How to Choose the Right Glucometer?

Only a diabetic knows the real ordeal of managing their condition that has far reaching impact on their overall health. The smallest fluctuations in the associated factors could upset the blood glucose levels to a tremendous extent. It is very important if you are diabetic that you monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. It gives you and your doctor an insight into the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

Is the new diet working well, is your exercise routine helping, to what extent your stress levels can affect the blood glucose levels; these are very critical aspects of managing diabetes and it’s important to know the answers. Inadequately managed diabetes can lead to blindness and renal disorders. Of course, it would be very impractical to go to your doctor’s office to get your blood sugar levels checked every now and then. This is why you need your own, personal blood sugar monitor, also known as the glucometer. A glucometer is a compact digital device that can be used to monitor the blood sugar levels of the diabetic patients at home.

Now let’s talk about how it works and what features a good glucometer should have.

How does the Blood Sugar Monitor Work?

When it is about the mechanism used in the glucometers all boils down to chemistry. The glucometer consists of two elements; the testing strip and the monitor. The testing strip is for one-time use only and it is where all the magic happens. The strip comprises of some layers of specific chemicals and partitions to keep them segregated. The first chemical in the strip is the glucose oxidase. There is another one known as potassium ferricyanide. There are two metal electrodes as well that are meant for determining the flow of current that takes place during the chemical reaction.

The chemical reaction commences when the blood comes in contact with the testing strip and gets absorbed. The glucose oxidase reacts with the glucose in the blood and gets converted into gluconic acid. The gluconic acid moves onto the next layer in the strip, i.e., the potassium ferricyanide. The reaction between the gluconic acid and potassium ferricyanide results into the formation of potassium ferrocyanide. The potassium ferrocyanide reacts with the electrodes, which basically is electrolysis. The electrodes measure the flow of current and the monitor interprets it and displays the results on the screen in the form of a number that we can understand.

It is quite obvious that higher the blood glucose levels, more intense the reaction, and greater the amount of current generated. Although it might sound complicated to those who are not familiar with the concepts of chemistry, this is a very simple chain of reactions. Your glucometer looks compact and packs the power to show you the readings of your blood sugar levels within just a few seconds.

How to Choose the Right Glucometer?

Whether you are new to glucometers or you already have been using one and wish to upgrade to a better device; the above question is equally important in both cases. The cost of glucometer has two components as well, one being the initial cost of the monitor and the kit itself and the subsequent other supplies of testing strips. Before you start researching on a particular type of glucometer, do consult your doctor so that they can advise you to go for a specific glucometer.

• Simplicity and Ease

The other thing to consider is the ease of use. Some glucometers are very straightforward while others need more effort. How much blood does the test strip need to produce accurate readings, how much time does it take to get the reading, are the buttons large enough to offer convenience; are some important factors to consider. Glucometers needing a small blood sample, between 1 and 1.5 microlitres, are always preferable.

• Quality of Screen

The screen of your glucometer should be sufficiently large and bright to let you read the result effortlessly. It’s even better if you go for a device with an illuminated screen, which is just great for people who have trouble seeing clearly.

• Beepers and Audio Capabilities

Be it a glucometer or just any other health monitoring device for home use, a beeper is always a desirable feature. It makes a sound to get your attention and lets you know the process has been completed and readings generated. Besides, glucometers with audio capabilities that read out the results are great for those who have a bad vision.

• Memory

Some hi-end glucometers have a memory to store the blood test results; along with the date and time the tests were taken. Such devices are also capable of charting a trend of your blood sugar levels to show you the big picture. Some glucometers also facilitate downloading your results to your smartphone or computer for further analysis.

• Budget

Like in the case of any other health monitoring device, your budget plays a crucial role while purchasing a glucometer as well. The price on the basic glucometer would be low and the one with fancy features would obviously cost more. A glucometer is like an investment. You would need to use it several times a day and accuracy is very important. Try not to go for a very low-end product. Opt for a reputed, doctor-recommended brand. It will serve you well in the long run. Apart from the spectacular product, the reputed brands are known for their good customer service and warranty against manufacturing defects. One Touch and Accu-Check are the makers of trustworthy blood glucose monitoring devices available in India.

Finally, when you buy the glucometer, take it to your doctor’s office. Most glucometers come with a comprehensive user manual with pictorials, but it won’t harm seeing your doctor just to be sure you know your device well. They will help you with using it. Also, verify your glucometer’s readings against your doctor’s glucometer, just to be sure yours is accurate. Keep the manufacturer’s toll-free number handy, should you have any queries pertaining to the functionality of your device or if it needs troubleshooting.

How to Choose the Right Blood Pressure Monitor?

An increasing number of people are developing hypertension each year given the chaotic lifestyle, unhealthy dietary habits and sometimes their genetic predisposition. In order to control the condition and preventing it from worsening, it is extremely important that the patients monitor their blood pressure regularly. It is quite obvious that visiting the doctor every other day is not a feasible option. This is where the home health monitoring devices come into the picture.

Blood pressure monitors for checking blood pressure at home are all the rage right now. Not only do they offer convenience but also motivate the user to enhance their lifestyle and gain control over the condition. The market is flooded with hundreds of blood pressure monitoring devices. But which one is right for you? What should your blood pressure monitor have that will make it worth all the money you spend? Let’s talk about it.

How does the Blood Pressure Monitor Work?

The blood pressure is expressed in terms of two numbers one over the other. The normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 or 120/80 mm of Hg. The 120 is the systolic pressure and 80 is the diastolic pressure. A person with pre-hypertension pressure exhibits the systolic blood pressure in the range of 120-139 and the diastolic pressure in the range of 80-89. A person with full-blown hypertension has the systolic pressure of 140 or above and the diastolic pressure of 90 or above.

Now you might be wondering, what do systolic and diastolic mean? Systolic pressure is the pressure of blood in the arteries which is created every time the ventricles of the heart contract and push oxygenated blood out into the body. Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure in the arteries when the ventricles relax in between in the contractions.

The blood pressure monitor measures the arterial blood pressure at these two instances, i.e., contraction and relaxation of the ventricles of the heart. The sphygmomanometer used by the doctors is a complex device and not everybody can use it and interpret the readings correctly. To make blood pressure monitoring at home hassle free, the makers of the blood pressure monitors have been striving to simplify and automate the device.

Regular monitoring of blood pressure is important for patients of pre-hypertension to detect any health problems early ahead and to manage the anomaly in a better manner. Similarly, hypertension patients need routine checkups to make sure their medication and changes in diet and lifestyle are making a positive difference.

What to Look for When Shopping for a Blood Pressure Monitor?

• Type of Blood Pressure Monitors

It goes without saying that you must go for the fully automatic, digital blood pressure monitor. But there are 3 subtypes as well. Some monitors measure the blood pressure at your finger while some are supposed to measure the pressure at the wrist. However, the monitors that are designed to measure blood pressure at the upper arm are your best bet. They are way more accurate than the other two variants. The cuff is supposed to be worn in the center, right between the elbow and the shoulder joint. Doctors advise against using monitors that measure the blood pressure at the finger because they are very inaccurate.

• Size of the Cuff

When it comes to cuff size, there is no ‘one size fits all’. Most blood pressure monitoring devices come with medium-size cuffs, which would be too big for children and too small for well-built or obese individuals. In that case, you might want to order a separate cuff that would fit your arm well. Here is a guide of cuff length in centimeter corresponding to the small, medium and large size.

o  Large – 32 to 45 centimeters

o  Medium – 22 to 32 centimeters

o  Small – 18 to 22 centimeters

• Automated Operations

The blood pressure monitoring device should offer a one-touch operation. Once the cuff is wrapped around the arm and the device turned on, the cuff inflates automatically. The device is equipped with the fuzzy logic mechanism and it is programmed to know how much the cuff should inflate and when it should deflate. The device then records the systolic and diastolic pressures as well as the pulse rate.

