Marina Del Rey. Tell me all about it!! (Long Beach, Santa Monica: 2013, apartment)

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by LASam

Does MDR have a weekly farmer's market? Those are always fun.

i don't think so, but i'm not certain. main st in santa monica has a sunday morning farmers market though and venice has one during the week sometime as well.

[goodbyehollywood]

There's a farmer's market at Venice and Ocean, down from the library. I forget which day. That's just a few blocks from MDR, by the canals. Actually, the Marina and Venice kinda merge right there at the Silver Triangle and the Canals, and people don't differentiate much between the two. It's a great area.

I still can't believe Killer Shrimp closed! Tragedy!

[varr0008]

How long of a walk would it be from Mother's beach area in the marina to the Ocean?

[LASam]

Originally Posted by varr0008

How long of a walk would it be from Mother's beach area in the marina to the Ocean?

10-15 minutes I'd think. I've heard they did a pretty good job improving the water circulation there too so the water quality has improved.

[MtnSurfer]

While MDR is nice area for the most part I think the schools are not necessarily the greatest - LA Unified.

Also if you check great schools it rates MDR a 3 out of 10. Of course I am sure some kids/parents still like them. It is just something to be aware of and look into more as parent if you plan to use public schools.

I was surprised to hear about all the strollers. MDR has always reminded of a great place for singles, dual income couples w/o kids and the 50 y/o Mercedes guys with gold chains and shorts cruising around the marina. I am not saying it is all bad. Its great if you love sailing, bike riding, etc... I just don't think of it necessarily as a 'family' town.

Don't mean to offend the MDR folks who love it there. I just think its important to show both sides of something. And no place is perfect. Just check it out first and rent before buying.

My 2c,

Derek

[greggd]

If only MDR had its own little school district for the neighborhood kids only....

I think the nearest public schools will be like the one at walgrove/venice. That may be the 3 out of 10 Derek is referencing. No surprise there at all.

I like the marina itself, the design, development etc. unfortunately the surrounding areas have yet to follow suit.

[Jezer]

Check out Escobar's Restaurant in MDR- that said it was 2006 I went there but was very good.

[BRinSM]

Casa Escobar closed down about a year ago.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by greggd

If only MDR had its own little school district for the neighborhood kids only....

I think the nearest public schools will be like the one at walgrove/venice. That may be the 3 out of 10 Derek is referencing. No surprise there at all.

I like the marina itself, the design, development etc. unfortunately the surrounding areas have yet to follow suit.

Acutally the 3 out of 10 rating is a combined score for the public schools of MDR. You can see it here: Marina del Rey's rating = 3/10

It funny to me how an upscale area such as MDR can have such mediocre public schools compared to other areas close by. Other nice coastal towns in LA County such as Manhattan, Hermosa, Torrance, El Segundo, Palos Verdes, etc... have their own school districts and rate much higher - 9 or 10 out of 10.

I think this has always been the case, especially when dealing with LA Unified vs. these superior school districts. Of course I am sure there are some exceptions to this general rule. But the numbers are not favorable.

Derek

[goodbyehollywood]

That's LAUSD for you. Coeur d'Alene is pretty good for the lower grades, but Venice High has issues. Many parents opt for charter or private schools. Limited choices, since LAUSD is what it is.

These schools are not actually in MDR; MDR is in their jurisdiction.