Manhattan Beach 411

[+ Reisr30]

I have lived in NYC or it’s surroundings for most of my life and as I get older I’m looking for a warmer place to live. Based on my travels I think have decided that I prefer the coasts. In looking at the LA area I am considering Manhattan Beach as it seems laid back and I can still get to the “cultural” life of LA plus it’s on the beach and near an airport when I need to travel. Anyone have any thoughts on it? Is it a good place to live for a middle age single man?

[+ Pensant]

If you’re used to NYC prices, you won’t be too shocked by the cost of living there. It has great restaurants and scenery, but the beaches are packed in the summer. You’re really close to LAX, which is a big plus. It’s also far better maintained than Santa Monica.

[Epigonos]

Of the three adjacent beach communities, Manhattan, Redondo and Hermosa Manhattan is definitely the most upscale and the most expensive. Numerous Hollywood and local sports celebrities have homes there. Many have paid huge prices to buy two or three small adjacent lots, tear down the existing little houses and build towering mansions. Traffic along Pacific Coast Highway through the three communities can be brutal especially in the summer. During the summer months simple things like grocery runs MUST be planned out and especially timed in order to avoid major congestion. These communities are not well located to the Southern California Freeway system and thus driving into central Los Angeles for cultural and/or sports events can be somewhat difficult. Additionally the cost of living in California is outrageous but shoudn't be much worse than that in New York City.

Even with all of these negatives Manhattan Beach is definitely still a damn fine place to live.

Edited October 21, 2019 by Epigonos

[+ WilliamM]

Better than living in Santa Monica or Malibu?

[Epigonos]

Definitely better than living in Santa Monica or Malibu!!!!!.

Santa Monica is a zoo traffic wise and has a MAJOR homeless problem. The park overlooking the ocean has become a major hang out for the homeless, with drug problems, who hassle tourists and locals alike. Housing restrictions are over the top and even the simplest remodeling job becomes a major endurance effort.

Malibu is way out of the way if one wants to take advantage of the cultural/sports/arts opportunities available in Los Angeles. It is a major trek, on very congested freeways, to reach downtown L.A. The city government seems to enjoy putting road blocks in front of anybody wanting to remodel. If one has a house on the beach he/she must also contend with the California Coastal Commission which can be and usually is a challenge to say the least.

Neither Santa Monica or Malibu have the sense of community that exists in the three beach communities. Malibu in particular is a community housing large numbers of very rich nimby's

If I were moving to the west side of L.A. it would be Manhattan, Redondo, Hermosa Beaches. It might also consider Culver City which over the last few years has gone through a major gentrification.

[MikeBiDude]

These communities are not well located to the Southern California Freeway system

Redondo for sure, Hermosa yeah...but Manhattan Beach has gotten freeway friendly with the 105 freeway coming so close now. And very close to LAX, a plus.

[+ WilliamM]

Definitely better than living in Santa Monica or Malibu!!!!!.

Santa Monica is a zoo traffic wise and has a MAJOR homeless problem. The park overlooking the ocean has become a major hang out for the homeless, with drug problems, who hassle tourists and locals alike. Housing restrictions are over the top and even the simplest remodeling job becomes a major endurance effort.

Malibu is way out of the way if one wants to take advantage of the cultural/sports/arts opportunities available in Los Angeles. It is a major trek, on very congested freeways, to reach downtown L.A. The city government seems to enjoy putting road blocks in front of anybody wanting to remodel. If one has a house on the beach he/she must also contend with the California Coastal Commission which can be and usually is a challenge to say the least.

Neither Santa Monica or Malibu have the sense of community that exists in the three beach communities. Malibu in particular is a community housing large numbers of very rich nimby's

If I were moving to the west side of L.A. it would be Manhattan, Redondo, Hermosa Beaches. It might also consider Culver City which over the last few years has gone through a major gentrification.

 

What's are very rich nimbys? Is it a term used decades ago? I agree traffic is bad at rush hour in Santa Monica and Malibu. But there are major compensations, such as Tapango Canyon and restaurants in Malibu.

 

And when visiting, I have learned to time driving to LA away from the busiest drive time.

[Epigonos]

"Nimby" stands for Not In My By Backyard and is a common term that has been used in California for decades. It refers to people opposed to additional development where they live because they don't want their bit of paradise ruined by more development and more residents.

Edited October 21, 2019 by Epigonos

[Islesguy]

"Nimby" stands for Not In My By Backyard and is a common term that has been used in California for decades. It refers to people opposed to additional development where they live because they don't want their bit of paradise ruined by more development and more residents.

It means the same thing on the East Coast as well.

[mike carey]

"Nimby" stands for Not In My By Backyard and is a common term that has been used in California for decades.

... And in Australia, and has been for as long as I can remember.

 

Turns out from the Oxford Dictionary it's a 1980s term, and it's not listed as being regional.