• Vivid Display

No matter how sophisticated your blood pressure monitor is, it makes no sense if you cannot make sense what is displayed on the screen. A good blood pressure monitor should have a nice, bright and larger LED screen. The characters appearing on the screen should be large enough, dark and bold to avoid any incidence of misreading the results. The screen should display the heart rate, both systolic and diastolic pressures simultaneously.

• After-Sales Services

Blood pressure monitoring devices need to be recalibrated after every one year or two. For this purpose, you would need to send your device back to the manufacturer. So before you finalize your purchases, make sure the manufacturer does indeed offer the recalibration service. Also, enquire about the fees they charge for the same.

•  Range of Measurement

The range for measuring systolic and diastolic pressures and heart rate is an indispensable factor. Imagine you have hypertension and your blood pressure is usually about 160/100 and your blood pressure monitor’s range end at 140/90! How would you know what your blood pressure is at the moment if your device is insufficient? So always make sure your device has an adequate range.

• Extra Features

It would be nice to have a long battery life since the blood pressure monitors usually run of 2 double-A batteries. Most of them have an inbuilt memory, sometimes with 2 different slots that store previous blood pressure readings separately for two different users. For example, the Hicks N800 Fully Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor has a memory of 120 readings, for two users, 60 readings for each. The memory definitely helps determine if your medication, exercise regimen and dietary and other lifestyle changes are working or if there is a need to tweak your dosage. It also calculates and displays the average of the previous three readings.

It goes without saying that you get what you pay for. Your budget plays an important role and the price of the device depends on its features. The prices range between INR 1999 and INR 20000. We hope this write-up cleared your dilemmas and that now you would be more confident while shopping for your new blood pressure monitoring device.

How to Choose the Right Thermometer?

No matter how simple a medical device seems, it takes a great deal of research before you buy it. The same applies to the thermometers. As simple as they seem, it is very important that you choose the one that suits your need the best. Today we will talk about thermometers, the ways to use them and the specs that a good thermometer should have. If you feel you need to buy a new thermometer, read on! This thermometer buying guide will certainly help you choose the right pick.

`

What is a Thermometer?

We all know what thermometers are ever since we were toddlers. The appointments with the pediatrician always commenced with measuring our body temperature with the old-school glass thermometers that we held in our mouth. But it’s been a really long time and thermometers, like any other health monitoring devices have undergone major transformation!

A word of caution though; if you are still using the glass thermometers with mercury, you should get rid of it. Do not throw it away in the trash. Since mercury is highly toxic, it needs to be disposed of safely. You could ask your doctor where can you send the thermometer for disposal like any other hazardous medical waste or you could look it up online.

Choosing the Right Thermometer

So, coming back to the new-fangled thermometers, I recently observed some of them and they have become insanely sophisticated. Gone are the days when you had to struggle to keep the thermometer under your tongue for a couple of minutes to get an accurate reading. The latest thermometers just need a few seconds to measure your body temperature. Not to mention, the new ones are more hygienic to use because not all of them need to be held in the mouth. Oh, and did I tell you these new thermometers are digital?

Types of Thermometers

• Oral Thermometers

Some digital thermometers are meant to be used orally, i.e., by holding the tip containing the sensor under the tongue. It usually takes 60-90 seconds to produce accurate results. These thermometers have an LED screen and often display the temperature in Fahrenheit. But if you are used to the readings in Celsius, some brands offer those too. They run on a coin cell battery. Starting from INR 170 apiece, they are also easy on the pocket.

The oral thermometers are perfect for use by kids over the age of 4 as well as the adults.

• Rectal Thermometers

As the name suggests, these thermometers are used to take the rectal temperature. The rectal thermometer is ideal for use by infants and kids under the age of 4. This is because the babies and toddlers are usually very squirmish and lack sufficient motor control to hold the oral thermometers properly in their mouth.

Rectal thermometers are very accurate and offer greater precision than the oral thermometers. Choose the one with a flexible tip. Make sure the tip has a marking that shows how deep the thermometer needs to be inserted into the rectum. It is important that you do not push it in beyond that mark; else it will certainly puncture your child’s rectum.

Before you begin to use it, check with your doctor if the particular rectal thermometer is safe to use for your child. Do not hesitate to ask for doctor’s help if the instructions in the user manual don’t suffice.

• Axillary Thermometers

Axillary thermometers are used by holding their tip snugly in the armpit. However, this is a very inaccurate way to measure the body’s temperature.

• Eardrum Thermometers

The eardrum thermometers have been very popular because of their simplicity and precision. The eardrum thermometer measures the infrared radiation stemming from the tissues of the eardrum and produces accurate temperature readings in just about 3 seconds. All you have to do is make the person sit still and gently place the tip of the thermometer into the person’s ear, just at the opening. You do not need to insert the thermometer too deep, just have to place the tip at the opening of the ear canal and wait for the thermometer to beep.

Eardrum thermometers are very accurate and can be used for kids as well as the adults with great ease. Make sure the ear doesn’t have too much wax accumulated in them; else it will cause the thermometer to produce incorrect readings. Also, avoid using eardrum thermometers if the person has undergone ear surgery, or has pain in their ears or an infection.

•  Temporal Artery Thermometers

These are by far the best kind of thermometers. I was thoroughly impressed by the temporal artery thermometer when I recently visited my physician. All he did was just hold the thermometer against my forehead for 3 seconds and beep! There it was! A 101° F!

The temporal artery thermometers have an infrared scanner that measures the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead of the person. It is accurate, convenient, hygienic and really quick. These could be a bit expensive but worth every penny.

If using the temporal thermometer for babies, be sure you double check its readings against those produced by a rectal thermometer.

• Pacifier Thermometers / Nipple Thermometer

These are the thermometers with the sensor embedded within the pacifier. It’s easy to use for taking your baby’s temperature orally. Like we mentioned earlier, oral thermometers are less accurate than rectal thermometers. That is why, most doctors suggest not using these.

• Multipurpose Thermometers

As the name suggests, these digital thermometers are designed to use any which way you prefer, whether orally, rectally or axillary. Just make sure that when you buy one of these, you use it in one specific way only. Otherwise, it would spread bacteria and affect the health of the users.

Whatever thermometer you choose, make sure they have a nice, clear LED screen for easy readability. Almost all models come with a beeper to indicate that the thermometer has measured the temperature and can be withdrawn. The auto shut-off feature would be nice to have, as it helps save battery. You could spend a little more and get a thermometer which has a memory and stores the previous temperature readings. It will help you understand which way the temperature of the user is moving, whether the fever has increased or subsided. 

How to Choose the Right Oximeter?

Planning to buy an oximeter, are we? Need some help in making the right purchase? Well then, keep reading! In this write-up, we are going to talk about oximeters. We think it’s very important that before you hit that ‘Add to Cart’ button, you know exactly what you are going for. What exactly is an oximeter? What is it used for? What kind of oximeter would be the best for you? All these questions need to be answered so that you go for the oximeter that is really good value for money. Let’s begin, shall we?

What is an Oximeter?

If you are someone like me who loves to watch Grey’s Anatomy but has actually never been inside a hospital as sophisticated as the Grey-Sloan Memorial, you could probably relate to this. The clothespin-like device pinned onto the patients’ index finger had always got me curious. What is this thing? What does it do? And then I googled about it and so I came to know it was an oximeter. I dug really deeper and was amazed how important the role of pulse oximetry in medicine is.

