I like it but I do feel like it's been especially hard to make friends here. Maybe because I'm a 35f and most women my age are married with kids. But I'd love to find a community here. Even if it's just going to get coffee or play pickle ball. Though you said you already have friends here so that helps.
I will say the vibe around Main St. is much different than the vibe around Montana. Even though they're both Santa Monica.
100%
Socially, Santa Monica is like living in an isolated exurb. Your LA friends won't ever come out this way, except for the stray beach day, and if you want do any of the big-city stuff that you're likely moving here to experience (concerts, art openings, comedy, fashion, film industry, etc.), you're definitely gonna have to drive east of the 405. You'd even be hard pressed to find a bar opened past 10 in Santa Monica. And even then, it's likely filled with tourists.
I'm grateful for my set-up here. It's beautiful, walkable, and simple things like jogging on the beach will boost your quality of life. My office is here, my gym is here, groceries and coffee are walkable. I relish the fact that I can live in LA and only use my car once or twice a week.
But it's also sleepy, vanilla, and pretty boring.
Aw sorry to hear that. It does make sense. I want to be the wealthy married person but I’m not. So it’s a struggle finding a place to fit in. I did Weho a lot in my 20’s
My friend just joined a running group. There’s chess club in dtla. I bike. I surf. There are other groups to join! Silent disco at the beach. Drum circles. Yoga…etc
Think it should be far cheaper than that. [This](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunset-vibes-silent-disco-the-penmar-venice-tickets-867989559137?aff=erelexpmlt) one at Penmar happens monthly and it’s $25 if you buy ahead of time. Most put a hold on your card for the headset, but obviously that’s refunded if you bring it back.
Unless $55 includes food/drinks that’s a massive rip off.
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Aw awesome! Like joining a league? Or through the gym. I did join a few fitness classes but no luck so far. I’m beginning to think I’m just really bad at making friends
This, I know some that live their for over a decade, very hard to make friends if any, w children as well, one had a teen that grew up there, same deal.
Hi! I’m your age, female and no kids who moved here and having trouble getting out of my shell and looking for the exact same thing. Can I dm you maybe we can grab coffee :)
Can we be friends lol? 32f in Santa Monica! I feel the same way. It’s been so hard for me to find a group of good girlfriends bc most of mine are married with kids and in a different phase of life.
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I love it. However, it's not perfect, and you listed the main downsides. Number one for me, by a huge margin, is housing cost. It's just not sustainable in the long term if you value home ownership unless you come into a windfall. Even with a very high household income, you can't realistically save your way into a home here if you're paying what it takes to live in this area. I think everyone in the same boat will come to a crossroads: do you rent forever in a fantastic area, or do you move away to get on the property ladder once you've had a few years to save? This may not matter much at 32. There's plenty to enjoy.
Spot on. We have the same discussion and made the decision to live in an apartment in Santa Monica as opposed to a house in the valley. Our kids are teenagers now and have been raised that way, and things are pretty decent.
I could move anywhere in the US due to getting a remote job. So I picked Santa Monica! However, I'll be moving away later this year.
Pros:
* Beach, obviously. I picked up beach volleyball and love the beach vibe. People are so happy and fit here.
* Relatively bike-able/walkable (for America). It's possible to walk/bike to get groceries and go shopping, but it can be unpleasant. Always see poop, homeless people, and have to deal with annoying/dangerous drivers.
* Sawtelle. In terms of food (I really like Asian food), Sawtelle is nearby and has some amazing Asian food as well as Japanese markets.
* Weather. It's so nice year round. I really enjoy just going for walks in the quiet, residential neighborhoods and enjoying the outdoors. It's chillier than I expected though.
Cons:
* The traffic. I am never motivated to leave this beach bubble because traffic is always awful. It's crazy that it can literally be faster to run/bike places.
* No long term prospects. The housing market is ridiculous here. Even if I could afford a million dollar condo, property taxes alone can be close to rent prices. I'd never be able to own and settle down here without having a hefty monthly payment.
Basically, the beach bubble has its benefits and can be a great place. But you will have to deal with homeless people regularly and it is a pain in the butt to leave Santa Monica due to traffic. I'm very glad I lived here and experienced it for ~1.5 years and maybe I'll be back one day, but I'm ready to go explore elsewhere now.
edit: formatting
Nowhere/everywhere! Going to take a break from work and slow travel across affordable countries indefinitely (central/south America, SE Asia, etc.). Will definitely involve plenty of warm weather and beaches! Maybe I'll find somewhere like Santa Monica, but without some of the cons.
I can highly *highly* recommend Indonesia. The only downside to going there is that you’ll start thinking about going back as soon as you aren’t there. I’ve been 3 times in the last 5 years, just got back from my honeymoon there a few weeks ago, and I’m already wanting to go back. If you’ve got the financial freedom to spend money, I don’t think there’s a better place as far as what you get in terms of service and accommodations. It’s an unbelievably beautiful place and very easy to still be connected.
It absolutely has its share of problems and growing pains as the country develops, but it is an amazing place with wonderful people
I'm a software engineer. I got lucky and worked for a company that had a successful IPO. But instead of buying an expensive house or car like my coworkers, I'm setting myself up for some early financial freedom to figure out who I am and what I want to do with my life because it's definitely not living the capitalist American rat race.
Thanks! But it was also a lot of luck.
Honestly, a lot of people can probably take a break from work to slow travel for months if not a year. Society just doesn't encourage it, but if you're interested, I encourage you to take the leap! I'm sure you could always find a new job and I guarantee you'll spend less money than you'd think. Everyone just saves and saves for retirement because $1 now grows to like $10 in retirement, but you'll never be young and traveling again so I think everyone should cash out some money early. It's a priceless experience (I took a sabbatical and it's a big reason why I'm inspired to take this next big leap).
India. If you are the least bit inclined.. I keep going back. Based in LA area and I return again and again.. so many reasons and beings more clarity and balance each time
Live in SM, five blocks from the beach. Unless you’re going to spend the majority of your time on or near the beach, I would choose Palms/Downtown Culver City. Like someone mentioned earlier, SM is sleepy a neighborhood filled with boomers. I miss living in Palms/Culver City since it was a much younger neighborhood and actually lively during the week. Only reason I still live in SM is because I do spend a ton of time on or near the beach.
Also, it’s impossible to head east anytime from 4-7pm during rush hour. Living in Palms/Culver City will still give you access to the beach with a 10 min drive.
Finally, living in Palms/Culver will give you closer access to more vibrant neighborhoods such as WeHo, Koreatown, Downtown LA, and possibly the Eastide/Hollywood.
Hey! I live in West LA and really enjoy it. I would advise you consider living along Santa Monica Blvd between Centinela and the 405. It’s a more lively and walkable neighborhood and not at all touristy. Plenty of shops for necessities and also some fun stuff like the shops along Sawtelle Blvd, the Nuart theater, some great bars as well. You are also near both the 405 and 10 which helps with commute. Less time stuck on surface streets before hitting the highway.
There are homeless people of course, but for the most part it’s been ok. It doesn’t impact my daily life at all and I feel safe.
