Tell me about what its like to live in Santa Monica?
I love Santa Monica, CA. I have only visited there a couple of times but I am anxious to go back again and maybe someday live there. I live in New England and HATE the winter, cold and snow but all my family is here so its hard to think about leaving them to go all the way across country, especially by myself. I have read up on Santa Monica but I really want to hear from locals who experience everyday life there. Do you love the weather? Hows the traffic? Crime? Is it expensive?--I know cost of living is expensive but its not cheap where I am either-- What's the current gas prices there? Where's a good place to shop for food, clothes, etc? Is the car insurance expensive there? How are the people there, friendly? snobby? southern hospitality type.... As much detail as possible would be awesome. Thanks. Would someone like me fit in there--keep in mind I would be going alone.. female, white american, early 30’s, single, no kids, christian, not the party type, working professional I would also consider other areas like Venice or Burbank. Which city would you think best suits me based on my description above.
Would you rather live in San Diego or Santa Monica?
It depends on you! I lived in San Diego for most of my life (ages 2–18) and have been living in West LA for the past two years. At first glance SD and Santa Monica have a pretty similar vibe, but with a few important distinctions.First of all, San Diego encompasses a much larger area than the city of Santa Monica. Depending on where you are in SD you’re going to have a different experience. Ocean Beach, for example, has a much more laid-back, hippie vibe, while Hillcrest or North Park are more hipster areas. Santa Monica is much smaller and is sort of a mixture between San Diego’s La Jolla and Pacific Beach—rich, touristy, busy, but with that classic So-Cal beach vibe.The second main difference you’ll notice between SD and SM is the kind of people you’ll find there. A lot of people don’t realize how old a lot of people in San Diego are. People go there to retire. LA is full of young, energetic, go-go-go types. As a consequence, San Diego is generally way more slow-going and laid back than Santa Monica, where people can even seem a little aggressive. But if you’re looking for that fast-paced lifestyle, SM could be a good fit.Lastly, when we’re talking LA, we’re talking PRICEY. But parts of San Diego can be like that too. If you’re on a budget, you’re more likely to find somewhere affordable (but still hip and close to the action) in San Diego. But, if your priority is access to views, tons of night life, the entertainment district, etc., go for Santa Monica.Personally I think I prefer San Diego just because it’s so much easier to get around. It’s a huge hassle to navigate LA—there’s no guarantee you’re going to get anywhere in the time you expect to. The people in SD also just seem happier. Everyone in LA seems like they’re trying to get somewhere they’re not, and are pretty incapable of being satisfied with wherever they happen to be now. I’m definitely biased, because I grew up in San Diego. But I came to LA to experience something new, and for the most part it’s just overwhelming.
Santa Monica vs Pasadena?
santa monica is nicer as it's by the beach, has upscale shopping (3rd street promenade), and also has the santa monica pier, restaurants, shops, etc. i think it has a younger range of people living there. people tend to be more healthy and athletic in santa monca. pasadena is less expensive to live in, it's a big but older city, also has good shopping (old town pasadena), as well as good restaurants, more diverse ethnic eateries, etc. more families and older people tend to live there.
What is it like to live in Santa Monica, CA?
The good:beautiful sunsetssome pretty fancy and not too expensive (and expensive) dining establishmentsa short drive to Malibu, down the street from Veniceeasy access to the 10 freeway from almost anywherevery eclectic population (that can be good and bad)lots of creative companies set their roots hereyou can easily walk to most things if you live west of Lincolnthere are kind of two sides to Santa Monica, north and south of Pico, both offer their own vibe. Main Street is south of Pico Blvd and it's got it's own *thing*, just like north of Pico has the downtown area with the 3rd street Promenade, and the new Santa Monica Place Mall...Wilshire, Montana, et al. North of Wilshire there's the semi-poshy Montana Street district which is dotted with boutique clothing stores, a Whole Foods, a few bistros, couple of Starbucks and a Subway, to name a few things...oh, and the Fathers Office, which has arguably one of the better burgers in town (I don't agree 100% but it is pretty amazing)Boardwalk that takes you from the Palisades through Santa Monica all the way down to VeniceThe beach is pretty cool too :)Annenberg Beach HouseThe bad:Rents are ridiculously high... and we have rent control which has it's own good and bad listtraffic in downtown Santa Monica sucks pretty much all the time, not your problem if you walkthere is a pretty serious homeless issue all around, which is sadmeter maids are brutalfinding a cab can be challenging in certain areas, they congregate around Santa Monica Blvd, but one is always a phone call away.People drive very poorly and on the weekends you're dealing with people from anywhere east of here coming in and driving badly tooOn the driving tip again, watch out for any of the entrances and exits of any parking structure on 2nd and 4th streets. If you live here you know exactly what I mean.