An oximeter is a medical device that is used to measure the concentration of oxygen in the blood. Patients with conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure, lung cancer, anemia etc may need a spot or continuous monitoring of blood oxygen level. Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive, quick and very accurate method of doing so.

How Does an Oximeter Work?

An oximeter has a probe which is pinned onto the patient’s index finger, toe or ear lobe, depending on the suitability. There are two light emitting diodes and a photo-detector on the inner side of the probe. When the oximeter is pinned onto the patient and turned on, the two light emitting diodes emit two kinds of lights. One diode emits light in the red spectrum at the wavelength of 660 nm and the other diode emits light in the infrared light at the wavelength of 940 nm.

The working of the oximeter is based on the fact that the oxyhaemoglobin (HbO2 - haemoglobin with oxygen) and deoxyhaemoglobin (Hb – a form of haemoglobin without oxygen) absorb the two lights differently. The light absorption of oxyhaemoglobin is higher for infrared, i.e., at 940 nm. Similarly, the light absorption of deoxyhaemoglobin is higher for the red light, i.e., at 660 nm. The photo detector on the other end measures the amount of unabsorbed light of each wavelength passing through the finger and the microprocessor does the further calculations.

The microprocessor first computes the concentration of oxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin, and then the percentage of oxyhaemoglobin, which is the arterial blood oxygen saturation, which is then displayed on the screen as SpO2.

Arterial Blood Oxygen Saturation OR Oxygen Concentration OR SpO2 = HbO2 * 100 / HbO2 + Hb

What to Look for in an Oximeter?

The kind of specifications you want in your oximeter would depend on how you expect to use it. There are basically 4 types of oximeters available in the market.

• Fingertip Oximeter – This is the simplest and cheapest option if all you want to do is a spot check your oxygen concentration. It runs on battery and the probe has a screen on itself that displays the oxygen levels and the heart rate.

• Handheld Oximeter – The probe of this oximeter is connected to the screen via a cord. It can be used for both spot check and continuous monitoring. These are widely used by the paramedics.

• Wrist Pulse Oximeter – Ideal of continuous use, this one has the probe is pinned onto the index finger and the screen is worn around the wrist like a watch. 

• Tabletop Oximeter – These are usually used in hospitals. They can be used at home if the patient is being nursed at home. These are larger devices with a probe connected to a bright LED screen that is placed on a tabletop at the bedside. Since the table top oximeters are used for constant monitoring, they have a long battery life of 14-16 hours. They can be completely recharged within 4-5 hours and also have a memory to store the stats recorded during several hours for analysis at a later date.

The larger and more sophisticated oximeters are highly precise as compared to their portable counterparts. The portable fingertip and write-worn oximeters are known to show a deviation of up to ±2% in the blood oxygen saturation.

It would be really smart of you to look for an oximeter that runs on electricity instead of batteries if you are going to need constant monitoring. It will save you the trouble of recharging or replacing the batteries again and again.

The fingertip oximeters are very handy and widely used. Most brands offer very versatile fingertip oximeters that can be used by children as well as adults with the utmost ease. To get accurate readings, it is very important that the oximeter probe fits your finger properly. Too loose or too tight, it will display incorrect results. The Nonin Go2 can accommodate fingers as thin as 0.3” and as thick as 1”, making it an ideal oximeter for both children and adults.

Other Specifications to Look For

• Alarm – Having an alarm in your oximeter would be an added advantage. They produce high pitch and low pitch sounds for increasing and decreasing oxygen saturation respectively.

• Warning mechanism – Some oximeters come with a warning light or produce an audible alert beep indicating some sort of interference or erroneous readings.

• Display – Pick an oximeter with a good, clear and vibrant screen so that you can read the results correctly.

Lastly, discuss it with your doctor what kind of oximeter would be the best for you. Once you buy it, take it to your doctor’s office and compare its readings with those of the doctor’s oximeter. This will validate the functionality and accuracy of your oximeter. Make sure it comes with an easy return policy, just in case it turns out to be defective or inaccurate.

How to Choose the Perfect Pedometer?

Are you planning to buy a new pedometer? Do the vast variety and the technical aspects of pedometers baffle you? Well, then you have landed at the right place! Today we are going to talk about what specs a good pedometer should have? But before we start, let’s take a look at the device itself and how could it help you improve your health.

What is a Pedometer?

A pedometer is a compact, pager-sized device that measures the distance travelled by the wearer while they walk. It does so by taking into account the number of steps taken while walking. A pedometer is embedded with motion sensors to identify vertical moves during ambulation. It is usually worn on the waist or hip. Some pedometers can be worn around the ankle as well.

Motivates the Users to Walk

Many a pedometer case study conducted around the world revealed that pedometer can encourage people to walk. The device is an economical and efficient way to motivate the people with a sedentary lifestyle to get some exercise. A brisk walk at 3 mph for half an hour every day lowers the risk of heart ailments, maintains the blood pressure at healthy levels, reduces the waist girth and enhances the BMI of the person.

What Does the Pedometer Do?

We often walk 5,000 feet per day on an average. It takes about 10,000 feet to stay fit and in shape, whereas 15000 feet for consistent weight loss. But how do we measure each step that we take? That’s where the pedometers come into the picture. Pedometers give the users an insight into the step count and calories expended while walking.

The pedometer case study results published in the Harvard Letter presents quantifiable results. The outcome indicates that people using pedometers walked at least 2,000 feet more than those who weren’t using the device, upping the levels of their physical activity levels by an impressive 27 percent.

Researchers are still hazy about how and why a pedometer works when it comes to encouraging the users to get off their feet and keep them going. It goes without saying; this would be a hot topic for future pedometer case studies.

So this was all about pedometer’s role in keeping you on your feet. Here is what the pedometer you buy should have.

Pedometers have been around since a very long time. They have evolved a lot from being a simple, mechanical device to a compact and precise electronic gadget. The features that you would want in your pedometer shall differ with your needs and your budget. For example, if you just need to get motivated and start walking, a simple pedometer with a step counter would suffice. But if you are seriously considering keeping a track of calories spent, a pedometer with a calorie counter would be a wise choice.

·                Piezoelectric Accelerometer

A piezoelectric accelerometer is a device that measures the changes in the acceleration of a body that is in motion. This is what your pedometer packs within itself that measures how many steps you have taken and how much distance did you cover.

Pedometers embedded with the piezoelectric accelerometer measures the changes in acceleration and vibrations with better precision and accuracy as compared the pendulum pedometers. Not to mention they don’t make the clicking sounds and are much quieter. Besides, if you expect your pendulum pedometer to give you accurate step count, it is necessary that you wear it on your waist in vertical position. Nevertheless, the pendulum pedometers cannot beat the precision offered by their counterparts with a piezoelectric accelerometer.

·                Processing Power

The accelerometers just sense the movements. It’s the processing power like that of a smartphone which interprets the data logged in by the accelerometer and converts it into information such as steps, calories, distance, speed etc. To be able to know all these associated variables, it’s vital that your pedometer uses smartphone technology.

·                Memory for Data Storage and Retrieval

Most modern pedometers come with an in-built memory that stores your information such as step count, calorie count, activity time, speed and distance for anything between 3 to 30 days. Such pedometers get automatically reset daily so that you do not need to worry about forgetting to reset before you start to run.

You could connect your pedometer to your smartphone or computer and synchronize the data. You could then take a look at the graphic interpretation such as graphs and charts of all the data gathered by your pedometer and keep a tab on your progress towards your fitness goal. This also helps you discover if your efforts are falling short somewhere and you need to buck up.

