Santa Monica or Long Beach?

[Aimee11]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

My wife lived in Belmont Shore before we were married and moved to Santa Monica, so needless to say, I have experience with both neighborhoods. It is true that the "LA vibe" is not nearly as strong in LB as it is in SM, but neither are the LA job opportunities. IMHO, SM is an amazing place to live. I'm just your average 20 something who works in a high rise in Century City, and I have never really had issues with the so-called fake, plastic people. SM is very expensive, so in my experiences, many of the people who live here are professionals with good paying jobs. There is also a large contingent of those who have been under rent control for years. If you're looking for the Hollywood type, you really have to go out of your way, it is just too expensive to live here without a full time job.

Anyways, here's a list of why I would choose SM over LB:
1. The Water Garden, Century City, Westwood, Brentwood, and Beverly Hills (the major westside job centers) are within 30 minutes of almost anywhere in Santa Monica, that is taking into account traffic.
2. The beaches here actually have waves.
3. great restaurants and bars all over the city and nearby areas.
4. great bus system is choose to use it.
5. plenty of bike lanes, not only on the beach, but also on the city streets.
6. close to LAX, which has the most flights in the region.

there are also a lot of small perks that come with living in santa monica that are too numerous to count, like access to the local jr. college, the santa monica stairs, and great farmer's markets just to name a few.

Thanks so much for the information! It's really helpful!! I'd prefer to live real close to work if possible, walking distance ideally. Are they're good jobs right in Santa Monica? Like $11-14 entry level jobs? I have seen quite a bit on Craigslist, but since i don't really know the area, i'm not sure if when it says Santa Monica it could just mean near santa monica. Thanks!

[BRinSM]

santa monica has a lot of jobs. there are few high rises in and around the downtown/coastal area, but there are also a handful of very large office parks inland a couple of miles surrounding the water garden. There are a lot of law firms in Santa Monica, but Google, Yahoo, and MTV also have large offices here. I would check with those big companies first, I'm sure you can get a decent paying job with one of those companies. Also, Universal Music and SonyBMG have offices in Santa Monica. I'm trying to think of others, but I'm drawing a blank right now. I'll let you know if I can think of any others.

[Aimee11]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

santa monica has a lot of jobs. there are few high rises in and around the downtown/coastal area, but there are also a handful of very large office parks inland a couple of miles surrounding the water garden. There are a lot of law firms in Santa Monica, but Google, Yahoo, and MTV also have large offices here. I would check with those big companies first, I'm sure you can get a decent paying job with one of those companies. Also, Universal Music and SonyBMG have offices in Santa Monica. I'm trying to think of others, but I'm drawing a blank right now. I'll let you know if I can think of any others.

Oh great! Thanks so much! That is helpful, it is giving me some more productive homework to do! Like i said i don't HAVE to live right near the beach. I'd like to, but having a decent job and living close to that is most important to me, even if i'm forced to have to drive to the beach in bad traffic. Thanks again!

[BRinSM]

Lionsgate is another large company in santa monica that you may want to consider. btw, traffic is not that bad in santa monica if you live here. the real trouble is trying to get in and out of the city if you don't live here. also, the buses here are excellent and will help you save money and energy for quick trips in town and to neighboring communities like venice, west la, westwood, and century city, especially since parking can be rather difficult and expensive just about everywhere in LA.