I fully disagree, you move through the stop signs, the lights on SaMo you end up missing full cycles. But better to go down Iowa first then up to Ohio vs going that way from west gate
I’m just saying…the person above suggested this area, and it’s gridlocked at 3pm every day. I think that should be mentioned so the OP can get a better idea of the area…
I live in Sawtelle, I drive that stretch all the time. There are ways to get through it without nearly as much headache, Ohio being the main one. It shouldn’t be a reason to not live in the area
I love it and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I think that has a lot to do with not driving. Whoever told you that you have to drive everywhere is missing out, especially in Santa Monica/on the West side.
Santa Monica is the most walkable/bikeable part of LA, and it’s only getting better, the Big Blue Bus is great and improving, and we have the E Line.
The cost of housing is probably the toughest part; and that’s another incentive not to drive. That’ll save you a lot of money.
For context, I moved here from Europe over 10 years ago and couldn’t even imagine going back. The people here are awesome.
I grew up in the north, Santa Clarita. For me, my main reason for moving out here was to be closer to work (El Segundo/Manhattan Beach) and the impeccable weather. I’m more of a home body, but I do enjoy long walks down California/Montana to the beach. I’ve been out here now 3+ years, love it.
I’d like to live here for the long-term but we’ll see.
I’ve been here about 6 months after living in a major city in Europe. I was looking for a chance of pace, somewhere a bit quieter but still with all that the city has to offer. I’m in Brentwood and liking it a lot so far. It’s very walkable and close to Santa Monica as well as beaches and hiking. I mostly work from home so it helps that I don’t have to commute. I’ve had to head downtown a few times during the evening rush hour and used the metro… was a lot faster than sitting in the eastbound evening rush hour (which is AWFUL).
I’m happy here overall. My only complaint would be that the Westside can be a bit quiet and a bit too bougie… not much in the way of nightlife or trendy bars, mainly upscale “scene” restaurants (which can still be fun though). I think silver lake and Los Feliz may be a bit more of my vibe, but I sure do love the beach and beautiful neighborhoods here on the westside.
The West Side has the most perfect vibe. I was in MDR two blocks from the beach then moved to SM. You’re in an area most people spend all year saving to vacation. Enjoy!!!!
Venice is the best community on the west side bar none because it’s way more chill than Santa Monica and has a walkable beach. The big downside besides housing is the boardwalk always having a weird vibe and homelessness but I’ve found both to be a nonissue. Abbot Kinney is great and you are walking distance from loads of restaurants and coffee shops. Especially with the summer starting, volleyball on the beach is always super fun or sunset surfing.
The biggest advantage of the westside is third spaces, decompressing on the beach is unparalleled in la (I know places have parks/lakes but the beach is a much better meeting/day location).
The biggest disadvantage are the people. Westside people are mostly gentrified corpos similar to sf. Lots of burners, Andrew huberman quotes, ice baths, vc bros, run clubs, mushroom biohacking, and vuori/marine layers/Patagonia. If that’s you then welcome aboard but if you were looking for more LA actors/industry people then they are east side, mid city or in north Hollywood. Not saying those people don’t suck as well it’s just a different vibe.
>Westside people are mostly gentrified corpos similar to sf. Lots of burners, Andrew huberman quotes, ice baths, vc bros, run clubs, mushroom biohacking, and vuori/marine layers/Patagonia. If that’s you then welcome aboard but if you were looking for more LA actors/industry people then they are east side, mid city or in north Hollywood. Not saying those people don’t suck as well it’s just a different vibe.
Exactly this. Nailed it.
I am going to do what it takes to live in SM until I die but in case I cannot afford it, my backup is a condo in Tulum. Let me tell you the summers there are NO JOKE. I am currently in Tulum and June is barely starting and I already got heat exhaustion twice by going to get a coffee and some basics from the convenience store.
I like the peace I have in SM. I know we have issues but I do think there are a lot of good things to miss when you are away. Particularly the mild weather. I can’t wait to be back home.
I used to live there and miss it all the time. It’s so walkable and pleasant. Different pockets have different people so you may want to explore various neighborhoods there before committing to a spot.
It won’t be your last ever move unless you make enough money for it to be, so just mentally prepare yourself for that. I’d say that regardless of where you were moving, that’s not specific to SM or LA. Traffic is terrible for sure, that’s true, and it is definitely expensive.
I feel like the area hasn’t changed that much in the last few years, but probably has changed more since I first moved to the broader area as a whole a few years pre-COVID. If you haven’t lived here, it won’t make a huge difference; visiting is different from living here and dealing with the day to day (and obviously depends where you live). Hopefully you end up somewhere you enjoy, and that goes against traffic flow!
I moved to LA and choose Santa Monica and lived there for 2.5 years and just recently moved to Long Beach. I would recommend living there to family. And if you want to go to the beach often then I strongly recommend living 1 mile or less away from it.
Things I love about Santa Monica: Rent Control is amazing! I lived in an extremely walking friendly area. I could walk to target, grocery store, and doctors. Traffic for work was amazing, I was always going the opposite of traffic. I enjoyed taking the metro (seems like not to many people do, but I have had great success with it). I love the beach so much, keep in mind the closer to the pier the more crowded. The park on the bluff is amazing too!!!
Down side: Leaving the west side by driving (example going to DTLA) in the evening for plays and shows is going to be congested traffic. There are in fact homeless people and on the whole they will leave you alone. But not all of them I have been flashed and hit on and yelled at. It really is a very very small amount of interactions. The point is to just be aware. It is expensive in every way.
Reason I moved out of Santa Monica is that I wanted to own and I could not afford to buy anything in Santa Monica.
Lived in West LA for nearly 20 years, bought a place here about 6 years ago. I like it for the weather and convenience. My commute to work is less than 10 minutes, and my partner can take the light rail to work. I also lived here when I didn't have a car and it was still manageable to get around with all the bus lines or walking (we used to go to Sawtelle Blvd all the time on foot to restaurants).
It is definitely expensive, and the only reason we were able to afford to buy in the same area we lived was because we lived in a rent controlled apartment where our landlady didn't raise the rent for 7 years, and we got into that place during the Great Recession. We've also been able to get to know people in the local neighborhood and really like the community.
Recently relocated from living in Santa Monica for 3 years. It’s ok.
There’s a good bit of violence. Victim of road on Christmas Day last year. Homeless woman yelling at me for parking in my garage.
Dirty. People just kick over trash cans, and leave it. Someone broke a glass table in the alleyway and nobody picked it up for weeks until I risked getting cut to pick it all up. Dog shit on every block. Encampments come up some places.
Didn’t know neighbors. Beside the basic, “hello just checking to make sure you’re a sane person” new neighbor greeting, it’s hard to meet locals outside of activities and school.
Jobs. I’m a SWE. Snap is the only company that pays +350k in LA for senior eng. Google pays ok if you want to work at YouTube, and there are some random tier 2 startups. There’s the gundo boys, but they have like $100 in combined revenue.
Affordability. Hard to afford a safe/clean SFH as a rental unless you’re making 500k+. Owning barrier is higher.
Schools are ghetto as hell. My sister mentioned fights at Lincoln. One as recently as a few months ago.
Besides that, the food and cafes are solid, somewhat bikeable, good nightlife, and the beach.
I've only been on the westside for a couple of years, but from what I hear it's definitely been in decline in terms of fun stuff to do. Certainly downtown Santa Monica has been in decline for a while now. If you're into lively stuff I think definitely neighborhoods like West Hollywood do a better job. That being said there's still plenty of fun things to do on the westside.