·                The Extras

Apart from the step counter and a clock/stopwatch, the high-end pedometers have an additional range of features. The Fitbit Zip which allow you to set a challenge and earn badges when you completely them successfully. You could compete with your friends and other Fitbit users, which is a great way for everyone to stay motivated. Fitbit Zip also keeps track of your food intake.

·                Your Budget

Your budget matters a lot when you choose your pick. The market is flooded with pedometers that are as cheap as INR 300 and as expensive as INR 4000.

The Fitbit Zip is loaded with features and costs INR 3990. On the other hand, the Dr. Morepen Pedometer is a somewhat low end as compared to the Fitbit Zip and costs INR 299. It all depends on how much money you are willing to shell out and the features you expect in your device. So basically, it’s the trade-off between the price and features.

What pedometer is good for you is a very subjective question. One thing we can say for sure is that a pedometer can boost your morale and give you an enormous push towards a healthier lifestyle. We hope this write-up helps you identify your needs and chose the perfect pedometer.

TEST 10

Westchester CA

Known for having an air of reclusiveness about it, Westchester is a neighborhood in the South Bay area of the County of Los Angeles. Westchester is a part of the Los Angeles City and this is where the Los Angeles International Airport situated. The neighborhood had started off as an agricultural community in the 20^th century given its favorable climate. It was in 1928 when the aerospace industry flourished in the region coupled with rising population in the City of Los Angeles that changed the face of Westchester CA.

Westchester is surrounded by numerous other communities of the County of Los Angeles on all the sides.

·         Culver City and Playa Vista on the northern side

·         El Segundo and Del Aire are on the southern side

·         Lennox and Inglewood share the eastern border of Westchester

·         Playa del Rey on the western side

Westchester CA neighborhood of Los Angeles CA sprawls across 10.81 sq. miles. Latest statistics suggests that the population of the neighborhood is 41,500 give or take. Westchester remains one of the sparsely populated areas in the City of LA. However, its population density is in proportion with the average for the LA County. The population is highly eclectic and can be broken down as follows:

·         Whites - 53%

·         Black – 16.6%

·         Latinos – 16.5%

·         Asians – 9.6%

·         Others – 4.9%

Around 15.8% of the people are of Irish and German descent, the most common lineage. Approximately 20.80% of the population consists of immigrants, mainly from Philippines and Mexico. Population data also reveals that Westchester CA is a home to 3055 military veterans. Percentage-wise the number comes to 9.2, which is commensurate with the average of the County of Los Angeles but significantly higher for the Los Angeles City.

Westchester is served by the Wiseburn School District. There are over 7 elementary schools, 6 secondary schools and 4 high schools and a community adult school. The neighborhood is the home to the Loyola Marymount University, Pepperdine University (West Los Angeles Campus) and Otis College of Art and Design. The number of people in Westchester holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees is higher that the city and county averages.

Like any other neighborhood in the LA city, Westchester has a buzzing cultural scenario. The Westchester Recreation Center is an all in one recreational facility. The Center has children’s play area, picnic tables and barbecue pits. To nurture the passion of the sports enthusiasts in the community, the Center houses a football field, baseball diamond, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a soccer field and a tennis court. All of these sports grounds are lighted. Besides, there is an auditorium, a community room, an indoor gym and an outdoor seasonal swimming pool as well. The Westchester Senior Citizen Center has the same facilities are the Westchester Recreation Center, minus the sports arenas.

Westchester CA is mostly a residential area. When it comes to the economy, apart from the aerospace industry, Westchester has a bustling hospitality industry. The neighborhood has some of the best hotels and restaurants that still have an old world charm. Westchester is known for its Googie architecture. Pann’s, a café at the La Tijera Boulevard and the Theme Building at the LAX are believed to be the most immaculate examples of Googie architecture.

Notable personalities like the former City Council President Pat Russell and former music manager Danny Sugarman have had an association with the Westchester for a very long time.

Redondo Beach CA

Redondo Beach CA is a beach city nestled in the South Bay region of the County of Los Angeles. Formerly inhabited by the Chowigna Indians, the city became a part of the Ranch San Pedro Spanish land grant during the 18^th Century. The land was later reclaimed by America post the Mexican-American War in the 19^th century.

Redondo Beach straddles across 6.25 sq. miles and is a home to an estimated 67,815 people. The population density is average from the perspective of both the South Bay region and the County. It is one of the 3 beach cities in the LA County and bordered by other cities in the LA County. On the north are the Hawthorne and Manhattan Beach, Hermosa on the northwest, Palos Verdes on the south while the Torrance City envelopes the eastern to southern border.

Redondo Beach enjoys a pleasant, moderate climate. The temperature usually ranges between 78° F and 45° F throughout the year. The rainfall is quite scanty and it doesn’t snow in Redondo Beach. The city is pleasantly sunny for most days of the year. Being a coastal city, people in Redondo Beach enjoy a wide range of beach sports and water sports. Beach Volleyball and surfing the waves are the major part of the people’s lives in the South Bay. There are others who like to ride bicycles, engage in skateboard and roller-skating, or just take a stroll. People here love their Sun and sand for sure!

If you look at it from the viewpoint of the South Bay region and the County of Los Angeles, the population of Redondo Beach CA is moderately eclectic. The proportion of Whites is 70.4%, which is very high for the County of LA. The rest of the population can be broken down into 13.4% Latino, 9.6% Asian, 2.2% Black and 4.3% other minor ethnicities.

The Redondo Beach Unified School District serves the city of Redondo Beach CA. There are 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools under the command of the District. There are a number of private schools, a charter school and an independent study school.

The cost of living in Redondo Beach CA is extremely high and is racing up at the rate of 20% every year. The demand for oceanfront homes is ever-increasing given the magnificent view and amazing, laidback lifestyle of the city. The city has its fair share of economic development. Aerospace major Northrop Grumman and upscale fashion retailer Nordstrom are some of the major employers in the Redondo Beach CA. Others include The Cheese Cake Factory, Crowne Plaza, Macy’s, Target, Redondo Beach Unified School District and Beach Cities Health District.

Redondo Beach has been a popular filming destination. The city has appeared in TV series like Dexter, CSI: Miami, 24, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Baywatch, The O.C., and Star Trek: The Original Series. Movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Men at Work, The Hot Chick, and Point Break were shot partly or entirely in Redondo Beach. The city has been mentioned in the cult classic Pulp Fiction. Vincent Vega, the character played by John Travolta hails from Redondo Beach.

Redondo Beach is or has been a home to scores of notable people; right from actors and models to astronauts and athletes. Demi Moore, Eve Torres, Pau Gasol, Shannon Brown, Judith Resnik, Slava Voynov etc have been associated with the city.

Hermosa Beach CA

Hermosa Beach is one of the three beach cities in the County of Los Angeles. The oceanfront city sitting along the coast of the Pacific Ocean is situated in the South Bay region. Initially during the 18^th century, the city was a part of Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant. Later it went on to become a part of Rancho Sausal Redondo Mexican land grant. Hermosa Beach had been an agricultural community for a long time. The land was used for growing grains, grazing the sheep and housing the farm animals.

It was at the beginning of the 20^th century when A.E. Pomroy, the landlord of a larger division of the Rancho Sausal Redondo sold the 2.35 sq. miles of land to the development company named Sherman and Clark. Soon after, the development of Hermosa Beach started and gradually turned to be what it is today. Hermosa Beach CA shares its borders with two other beach cities. The Redondo Beach lies across its eastern and southern borders while the Manhattan Beach lies on the northern side. To the west is the Pacific Ocean.

Hermosa Beach spans across 1.4 sq. miles and the estimated population is 19,891. The city happens to be one of the densely populated areas in both South Bay and the County of Los Angeles. The population is not very eclectic. It can be broken down into 84.9% White, 6.9% Latino, 4.9% Asian, 0.7% Black and 2.6% other minor communities.  

