Commuting to Santa Monica from the Redondo/Manhattan Beach area (Vista: apartment, rentals)

[ChrissyLynne]

Hello. I am thinking of taking a job in Santa Monica but am looking to live in the Redondo/Manhattan/El Segundo area. I am wondering what the commute time would be if I needed to be to work around 10:00am. Are there surface streets, PCH, or anything other than the 405?

Thanks!

[goodbyehollywood]

Yes, you can take Sepulveda/Lincoln all the way up or you can take Highland and drive up by the beach from the South Bay, cut up Jefferson to Lincoln, then back down to Pacific or Main all the way to SM. I used to go from Venice to Manhattan Beach for on-site work all the time, and there are a number of hybrid routes. There's traffic, but nothing like the 405.

Redondo would be a bit rough, but El Segundo and MB are doable. Try to live on the north end, and you'll be a happier commuter.

Good luck!

[ChrissyLynne]

What about living in the Valley (Sherman Oaks, Encino) and commuting to Santa Monica? Is that drive pretty bad as well? Any cities you can recommend that are nice for families and fairly close to SM?

[BRinSM]

getting into santa monice from anywhere outside of santa monica for work in the morning is going to be a chore, even worse on your way out in the evening. The Valley would be VERY BAD! The South Bay cities will also be pretty bad. Perhsing, Vistal Del Mar, Sepulveda and Lincoln can all be parking lots during rush hour. If your worried about rents, you may consider Mar Vista, which has much cheaper rent than Santa Monica and is only a few miles away.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by ChrissyLynne

What about living in the Valley (Sherman Oaks, Encino) and commuting to Santa Monica? Is that drive pretty bad as well? Any cities you can recommend that are nice for families and fairly close to SM?

Hi Chrissy,

Living in a nice apartment in the valley is not going to be that much less expensive than on the west side of town. You will sacrifice more $ for the difference in gas, time, and quality of life. Check craigslist and look for rentals in the nicer parts of the valley, then check West La, Palms, Culver city etc. You will find that they are close in monthly rent costs.

If your going to live in the valley, may as well live in Culver city or Palms and save the headache of the commute, have better access to leisure activities, and cooler weather.

Much of the valley is completely undesirable, so the better parts around ventura blvd go for a premium.

[ChrissyLynne]

Wow!Thanks everyone for all the help. I guess I didn't realize how much more expensive it is to live in LA than the bay area. I was hoping to rent a house not an apartment but not sure if that is going to be possible. Thanks again!

[CESpeed]

If you take the 405 from Santa Monica to El Segundo/Redondo Beach area you'll be going against traffic so you shouldn't have any problems commuting.