: Most homes come with "2 Carport Spaces" or "plenty of carport space to accommodate up to three parking spaces," offering convenient on-site parking for residents.
• Storage Sheds: Many homes include an "attached exterior storage shed" or a "storage shed," providing valuable extra storage space for residents.
• All-Age Community: While it was previously a senior park, Golden State Mobile Lodge has transitioned to an "all-age community," broadening its appeal to families and individuals of various life stages.

For those interested in Golden State Mobile Lodge, the following contact information is available:

Address: 22600 Normandie Ave # 30, Torrance, CA 90502, USA

Phone: (310) 320-3454 or +1 310-320-3454

Park Manager Name: Karla (as per some online listings) with phone 310-320-3454.

Prospective residents are strongly advised to contact the park management directly to verify current space rental rates, availability of homes, detailed amenity access, and any specific community policies. Given some of the concerns raised in reviews, a direct visit and thorough questioning are highly recommended to ensure full transparency and understanding before making any decisions.

In conclusion, Golden State Mobile Lodge in Torrance, California, presents a complex picture as a manufactured home community. For locals in the California region, it offers a pathway to homeownership in a desirable South Bay location, with new "solar ready" homes introducing modern living features. The presence of amenities like a pool, clubhouse, and laundry facilities, coupled with its status as an all-age community, can be appealing to a diverse range of residents, including families.

However, it is crucial for prospective residents to conduct thorough due diligence, particularly concerning the significant concerns raised by existing residents. These include consistent yearly increases in space rent described as "ridiculous rates," perceived neglect of seniors, "eviction warnings" accompanying rent notices, and issues with the consistency of park services such as trash, water, and electricity. The reported presence of oil pipelines underneath homes, while potentially compensated, is also a unique factor to consider. The transition from a senior park to a family park, without prior resident consent or relocation offers, also highlights potential management approaches. For those considering Golden State Mobile Lodge, understanding these varied experiences and verifying all conditions directly with park management is paramount to making an informed decision about suitability for a long-term living arrangement in Torrance.

Golden State Mobile Lodge

22600 Normandie Ave # 30, Torrance, CA 90502, USA