Hermosa Beach is blessed with pleasant, moderate climatic conditions. The temperature usually ranges between 78°F during summers and 45°F during winters. The city receives very little rainfall and no snow. It’s sunny in Hermosa Beach CA for most days of the year. The mornings during May, June, and July are usually foggy because of the difference in the temperature of the ocean currents. Nevertheless, the skies become clear by noon.

Hermosa Beach CA is served by the Hermosa Beach City School District. The district has 2 elementary and 2 high schools under its jurisdiction. The Hermosa Beach City School District is one of the best performers in the state of California. Hermosa Beach also has a private Catholic school, Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Hermosa Beach CA is an affluent city given its economic development. The supermarket chains like Vons and Ralphs are the major employers in the city. Other important businesses in the city are;

·         Hermosa Beach School District

·         City of Hermosa Beach

·         The 24 Hour Fitness

·         Shorewood Realtors

·         The Comedy & Magic Club

·         Intensive Behavior Intervention

·         Hope Chapel

Being an oceanfront city, Hermosa Beach has a vibrant sporting scenario. The people love to surf the waves, sunbathe and enjoy the drinks at the beachside bars. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail that runs alongside the Pacific Ocean is frequented by scores of joggers, cyclists, and walkers every day. Paddleboarding and Volleyball are yet another popular sports enjoyed by the people. The city also hosts the All Volleyball Professional Hermosa Beach Open tournament and other volleyball tournaments for amateurs. The city has facilities for Tennis, Basket Ball, Baseball, Roller Hockey, Lawn Bowling and Skate Boarding. Besides, there are tastefully landscaped parks like the Edith Rodaway Friendship Park and the Valley Park etc that have children’s play area, a playground, fire pits and picnic tables as well.

There are a number of personalities from the world of entertainment and sports that have their names associated with Hermosa Beach in some or the other ways. These include actors Dylan O’Brien, John Reardon, Jack Black, Meghan Ory and Christopher Knight and sportspersons Morgan Ensberg, Jim Finn and Eric Fonoimoana. Some of the episodes of the drama TV series Summerland were shot in Hermosa Beach CA.

Mar Vista CA

Mar Vista CA is an elite neighborhood in the Westside area of the Los Angeles City. It is well-known mainly for the cultural diversity of its residents as well as the commercial development. Mar Vista shares its border with a couple of Los Angeles City neighborhoods and other cities of the in the County of Los Angeles. Venice is on the western side while the Culver City surrounds Mar Vista from the south, east, and southeast. To the northeastern and northwestern sides is the neighborhood of Palms and the Santa Monica City, respectively.

This neighborhood of Los Angeles CA sprawls across 2.90 sq. miles and is a home to 37,477 people. As mentioned earlier, the population of Mar Vista is highly eclectic for both the City of Log Angeles and the County of Los Angeles. It can be broken down as;

·         White – 51.3%

·         Latino – 29.1%

·         Asian – 12.8%

·         Black – 3.5%

·         Others – 3.4%

Mar Vista is a home to 2,199 military veterans who served in the Second World War and the Korean War. They form 7.6% of the total population of the neighborhood, which is quite high as compared to the County average. Approximately 25.5% of the people belong to German and Mexican lineage. Almost one-third of the population consists of immigrants mainly from Korea and Mexico.

The Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles CA is served by the Wiseburn School District. There are over 6 elementary schools and 3 middle schools and 4 high schools. There are an adult school, a special education center, and a continuation school as well.

Mar Vista CA has a booming real estate market, making it one of the preferential residential neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles. The financial setup is pretty robust with a number of investment companies and banks flourishing in the area. The neighborhood has well-established healthcare and hospitality industries and a strong presence of professional services like that of management consultancies, advertising agencies, digital marketing, travel agencies, housekeeping etc.

When it comes to leisure facilities, the neighborhood has the Mar Vista Recreation Centre that fulfills the community’s recreational needs. It houses an auditorium, an indoor gym, picnic tables, barbecue pits and children’s play area. It boasts lighted sports fields for baseball, soccer, basketball, and roller hockey. The soccer field has been fitted with AstroTurf. Besides, there is an outdoor swimming pool. Mar Vista is an active albeit small neighborhood.

The Mar Vista Community Council hosts a Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase. It is an annual event to spread awareness and encourage the residents of the Los Angeles City to adopt environmental friendly practices in their day to day lives. The event showcases extraordinary gardens to explain the concept of sustainability through live demonstrations of techniques like water catchment and plantation of drought-resistant vegetation.

Mar Vista still holds on to it old world charm from the 1960s and 70s. The fact is quite evident from the retro style tattoo parlors and coffee shops along the streets. The biggest benefit of having a home in Mar Vista is the convenience it offers. People here say that it’s extremely easy for them to access places like the beach, shopping centers, farmer’s market, public transportation, bicycle path, freeways etc in no time. Everything is at a stone’s throw.

Playa Vista CA

Playa Vista CA is one of the neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles. It is a part of the Westside area of the County of Los Angeles. The land was a part of the Rancho La Ballona Mexican land grant, which then ultimately came under the control of America post the Mexican-American War. The neighborhood of Playa Vista as we know it today used to be the burial ground of the Tongva tribes of the Native Americans hundreds of years ago. The fact came to light while the very first the development projects were underway. However, burial rites were performed at the Westchester bluff in the year 2008 to lay the unearthed remains back to rest.

Playa Vista CA has an area of 1.30 sq. miles and the latest statics suggest that the population of the neighborhood is 6,010, give or take. It is one of the most sparsely populated areas and the population density is lower than the average for both Los Angeles City and County of Los Angeles. Playa Vista shares its eastern and northern border with Culver City. There is Del Rey on the northwestern side and Marina del Rey on the Western side. The Westchester lies to the southeast of Playa Vista.

The people of Playa Vista CA feature a diverse racial composition. The Whites constitute 32.4% of the total population while there are 34.8% Latino, 21.2% Asian, 4.7% Black and 6.9% others who hail from miscellaneous ethnicities; making it a highly diverse neighborhood from the standpoint of both the city and the county.

Given the fact that Playa Vista CA is a small neighborhood, it has just two elementary schools. However, there are numerous high schools and middles schools, both public and private in the adjacent neighborhoods. Playa Vista is where the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) is based. It is a state-of-the-art research institution of the University of Southern California.

Playa Vista has a regional hiking facility and the Ballona Creek bicycle path that runs alongside the Ballona Creek. Besides, the neighborhood has four parks. Together they have all kinds of sports fields.

·         Playa Vista Sports Park

·         Playa Vista Central Park

·         Fountain park

·         Playa Vista Dog Park

There is a separate training area that has been constructed for the professional basketball team Los Angeles Clippers.

Playa Vista has a prosperous economic scenario. There are some important companies who have their headquarters in Playa Vista. These are;

·         The consumer electronics giant Belkin Intrnational Inc.

·         ICANN, a non-profit business engaged in database and network management

·         Game developer and distributor, Electronic Arts Inc.

Other major employers in the neighborhood include Youtube Space, Rubicon, Deutsch Inc., Microsoft, Facebook, Gehry Partners LLP and TOMS.

Playa Vista has made significant strides in the area of preserving the environment in the past. Environmentalist and developers joined hands in the year 1994 to restore the Ballona Creek and the wildlife with a view of mitigating the impact of development on the natural environment. New residential and commercial projects are coming up right next to the reinstated everglade. Nevertheless, there are some conservationists who have an opposing view about these upcoming estates in the wetlands.

