Young, upscale, urban areas of LA? (Long Beach, Santa Monica: 2009, apartments, rentals)

[daaaaave]

(I apologize if I should not have posted this twice as I also posted in the SD forum since I am trying to decide between LA and SD)

Hello,

I am planning to move to Southern Cal in early 2009. Right now I'm living in Arlington, VA, a suburb of DC. There are a lot of things I like about the area especially its location. I live right on one of the main corridors of the area and can walk to many, many places. The area is very young, affluent, and since I am 25 and a college grad, this is great for me. There are a lot of bars here although I am not a big drinker, it is nice to have the nightlife. The reason I am leaving is because I have lived in the DC area most of my life and I'm tired of it, lack of beaches and too much of a workaholic atmosphere, and the terrible weather.

I am looking for a similar area in Southern California (SD or LA). I want an urban, upscale, young area where a lot of young college grads live. I'd also like to live within about 5 miles of the beach.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[junkman18]

Originally Posted by daaaaave

(I apologize if I should not have posted this twice as I also posted in the SD forum since I am trying to decide between LA and SD)

Hello,

I am planning to move to Southern Cal in early 2009. Right now I'm living in Arlington, VA, a suburb of DC. There are a lot of things I like about the area especially its location. I live right on one of the main corridors of the area and can walk to many, many places. The area is very young, affluent, and since I am 25 and a college grad, this is great for me. There are a lot of bars here although I am not a big drinker, it is nice to have the nightlife. The reason I am leaving is because I have lived in the DC area most of my life and I'm tired of it, lack of beaches and too much of a workaholic atmosphere, and the terrible weather.

I am looking for a similar area in Southern California (SD or LA). I want an urban, upscale, young area where a lot of young college grads live. I'd also like to live within about 5 miles of the beach.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Are you a millionaire? If you want to live close to the beach and not in some ghetto You will need lots of money...

[daaaaave]

I am looking to rent. Currently my roommate and I pay $2600/mo. for a 2-br. I am looking for a 1-br, $1000-$1500 or so.

[junkman18]

Originally Posted by daaaaave

I am looking to rent. Currently my roommate and I pay $2600/mo. for a 2-br. I am looking for a 1-br, $1000-$1500 or so.

You can get on the web and check real state web sites for the area you may want to move to. You can get allot of information that way.

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by daaaaave

I am looking to rent. Currently my roommate and I pay $2600/mo. for a 2-br. I am looking for a 1-br, $1000-$1500 or so.

You may want to look into West LA near Santa Monica Blvd, Palms, Playa Del Rey, and Culver City. The more desirable neighborhoods (Santa Monica, Brentwood, Venice, Marina Del Rey, etc.) are certainly going to cost you more than $1500 per month for a 1 br. If you could find a roomate though, for the price you pay in DC, you could certainly find a decent 2 br in one of the more desirable hoods that I mentioned.

[KT13]

Check out westsiderentals.com, you can join the for a fee and browse rental listings.

2-3 years ago we found lots of 2 bedr apartments some fairly nicely finished in Santa Monica area walking distance from the beach around 2000-2600 a month. I don't know what the prices are now. Also, Santa Monica is a large area and it has its own 'divisions'. The area north of Wilshire especially around Montana street is more popular with yuppies, Montana st has lots of little boutiques, restaurants and other necessities. This area especially closer to the beach is the most expensive. The area to the south of Wilshire especially south of highway 10 is cheaper, it used to be 'up and coming' some years ago, but it's pretty nice and safe now. I like Ocean Park, it's a cute area close to the beach and surrounding Main st - another shopping/restaurant/bar scene area. You will definitely like Main st being from Arlington, there are lots of bars around there and you also don't need to climb up/down stairs to get to the beach. It used to be cheaper to rent, unless you are going into some of the more luxury upscale condo type of places.

Brentwood is another very popular place you will definitely like, but a bit further from the beach than Santa Monica. Venice is a bit sketchy in some areas, I don't know if you'd like it coming from Arlington. You may like Marina Del Ray. Check out all these areas by driving around there before you decide.

I wouldn't be discouraged by prices, look around, there are lots of small owner operated apartment buildings in these areas and you can find places in different price ranges and of different quality. Also, make sure you know what your commute it like, so try to stay closer to work/school whatever you'll be doing.

[bhcompy]

Belmont Shore/Bluff Park/Downtown Long Beach fit your affordability more and definitely have a good load of younger adults and upscale living

[timelesschild]

There was a thread about a month ago, one of the multipage ones to the effect of "does ANYONE like LA?!" and a young single professional posted about his wonderful life in one of the beach cities, riding his bike to the markets, partying in Long Beach and other places.... I think he was in Redondo Beach?