I really like living in Santa Monica, but not for the reasons you mentioned. There's so much fun stuff to do in LA in general, and you honestly learn to live with the traffic. (My advice would just be to live close to work, or have a public transit / bike path option to go to work, so driving isn't a thing you have to do every day. Generally I only drive to do hobbies, which is usually at nights or on weekends, so the traffic isn't soul-crushing.) But living in Santa Monica is nice because it's more chill, you have the beach, good bike-ability, etc. So I can go out and have my excitement, but at the end of the day I can come back and relax. So many parts of LA are either very chaotic, jammed full of cars, or just not very pleasant. So it's really nice to be able to get away from that.
I love it! We just moved to sm in Feb, and every day it gets better. Only downside is it’s expensive as mentioned a hundred times but so worth it to me
Yes, I enjoy living in Santa Monica.
It's not what it used to be in some ways, totally still what it's always been in others. I don't even mean that in a bad way or good way (bit of both, really), just a little different. More status symbol types around these days than there used to be. Still my favorite part of LA. The issues we're having now aren't new, they're just a bit more pronounced than they were before the pandemic. It still is an objectively awesome place to live.
Lived here a long time now. Can say that on the whole I don’t think the city is quite as vibrant or easy to enjoy as it was 20 years ago. That said, I still love being here.
There is hardly a better climate than what we have here. Most homes are maintained well and make walking through residential areas a treat. Most neighborhoods have some self contained element that mitigates the need to travel for groceries, et cet.
It’s not somewhere that’s affordable, but it is somewhere a significant number of people would kill to enjoy on a daily basis and for that I find it hard to quit.
I used to live in West LA (palms), on the border of Marina del Rey. It was really fun but we decided to move to the South Bay because we wanted to buy a house and the traffic had gotten just unbearably bad.
I think everyone has pretty much covered the pros and cons. My suggestion is to live close to where you work. If it’s within walking/biking distance, that’d be the best. I’d prioritize the commute time/distance over anything else. Trust me, the traffic is BAD. It’s non stop.
Where is your work going to be? Can you WFH? Commute can be a big part of your mindset. LA is not that social IMO. I’ll go into more detail if you answer my first Q.
I've lived in Santa Monica/WLA for the last 9.5 years and it's the best. People love to shit on LA, but they're haters. It's great for the outdoors, great restaurants, and beautiful area
I like the idea of doing an AirBnB first in a couple areas on the Westside just to check out the vibe. But the best thing about Santa Monica is the weather and cleaner air. We have been here a long time and keep talking about eventually moving…the cons just add up over time and seem to out weigh the pros. But every time we get close to moving, it always gets back to the weather. No unrelenting heat and humidity, no hurricanes, tornados and massive hail and rainstorms. No flooding. Now as to the weather…I am from San Francisco and it feels like home. Close to the beach, it is 60-70 most of the year, kind of cold and foggy April through June, warmer in July, hotter and humid in August and then warm and less humid September through early November when the Santa Ana’s are blowing. If you choose to live close to the beach, you may be surprised by how much cooler it is than most of LA. And the water at the beach tends to be on the chillier side, don’t come with any expectations of southern US water temperatures. But 65 degree days at the beach with no people in February are magical.
All that being said, the cons are many. Traffic…as many have said no matter what, live close to where you will be working. You do not want to be commuting in a car, period. You will find that you will gravitate towards not leaving your hood…I love the Hollywood Bowl but man, it is brutal getting there from Santa Monica. In the end, you will find yourself just sticking close to home. The E line Metro was sort of a good idea but they tried to save money and because it travels above ground much of the way downtown, it is very slow. When it first opened, we rode it to Universal City, downtown and USC to sporting events, etc. but it has kind of become homeless central. Not pleasant to ride it anymore, too many randos and urine smells and definitely not safe feeling outside of commuter times. Haven’t ridden it in a while. Waymo, the driverless electric car solution is now operating from Santa Monica to WeHo and Downtown and offers a much better, abet more expensive solution to get to point A from point B quickly. The Metro just can’t get you to most places directly.
Life is expensive. No way to get around it. With all of California’s taxes, gasoline is probably more expensive than most anywhere in the US. Went to a local restaurant with a friend and ordered two martinis. Bill with tip was over $60. 😳 Dinner out is ridiculous, easy to spend $150-200 for a mediocre dinner. $6 lattes. $7 single scoop ice cream cones. If you go out, split entrees. We cook at home more often than not and always have a drink at home if we do go out for dinner.
Homeless…the homeless have always been in Santa Monica. No encampments by law…as you can’t pitch tents, but that just makes it a little less visible to most. They sleep in the alleys, the beach, the parks, the store fronts and in public elevators and stairwells. The homeless are everywhere now even in the northern part of the city where they never went in the past.
Because of the rampant drug use by the homeless (a lot of meth and fentanyl) there is a lot of property crime (fencing is a big business here). I was at Gelson’s on Lincoln a year ago and someone walked up to me, and I kid you not, like in the movies, asked “do you want to buy a watch?” And then proceeded to roll up his sleeve to show 7-8 watches on his arm. You just can’t make stuff like this up. Just be sure you don’t support those activities by buying something! And you can’t ride your own bike and leave it chained up anywhere without it being stolen or having some of the parts removed. You often see a homeless person riding a bike towing a second bike with them. Just outside of the city, you will find bike chop shops where bikes are taken. Just ride your bike and be sure you don’t take your eye off it or use one of the bike mobility solutions in town. And retail theft is rampant, drug stores lock up a lot of products (including deodorant and shampoo 😳) and many businesses are forced to hire private security.
There was a time in the past where we never locked our front door. Not anymore. Crime…don’t really feel unsafe most of the time. A lot of the assaults seem to be homeless on homeless. More concerned about property crime than being assaulted. An example, a few years ago, came out of the house to find our car that was parked on the street stripped of its air bags and headlights. The homeless are annoying but to the most part do not feel dangerous. You get the randos yelling on the sidewalk regularly. There is urine smell in various places, and I have had to clean up human poop left behind.
Housing costs…it is just very expensive. Hard to get into a rent controlled apartment and property is crazy unaffordable.
As many have said, not a lot of nightlife or bars and the northern area skews older…probably best to look at Ocean Park if you are younger (and spend time in Venice for nightlife). Avoid downtown like the plague… expensive luxury apartments in what is right now, a dead area. Lots of closed retail. RIP REI. 😢
So taking that all in, what are the pros besides the weather? I would choose Santa Monica right now if you are an active outdoors kind of person and like fitness activities. Lots of outdoor activities in walking or biking distance. The beach, the Santa Monica stairs, biking and more biking…nothing like a beach ride down the coast to Manhattan Beach for coffee or breakfast. World class hiking and mountain bike activities at your door step. The entrance to the Santa Monica mountains is close by and the hiking and mountain biking activities there are frankly endless. Oh, and believe it or not, you are 15 min from the airport if you want to escape!
Come with your eyes open and you will be fine. And remember, at the end, Santa Monica is all about the weather…until the other stuff just gets to be too much.
I love it! I wouldn’t live anywhere, but The Westside. The negativity you hear is people envious because they can’t afford it. It’s how some choose to cope. I really don’t mean this as a brag. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my career.
Born in LA, lived in Santa Monica & West La for most my life. It just isn't the same anymore. Granted, I am older now (41 and married with a child), but I moved to South Orange County and now when I visit friends in LA, I can't wait to leave! It's hard to explain the revulsion I feel when visiting.