Carson CA

Incorporated in the year 1968, Carson CA is the newest city in the South Bay area of County of Los Angeles. It is situated 44 minutes south to the City of Los Angeles. Carson is neighbored by Wilmington on the southern side and Long Beach on the eastern side. There are Harbor Gateway and West Cason on the western side. West Compton lies to the northern side. Carson shares its northeastern border with Compton.

Carson straddles across 19.15 sq. miles and according to the most recent estimates has a population of 92,599. The population density of Carson is consistent with the average density of both the South Bay region and the County of Los Angeles. The city features a highly eclectic community. There are 34.9% Latinos, 24.8% Blacks, 24.4% Asians, and 12% Whites with a sprinkling of people belonging to other communities that form 3.9% of the total population. The community is one of the highly diverse in South Bay and the County of Los Angeles.

Carson enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean Climate but with comparatively cool temperatures because the city is only 6-8 miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The city experiences fog during the mornings of June, which gives way by noon time. The temperature throughout the year across various seasons ranges from 78° F to 45° F. The rainfall is scanty yet just enough to prevent the land from going arid. Carson CA is pleasantly sunny on most days of the year.

Carson CA is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. It has 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools. Besides, there are Caroldale Learning Community and Magnolia Science Academy-3. Although the California Academy of Mathematics and Science is run by the Long Beach Unified School District, it is situated in Carson CA.

Carson has 17 parks and recreational facilities. They are equipped with amphitheaters, wading pools, swimming pools, picnic areas, children’s play area, snack bars, and restrooms. Moreover, to support the budding sportsmen in the community, the parks have lighted fields for Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Frisbee Golf and Skating. The Stevenson Park, Dominguez Park, Dolphin Park, and Carson Park are some of the largest and well-developed parks in the city. Carson is close to Redondo Beach and Long Beach. The beaches are just 20 minutes drive away from the city.

Carson has a decent amount of industrial development. A major proportion of the working population, almost 27%, is engaged in sales and office administration. Transportation, material moving and manufacturing sector is the second major segment of employment, providing work for 17% of the people. With 11% people working in the area of business and financial management firms, it has become the third largest source of employment. The healthcare and its ancillaries together provide jobs to 10.37% of the people. The rest of the population belongs to the education, legal services, law enforcement, entertainment, social services, food and beverages, engineering sector etc. The major employers in Carson CA are;

·         PepsiCo

·         Pacific Bell

·         Confectionary giant See’s Candy Shop Inc.

·         Consumer foods manufacturer General Mills

·         Xerox Corporation

·         Mag Aerospace Industries

·          Sourcecop Bps Inc.

·          Huck International Inc.

Grocery chain Bristol Farms is headquartered in Carson CA.

Personalities from the entertainment industry like Forest Whitaker, Brandy Norwood, Dr. Dre have lived in Carson during their childhood. Athletes like Bob Whitefield, Wesley Walker, Antwuan Dixon, Brett Young, and Ekene Ibekwe too have lived in Carson.

Inglewood CA

Inglewood CA was incorporated in the year 1908. Located in the South Bay area of the County of Los Angeles, the city as we know it today used to be the homeland of the Native Americans. During the 18^th century, the land became the part of the Rancho Aguaje de la Centinela Mexican land grant. Post Mexican-American war, America gained control over the area in the 19^th century.

The present-day city of Inglewood CA spans across 9.12 sq. miles and has a population of 111,905. It is just 37 minutes southwest of the City of Los Angeles. It shares its borders with a number of cities and unincorporated neighborhoods in the LA County. Westchester, Hawthorne, Westmont, Athens, Hyde Park, Ladera Heights, Gramercy Park and Manchester Square are the neighbors of Inglewood CA.

Inglewood happens to be one of the densely populated areas in both South Bay and the County of Los Angeles. As many as 46.4% people are Black, 46% are Latino, 4% are White and 1.1% is Asian. The remaining 2.5% are a mélange of different ethnicities. The city’s community exhibits a moderate racial diverse, with respect to South Bay as well as the County of Los Angeles.

Like most cities in South Bay, Inglewood to has a Mediterranean climate. The weather is clear and sunny on most days. The temperature usually sways between 75° F and 48° F. Rainfall is scanty and it doesn’t snow in Inglewood.

The Inglewood Unified School District serves a major part of Inglewood. The rest of the area is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. There are 25 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 13 high schools in and around Inglewood, both public and private. The Century Community Charter, City Honors College Preparatory Charter, Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School and Ánimo Leadership Charter High School are some of the major charter schools in the city.

The economy of Inglewood is moderately developed. The unemployment rate being 9.6% is fairly high considering the annual job growth rate is just 2.5%. The major part of the working population, 14.6%, is engaged in sales and administrative jobs. The manufacturing and transportation form the second largest source of employment, followed by business management and finance. Apart from construction, education, and healthcare, people are engaged in providing personal care services, arts and entertainment and law enforcement.

Inglewood CA has a buzzing socio-cultural scenario. Around 100 acres of land in the city is used to develop 13 park and recreational facilities. The Vincent Park, Roger Park, and Darby Park are the largest and most significant parks with sports fields. Apart from the customary children’s play area, picnic tables, wading pools, swimming pools, gymnasium and snack bars, the recreation centers are endowed with lighted tennis, basketball, racquetball courts and baseball diamonds. To support the talent of painters, photographers and artists, the Inglewood Cultural Arts Inc. and the volunteers host an annual event named Open Studios, which is basically an artwork exhibition.

Inglewood has been featured in movies such as The Wood and Dope. Inglewood is the place of birth of popular personalities like Tyra Banks, Vicki Lawrence, and Brian Wilson. The athletes who have their roots in Inglewood CA include Todd Davis, Craig Smith, Hassan Adams, Marcel Reese, Scott Eyre and Donald Sanford to name a few.

Lomita CA

Lomita CA is a city in the South Bay area of the County of Los Angeles. Incorporated in the year 1964, the land of Lomita as it is today used to be a part of Rancho San Pedro during the 18^th century. Lomita is a Spanish word which translates to ‘little knoll’ in English.

The city initially sprawled across 7 sq. miles before its neighboring communities took over most of its land. The present-day Lomita straddles across just 1.92 sq. miles and according to the latest surveys is a home to 50,596 people. Lomita’s population density is higher for the South Bay standards but in line with those for the County of Los Angeles.

On the other hand, the racial diversity of Lomita is high from the viewpoint of the County but moderate from that of the South Bay region. The racial makeup of Lomita’s population is;

·         53.7% White

·         26.1% Latino

·         11.7% Asian

·         4.1% Black

·         4.4% Other

Lomita has a semi-arid climate, with moderate temperatures that range between 78° F and 50° F. The rainfall evidently is scanty and it doesn’t snow in Lomita. Except for a couple of months, the city is sunny for the most part of the year.

Lomita CA is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. There are 5 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 1 high school in and around the city. Besides, there is an alternative school named Lomita Math/Science/Technology Magnet and Nishiyamato Academy of California, which is a Japanese school and offers grades from kindergarten through high school.

The population of Lomita consists primarily of middle and upper-middle income groups. Administration and sales continue to be the preferred and major source of employment, followed by management and financial services. An equivalent number of people work in the manufacturing & transportation sector & construction and maintenance. Engineering, education, food and beverages, healthcare are the collective source of employment to 44.35% of the working population. The remaining population is engaged in personal care, legal, law enforcement, social services, farming and forestry in smaller fractions.

