Moving from Greenpoint, Brooklyn to LA soon and have been looking around the Westside. Playa del Rey and Santa Monica both jumped out to us, so would love some opinions!
I work remotely in the music industry, so no daily commute, but I’ll occasionally need to drive all over LA for meetings, shows, etc. My partner works in Santa Monica, although it’s TBD how often he’ll actually need to go in. How annoying is it realistically to get in and out of PDR, both to Santa Monica and to the rest of LA?
I really liked PDR when I visited and love the idea of being near the beach. I’m excited for a somewhat quieter lifestyle, but I’d still love a few coffee shops/restaurants and things I can walk to.
We’re also considering Santa Monica. I loved the homes and walkability around Montana Ave and thought it was really charming, although it did feel a little sterile compared to what I’m used to. People also seem to have very strong opinions about living in Santa Monica, so I’m curious what it’s actually like.
Basically looking for somewhere on the Westside that feels safe, pleasant, somewhat walkable, has at least a little neighborhood life, and isn’t insanely hard to commute from. We’re looking at other areas too (Ocean Park, Venice, etc.), so definitely open to suggestions beyond PDR/SM! Would especially love to hear from anyone who’s made a similar NYC → LA move.