Before fully exploring Santa Monica real estate, it’s a good idea to know all about the area that you may want to set down roots in.
The Best Parts
One of the biggest draws is the weather. You will be living in an area that usually has great conditions that likely will not get too hot nor too cold year-round. That means you can often go out and enjoy the nearby beach and bike path – it stretches for 10 miles.
If you love the beach, this is one of the biggest attractions for you. They are kept clean, and there are also plenty of bathrooms in case you have to go while you are there. There are plenty of places for you to sit and not feel like you are swarmed by other people.
You will not be hurting for food and entertainment, given that there are a lot of dining and shopping options nearby. Best of all, you can walk over to most of them and not have to drive. If you do have to go west of Hollywood, you can usually get there without having to take a freeway.
The public transportation choices are good – you can take either the blue bus or metro rapid. If you travel a lot, LAX is nearby.
Potential Concerns
This is more of a California issue and not just Santa Monica – freeway traffic. There are certain times during the day that the traffic will more resemble a parking lot. Once you figure out the best times to avoid driving then it will be more than manageable.
You might have to budget more time to get to certain places, like Disney Hall, the Greek Theatre, the Hollywood Bowl, Kodak Theatre, the Music Center, among others. That added time will keep things from getting stressful.
Certain parts of Santa Monica draw a lot of tourists during the late spring and summer. If you are not fond of crowds, then it’s simply a matter of avoiding those areas… you will have them back nice and peaceful right after Labor Day.
Other Things to Consider
If you have a car, parking might be difficult, so you might consider public transportation. Running errands to certain stores might wind up as an all-day thing. Just plan accordingly.
Overall, Santa Monica is an excellent place to raise a family. The good far outweighs any potential concerns. You can feel secure in buying a home here.