Lomita CA has beautiful and well-maintained parks and recreational facilities. The Hathaway Park has children’s play, picnic tables, and a basketball court. The Lomita Park, in addition, has a gymnasium, baseball diamond, soccer field, tennis courts and a community room. Besides, there is a Drought Tolerant Garden and a Demonstration Garden that showcase interesting plant species. The railroad museum is dedicated to the era of steam engines. One gets to gaze at the quaint locomotives from the early 1900s and the replica of the water tower from the 1920s, which feels like traveling back in time. The museum also has a passive open area with picnic tables set right in front of a Union Oil tank car and a Union Pacific boxcar.

Lomita is the birthplace of sportsmen Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ted Lilly, Miami Marlins pitcher Chad Qualls and Deane McMinn, who was a figure skating judge and the team manager of the U.S. Figure Skating.

Even though Lomita is just 62 minutes south to the City of Los Angeles and 20 minutes southeast from Redondo Beach, it has retained its small town charm. Most people who have moved to Lomita from other cities feel at home because of the very same reason.

Venice CA

Nestled along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Venice is a quaint oceanfront neighborhood in the Westside area of the County of Los Angeles. Earlier known as Venice of America, it was founded in the year 1905. It was tobacco giant Abbot Kinney who had won the land in a coin toss with his former business associates. He started building the resort town that would be a replica of the Italian city, Venice. In 1926, Venice ceased to be an independent city and amalgamated with the City of Los Angeles.

Venice shares its border with Santa Monica on the northwestern side, Marina del Rey, Culver City and Del Rey on the southeastern side. There is Santa Monica towards the northwestern side. To the northeastern side, there is Mar Vista and Pacific Ocean is towards the western side.

Spread out across 3.17 sq. miles, Venice CA has been estimated to have a population of 40,885. The population density is average for the Los Angeles City but high for the County of Los Angeles. The proportion of Whites is fairly high, making Venice a moderately eclectic neighborhood. The racial makeup of the people of Venice can be broken down as;

·         White – 64.2%

·         Latino – 21.7%

·         Black – 5.4%

·         Asian – 4.1%

·         Other – 4.6%

Venice CA enjoys a moderate and stable climate. The temperature ranges between 70° F and 50° F around the year. The rainfall is sparse and needless to say, it doesn’t snow in Venice. The atmosphere is breezy and much cooler in Venice while the LA Basin gets baked during summers.

Now let’s talk about the infrastructure for education. Venice CA has 5 elementary schools, a charter high school, and an alternative school named Westside Leadership Magnet School. The Venice Skills Center for adults provides technical education, high school diploma, and ESL.

Most people in this part of the LA City are engaged in management jobs and financial services, followed by those in arts and entertainment. Sales and office administration jobs are the third largest source of employment in Venice CA. The rest of the professionals are engaged in construction, engineering, production, education, hospitality and healthcare sectors in more or less the same proportion. Those involved in community services and law enforcement forms a very small percentage of the total population.

The Venice Beach is a favorite tourist destination. The neighborhood has a lot to offer in terms of arts. One gets to admire the artwork on the graffiti walls along the beach and the eccentric murals on the walls of the buildings. The people of Venice are fond of biking, surfing, skateboarding and playing Volleyball. The Venice Beach Recreation Center is the major recreational facility in the neighborhood. It has a beach outdoor gym, a skate park, bike paths, and walkways. There are unlighted courts for basketball, paddle tennis, handball, and volleyball. The center also has a gymnasium and children’s play area. The Oakwood Recreation Center boasts a light American Football field, indoor lighted Basketball court, and a community room.

Venice CA has been a popular filming location since a very long time. Scores of movies and TV series have been shot in this neighborhood. Movies like Thirteen, Sugar, Lords of Dogtown, Alex of Venice, Falling Down and White Men Can’t Jump were filmed in Venice. Californication, Wilfred, and American Ninja Warrior are some of the TV series that were shot here too. Singer Joanie Sommers has had her residence in Venice while Martial artist Ronda Rousey currently resides in this neighborhood.

Palos Verdes Estates CA

Palos Verdes Estates CA is an elite city in the South Bay area of the County of Los Angeles. Incorporated in the year 1939, the city was planned and designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. Palos Verdes lies along the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by other cities of the County of Los Angeles. Redondo Beach lies to the north of Palos Verdes while the Rancho Palos Verdes lies to the south and southeast. Rolling Hills is to the east and Rolling Hills Estates is to the northeast.

Palos Verdes Estates is one of the costliest cities in the USA. However, it is one of the best places to be and settle down. Palos Verdes spans across 4.73 sq. miles and has an estimated population of 13,680. It is one of the least densely populated cities from the standpoint of County of Los Angeles as well as the South Bay area. The racial diversity of the people of Palos Verdes can be broken down as;

·         75.5% White

·         17.3% Asian

·         2.9% Latino

·         1.1% Black

·         3.1% other miscellaneous ethnicities

The degree of racial diversity of Palos Verdes Estates CA turns out to be moderate when compared with that of South Bay. However, it is not very impressive if you take a look at the bigger picture of the County of Los Angeles. The lack of population diversity in Palos Verdes can be attributed to the Protective Restrictions that the Commonwealth Trust Company introduced in the year 1923, which prevented selling or letting out residential property to the non-white people back in the day.

Palos Verdes Estates enjoys a mild and pleasant Mediterranean climate given it proximity to the ocean. The temperature usually stays between 78° F and 50° F all through the year. The rainfall is scanty. However, it rains more during the winter than it does during the summer. The city, like most other cities in the South Bay, is sunny for most days of the year.  

Palos Verdes Estates CA is served by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. There are 3 elementary schools, 1 high school and 1 middle school in the city, all of which are public schools. There is a private school as well; The Coastline High School. The Palos Verdes Peninsula High School is under the same school district but located in Rolling Hills Estates. It is ranked as the 8^th best school in the country.

Palos Verdes is an affluent city with most people belonging to the high-income group. The per capita income is as high as $89,700. Sales and office administration forms the largest segment of Palos Verdes’ job market, followed by management and financial services. The healthcare segment ranks third and the engineering industry is the fourth largest source of employment. A small percentage of people are engaged in law enforcement, professional services, arts and entertainment.  

The city has several coves, some of which were used to film the parts of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. Sportspersons like Matt Barnes, Anderson Silva and Dan Inosanta have shared an association with Palos Verdes Estates. The same goes for musician Gary Wright, game developing and designing genius Shigeru Miyamoto, and neuroscientist/author/musician Daniel Levitin.

The cost of living in Palos Verdes CA is undoubtedly high. But there are plenty of opportunities for the right kind of people. Having a home in a city as spectacular and sparkling as Palos Verdes is like a dream come true for many.

on, Wilfred, and American Ninja Warrior are some of the TV series that were shot here too. Singer Joanie Sommers has had her residence in Venice while Martial artist Ronda Rousey currently resides in this neighborhood.

Rancho Palos Verdes CA

Rancho Palos Verdes CA is a city in the South Bay area of the County of Los Angeles. Popularly known as RPV, the city is known for its affluence and opulence. Currently one of the best places to live in the state of California, Rancho Palos Verdes was incorporated in the year 1973. The land of Rancho Palos Verdes as we know it today used to be the home of the Tongva tribe of the Native Americans until the beginning of the Portuguese explorers reached California in the year 1542. The territory became a part of the Mexican land grant. It eventually exchanged hands several times until it came under the control of America after the Mexican-American War.

Situated 62 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Rancho Palos Verdes shares its borders with the Pacific Ocean and other cities in the County of Los Angeles. Let’s take a look at its neighbors.

