Santa Monica, California vs. Hoboken, New Jersey (living, state, better)
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Santa Monica has mild weather, a beach, an a boardwalk (or pier). Let's just say that's tough to beat (generally speaking) The nightlife is really good, but not necessarily better than Hoboken's (just different). The public transportation is mediocre, but I know a lot of people ride bikes/skate throughout the city. It's basically an outdoorsy city, but can both be suburban and urban. Topanga State park is right up the road if you want to take a nature trip. SM also has an airport. Crime isn't really an issue.
Hoboken has direct access across to Manhattan, however you want to take it, that's the reality of it. The nightlife is really good, bars and night clubs are everywhere. Public transportation is almost unbeatable, and the city in general is very walkable (Not so car friendly though, parking SUCKS). It's far more densely populated than SM and not really suburban at all (physically). NYC & JC are in your immediate vicinity. Traditional bakeries, pizzerias, delis, pubs, ice cream parlors.. Hoboken (generally speaking) has better dining options.
To the question, to me two of the more interesting places in large cities with their own identity. I lived in Hoboken and loved it and also used to visit Santa Monica quite a bit (would stay at the Lowes). Personally could be happy in either. Both are interesting with a decent amount of vibrancy
So on the criteria
Where would you rather live? Visit?
walkability - Boken overall but Santa Monica is quite walkable, the promenade and pier and beach are all pretty good as well - overall day to day to think without needing a car it still goes to Boken
transit - No contest Boken
convenience - Both pretty good, to me edge Boken, easier and more transit options, closer to more, slightly closer to airport
job market - Think NYC Metro is a little better these days
nightlife - both really good - say draw depending on personal wants
schools -actually not sure, both have many options if willing to pay
recreation - hmmm for outdoors SM, heading north there is so much and the beach, nuff said
shopping - Probably SM for the town, both will have more than enough nearby
dining - see above, same response as shopping
architecture - wow, tough one. Love both for different aspects
End of the day, two awesome places to live. I prefer the east coast and love NY though for LA SM would def be on my short list of places to live if I ever moved there.
Personally to me edge Boken, but really I couldnt complain a whole lot about either place.
BTW some cool pics above from Dub and Montclaire (Edit also BPerone great pic of Boken) - thanks! Love the boken Manhattan view and Pacific back on SM and LA. I mean really if you are choosing between these two to me you cant really lose
Last edited by kidphilly; 09-13-2011 at 09:11 PM..
walkability - Hoboken
transit - Hoboken
convenience - Santa Monica
job market - Hoboken
nightlife - Santa Monica
schools - Santa Monica
recreation - Santa Monica
shopping - Santa Monica
dining - Santa Monica
architecture - Hoboken
etc.
I guess that Santa Monica wins in most categories, but I think that I would rather live in Hoboken.
And as far as transit, they just broke ground on Expo Phase 2 today, which will connect Santa Monica to downtown LA and the rest of the rail system. Santa Monica also has The Big Blue Bus (Speed movie) and LACMTA, so it's not really a slouch in that department and will be significantly better in 2015 when the rail line opens.
I'll take Santa Monica. The fact that it's on the Pacific with beautiful sunsets is enough for me. Pelicans diving for fish at sunset is a site to see. The city itself has great shopping and dining and just ok nightlife. Public transportation is excellent imo. I worked at Santa Monica Place and actually left my car at home and road the bus to work. SM is served by tons of bus routes and bus service between there and dt Los Angeles is 24 hours. If you're visiting you can rent a bike near the SM Pier and ride endlessly on the bike paths along the Pacific. Too touristy? Head to the north end of town to Montana Ave where many of the locals hang out for trendy shopping(many locally owned), dining and coffee shops. Plus the weather is nice most of the time. Sometimes it can get cool.
Santa Monica is over 6 times larger than Hoboken... not really a fair comparison.
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