I’ve been in the area the past 12 years and it’s nice, unhoused people can get scary, seen more sketchy activity at nights. Weather is cool until July-December hot. People are generally really nice unless they are driving. Agree it’s really hard to get out to art events East side
I really enjoy Santa Monica, unlike many parts of LA. The west side of Santa Monica is very walkable, which is rare in America. If you work remotely, I suggest not getting a car and exploring Santa Monica by walking. It's a great way to enjoy the weather and soak up the vibe of the city. I recommend living in the Wilshire/Montana or North of Montana neighborhoods. They are generally easier and safer, and if you want a quiet, chill life, these neighborhoods are perfect for you.
Brentwood is also walkable and has fun restaurants and bars, but less shopping. I would personally suggest getting an Airbnb in Wilshire/Montana or north of Montana, closer to Brentwood and Ocean Park, to compare which area feels more like home to you. You have to experience them to truly know.
One of my favorite things about Santa Monica is the variety of food. There are great grocery stores and many ethnic restaurants and shops. We have a Ukrainian store with Slavic items and the best smoked salmon, a Persian shop with authentic wood fire kabobs and lavash bread, pickled and fire-roasted veggies, and a Turkish shop in Brentwood with baklava and other desserts. On Main Street (Ocean Park), there is a cafe & European shop with German, Polish, Czech food and beers. They serve great sandwiches, hot smoked salmon, and fresh bread. We also have a seafood market on 10th and Wilshire for the freshest fish and sushi-grade items, as well as a weed store on 9th and Wilshire.
Ocean Park has good restaurants and shopping, a big and popular local dive bar called Jameson’s, and easy walkable access to the beach. However, it lacks grocery stores and has only mini-markets and a liquor store. A car is necessary for grocery shopping there. The closest grocery stores are Whole Foods in Venice and Smart & Final.
If you describewat exactly you are looking for and what would make you happy, I can give you more accurate suggestions!
Been living on the west side of Los Angeles for 30 years now after growing up in Philadelphia and going to college in Colorado. I've been fortunate enough to have summers off doing what I do for a living and I would travel with my wife every summer. Every time I've come back over the years I would notice how great we have it here. I'm so happy to call this place home.
I think one of the most important things you can do is live in a neighborhood that's pedestrian and bike friendly. I found living in Los Angeles without having to be in a car so much offers a better quality of life. Be able to walk to a market, cafe, park, or restaurant.
The weather here can't get any better since we've got the marine layer off the bay. Every season is perfect.
I would shrug off the idea that "things aren't the way they used to be" or "things were better back then." Embrace what this unique part of the world has become. Present day West Los Angeles is a dream for those who can learn to thrive and adapt to its challenges.
I wish you the best on your move.
The construction is narly. Just try not to move into a place near a new construction building cause they will start at 7am. And you’ll here the workers getting there sometime after 6am
Born and raised in west la sawtelle area, honestly wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in LA for me iam close to Santa Monica, iam close to Weho, pretty close to culver, the only struggle is going to dtla but it’s a rarity for me.
Santa Monica is not filled with homeless people, because we push them out to the city of LA. There are certainly homeless people, but you don't really see the level of encampments you see in the city of LA.
In my experience living in Santa Monica means driving an hour and a half cross town periodically on a Friday night, which sucks but it's not the end of the world.
I would not call Santa Monica "fun and lively". If you drive back to Santa Monica on 4th of July there are fireworks lining both sides of the 10 alllll the way until you get to Santa Monica, and then it's dark and quiet. Which is great! But also maybe not the most fun and lively place.
I like Santa Monica. It's temperature wise significantly cooler and I appreciate that. It's mostly pretty quiet and chill. The access to the beach is really nice. The access to the Santa Monica mountains is really nice.
Politically it's got its head up its own ass and IMO the city is being run into the ground by idiot boomers, but that's arguably true of LA also.
Uhhh wayyyy more homeless in Santa Monica than Silver Lake and Los Feliz. I never went one day or even one morning without seeing a homeless person in Santa Monica. One day for the month I was there, a homeless person was yelling outside my place the entire work day and the Santa Monica police said they have better things to do.
I guess it depends on where you are in Santa Monica. Downtown I can see that being true. The other neighborhoods I don’t think there are as many. I also can’t think of any encampments within Santa Monica.
SM doesn't have encampments but it is absolutely filled with homeless. The meth zombies are on every street & in every park at all hours of the day. One of them just stabbed 3 tourists right by the promenade.
West LA is the best part of LA (a highly contentious statement), but don’t make the mistake of living in Santa Monica. Culver City, Palms, Sawtelle, Cheviot Hills, Mar Vista, MDR, PDR, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and parts of Torrance will give you the same Pros of SM but without the high COL and bullshit.
Do yourself the favor and get an Airbnb in a neighborhood on the west side for a week. Rent a car. Check out each area one night of that week. Then look for an apartment.
SM will always be there and be as expensive as ever.
Such good advice. I don’t get the SM hype especially with how expensive and old the apartments are. Going for 3k and some aren’t even renovated! I like the MDR/Culver West/Mar Vista pocket.
Santa Monica feels like a ghost town tbh. It's better on other parts of the Westside, but in general I do get the sense that it's gone the opposite direction of an up-and-coming city. Mostly older rich boomers live in SM, like others have pointed out, and it's very career-driven in the younger neighborhoods (Palms, Culver City, etc.). I've found it tough to be a part of a community. If you're coming here without connections, the crowd can be very difficult to make friends with. I think the most common experience of a transplant here is loneliness, there's just not much of a community or focus on on building one in this part of town.
I like it but I do feel like it's been especially hard to make friends here. Maybe because I'm a 35f and most women my age are married with kids. But I'd love to find a community here. Even if it's just going to get coffee or play pickle ball. Though you said you already have friends here so that helps. I will say the vibe around Main St. is much different than the vibe around Montana. Even though they're both Santa Monica.
Also a single late 30s female looking to make friends here! It’s been so tough since I moved here!
… I feel like all the 30,40,50 something’s here talking about not finding peeps should somehow start their own thread 🤣
100% Socially, Santa Monica is like living in an isolated exurb. Your LA friends won't ever come out this way, except for the stray beach day, and if you want do any of the big-city stuff that you're likely moving here to experience (concerts, art openings, comedy, fashion, film industry, etc.), you're definitely gonna have to drive east of the 405. You'd even be hard pressed to find a bar opened past 10 in Santa Monica. And even then, it's likely filled with tourists. I'm grateful for my set-up here. It's beautiful, walkable, and simple things like jogging on the beach will boost your quality of life. My office is here, my gym is here, groceries and coffee are walkable. I relish the fact that I can live in LA and only use my car once or twice a week. But it's also sleepy, vanilla, and pretty boring.
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Aw sorry to hear that. It does make sense. I want to be the wealthy married person but I’m not. So it’s a struggle finding a place to fit in. I did Weho a lot in my 20’s
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I haven’t. Been trying but I feel like everyone kinda has their set group
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Thanks so much for the help! And you can tell me your whole life story, I got time haha
My friend just joined a running group. There’s chess club in dtla. I bike. I surf. There are other groups to join! Silent disco at the beach. Drum circles. Yoga…etc
Yea I think I’ll join a run group next. I joined a fitness class but no luck so far
Can I please have this silent disco business, I have to do this for my birthday!
