What is the best way to start out living in Hermosa/Manhattan beach area for housing? (Orange: apartments)

[mt971x]

Is it best to rent a house?

OR

Is it best to rent an apartment?

OR

Is it best to buy a condo?

OR

is it best to live outside city limits?

I have a good budget, but I want the most bang for my buck too, I want good size for what I pay for, not more money and less size.

For a person just moving to the area, what is a good way to start off?

A little about me, I'm a 24 year old, young professional, no kids, have money, plan on moving out there by myself.

[nowincal11]

Hard to say unless you state your actual budget.

[mt971x]

Rent around 3k, but that's including good SQ feet as well, not 3k for a 340SQ studio.

[nowincal11]

Most one bedroom apartments near the beach in Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches go for between $1200-$1500. My guess is they are regular sized between 600 sq. feet to 800 sq. feet.

Homes are more in the above $2K range and those are the ones not as close to the beach.

Buying a home in Hermosa Beach or Manhattan Beach that is halfway decent runs you well over $500K.

Both areas are really cool. I prefer Hermosa, but plenty of people like Manhattan Beach. They are very California surf culture and have lots of bars and restaurants too.

[mt971x]

thanks nowincal11 I really appreciate it. like I said, I am a single guy, that is business orientated and I can afford the rent out there. Would you suggest a Townhouse or an apartment? IF you were moving there to start, why would you choose Hermosa over MB? I hear Hermosa is more frat type, and younger party single people, I suppose I wouldn't mind that, how laid back are the two? I hear MB is more family oriented, and very nice and clean beaches. They are both by each other anyways, so a drive isn't that bad. How's the traffic in the area?

[nowincal11]

I would rent an apartment because it is easier to manage, but that's just me personally. Apartments, even the small complexes, tend to have landlords who have other properties so if you have a maintenance problem, they have someone on call. With a townhouse, you are responsible for maintenance to the grounds, and if you have a maintenance issue, they have to call out a private plumber, electrician, etc. and that takes a while. That's just me personally.

Manhattan Beach is a bit more laid back and family oriented. Hermosa Beach is definitely more young and single 20 and 30 somethings. Though there is nightlife in both beach areas. Hermosa definitely has quite a few people who grew up in south county (Orange County) i.e. very wealthy, who when they got old enough, moved to Hermosa.

Traffic is horrible everywhere in LA, but especially along the beaches.