Living in la

[Ambulance Chaser]

I'm wrapping up my two-week stint in L.A. today.  While living downtown has been very convenient to work, there's only so much McDonald's, CPK, and Koo Koo Roo one can take.  Not to mention the fact that downtown L.A. is dead after dark.  I plan on coming back to L.A. on business for an extended period of time.  Can anyone suggest a good place for a single twenty-something to live, keeping in mind that I work downtown?  Someone suggested to me Manhattan Beach or Marina del Rey, but I'm interested in hearing as many opinions as possible.

 

[LA Guy]

Sorry about your having to live downtown, really not representive of anything but corporate blandness. Since you are a working twenty-something, I imagine that your priorities might be, in no particular order, 1) nightlife and shopping, 2) Proximity to work, 3) young professional or student population. I don't know if there is a place where all of these are possible, but you might consider living in West L.A. (vibrant city life), in Brentwood or Westwood (wealth and youth), or in Santa Monica (near the beach). Keep in mind that we're talking about LA, and that a twenty minute drive is considered "close". It's not unheard of to drive up to about an hour to get to a party or club, and commutes under 1/2 hour are a luxury.

 

[ulf]

Keep in mind that we're talking about LA, and that a twenty minute drive is considered "close".  It's not unheard of to drive up to about an hour to get to a party or club, and commutes under 1/2 hour are a luxury.

I was in LA 15 years ago and what struck me was how many roads and freeways there were everywhere, and how flat everything was. Hardly any tall buildings, no "real" city blocks. It had a kind of suburb feel to it, somehow. I don't know. I know I enjoyed myself, I liked LA.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I generally enjoy shopping, except when it comes to apartments and groceries.  So for my extended stay I'll probably just get the corporate housing my firm uses.  Santa Monica is out, because the housing there is over 20 blocks from the beach, which defeats the purpose of living in Santa Monica.  I was thinking about the following places: (1) Pasadena (about a mile from Old Town), (2) Westside/Beverly Hills (stone's throw from Maxfield Bleu), and (3) Marina del Rey.  Anyone have recommendations from among these three places?

 

[pstoller]

Santa Monica is out, because the housing there is over 20 blocks from the beach, which defeats the purpose of living in Santa Monica.  I was thinking about the following places: (1) Pasadena (about a mile from Old Town), (2) Westside/Beverly Hills (stone's throw from Maxfield Bleu), and (3) Marina del Rey.  Anyone have recommendations from among these three places?

Actually, there's more to Santa Monica than the beach, including some good shopping and dining on Montana. I think you'd be happiest in the westside/BH area, though. You'll be closer to all the action.

 

[LA Guy]

I think that, of the three areas listed, the Westside/BH area would be the most convenient for (your) work and the closest to the action, as pstoller wrote. I personally live in Pasadena. It is a nice area to live in, but the "action" can't truthfully be described as such. Except for a few good restaurants and a few bad bars, there isn't that much to do here in the evenings. Inevitably, the night brings us to the Westside, those nights I actually go out.

BTW, 20 blocks in LA terms, is just around the block. It isn't uncommon to drive half an hour just to pick up the best Chinese you know (I mean food.)

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

pstoller, LA Guy:  Thanks for your insight.  I visited all three places this weekend.  Old Town Pasadena is really nice -- reminds me of the Georgetown area of D.C. -- but way too isolated from the rest of L.A. for my taste.  Of the other two choices, Westside/BH has shopping and clubbing, while Marina del Rey has outdoor activities and the beach.  I'm more likely to be engaged in the latter activities rather than the former, although living on the Westside will allow me to avoid the terrifying L.A. freeway system during my commute.  It's pretty much a tossup right now.

 

[LA Guy]

I imagine that since you are gainfully employed, your outdoor/beach activities will be limited to the weekends, and a leisurely twenty minute drive to the beach wouldn't be prohibitive in any case. On the other hand, a daily commute from Marina Del Rey will wear on you (unless you are one of the lucky who actually enjoy their commutes) and you won't be able to just zip back home, grab a bite, and maybe unwind with a couple.