[+ BlueSky]

Marina Del Rey is another place to consider. I think it has a different feel than the Beach cities. But it might suit you.

[+ WilliamM]

Definitely better than living in Santa Monica or Malibu!!!!!.

Santa Monica is a zoo traffic wise and has a MAJOR homeless problem. The park overlooking the ocean has become a major hang out for the homeless, with drug problems, who hassle tourists and locals alike. Housing restrictions are over the top and even the simplest remodeling job becomes a major endurance effort.

Malibu is way out of the way if one wants to take advantage of the cultural/sports/arts opportunities available in Los Angeles. It is a major trek, on very congested freeways, to reach downtown L.A. The city government seems to enjoy putting road blocks in front of anybody wanting to remodel. If one has a house on the beach he/she must also contend with the California Coastal Commission which can be and usually is a challenge to say the least.

Neither Santa Monica or Malibu have the sense of community that exists in the three beach communities. Malibu in particular is a community housing large numbers of very rich nimby's

If I were moving to the west side of L.A. it would be Manhattan, Redondo, Hermosa Beaches. It might also consider Culver City which over the last few years has gone through a major gentrification.

 

There are many homeless here in Philadelphia also. Horrors, they are even drinking free coffee in the local Starbucks, across from the Barnes Foundation.

 

@Epigonos, occasionally, I am embarrassed for you and your comments, especially this comment about Santa Monica.

[+ Reisr30]

Thanks all. Looks like I will check out Manhattan beach.

[s1conrad]

There are many homeless here in Philadelphia also. Horrors, they are even drinking free coffee in the local Starbucks, across from the Barnes Foundation.

 

@Epigonos, occasionally, I am embarrassed for you and your comments, especially this comment about Santa Monica.

Epigonos comments about Santa Monica are SPOT-ON! The same applies to Venice; there's so much riffraff on the beachfront there, it's like an open sewer. Last summer when I visited LA, I was appalled by the number of homeless living on the beach in cardboard shelters--it smelled like a goddamn urinal. At least in Miami, the beaches are off limits from 10pm 'til 6am.

 

Back to the OP, Manhattan Beach is a great place with a mellow vibe, nice restaurants (hope you like Seafood and Mexican cuisine) and easy access to LAX. Plus you're an hours drive (or so) to the cultural offerings that LA has to offer, as well as the Century Day Spa :}}.

[+ bigjoey]

I use to travel to Asia on business regularly. Often, I would take a couple of vacation days on the way over. I would stay in Santa Monica because it was close to LAX and was a great place. There is a bicycle path along the beach so I could bicycle up to Malibu (past Will Rogers Beach) and down past Venice. Ordering an escort was as easy as ordering room service. Great restaurants within a few minutes.

 

In recent years, it is as @Epigonos described. While there were always a few homeless and aging, drugged out hippies who never left the 1960’s, in recent years, the problems have exploded. It has gotten to the point, I no longer go there. The Santa Monica-Venice homeless problem is out of control.

 

Not sure when @WilliamM was there last. It is no longer the great place to visit it once was.

[+ WilliamM]

I use to travel to Asia on business regularly. Often, I would take a couple of vacation days on the way over. I would stay in Santa Monica because it was close to LAX and was a great place. There is a bicycle path along the beach so I could bicycle up to Malibu (past Will Rogers Beach) and down past Venice. Ordering an escort was as easy as ordering room service. Great restaurants within a few minutes.

 

In recent years, it is as @Epigonos described. While there were always a few homeless and aging, drugged out hippies who never left the 1960’s, in recent years, the problems have exploded. It has gotten to the point, I no longer go there. The Santa Monica-Venice homeless problem is out of control.

 

Not sure when @WilliamM was there last. It is no longer the great place to visit it once was.

 

I will be there next February, the first time in ten years.

[BgMstr4u]

No amount of political correctness can paper over the homeless problems in Southern California. There are places where it is worse than others, but I would be surprised if any communities, especially along the coast, are unaffected. In the areas I frequent - the coastal areas north of LA proper - the homeless population is steadily growing. There seems to be no single cause, and one size fits all descriptions definitely do not work. But I would hazard this: the main attraction is the mild climate, which steadily draws people from both colder and hotter areas, and probably always will. Places near public transit seem to attract, as they are easy for people without cars to reach and get around in, and the expansion of the light rail system, most recently into Santa Monica, may be a factor there. Public areas that afford space, privacy, protection - parks, beaches, underpasses, wide sidewalks. A touristic social environment facilitates begging. Larger cities seem to have kindlier police interaction with the homeless, where smaller communities have an easier geographic challenge in moving them along. Well-developed private charity and public assistance tend to be concentrated in larger communities.

