Pacific Colony

Pacific Colony is a gated community in the find the tradition of the OC. The simple idea is to create a little community behind protective walls and a security guard so that those within can feel safe. (You know like in Medieval times when the village would close its gates at night to avoid being sacked by marauders.) There is something about this set of arrangements that makes those of us of a more liberal persuasion more than a little nervous that the real reasons for wanting to hide behind these protective walls are more reprehensible. It is a no coincidence that gated communities should be so popular in the conservative OC to the south.

Before I continue, I should also admit that I have never actually been past the “guard house” of their little citadel so my review is purely based on what I could find out through other sources. Overall, the whole thing feels somewhat like a vacation resort from my perspective (at least when looking through binoculars from the trees across the way). They have a palm tree lined pool, for example, whose high back bushes could give you the impression that you are in any number of resorts south of the border. There is also a clubhouse (that can be rented, I’m sure they would like me to advertise). It has an exercise room and a little living room area with some of the ugliest furniture I have ever seen—I think they are going for a sort of safari theme and not quite getting there.

The condos here are very similar, but, you do get your driveway and dedicated palm tree. And each floor plan has slight variations so you can really feel like an individual once you enter your “home.” (Wait! Be sure to check the number so that you don’t end up in your neighbor’s house. Remember how embarrassing that was last time when you spent half the evening ignoring his wife instead of yours, before you both realized that you are Stan the stockbroker, not Dan the banker. Ohhhh! Good times... Good times...)

I’d love to tell you demographic information about this location or even sales prices, but they keep those locked up just like everything else.

When residents dare to venture forth into the dangers of Torrance (whose crime rate, by the way, is way lower than both the state’s and City of Los Angeles’ crime rate), they can cross the busy street to the high school, to grab a burger, or to play some tennis. Then they can hurry back to the safety of their walls and armed protection.

The high school across the street, Bishop Montgomery, residents will be happy to hear, is a private school so you can avoid the riff raff there as well.

If you love pristine streets and the feeling that you are living in completely artificial environment, then you have found home.