Where to live & work on the Westside? (Vista, Santa Monica: for sale, apartments)

[LottaSlee]

Hi, I'm moving to LA this summer and I'm trying to decide where to live.

I want to live close to my ex-husband who lives in Playa del Rey (we have a son together) and I can spend around $1800/month.

I'm in sales & marketing and I assume I could find a job in Santa Monica or Beverly Hills.

The most important thing for me is safety, and a somewhat kid-oriented neighbourhood. I really like SM but will concider Venice, Playa del Rey and Culver City.

Should I go for a nice condo with all the ameneties (pool, sec, etc) or go for renting a small huse with (hopefully) a small backyard? Do houses for rent exist on the Westside for $1800??

Any advice on a good/safe neighbourhood on the Westside?

[Trusty Chords]

Originally Posted by LottaSlee

Hi, I'm moving to LA this summer and I'm trying to decide where to live.

I want to live close to my ex-husband who lives in Playa del Rey (we have a son together) and I can spend around $1800/month.

I'm in sales & marketing and I assume I could find a job in Santa Monica or Beverly Hills.

The most important thing for me is safety, and a somewhat kid-oriented neighbourhood. I really like SM but will concider Venice, Playa del Rey and Culver City.

Should I go for a nice condo with all the ameneties (pool, sec, etc) or go for renting a small huse with (hopefully) a small backyard? Do houses for rent exist on the Westside for $1800??

Any advice on a good/safe neighbourhood on the Westside?

For $1800, I think you'll be stuck with a nice 1 Bedroom apartment. Check out Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. Plenty of my clients who have children live out there. Its a great area. Its a bit south of Playa Del Ray but nothing to extreme. Its a straight shot on Sepulveda/PCH.

As for jobs, you are coming to the right city for Sales and Marketing. There is plenty available.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/mar/ Check that out for an idea of what jobs are available around the area.

[morefromcali]

Hi,

Go to westsiderentals.com to get a feel for rents. They always have lots of houses for rent and you don't have to join to view the listings. You do have to join to see a more detailed profile of the properties and to get contact information. If it's Venice or Mar Vista you'll want to then run the address through LAUSD's site to find out which school it goes to and then you can check that school at greatschools.net. The neighborhoods that you mentioned are all nice places to live (except Venice is a little spotty), so it's really just the schools that are tricky.

Good luck!

[LottaSlee]

Thanks for the advice. I actually really like Manhattan Beach but I thought it would more expensive to live there than in the Santa Monica area. But I'm all for living in a neighbourhood that has a lot of families. Is it safe there as well and how is the comute up to Santa Monica or BH?

[jessemh431]

el segundo is a good area. extremely family and children orientated. one of the safest places IMO. two bedroom apts start around 1800 so you would be o.k. many condos going on the market lately. archstone apartments in playa del rey are beautiful but im not sure how much they are.

el segundo has a metro light rail station nearby. bus system not very good. playa del rey is el segundo's border to the north on the other side of LAX. playa del rey has extremely good bus system but closest rail system is in el segundo. playa del rey also is very safe with quite a lot of children, just not many walking around. for a family or kid life, el segundo is probably one of the best places in the world IMO

[mateoma]

there are a few 1 bedroom condo's available for rent at that price if you're intesrested and if you're still looking for a place to rent.