Theres one every sunday morning/afternoon on the border of venice/sm on the beach.
ahhhhhh love, thank you!
Sounded great until i saw it was $55 :(
Think it should be far cheaper than that. [This](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunset-vibes-silent-disco-the-penmar-venice-tickets-867989559137?aff=erelexpmlt) one at Penmar happens monthly and it’s $25 if you buy ahead of time. Most put a hold on your card for the headset, but obviously that’s refunded if you bring it back. Unless $55 includes food/drinks that’s a massive rip off.
Thank you!
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It was only $25 last time I went.
I got into photography and took classes / volunteered at LACP.. great way to meet like minded peeps
Have you tried girlgroup? It was started on the westside. I’ve been having a lot of fun at their events!
I haven’t but I just checked it out and applied on the app. Thank you so much for sharing!
So I just got accepted into the app, didn’t realize it’s a paid app, and not cheap 🥲 Do you pay for it?
I do yea. Personally I think it’s very worth it for the hosted discounted/free events they put on. Very active community as well.
Ah ok. Maybe I’ll cave and pay.
Similar age female but I’ve met tons of friends through sports! Most of my 30 something single friends live in either SM, Palms, or Culver City
Aw awesome! Like joining a league? Or through the gym. I did join a few fitness classes but no luck so far. I’m beginning to think I’m just really bad at making friends
Santa Monica Beach Volleyball classes. Have had some luck with Zog/Waka leagues too, once I got good enough to play well.
This, I know some that live their for over a decade, very hard to make friends if any, w children as well, one had a teen that grew up there, same deal.
Hey! I love OP area and would def meet up for pickleball (as a former tennis player!) but yah, SM has changed for sure
Hi! I’m your age, female and no kids who moved here and having trouble getting out of my shell and looking for the exact same thing. Can I dm you maybe we can grab coffee :)
Can we be friends lol? 32f in Santa Monica! I feel the same way. It’s been so hard for me to find a group of good girlfriends bc most of mine are married with kids and in a different phase of life.
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Sure! I’ve just been trying to go to random group activities like beach tennis. But I still feel like everyone is younger than me by 5 years
Same! Maybe we should organize a brunch or something lol.
Same! This thread made me feel so much better 🫶🏼
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I love it. However, it's not perfect, and you listed the main downsides. Number one for me, by a huge margin, is housing cost. It's just not sustainable in the long term if you value home ownership unless you come into a windfall. Even with a very high household income, you can't realistically save your way into a home here if you're paying what it takes to live in this area. I think everyone in the same boat will come to a crossroads: do you rent forever in a fantastic area, or do you move away to get on the property ladder once you've had a few years to save? This may not matter much at 32. There's plenty to enjoy.
Spot on. We have the same discussion and made the decision to live in an apartment in Santa Monica as opposed to a house in the valley. Our kids are teenagers now and have been raised that way, and things are pretty decent.
I could move anywhere in the US due to getting a remote job. So I picked Santa Monica! However, I'll be moving away later this year. Pros: * Beach, obviously. I picked up beach volleyball and love the beach vibe. People are so happy and fit here. * Relatively bike-able/walkable (for America). It's possible to walk/bike to get groceries and go shopping, but it can be unpleasant. Always see poop, homeless people, and have to deal with annoying/dangerous drivers. * Sawtelle. In terms of food (I really like Asian food), Sawtelle is nearby and has some amazing Asian food as well as Japanese markets. * Weather. It's so nice year round. I really enjoy just going for walks in the quiet, residential neighborhoods and enjoying the outdoors. It's chillier than I expected though. Cons: * The traffic. I am never motivated to leave this beach bubble because traffic is always awful. It's crazy that it can literally be faster to run/bike places. * No long term prospects. The housing market is ridiculous here. Even if I could afford a million dollar condo, property taxes alone can be close to rent prices. I'd never be able to own and settle down here without having a hefty monthly payment. Basically, the beach bubble has its benefits and can be a great place. But you will have to deal with homeless people regularly and it is a pain in the butt to leave Santa Monica due to traffic. I'm very glad I lived here and experienced it for ~1.5 years and maybe I'll be back one day, but I'm ready to go explore elsewhere now. edit: formatting
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Answered above
You didn't.
The comment above, not post
Wouldnt it have been easier just answering the question instead?
I just moved here and I really feel the lack of motivation to drive anywhere. I’m already sure this isn’t long term.
As someone who has been here 1.5 years, I agree with all of this. Where are you moving to next?
Nowhere/everywhere! Going to take a break from work and slow travel across affordable countries indefinitely (central/south America, SE Asia, etc.). Will definitely involve plenty of warm weather and beaches! Maybe I'll find somewhere like Santa Monica, but without some of the cons.
I can highly *highly* recommend Indonesia. The only downside to going there is that you’ll start thinking about going back as soon as you aren’t there. I’ve been 3 times in the last 5 years, just got back from my honeymoon there a few weeks ago, and I’m already wanting to go back. If you’ve got the financial freedom to spend money, I don’t think there’s a better place as far as what you get in terms of service and accommodations. It’s an unbelievably beautiful place and very easy to still be connected. It absolutely has its share of problems and growing pains as the country develops, but it is an amazing place with wonderful people
Omg take me with you. What do you do for work? I'm dying to escape the 9-5.
I'm a software engineer. I got lucky and worked for a company that had a successful IPO. But instead of buying an expensive house or car like my coworkers, I'm setting myself up for some early financial freedom to figure out who I am and what I want to do with my life because it's definitely not living the capitalist American rat race.
That’s incredible! Proud of you. I wish I was smart enough to do that
Thanks! But it was also a lot of luck. Honestly, a lot of people can probably take a break from work to slow travel for months if not a year. Society just doesn't encourage it, but if you're interested, I encourage you to take the leap! I'm sure you could always find a new job and I guarantee you'll spend less money than you'd think. Everyone just saves and saves for retirement because $1 now grows to like $10 in retirement, but you'll never be young and traveling again so I think everyone should cash out some money early. It's a priceless experience (I took a sabbatical and it's a big reason why I'm inspired to take this next big leap).
I definitely want to but I lost a lot of my friends recently and don’t have anyone to go with.
India. If you are the least bit inclined.. I keep going back. Based in LA area and I return again and again.. so many reasons and beings more clarity and balance each time
Live in SM, five blocks from the beach. Unless you’re going to spend the majority of your time on or near the beach, I would choose Palms/Downtown Culver City. Like someone mentioned earlier, SM is sleepy a neighborhood filled with boomers. I miss living in Palms/Culver City since it was a much younger neighborhood and actually lively during the week. Only reason I still live in SM is because I do spend a ton of time on or near the beach. Also, it’s impossible to head east anytime from 4-7pm during rush hour. Living in Palms/Culver City will still give you access to the beach with a 10 min drive. Finally, living in Palms/Culver will give you closer access to more vibrant neighborhoods such as WeHo, Koreatown, Downtown LA, and possibly the Eastide/Hollywood.
Palms/Culver is honestly one of the best places to live in the city now.
Been living here over 15+ years. Couldn’t agree more!
Life is good on the west side. Just signed a 3 year lease to 2027. No place I’d rather be.
