Santa Monica or venice (rental market, how much, home)

[Markkillian]

Currently living in Montreal, Canada and relocating to Santa Monica for work in 6 months. I'm a guy in my late 20s, gay. I'm not sure if I should move to Santa Monica or Venice. I know LA traffic is pretty brutal so I wouldn't want to be too far from work. In terms of housing I've done my research and it looks like I can afford a two bedroom in either area so I've established that much. Basically I'm a pretty outdoorsy guy, surfing, hiking, biking etc. I live in a pretty eclectic and diverse neighbourhood right now and love the vibe. I know weho is more of a gay-centric neighbourhood and it's a nice area but not really my scene per say. I enjoy having good amenities within walking/biking distance and am hoping to live in an area where it will be easy to meet people around my age as I don't know anyone down there... Any advice would be great, thanks!

[Dunbar42]

Just curious, how much have you budgeted for a 2BR?

SM is really three separate areas. The southern part isn't a whole lot different than Venice but it is a little nicer. Downtown SM is the most urban feeling and walkable but you're close to the Promenade and all of the tourists. North SM (where I live) is quiet and has an upscale residential feel. It can be walkable depending on where you live but younger people tend to criticize it as being boring/quiet at night which I've never really understood since it's a short bike/cab ride to the rest of SM. Venice is going to be the closest to eclectic and diverse. I stayed in Venice for 2 weeks before moving to the area and it wasn't my cup of tea. In general, if you want to be closer to people in their 20's stick to south SM or Venice.

[disgruntled la native]

If you can afford it, central (downtown) Santa Monica is the best option. It's also the priciest. It's just a couple blocks from the beach but has every amenity you can imagine, and is a straight shot to West LA, Weho, Hollywood, DTLA. World class dining and shopping, tons of bars, dense urban living with clean air and space, movie theaters, eclectic shops, excellent public transit. Many cutting edge corporations and businesses headquartered there. Central SM is THE most desirable place to live in LA county if you go by the rental market.

Venice is a little funkier and sketchy. Though Abbot Kinney is a huge attraction, it's not as busy (or safe) as central SM. The boardwalk is a big tourist attraction but brings in all the weirdos, much like hollywood.

South SM, which we recently discussed in another thread, is dull and sleepy. Main St has a few bars, restaurants, and coffee shops but it's quiet during the week and lame on the weekends. Ocean Park even less so. Not really great for young people.

North SM is similarly quiet, but North SM is beautiful and walking distance to central SM.

[wecaredalot]

I would live in Santa Monica in a heartbeat. There's not much in Venice, and it's dirty. I'm hesitant to even go to the beach there.

[iama30something]

I'm 31, and live in Venice and absolutely love it. Check out areas around Main Street, Rose, Abbott Kinney and Washington.

What I like about Venice, is that you are a short Uber ride away from everything. $10 will get you to downtown Santa Monica or LAX. I also like how its a bit artsy, unique and not horribly touristy (besides the boardwalk).

As far as living downtown Santa Monica, there is crazy traffic there all the time. I couldn't imagine trying to get through all of that nightly to get home every night or to run errands. I try to avoid that area as much as possible.

[jamills21]

Originally Posted by wecaredalot

I would live in Santa Monica in a heartbeat. There's not much in Venice, and it's dirty. I'm hesitant to even go to the beach there.

Are you talking about the board walk or all of Venice? Because if its all of Venice then that is just not true.