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Out of these two cities, which would you rather live in?? Make sure to include the following:
Better scenery
Better housing costs
Better restaurants
Better shopping
Better parks
Better layout
Better public transportation (optional)
Better cultural amenities
Better beaches
Better climate
Better schools (optional)
you're comparing a small metro, (Charleston), to one especially wealthy area within a larger metro (Los Angeles). So this very wealthy area of the Los Angeles metro is probably going to look better, on paper, than Charleston. By "on paper", I mean things you listed like public transportation, parks, shopping/restaurants, and cultural amenities, are all inherently biased towards a major metro area like Los Angeles. Part of the appeal of smaller cities is that you don't really need public transit, parks, cultural amenities, etc., as much; those become more important as you cram more and more people into a smaller and smaller area.
anyway, i've only visited santa monica once, and it was nice. i thought the beaches were more accessible to the public in Santa Monica, but the sand, the water, and the beach itself was nicer in Charleston. Climate probably favors southern California, but personally I'd prefer Charleston. Although Santa Monica is not ugly, the scenery is much better in Charleston.
The people, and the "social culture", is very different, and really just a matter of opinon based on who you like. If I placed a high value on California-style multiculturalism, if i placed a priority on dating interracially and having friends of every sort of race then Santa Monica would be the clear winner. Other people might like the "polite yet arrogant" style that many Charlestonians have, or the obsession/fascination they have with their own city, and the rich local traditions (or South Carolina tradtions, or southern ones) that it can take you years to truly understand and thus appreciate.
you're comparing a small metro, (Charleston), to one especially wealthy area within a larger metro (Los Angeles). So this very wealthy area of the Los Angeles metro is probably going to look better, on paper, than Charleston. By "on paper", I mean things you listed like public transportation, parks, shopping/restaurants, and cultural amenities, are all inherently biased towards a major metro area like Los Angeles. Part of the appeal of smaller cities is that you don't really need public transit, parks, cultural amenities, etc., as much; those become more important as you cram more and more people into a smaller and smaller area.
anyway, i've only visited santa monica once, and it was nice. i thought the beaches were more accessible to the public in Santa Monica, but the sand, the water, and the beach itself was nicer in Charleston. Climate probably favors southern California, but personally I'd prefer Charleston. Although Santa Monica is not ugly, the scenery is much better in Charleston.
The people, and the "social culture", is very different, and really just a matter of opinon based on who you like. If I placed a high value on California-style multiculturalism, if i placed a priority on dating interracially and having friends of every sort of race then Santa Monica would be the clear winner. Other people might like the "polite yet arrogant" style that many Charlestonians have, or the obsession/fascination they have with their own city.
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
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I voted for Santa Monica because I don't like anything that seems historical, and that is just me being honest. I don't like the setting when things look old. No offense meant.
Two very different cities with very different set-ups. Each city has a favorite urban corridor of mine, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and King Street in Charleston. They make for a really good comparison, although the former is a pedestrian mall while the latter is a traditional urban street street. But the retail offerings are very similar.
Well I voted Charleston because the character, to me with Savannah and NOLA my favorite places in the South - so much charm and character.
I used to spend a lot of time at the Lowes in Santa Monica, and I really like Santa Monica as well but to me I choose Charleston because i find it more unique. I also always remember the lobby bar at the Lowes - there would be flocks of recently plasticized people all bandaged up from surgery staying there after their surgey - was quite odd really - the bartender said this was the standard Tuesday crowd - only in LA - that being said the Pier and promanade are always cool and Santa Monica has a lot going on
Two very different cities with very different set-ups. Each city has a favorite urban corridor of mine, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and King Street in Charleston. They make for a really good comparison, although the former is a pedestrian mall while the latter is a traditional urban street street. But the retail offerings are very similar.
Remarkable similarity; both the Promenade in Santa Monica and King Street in Charleston look a lot alike with relaxing places to dine outside and lots of trees. Looks like the Promenade is wider than King Street and now ends at the new Santa Monica Place shopping mall: Santa Monica Place : Experience
Here are a few more photos of Santa Monica including the beach
I'll have to go with Charleston--because while Santa Monica is beautiful, Charleston is more interesting and unique to me. Few places in the country have the level of historic neighborhoods that Charleston has. And the seafood there is great...I love the relaxed, almost Carribean feel of much of the town. Plus some of the barrier islands have pretty nice beaches--and the water is bathtub warm much of the year. People are pretty friendly and hospitable as well. Santa Monica is nice, but to be honest there are other beach communities in SoCal that I'd pick to live above it.
The warmer water in late spring till early fall is nice in Charleston, and it is a pretty city by far, plus I love summer storms. However, I'd choose Santa Monica for the generally better weather, surf, and just prettier beaches. Plus, it's cool!
Man, I've always wanted to know what the name of that building is in that 1st photo. The highrise that's sits on the slope of that cliff.
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