moving from nyc -> LA, is Santa Monica feasible from downtown? (Los Angeles: apartment complex) - City-Data Forum

kwchang · 04-19-2007, 09:04 AM

Hello,
I'm moving to Los Angeles in Aug/Late July from Manhattan; would really appreciate advice on where to live for early 20s single female looking for 1 bdrm apt. Working downtown (west 3rd and s. grand ave), looking for a neighborhood that is walkable in the daytime and close to fun/restaurants in evening. I've heard Santa Monica is perfect - hard to give up idea of living on the beach coming from manhattan - but that the commute can reach 1 hr - is this true? Any other beach towns that would be possible? Heard that Manhattan Beach is further but might be faster commute to work. Where else would you recommend I target my search, for a shorter commute? I'm willing to spend 1500 - 2000K/month.

Also, do you think it would be possible to find an apartment in a weekend in late june to start beginning of aug, or is it a better bet to come in the last week of july and pick up "available now" apmts.

Thank you!

artichoke63 · 04-19-2007, 11:19 AM

Santa Monica to downtown is feasible but it's a hard drive. My sister lives in Koreatown and commutes to Venice for work. She teaches yoga and drives on off hours, like 5AM. You're close to the freeways, so yes it's possible. Commute is going to be one hour, maybe more during traffic. In Los Angeles, the golden rules is to avoid commuting as much as possible. But I would check around Silverlake. It's a funky artsy town, close to downtown. Makebe you can get a view of the lake? Also, what about living in downtown? My neighbors just got a loft there.

Artie

morefromcali · 04-19-2007, 03:18 PM

Hi kwchang,

I agree that the commute from downtown LA to Santa Monica is do-able but hard. Manhattan beach is very nice as well, but I don't really think your commute is much easier. 45 minutes to an hour is about right for either unless you are working really off hours. As for the timing of picking your rental, have you tried Westside Rentals? Their web-site will give you pictures of the places you are looking at plus move-in dates, and some are already listing for units that won't be availble until mid-late summer.

Best of luck.

Yetti0 · 04-19-2007, 04:45 PM

As all the others also witnessed as I have .. LA is hard driving....on the freeways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by morefromcali

Hi kwchang,

I agree that the commute from downtown LA to Santa Monica is do-able but hard. Manhattan beach is very nice as well, but I don't really think your commute is much easier. 45 minutes to an hour is about right for either unless you are working really off hours. As for the timing of picking your rental, have you tried Westside Rentals? Their web-site will give you pictures of the places you are looking at plus move-in dates, and some are already listing for units that won't be availble until mid-late summer.

Best of luck.

Sorcerer68 · 04-21-2007, 03:51 AM

If it was me, I'd either find a place to live closer to downtown or look for a job closer to Santa Monica. The commute can be done but it's not pleasant. That said, I have friends who live in Malibu/Pt. Dume and commute to downtown every day. I don't know how they do it.

SallyC · 04-21-2007, 01:55 PM

Yes, if you are living in Santa Monica and working in downtown LA the commute is very reasonable. I did this for around a year and wish I still had that commute (instead of to Torrance as I now have). You will actually be going the opposite direction of the bad traffic. More people live on the east side and work on the west side (Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills). Traffic on the 10 will not be bad until you get near the 110 and you will not have much farther to go. On the way home, once you get to the 10, it is a little heavy near downtown and near the 405, but not bumper to bumper.

cmt · 07-17-2007, 11:39 AM

Hello! I'm new to this so please bear with me!
I want to move from nyc to l.a. mostly around the hollywood area since people there will help me crash with them for a short period of time. Being that as it may, my question is what is a great location to live in (neighborhood/street wise)? Secondly, how do I move? should I just go there or should I go there with a job? Can I get a job from ny without using the present job in ny?
Please help any suggestions will be awesome
Thanks

natt · 07-18-2007, 02:32 PM

I'll second what artichoke63 wrote and recommend Silverlake and the Los Feliz area just west of there. You might also want to take a look at Glendale and Pasadena.

Downtown has options...I lived in a nice apartment complex on the hills just above Chinatown between College and Figueroa Terrace...a nice little "pocket" neighborhood that was surprisingly safe and affordable. I had a nice view of downtown skyline and sunsets (they shoot lots of TV/movies there because of that); lots of mom-and-pop stores and restaurants in walking distance; lots of families...you'll see elderly and children out walking around days and eves. Big downside was the fleet of TV traffic helicopters buzzing overhead non-stop during commute hours.

Sorcerer68 · 07-18-2007, 05:27 PM

I should also mention Old Pasadena. It has everything Santa Monica has and more but no beach. It's walkable, has gorgeous architecture, buzz and nightlife. Lots of sidewalk cafes and shops. It's an easy commute to downtown, you can even take the train. The rent is also much lower than SM.