[Stephy0519]

Hi all!

Just wanted to give a quick hello and update. I'm out in CA--just been about a week and a half. Living in Marina Del Rey, working in Westwood.

The commute is the EASIEST commute I have ever had in my life, hands down. I do have to get on the 405, but, it consistently moves, unlike 95, which comes to a deadstop. I've been hopping on at all times between 7am-9am...never dead stop (goes between 30-45,) and never takes me more than 20 minutes to get in. Home, it takes me about 25, but still...it's an easy, pretty drive.

Cost wise--my car insurance and gas cost have actually gone way down, compared to CT and NY. Gas WOULD be comparable...but I live right near a Costco and have a membership. So, even with having to put 91/93 in my car...it's still cheaper than CT.

Food--honestly, I think it's cheaper to eat out here. I had to do some huge shopping trips to restock my kitchen and was way under budget. Additionally, my BFF was out here the first week and she was wayyyy under budget for what she thought everything was going to cost. Restaurants, drinks, etc, way cheaper. Plus, I can buy wine until 2am!

I'm writing this, while doing some work...so feel free to ask anything about a compare, etc.

[HumpDay]

Congrats to you! Sounds to me that you like it there. I'll be out of CT when I retire in 2026.

That's a very easy commute since you don't have to travel far into LA. Living in Marina del Rey must be awesome since you're right on the ocean. Is it hard to get sleep since you're extremely close to LAX? How are the property taxes?

[Stephy0519]

Originally Posted by HumpDay

Congrats to you! Sounds to me that you like it there. I'll be out of CT when I retire in 2026.

That's a very easy commute since you don't have to travel far into LA. Living in Marina del Rey must be awesome since you're right on the ocean. Is it hard to get sleep since you're extremely close to LAX? How are the property taxes?

Not a single plane flies over the Marina--they all go over Playa Del Rey. So, I have no air noise.

I can't speak to the taxes, unfortunately...I'm renting my condo from the owner, for at least the first year.

[Raider111]

I would expect the 5 and 101 to be worse since it's downtown commuting, though the 405 would have Century City commuters I suppose.
Now if they can get the home prices down to Stamford-Morwalk-Fairfield levels, I'm there.

[BicoastalAnn]

Originally Posted by Raider111

I would expect the 5 and 101 to be worse since it's downtown commuting, though the 405 would have Century City commuters I suppose.
Now if they can get the home prices down to Stamford-Morwalk-Fairfield levels, I'm there.

Just go to the Valley!

[lginlg]

Originally Posted by Stephy0519

I do have to get on the 405, but, it consistently moves, unlike 95, which comes to a deadstop

See that you already adopted the California style of referring to the interstate as "The 405" or "The 10" etc, but kept the Connecticut "95"

But Stephy dear, you are about to have a rude awakening ... LA traffic is the worst in America ... and "the" 405 is one of the culprits.

Winter in SC makes it all worth it though. And fabulous produce. Seafood is disappointing however. Do report back ... and good luck.

[BicoastalAnn]

Originally Posted by HumpDay

Congrats to you! Sounds to me that you like it there. I'll be out of CT when I retire in 2026.

That's a very easy commute since you don't have to travel far into LA. Living in Marina del Rey must be awesome since you're right on the ocean. Is it hard to get sleep since you're extremely close to LAX? How are the property taxes?

Property taxes are easy to figure out.. they are about 1.25% of purchase price. The state limits property taxes to a max of 1% of assessed value, and then there are other local assessments that end up totaling about .25%.

[Stephy0519]

Originally Posted by lginlg

See that you already adopted the California style of referring to the interstate as "The 405" or "The 10" etc, but kept the Connecticut "95"

But Stephy dear, you are about to have a rude awakening ... LA traffic is the worst in America ... and "the" 405 is one of the culprits.

Winter in SC makes it all worth it though. And fabulous produce. Seafood is disappointing however. Do report back ... and good luck.

I make my own hours. Additionally, I'm only on for 2 exits. I haven't experienced a dead stop on the 405 (or the 10) yet, while living here OR on any of my trips out to visit/house hunt.

Meanwhile, I have experienced dead stop zero miles per hour, almost on a daily basis back in CT/NY. I commuted to NY via car for two years, so I know traffic.

Yes to the produce!! It has been blowing me away...I don't think I've ever actually eaten a real avocado before living out here!

[kidyankee764]

Glad you're liking it, Marina is great. I'm also glad someone else can attest to the traffic there not being the nightmare Angelenos make it out to be.

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by BicoastalAnn

Just go to the Valley!

That would be totally rad! But too far out