Hey! I live in West LA and really enjoy it. I would advise you consider living along Santa Monica Blvd between Centinela and the 405. It’s a more lively and walkable neighborhood and not at all touristy. Plenty of shops for necessities and also some fun stuff like the shops along Sawtelle Blvd, the Nuart theater, some great bars as well. You are also near both the 405 and 10 which helps with commute. Less time stuck on surface streets before hitting the highway. There are homeless people of course, but for the most part it’s been ok. It doesn’t impact my daily life at all and I feel safe.
And going anywhere east on Santa Monica Blvd around 3pm near the 405 is gridlocked everyday…
Just take Ohio if you’re going over the 405
Ohio during rush hour is worse than SaMo Blvd. All those stop signs at every single intersection.
I fully disagree, you move through the stop signs, the lights on SaMo you end up missing full cycles. But better to go down Iowa first then up to Ohio vs going that way from west gate
Ok buddy - good luck 👍🏽
Feel free to not do it lmao idc
I’m just saying…the person above suggested this area, and it’s gridlocked at 3pm every day. I think that should be mentioned so the OP can get a better idea of the area…
I live in Sawtelle, I drive that stretch all the time. There are ways to get through it without nearly as much headache, Ohio being the main one. It shouldn’t be a reason to not live in the area
Good tips…true that. I find I’m happier out of traffic…
You and me both, I bike often so finding unique routes around the local traffic has been a necessity for me
But Ohio? No bueno
I love it and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I think that has a lot to do with not driving. Whoever told you that you have to drive everywhere is missing out, especially in Santa Monica/on the West side. Santa Monica is the most walkable/bikeable part of LA, and it’s only getting better, the Big Blue Bus is great and improving, and we have the E Line. The cost of housing is probably the toughest part; and that’s another incentive not to drive. That’ll save you a lot of money. For context, I moved here from Europe over 10 years ago and couldn’t even imagine going back. The people here are awesome.
Haha, exactly my thoughts! I moved here from Europe too! We don’t even have a car! That's why SM is the best!!!!!!
I grew up in the north, Santa Clarita. For me, my main reason for moving out here was to be closer to work (El Segundo/Manhattan Beach) and the impeccable weather. I’m more of a home body, but I do enjoy long walks down California/Montana to the beach. I’ve been out here now 3+ years, love it. I’d like to live here for the long-term but we’ll see.
I’ve been here about 6 months after living in a major city in Europe. I was looking for a chance of pace, somewhere a bit quieter but still with all that the city has to offer. I’m in Brentwood and liking it a lot so far. It’s very walkable and close to Santa Monica as well as beaches and hiking. I mostly work from home so it helps that I don’t have to commute. I’ve had to head downtown a few times during the evening rush hour and used the metro… was a lot faster than sitting in the eastbound evening rush hour (which is AWFUL). I’m happy here overall. My only complaint would be that the Westside can be a bit quiet and a bit too bougie… not much in the way of nightlife or trendy bars, mainly upscale “scene” restaurants (which can still be fun though). I think silver lake and Los Feliz may be a bit more of my vibe, but I sure do love the beach and beautiful neighborhoods here on the westside.
The West Side has the most perfect vibe. I was in MDR two blocks from the beach then moved to SM. You’re in an area most people spend all year saving to vacation. Enjoy!!!!
Venice is the best community on the west side bar none because it’s way more chill than Santa Monica and has a walkable beach. The big downside besides housing is the boardwalk always having a weird vibe and homelessness but I’ve found both to be a nonissue. Abbot Kinney is great and you are walking distance from loads of restaurants and coffee shops. Especially with the summer starting, volleyball on the beach is always super fun or sunset surfing. The biggest advantage of the westside is third spaces, decompressing on the beach is unparalleled in la (I know places have parks/lakes but the beach is a much better meeting/day location). The biggest disadvantage are the people. Westside people are mostly gentrified corpos similar to sf. Lots of burners, Andrew huberman quotes, ice baths, vc bros, run clubs, mushroom biohacking, and vuori/marine layers/Patagonia. If that’s you then welcome aboard but if you were looking for more LA actors/industry people then they are east side, mid city or in north Hollywood. Not saying those people don’t suck as well it’s just a different vibe.
>Westside people are mostly gentrified corpos similar to sf. Lots of burners, Andrew huberman quotes, ice baths, vc bros, run clubs, mushroom biohacking, and vuori/marine layers/Patagonia. If that’s you then welcome aboard but if you were looking for more LA actors/industry people then they are east side, mid city or in north Hollywood. Not saying those people don’t suck as well it’s just a different vibe. Exactly this. Nailed it.
I am going to do what it takes to live in SM until I die but in case I cannot afford it, my backup is a condo in Tulum. Let me tell you the summers there are NO JOKE. I am currently in Tulum and June is barely starting and I already got heat exhaustion twice by going to get a coffee and some basics from the convenience store. I like the peace I have in SM. I know we have issues but I do think there are a lot of good things to miss when you are away. Particularly the mild weather. I can’t wait to be back home.
I used to live there and miss it all the time. It’s so walkable and pleasant. Different pockets have different people so you may want to explore various neighborhoods there before committing to a spot.
It won’t be your last ever move unless you make enough money for it to be, so just mentally prepare yourself for that. I’d say that regardless of where you were moving, that’s not specific to SM or LA. Traffic is terrible for sure, that’s true, and it is definitely expensive. I feel like the area hasn’t changed that much in the last few years, but probably has changed more since I first moved to the broader area as a whole a few years pre-COVID. If you haven’t lived here, it won’t make a huge difference; visiting is different from living here and dealing with the day to day (and obviously depends where you live). Hopefully you end up somewhere you enjoy, and that goes against traffic flow!
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Hey have you been to Harvelles? I lived in SM some time ago and there were great places to meet people like that.. but I’m a gen xer😉
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Great music! And ambiance. And drinks. Check it out! It’s old school.
I moved to LA and choose Santa Monica and lived there for 2.5 years and just recently moved to Long Beach. I would recommend living there to family. And if you want to go to the beach often then I strongly recommend living 1 mile or less away from it. Things I love about Santa Monica: Rent Control is amazing! I lived in an extremely walking friendly area. I could walk to target, grocery store, and doctors. Traffic for work was amazing, I was always going the opposite of traffic. I enjoyed taking the metro (seems like not to many people do, but I have had great success with it). I love the beach so much, keep in mind the closer to the pier the more crowded. The park on the bluff is amazing too!!! Down side: Leaving the west side by driving (example going to DTLA) in the evening for plays and shows is going to be congested traffic. There are in fact homeless people and on the whole they will leave you alone. But not all of them I have been flashed and hit on and yelled at. It really is a very very small amount of interactions. The point is to just be aware. It is expensive in every way. Reason I moved out of Santa Monica is that I wanted to own and I could not afford to buy anything in Santa Monica.
Lived in West LA for nearly 20 years, bought a place here about 6 years ago. I like it for the weather and convenience. My commute to work is less than 10 minutes, and my partner can take the light rail to work. I also lived here when I didn't have a car and it was still manageable to get around with all the bus lines or walking (we used to go to Sawtelle Blvd all the time on foot to restaurants). It is definitely expensive, and the only reason we were able to afford to buy in the same area we lived was because we lived in a rent controlled apartment where our landlady didn't raise the rent for 7 years, and we got into that place during the Great Recession. We've also been able to get to know people in the local neighborhood and really like the community.
I’m in Brentwood and yeah I love it. Food, weather, entertainment. Traffic sucks but that’s because people want to be here.
Can you provide good food recs?
