Tell me about Santa Monica (San Mateo, Redwood City: apartments, to rent, condo)

[lookingtorelocate]

ok,
My husband may have an opportunity to land a great job in Santa Monica. Originally form the S.F. bay area, and have lived in the Phoneix Metropolitian area for a while now. Tell me the good and bad about Santa Monica. Is it family oriented?? What are the surrounding cities that wouldn't make it a tough commute.
Looking forward to hearing it all.
Thanks

[ElleBebe]

Santa Monica is expensive.

That's all I know about it

[lookingtorelocate]

More expensive than the S.F. Bay area!!
Please advise
Thanks

[BRinSM]

I've lived in SM for over 2 years now and it is my favorite city that I've ever lived in. It is expensive, but due to the large variety of housing, you can usually find decent prices on apartments. If you would prefer a house, you will be paying much more. From what I've seen, detached 2br houses usually start at around $3k to rent. I'd say the city is pretty family oriented, but it also caters to the 20 something crowd as well. There is really something for everyone here, if you can afford it.

The worst part about Santa Monica (other than rent prices) is the traffic if you don't live in the city. The beaches and huge amount of jobs in the area bring a lot of people here on a daily basis. getting into SM from every direction in the morning is a huge chore. Every major artery into SM (whether street or freeway) is usually packed. I would just live in SM if I were you. But then again, that really depends on what you are looking for (buy/rent, house/condo/apt, budget, etc...).

[DontH8Me]

Santa Monica is a haven for the homeless. Most of the people I know who work/live in the area have some real humdingers about their various encounters with the bums and panhandlers. They smell just like you would imagine them to smell. And they are right there, in your face, 3rd Street Promenade, the pier, Ocean Ave. - I was on a date once at Shutters and I can't even remember how many of them managed to wander inside. I actually felt bad for them, because the Hotel/Restaurant staff have a certain way of dealing with them.

It is what it is.

[ElleBebe]

Originally Posted by lookingtorelocate

More expensive than the S.F. Bay area!!
Please advise
Thanks

Where in the Bay Area?

[lookingtorelocate]

Thanks BRinSM. My husband and I are in our late thirties. Have two kids ages 7 and 5. Who attend a catholic school in Phx. What are some nice safe cities that surround S.M. in case we decide with the economy that S.M. is a little expensive for us.We will most likely be looking to rent as we own our house in Arizona and most likely will be renting it out until the market picks up. After that house is sold we will look into buying in S.M. or surrounding areas. Any tips on sports programs and other things for kids. My kids play soccer, baseball, swim team, dance and gymnastics.

[lookingtorelocate]

Originally Posted by ElleBebe

Where in the Bay Area?

San Mateo county. Mainly the city of San Mateo, Redwood City, San Carlos. Those cities.

Thanks

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by lookingtorelocate

Thanks BRinSM. My husband and I are in our late thirties. Have two kids ages 7 and 5. Who attend a catholic school in Phx. What are some nice safe cities that surround S.M. in case we decide with the economy that S.M. is a little expensive for us.We will most likely be looking to rent as we own our house in Arizona and most likely will be renting it out until the market picks up. After that house is sold we will look into buying in S.M. or surrounding areas. Any tips on sports programs and other things for kids. My kids play soccer, baseball, swim team, dance and gymnastics.

just about anywhere around SM is going to be nice and safe. however, this is LA and anything can happen, but odds are, you'll be just fine. as for the sports your kids play, all of that can be found in and around SM. do you plan on keeping your kids in private schools? there are plenty to choose from in the area, but many are difficult to get in to and are very expensive. there are also some good public school options, but you'll need to do your homework. i've heard SM has good public schools, but the best schools in the area seem to be in the south bay (el segundo, manhattan beach, hermose beach, etc...) and the thousand oaks area, both of which are atleast 45 minutes commuting distance from SM.

do you mind being the 'burbs and commuting? would you prefer being in/closer to the city, the beach? how far is your husband willing to commute? how much do you think your monthly rent budget will be? would you prefer a post war bungalow or a newer 2 story tract home? if you can answer these questions, we will be a lot more help to you here.

[RPV2NC]

You might consider living in Westchester and having your kids attend St. Anastasia or Visitation. You could also live in West LA and have your kids attend St. Martin of Tours or St. Paul the Apostle. Culver City may be a nice option. Many families choose El Marino language school in that district. Moms need to be proactive to meet and network with other moms, but the resources are there to have a great family experience, provided you can afford housing.