Commute from Brentwood/Westwood/West LA to airport? (Vista, Santa Monica: apartments, rental)

[Guerita]

My work is transferring me and next week I head out to LA for my apt hunting trip. When I was out there about 1.5 months ago I had driven around/checked out the following places that were recommended:

Hermosa
Manhattan Beach
Redondo Beach
Marina del Rey
Santa Monica
Venice
Culver City

Friends have now suggested that when I look at places I might want to also consider:

Brentwood
Westwood
West La


My office is located near the airport on West Imperial Highway. Can somebody advise what type of commute I would be looking at (work M-F 8/9 to 5). Also, I don't know much about these areas but would there be a part I would want to stay away from (either not good area or just due to the commute)? Lifestyle wise I am a 35 yr old single female, into anything outdoors, not into clubs/partying but like being able to walk to some things and not have to drive everywhere. Thanks!

To give you an idea, I really like Culver City followed by Santa Monica/Venice/Marina del Rey

[LASam]

I commute from around Santa Monica Blvd and the 405 to El Segundo everyday and work 8:30 to 5:30... very rarely takes me more than 30 minutes each way. Reverse commute I suggest looking at the neighborhood west of the 405, east of bundy, south of San Vicente, and north of Olympic. Lots of good rental available, plenty walkable, safe, convenient, etc...

[apollyoncruiser]

Try to stay around where you work. El Segundo, Westchester and Manhattan Beach area would be perfect because they are close to your work. There are some nice apartments and some real gems if you take the time to dig and hit at just the right time. Check Craigslist to get a ballpark figure.

There are places you can walk around in those areas but LA is so large, as you probably realized on your visit, that having a car just made "me" happy, happy, happy when considering the alternative. I'm thinking for you anything west of the or not too far east of the 405 in both directions would be fine.

[Guerita]

LASAM thanks - what is that neighborhood called? Is this West LA or Brentwood? One map says Brentwood, another says West LA?

People in my office live in Santa Monica - they all told me it takes them 20 mins in the morning (barring accidents, etc) and home 45 mins and not to take the 405 home.

But can anybody specifically comment regarding my original question referencing Brentwood/West LA/Westwood? Or would this also be about 30 mins?

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by Guerita

But can anybody specifically comment regarding my original question referencing Brentwood/West LA/Westwood? Or would this also be about 30 mins?

Sure.

I commute from Santa Monica to El Segundo every day. It takes me between 20-30 minutes to drive to work (via surface streets), and about the same to drive home.

I would think Brentwood, W.LA, Westwood would be about the same, if not a bit longer.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by Guerita

People in my office live in Santa Monica - they all told me it takes them 20 mins in the morning (barring accidents, etc) and home 45 mins and not to take the 405 home.

I'll also say .... people who take the 405 from Santa Monica to El Segundo are burning time. Its never taken me longer than 30 minunites between these two cities on roads.

[West of Encino]

Originally Posted by Guerita

LASAM thanks - what is that neighborhood called? Is this West LA or Brentwood? One map says Brentwood, another says West LA?

People in my office live in Santa Monica - they all told me it takes them 20 mins in the morning (barring accidents, etc) and home 45 mins and not to take the 405 home.

But can anybody specifically comment regarding my original question referencing Brentwood/West LA/Westwood? Or would this also be about 30 mins?

If you want to live in those areas, the closest bet is West LA aka Sawtelle. But if you're going to work near the airport, the best bet is Westchester.

[1200RT]

I figured I might give my input on your city choices, since i've got a free minute. This is all of course opinion .....

Hermosa --- Far south, less "city" more "beach". VERY busy during the summer weekends, parking issues.
Manhattan Beach -- See Hermosa. Closer to LA tho.
Redondo Beach -- See Hermosa
Marina del Rey -- I love M.D.R. Busy depending on where you live, but that goes for anywhere in LA. Police and Fire is done by LA County Fire/Sheriff.
Santa Monica -- I live in S.M. Love it, but its very busy and very expensive. I have a weird view - i look at places by their city fire/police and goverment. S.M. Is its own city. They have fantastic public works. Its much easier to get things done in SM than in the City of LA. Most streets are permit parking, which makes parking better. If you're interested in S.M., let me know, and i'll point you in the direction of our better neighborhoods.
Venice --Venice. No thanks .... busy year round. Venice is part of the City of LA (See above). Less expensive as some of the others, but for good reason. Tons of homeless people, busy beaches, shady people on the boardwalk. There are of course nice parts, but you could do better. Like the other beach cities, parking is a pain in the summer.
Culver City -- Culver City is busy, but like Santa Monica, is an independent city. CC is "up and comming" over the past 10 years or so. There are some iffy parts, but some very nice parts as well. I think there is still some well-priced real esate to be found ....

Friends have now suggested that when I look at places I might want to also consider:

Brentwood -- Brentwood is just a neighborhood in LA (90049 zip code). Still the City of LA. Very nice, small, "east coast" feel. Expensive, and not very close to El Segundo.
Westwood -- UCLA's "town". Lots of students. No parking. Busy. Like Brentwood, Not exactly close to El Segundo.
West LA -- This is a lot of territory ..... As I've mentioned, i prefer the infependent cities, but you can find less expensive realestate simply by having a LA zip code (as aposed to Santa Monica, for example). Rent/prices can change by hundreds just being one block on either side of the "line"

--I'll also throw in .... Look into Playa Vista, a new(er) development at Lincoln and Jefferson in LA. Its right in the middle of Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Westchester (to the south). They have nice units, (condos and apartments) ... and a good location to El Segundo.

[Guerita]

Thanks 1200RT for your synopsis/breakdown.

I went out to LA a few times to check out neighborhoods - places I liked best were Culver City, Santa Monica, Venice and Marina Del Rey. Second tier was Redondo Beach (North- for commuting purposes - I was told past 190th my commute would be long), Hermosa and Manhattan Beach.

I would not consider living in El Segundo or Westchester.

How is Brentwood similiar the East Coast? (I am moving from living in Manhattan the last 6 yrs.) I actually drove a little bit thru it since I have a friend there but hadn't considered looking at apartments there since to me it seemed "far away" but now several people tell me my commute will not be bad from those areas at all and I should look into them when I go out apt hunting next week.

[Guerita]

IR2000 - regarding Santa Monica - where should be avoided or where should I look into?