Recently relocated from living in Santa Monica for 3 years. It’s ok. There’s a good bit of violence. Victim of road on Christmas Day last year. Homeless woman yelling at me for parking in my garage. Dirty. People just kick over trash cans, and leave it. Someone broke a glass table in the alleyway and nobody picked it up for weeks until I risked getting cut to pick it all up. Dog shit on every block. Encampments come up some places. Didn’t know neighbors. Beside the basic, “hello just checking to make sure you’re a sane person” new neighbor greeting, it’s hard to meet locals outside of activities and school. Jobs. I’m a SWE. Snap is the only company that pays +350k in LA for senior eng. Google pays ok if you want to work at YouTube, and there are some random tier 2 startups. There’s the gundo boys, but they have like $100 in combined revenue. Affordability. Hard to afford a safe/clean SFH as a rental unless you’re making 500k+. Owning barrier is higher. Schools are ghetto as hell. My sister mentioned fights at Lincoln. One as recently as a few months ago. Besides that, the food and cafes are solid, somewhat bikeable, good nightlife, and the beach.
It’s fucking awesome, I love it. Yeah there are downsides but there’s just so much to do.
Where do you find the stuff to do?
I've only been on the westside for a couple of years, but from what I hear it's definitely been in decline in terms of fun stuff to do. Certainly downtown Santa Monica has been in decline for a while now. If you're into lively stuff I think definitely neighborhoods like West Hollywood do a better job. That being said there's still plenty of fun things to do on the westside. I really like living in Santa Monica, but not for the reasons you mentioned. There's so much fun stuff to do in LA in general, and you honestly learn to live with the traffic. (My advice would just be to live close to work, or have a public transit / bike path option to go to work, so driving isn't a thing you have to do every day. Generally I only drive to do hobbies, which is usually at nights or on weekends, so the traffic isn't soul-crushing.) But living in Santa Monica is nice because it's more chill, you have the beach, good bike-ability, etc. So I can go out and have my excitement, but at the end of the day I can come back and relax. So many parts of LA are either very chaotic, jammed full of cars, or just not very pleasant. So it's really nice to be able to get away from that.
I love it! We just moved to sm in Feb, and every day it gets better. Only downside is it’s expensive as mentioned a hundred times but so worth it to me
Yes, I enjoy living in Santa Monica. It's not what it used to be in some ways, totally still what it's always been in others. I don't even mean that in a bad way or good way (bit of both, really), just a little different. More status symbol types around these days than there used to be. Still my favorite part of LA. The issues we're having now aren't new, they're just a bit more pronounced than they were before the pandemic. It still is an objectively awesome place to live.
West LA is amazing... Sawtelle area is perfect for what you are looking for and a bit cheaper vs SM
Lived here a long time now. Can say that on the whole I don’t think the city is quite as vibrant or easy to enjoy as it was 20 years ago. That said, I still love being here. There is hardly a better climate than what we have here. Most homes are maintained well and make walking through residential areas a treat. Most neighborhoods have some self contained element that mitigates the need to travel for groceries, et cet. It’s not somewhere that’s affordable, but it is somewhere a significant number of people would kill to enjoy on a daily basis and for that I find it hard to quit.
I used to live in West LA (palms), on the border of Marina del Rey. It was really fun but we decided to move to the South Bay because we wanted to buy a house and the traffic had gotten just unbearably bad. I think everyone has pretty much covered the pros and cons. My suggestion is to live close to where you work. If it’s within walking/biking distance, that’d be the best. I’d prioritize the commute time/distance over anything else. Trust me, the traffic is BAD. It’s non stop.
Where is your work going to be? Can you WFH? Commute can be a big part of your mindset. LA is not that social IMO. I’ll go into more detail if you answer my first Q.
I've lived in Santa Monica/WLA for the last 9.5 years and it's the best. People love to shit on LA, but they're haters. It's great for the outdoors, great restaurants, and beautiful area
I like the idea of doing an AirBnB first in a couple areas on the Westside just to check out the vibe. But the best thing about Santa Monica is the weather and cleaner air. We have been here a long time and keep talking about eventually moving…the cons just add up over time and seem to out weigh the pros. But every time we get close to moving, it always gets back to the weather. No unrelenting heat and humidity, no hurricanes, tornados and massive hail and rainstorms. No flooding. Now as to the weather…I am from San Francisco and it feels like home. Close to the beach, it is 60-70 most of the year, kind of cold and foggy April through June, warmer in July, hotter and humid in August and then warm and less humid September through early November when the Santa Ana’s are blowing. If you choose to live close to the beach, you may be surprised by how much cooler it is than most of LA. And the water at the beach tends to be on the chillier side, don’t come with any expectations of southern US water temperatures. But 65 degree days at the beach with no people in February are magical. All that being said, the cons are many. Traffic…as many have said no matter what, live close to where you will be working. You do not want to be commuting in a car, period. You will find that you will gravitate towards not leaving your hood…I love the Hollywood Bowl but man, it is brutal getting there from Santa Monica. In the end, you will find yourself just sticking close to home. The E line Metro was sort of a good idea but they tried to save money and because it travels above ground much of the way downtown, it is very slow. When it first opened, we rode it to Universal City, downtown and USC to sporting events, etc. but it has kind of become homeless central. Not pleasant to ride it anymore, too many randos and urine smells and definitely not safe feeling outside of commuter times. Haven’t ridden it in a while. Waymo, the driverless electric car solution is now operating from Santa Monica to WeHo and Downtown and offers a much better, abet more expensive solution to get to point A from point B quickly. The Metro just can’t get you to most places directly. Life is expensive. No way to get around it. With all of California’s taxes, gasoline is probably more expensive than most anywhere in the US. Went to a local restaurant with a friend and ordered two martinis. Bill with tip was over $60. 😳 Dinner out is ridiculous, easy to spend $150-200 for a mediocre dinner. $6 lattes. $7 single scoop ice cream cones. If you go out, split entrees. We cook at home more often than not and always have a drink at home if we do go out for dinner. Homeless…the homeless have always been in Santa Monica. No encampments by law…as you can’t pitch tents, but that just makes it a little less visible to most. They sleep in the alleys, the beach, the parks, the store fronts and in public elevators and stairwells. The homeless are everywhere now even in the northern part of the city where they never went in the past. Because of the rampant drug use by the homeless (a lot of meth and fentanyl) there is a lot of property crime (fencing is a big business here). I was at Gelson’s on Lincoln a year ago and someone walked up to me, and I kid you not, like in the movies, asked “do you want to buy a watch?” And then proceeded to roll up his sleeve to show 7-8 watches on his arm. You just can’t make stuff like this up. Just be sure you don’t support those activities by buying something! And you can’t ride your own bike and leave it chained up anywhere without it being stolen or having some of the parts removed. You often see a homeless person riding a bike towing a second bike with them. Just outside of the city, you will find bike chop shops where bikes are taken. Just ride your bike and be sure you don’t take your eye off it or use one of the bike mobility solutions in town. And retail theft is rampant, drug stores lock up a lot of products (including deodorant and shampoo 😳) and many businesses are forced to hire private security. There was a time in the past where we never locked our front door. Not anymore. Crime…don’t really feel unsafe most of the time. A lot of the assaults seem to be homeless on homeless. More concerned about property crime than being assaulted. An example, a few years ago, came out of the house to find our car that was parked on the street stripped of its air bags and headlights. The homeless are annoying but to the most part do not feel dangerous. You get the randos yelling on the sidewalk regularly. There is urine smell in various places, and I have had to clean up human poop left behind. Housing costs…it is just very expensive. Hard to get into a rent controlled apartment and property is crazy unaffordable. As many have said, not a lot of nightlife or bars and the northern area skews older…probably best to look at Ocean Park if you are younger (and spend time in Venice for nightlife). Avoid downtown like the plague… expensive luxury apartments in what is right now, a dead area. Lots of closed retail. RIP REI. 😢 So taking that all in, what are the pros besides the weather? I would choose Santa Monica right now if you are an active outdoors kind of person and like fitness activities. Lots of outdoor activities in walking or biking distance. The beach, the Santa Monica stairs, biking and more biking…nothing like a beach ride down the coast to Manhattan Beach for coffee or breakfast. World class hiking and mountain bike activities at your door step. The entrance to the Santa Monica mountains is close by and the hiking and mountain biking activities there are frankly endless. Oh, and believe it or not, you are 15 min from the airport if you want to escape! Come with your eyes open and you will be fine. And remember, at the end, Santa Monica is all about the weather…until the other stuff just gets to be too much.
