Is it worth the extra $$$ to live in Santa Monica

[BRinSM]

rental houses are hard to come by on the westside (including culver city), especially under $3k/month. what are the requirements you have for a house besides 3 or 4 bedroom? there may be better places to look.

[Iakovos Bond]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

rental houses are hard to come by on the westside (including culver city), especially under $3k/month. what are the requirements you have for a house besides 3 or 4 bedroom? there may be better places to look.

All we really "Need" is 3 or 4 bedrooms and a small backyard so that the kids can be outside at times. We will probably end up paying anywhere from $2700/month to 3k/month to rent. I don't know if it is really possible to find something decent in Culver City for that price.

My Commute will be to the west of city-center near the "Byzantine-Latino" Quarter. I am not sure if Culver should be our first target, or if I should try living north of the city and commute south...

Thanks for your help, Everyone!

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Iakovos Bond

All we really "Need" is 3 or 4 bedrooms and a small backyard so that the kids can be outside at times. We will probably end up paying anywhere from $2700/month to 3k/month to rent. I don't know if it is really possible to find something decent in Culver City for that price.

My Commute will be to the west of city-center near the "Byzantine-Latino" Quarter. I am not sure if Culver should be our first target, or if I should try living north of the city and commute south...

Thanks for your help, Everyone!

I don't think SM is worth that much more money since there are as good or better options to choose from IMO.

Since you didn't mention kids before there is something to watch out for when moving closer to LA. You should avoid LAUSD and look carefully at the schools you will be renting near. Check out the map here: California School Performance Maps

Torrance is a great place for families and the schools are very good as well. I lived there for a number of years with our children and we still have friends with school age children in the area. Of course the traffic will be worse than from Culver City. But the area is also so much nicer IMO, closer to the coast and overall a more layed back place. Also if you are West of downtown the commute won't be quite as bad. I know that some people carpool, vanpool into LA from Torrance. You may want to check into that at the place you will be working. Also take a look at some vanpool options here: Metro Vanpool Program

Torrance some nice options to choose from there. So I wouldn't rule it completely out yet. Also Long Beach has a Blue Line or something to that effect into LA. That may be another consideration.

Derek

[BRinSM]

at your budget you're going to need to look elsewhere and it will probably include a sizable commute if you need a yard. are your kids school aged? if so, do you plan on using public schools? those are other questions that need to be answered before you settle on a neighborhood.

[JohnG72]

Westside Rentals is your friend. When I looked early last year, there were homes in Westchester and Culver City that meet your requirements around $3K a month. I would hazzard a guess that there are also homes in El Segundo at that range. These are 3bd/2ba ~1300-1500 sq ft with yard.

[calieuropean]

In short: NO.

Santa Monica isn't worth it. Stick to the South Bay (Torrance, Redondo, Hermosa) for more relaxed close-to-beach living at a reduced price tag.