·         The Pacific Ocean is on the west, southwest, south and southeast

·         The Palos Verdes Estates is to the northwest

·         Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates are to the north

·         San Pedro is to the east

·         City of Los Angeles and Harbor City are to the northeast

The area of Rancho Palos Verdes CA is 13.39 sq. miles. The 42,448 residents make it one of the least densely populated cities in South Bay as well as the County of Los Angeles. Rancho Palos Verdes boasts a fairly diverse population. The degree of its racial diversity is moderate in comparison to the standards of both County of Los Angeles and the South Bay area. The racial makeup of Rancho Palos Verdes’ population can be split as follows;

·         White – 62.8%

·         Asian – 25.2%

·         Latino – 5.6%

·         Black – 2.1%

·         Others – 4.3%

Rancho Palos Verdes CA has a Mediterranean climate, only cooler. The highest temperature during summers would rarely cross the 78° F mark. In winters, the mercury seldom drops beyond 50° F. The city receives very little rain and no snowfall. Given the fact that Rancho Palos Verdes is a coastal city, the weather here is considerably cooler than the inland regions of the LA Basin.

Rancho Palos Verdes is served by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, under the jurisdiction of which there are 16 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools. Besides, there is a special school called Ernest P. Willenberg Special Education Center and intermediate schools like Miraleste Intermediate, Palos Verdes Intermediate, and Ridgecrest Intermediate. There is a dedicated school for arts namely the South Shores/CSUDH Visual and Performing Arts. The city has a few private schools as well.

As mentioned earlier, Rancho Palos Verdes CA is a prosperous city. Most of the people belong in the high-income group. The per capita income is around $58,600. Some of the major employers in the city are;

·         Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

·         Ralph, a supermarket chain outlet

·         Keller Williams Realty, an international real estate franchise

·         Trader Joe’s, a grocery store chain outlet

·         Terranea Resort

·         The Canterberry

·         Green Hills Memorial Park

·         Belmont Village

·         Trump National Golf Club

The residents of Rancho Palos Verdes enjoy an active lifestyle. Apart from the coast, there are several parks and recreational facilities to unwind. The Eastview Park has children’s play area, jogging track, playground, picnic tables, and restrooms. The Clovercliff Park is an extremely beautiful landscaped park. It has a walking path and allows the people to bring along their dogs as long as they have a leash on. The Founders Park has a breathtaking view of the ocean. There are picnic tables, a gazebo and a walking track overlooking the spectacular vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

John Van Hamersveld is a well-known graphic designer who designs covers for the music bands. He has his residence in Rancho Palos Verdes CA.

Welcome to Southside Paving Company

Established in the year 1996, Southside Paving Company had started off as a humble family business. Today we are one of the most reputed paving contractors in Dublin 12, owing to our high quality standards, insistence on getting the job done just how our clients want it and our relentless emphasis on customer satisfaction.

We provide quality paving and landscaping solutions for both residential and commercial properties. No patio is too small for us and no driveway too big. We believe that every building deserves a stunningly paved patio and driveway. We promise to deliver top-notch workmanship irrespective of the scale of the project.

Please take a look at the services we offer that would breathe life into any building’s appearance, enhancing its value.

·         Landscaping Services

Do you want your home to have a gorgeous garden? Or do you wish to have the existing one revamped? Right from designing to installation, Southside Paving Company will make sure you make the most out of your space. We offer development of planting areas, installation of roll on lawns for enhancing the greenery around the place and adding raised flowerbeds to beautify it. If you wish to have walkways amidst or along the garden area, we would pave them you in a way that would best suit the entire setup.

·         Paving Services

With the high degree of customization that we offer, you get to choose from a wide selection of styles, materials, and colors. Off late, the tarmac driveways have been in vogue. They lend a sophisticated look to your property and are incredibly easy to maintain.

If you want something classy, imprinted concrete paving could never go wrong. Our most popular patterns include old Dublin cobblestone, river stone, cumbrian stone and random slate. To add colors to the paved areas, we offer an extensive range of durable and weather resistant pigment choices.

Interlocking pavers and gravels are the other inexpensive yet chic alternatives that might interest you. These are extremely suitable for large commercial spaces. Nevertheless, they are equally well-accepted among the homeowners owing to the loveliness of the final outcome.

·         Fencing and Brickwork

Want some privacy? Putting up fences should be helpful! We can build beautifully designed fences from both bricks and timber. Raised ledges in your garden have great utility. Not only do they add dimension to the entire look but also offer space to sit or place the flower pots.  Want to have perimeter walls and steps in front of your doorway? Our team specializes in all kinds of brickwork to culminate your imagination into life.

We know you are wondering why you should choose us from all the paving contractors in Dublin 12. What makes us stand apart? The answer is simple! It’s the way we treat our customers and handle their apprehensions. We offer you a no-obligation quote and commence the job only after you are happy with the price and have all your queries answered. We do not require you to pay any deposits either. Neither do we ask for payment before the entire project is completed.

So, this was all about us. We offer our services to all the areas in and around Dublin. We would be more than happy to beautify your property and look forward to your continued patronage.

What to Do in Geneva upon Visit?

Suave, glamorous and cosmopolitan, Geneva, the third largest city of Switzerland sits gracefully along the shores of the Lac Léman. Nestled among the magnificence of Alps and Jura Mountains, Geneva has for its visitors a whole new world to explore. Right from the mesmerizing attractions and avant-garde art museums to fascinating cuisine and buzzing nightlife, Geneva has its way to make people fall head over heels in love with itself.

Coming to Geneva? Take a look at what you must do when you visit Geneva so that you experience the little bit of every sumptuousness the city offer to its guests.

Visit the Jet d'Eau

Jet d'Eau, the major landmark of Geneva, is a fountain of record-breaking heights. Ameliorating the elegance of the Geneva Harbour since 1981, the stream Jet d'Eau boasts a height 148 meters. Gaze at the fountain’s splendor as you stand at the shore, walk across the sleek promenades of the harbour and enjoy a rendezvous at one of the urbane bars.

Treat Yourself with the View at Mont-Salève

Mont-Salève is the utopia for the sports aficionados. Located near France, it can be reached through a cable car ride at an elevation of 1,100 meters. Mont-Salève offers activities like mountain biking, paragliding, hiking, and skiing. If you are not into sports, visit Mont-Salève to treat yourself with an exuberant view of the Mont Blanc and the Alps. The air is fresh and natural flora magnanimous. 

Explore the Mediterranean Hamlet of Carouge

Carouge is a small neighborhood at a stone’s throw from downtown Geneva. Its old-world charm is evident from its Mediterranean-style architecture, which is an impressionistic cue of its Sardinian heritage. You can spend hours wandering through the maze of alleys as you admire the antiques and crafts and maybe shop for a few to keep souvenirs. The vibes of Courage after dark will unlock your bohemian spirit as you enjoy the nightlife at one of the chic bars in the neighborhood.

Stop Over at the Bains District

Bains is an empyrean for modern art enthusiasts around the world. It is the home of Centre d'Art Contemporain and several other small art galleries. You get to witness some of the best contemporary art exhibitions here. Besides, there are trendy cafes and bars in the area that you visit. Apart from being a haven for art lovers, the nightlife at Bains unravels the flower child within every partygoer.

Experience the Ancient Appeal of the Old Town

Built during the 12^th century and revamped during the 16^th, St. Peter Cathedral is one of the iconic edifices in the Old Town. The North Tower presents an enticing bird’s eye view of the Cathedral, the city, and Lac Léman that will sweep you off your feet. There couldn’t be a greater reward for climbing the 157 stairs of the tower.

Geneva has best places for luxury shopping like the Rue du Rhône that will make your eyes sparkle. It also has the CERN super collider that makes the physicists across the globe skip a heartbeat. An ultimate city where new meets old, culture meets business and life meets nirvana, Geneva in indeed full of generosity.