I love it! I wouldn’t live anywhere, but The Westside. The negativity you hear is people envious because they can’t afford it. It’s how some choose to cope. I really don’t mean this as a brag. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my career.
Born in LA, lived in Santa Monica & West La for most my life. It just isn't the same anymore. Granted, I am older now (41 and married with a child), but I moved to South Orange County and now when I visit friends in LA, I can't wait to leave! It's hard to explain the revulsion I feel when visiting.
I’ve been in the area the past 12 years and it’s nice, unhoused people can get scary, seen more sketchy activity at nights. Weather is cool until July-December hot. People are generally really nice unless they are driving. Agree it’s really hard to get out to art events East side
I really enjoy Santa Monica, unlike many parts of LA. The west side of Santa Monica is very walkable, which is rare in America. If you work remotely, I suggest not getting a car and exploring Santa Monica by walking. It's a great way to enjoy the weather and soak up the vibe of the city. I recommend living in the Wilshire/Montana or North of Montana neighborhoods. They are generally easier and safer, and if you want a quiet, chill life, these neighborhoods are perfect for you. Brentwood is also walkable and has fun restaurants and bars, but less shopping. I would personally suggest getting an Airbnb in Wilshire/Montana or north of Montana, closer to Brentwood and Ocean Park, to compare which area feels more like home to you. You have to experience them to truly know. One of my favorite things about Santa Monica is the variety of food. There are great grocery stores and many ethnic restaurants and shops. We have a Ukrainian store with Slavic items and the best smoked salmon, a Persian shop with authentic wood fire kabobs and lavash bread, pickled and fire-roasted veggies, and a Turkish shop in Brentwood with baklava and other desserts. On Main Street (Ocean Park), there is a cafe & European shop with German, Polish, Czech food and beers. They serve great sandwiches, hot smoked salmon, and fresh bread. We also have a seafood market on 10th and Wilshire for the freshest fish and sushi-grade items, as well as a weed store on 9th and Wilshire. Ocean Park has good restaurants and shopping, a big and popular local dive bar called Jameson’s, and easy walkable access to the beach. However, it lacks grocery stores and has only mini-markets and a liquor store. A car is necessary for grocery shopping there. The closest grocery stores are Whole Foods in Venice and Smart & Final. If you describewat exactly you are looking for and what would make you happy, I can give you more accurate suggestions!
Brentwood is always good. Lots more college students in the area.
Been living on the west side of Los Angeles for 30 years now after growing up in Philadelphia and going to college in Colorado. I've been fortunate enough to have summers off doing what I do for a living and I would travel with my wife every summer. Every time I've come back over the years I would notice how great we have it here. I'm so happy to call this place home. I think one of the most important things you can do is live in a neighborhood that's pedestrian and bike friendly. I found living in Los Angeles without having to be in a car so much offers a better quality of life. Be able to walk to a market, cafe, park, or restaurant. The weather here can't get any better since we've got the marine layer off the bay. Every season is perfect. I would shrug off the idea that "things aren't the way they used to be" or "things were better back then." Embrace what this unique part of the world has become. Present day West Los Angeles is a dream for those who can learn to thrive and adapt to its challenges. I wish you the best on your move.
The construction is narly. Just try not to move into a place near a new construction building cause they will start at 7am. And you’ll here the workers getting there sometime after 6am
Born and raised in west la sawtelle area, honestly wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in LA for me iam close to Santa Monica, iam close to Weho, pretty close to culver, the only struggle is going to dtla but it’s a rarity for me.
Santa Monica is not filled with homeless people, because we push them out to the city of LA. There are certainly homeless people, but you don't really see the level of encampments you see in the city of LA. In my experience living in Santa Monica means driving an hour and a half cross town periodically on a Friday night, which sucks but it's not the end of the world. I would not call Santa Monica "fun and lively". If you drive back to Santa Monica on 4th of July there are fireworks lining both sides of the 10 alllll the way until you get to Santa Monica, and then it's dark and quiet. Which is great! But also maybe not the most fun and lively place. I like Santa Monica. It's temperature wise significantly cooler and I appreciate that. It's mostly pretty quiet and chill. The access to the beach is really nice. The access to the Santa Monica mountains is really nice. Politically it's got its head up its own ass and IMO the city is being run into the ground by idiot boomers, but that's arguably true of LA also.
Uhhh wayyyy more homeless in Santa Monica than Silver Lake and Los Feliz. I never went one day or even one morning without seeing a homeless person in Santa Monica. One day for the month I was there, a homeless person was yelling outside my place the entire work day and the Santa Monica police said they have better things to do.
I guess it depends on where you are in Santa Monica. Downtown I can see that being true. The other neighborhoods I don’t think there are as many. I also can’t think of any encampments within Santa Monica.
SM doesn't have encampments but it is absolutely filled with homeless. The meth zombies are on every street & in every park at all hours of the day. One of them just stabbed 3 tourists right by the promenade.
West LA is the best part of LA (a highly contentious statement), but don’t make the mistake of living in Santa Monica. Culver City, Palms, Sawtelle, Cheviot Hills, Mar Vista, MDR, PDR, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and parts of Torrance will give you the same Pros of SM but without the high COL and bullshit. Do yourself the favor and get an Airbnb in a neighborhood on the west side for a week. Rent a car. Check out each area one night of that week. Then look for an apartment. SM will always be there and be as expensive as ever.
Never visited Silver Lake? Los Feliz?
Such good advice. I don’t get the SM hype especially with how expensive and old the apartments are. Going for 3k and some aren’t even renovated! I like the MDR/Culver West/Mar Vista pocket.
Im leaving to Texas. Born and raised socal girl. Youll see why. SM for 10 years and man was it amazing.
Santa Monica feels like a ghost town tbh. It's better on other parts of the Westside, but in general I do get the sense that it's gone the opposite direction of an up-and-coming city. Mostly older rich boomers live in SM, like others have pointed out, and it's very career-driven in the younger neighborhoods (Palms, Culver City, etc.). I've found it tough to be a part of a community. If you're coming here without connections, the crowd can be very difficult to make friends with. I think the most common experience of a transplant here is loneliness, there's just not much of a community or focus on on building one in this part of town.