Can I swim at the Santa Monica beach in February?
Can you? Sure. Would you want to? Since the water temperature will be about 57 degrees, probably not for more than a second and a half. In February the average daytime temperature is in the mid 60s, which would be a bit chilly for a tee shirt, but it could easily be 10 degrees warmer or cooler. (The average high for January is 64, but this week it's getting up to 77.) So I'd suggest bringing a range of stuff, since it might be jeans and sweater weather, or it could also be tee-shirt and short skirt weather.
What are the pros and cons of moving to Seattle from Santa Monica?
If you have a tech-focused job and prefer (and have the option of) working at established tech companies, Seattle provides more opportunities, especially at the senior level.If you're weather sensitive and enjoy waking up and going to bed in a sunshine-filled oceanside town that is other peoples' vacation destination, you'll be happier in Santa Monica. If you also work in tech and are comfortable at a startup, you'll be *much* happier.(Qualifications: I work at a Seattle-based tech giant and am up there a lot for work. It's a cool city.)
Where is the air quality better in LA: by the beach, Santa Monica mountain range or the valley?
As a general rule, near the beach because it gets blown away, normally pushed inland, but there can be exceptions based on daily and seasonal weather patterns. If you're curious, you can look at maps based on time of year or even daily/hourly reports at the AQMD web site. Air Quality--arun baheti
Is there a housing bubble in Santa Monica?
Not really.Sure, you can spend $2–3 million on a two bedroom condo, $5-$10 million on a house north of Montana, and up to $30 million north of San Vicente.But there are far more expensive neighborhoods in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, holmby Hills, Brentwood and PAC Palisades, that don’t have the same beach access /quality of life or perfect weather.Santa Monica is pricey. It’s also one of the most desirable beach and tourist communities in the world with an explosive tech and entertainment scene.It’s Silicon Valley meets paradise.Considering the uniqueness and desirability of the location, it’s still vastly underpriced.Just ask any VC or business man from Asia who is living with their family in a 1000 square foot home for twice the price.I talk to them all the time, and they are amazed how cheap Santa Monica is…Still 50 percent under valued…
What do you think about Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica?
If you live in the hills in Pacific Palisades it feels isolated, especially for kids because they have to get their parent to drive them everywhere. Santa Monica is much more walkable if you live in the right neighborhoods. Some of Santa Monica is very nice, like north of Montana, some of Santa Monica isn't so nice. Pacific Palisades is nice. Small houses start at over a million, there are not many apts in Pacific Palisades and any older apt buildings (less expensive) are almost impossible to get a rental in. In Santa Monica, small houses in desirable neighborhoods start at over a million. There are many apts in SM, but some are not in very nice neighborhoods and the apts in good neighborhoods are expensive. People are nice in PP, but the isolation in some areas makes it hard to be neighborly. Santa Monica is more neighborly because the lots are smaller and there are sidewalks for walking, so you can easily meet your neighbors. Pasadena has very good schools for public schools. Santa Monica has some very good elementary and middle schools, some just OK, and the high school is good for a public school. Pacific Palisades is safe, much of Santa Monica is safe. The weather is nice, comfortable compared to most of LA during the summer.
What are the pros and cons of living in Santa Monica vs West Hollywood?
Funny you should ask as I've lived in both. Weho is a town. Santa Monica is a city. For context I am 26, male, single, and I own a start up. Santa Monica is the obvious choice, in my opinion. West Hollywood has no depth.Firstly, if your budget is 2000 for a studio, relax. You can live anywhere you want. With proper money you should stay the fuck out of Weho.West Hollywood has a crazy amount of property crime which doesn't make the news. It's basically where posh people who are a bit behind the times go to get shit hammered. Weho has a lot of hotels and overpriced garbage, but you will be hard pressed to feel satisfied with a meal. There are no corporations of note in Weho either. There are well publicized offices, etc. but more on that later. All the young blood is in Silver Lake.Santa Monica is convenient and full of opportunity. It is a proper city with a downtown, stadium, high school, etc. People complain, but in Weho you are 40 minutes to any freeway. In Santa monica you are right by the 10. 20 minutes to the valley or long beach outside of rush hour. Being in a posh town, you will generally be opposite of the main commuting patterns so relax. Santa Monica locals help each other. There are a lot of connected people here. When you live here, you are also connected. HBO, cbs, universal, hbo, Hulu, yahoo, def jam, and many more have their distribution offices in Santa Monica.The weather is not the same. It is a good 10 hotter in Weho durring the summer. Email Noah.caplan@temple.edu to follow up. I haven't even scratched the surface.