 

My guess is that Manhattan Beach lacks some of the above factors keeping it from Santa Monica levels of homelessness. Not so well-served by public transit, not so touristic, a smaller community that can more easily police its space. Perhaps not as much charitable helpfulness.

 

Another way of looking at it, of course, is to recognize how wealth, greed and exclusivity, helped along by environmentally exclusive zoning and building codes stacked against simple, inexpensive housing for lower income people, and bureaucratic sloth and unaccountability (is tyranny too strong a word?) contribute to the growing homeless population. It has become harder and harder for working people, let alone the people at the bottom, to find places to live, at least in part because community development policies militate against them. Reference the post above by @Epigonos (#3) about the rich buying up small houses, tearing them down, and building mansions.

Edited October 23, 2019 by BgMstr4u

[David1024]

i live in Northern California, and if ever I were to move south, I would avoid the LA area completely and head to San Diego. Many really nice beach towns there - La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad. San Diego has good flights to most places and is way less congested.

[Epigonos]

David1024 makes an excellent point. The only problem in living in Southern Orange County or Northern San Diego county is the distance one has to drive to major cultural and sports centers. The one exception is the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. There are no decent Art Museums in these areas and the only baseball stadium is in Anaheim. Additionally the traffic problems in attempting to access downtown San Diego, central Orange County or downtown L.A. along the 5 and 405 freeways are horrific.

Even with all of these problems these are great areas in which to live. Do, however, keep in mind that many of these towns a full of USC graduates who are VERY politically conservative.

Edited October 23, 2019 by Epigonos

[+ bigjoey]

David1024 makes an excellent point. The only problem in living in Southern Orange County or Northern San Diego county is the distance one has to drive to major cultural and sports centers. The one exception is the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. There are no decent Art Museums in these areas and the only baseball stadium is in Anaheim. Additionally the traffic problems in attempting to access downtown San Diego, central Orange County or downtown L.A. along the 5 and 405 freeways are horrific.

Even with all of these problems these are great areas in which to live. Do, however, keep in mind that many of these towns a full of USC graduates who are VERY politically conservative.

 

My father lived in a Continuum of Care Community in Dana Point (he was in independent living there). Near by was a senior center on Del Obispo just west of Coast Highway. On Sundays, they had a bus that would leave about 10:00AM and go up to LA for afternoon performances of the symphony and other cultural things. They would stop for lunch before the event and then after the event on the way home, stop for dinner. They would arrive back home about 7:30m or so. (Also, buses to the casinos!!).

 

Occasionally, my father would take the train down to San Diego for cultural events and theater performances.

 

In addition to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Barclay theatre at UC Irvine has some decent things.

 

For museum shows, an outing to LA is a nice event. I have gone to the Getty and by making it an over night trip, it is easy to see a few museum shows on one trip. it is not like NYC where you can walk or just hop into an Uber and have a choice of dozens of museum shows but the small effort can be worth while.

[+ Charlie]

When we looked to retire in California, we ended up in the desert because housing was ridiculously expensive on the coast. We thought we would take advantage of the cultural activities in LA, but the hassle of getting there and back soon discouraged us. When we want to experience an urban vibe, we find it easier to just drive to San Diego, where hotel rooms downtown and near the water are much less expensive than those in LA.

[Islesguy]

My father lived in a Continuum of Care Community in Dana Point (he was in independent living there). Near by was a senior center on Del Obispo just west of Coast Highway. On Sundays, they had a bus that would leave about 10:00AM and go up to LA for afternoon performances of the symphony and other cultural things. They would stop for lunch before the event and then after the event on the way home, stop for dinner. They would arrive back home about 7:30m or so. (Also, buses to the casinos!!).

 

Occasionally, my father would take the train down to San Diego for cultural events and theater performances.

 

In addition to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Barclay theatre at UC Irvine has some decent things.

 

For museum shows, an outing to LA is a nice event. I have gone to the Getty and by making it an over night trip, it is easy to see a few museum shows on one trip. it is not like NYC where you can walk or just hop into an Uber and have a choice of dozens of museum shows but the small effort can be worth while.

People living in NYC are really spoiled when it comes to places for culture. It's probably why I will never move away from the area.

[+ BlueSky]

@Reisr30 in your OP you didn't mention if want to be close to where the escorts and/or masseurs are. Yes, you'll be within an hour or so drive of most providers if you're in Manhattan Beach. But the providers cluster in Hollywood/West Hollywood. So you'll find them easier to visit or easier to have them visit you if you are in central LA. There's a lot to be said for not having to fight traffic on the 405 or the 10 to get into LA.

[+ azdr0710]

history nerd alert!!......

 

historian David Lavender's 1972 book, "California: Land Of New Beginnings", is an excellent and very readable book for anybody interested in an easy read on the state's history.......from the very first resident of European origin, California has always really been only a "land of new beginnings"..........seemingly inexhaustible natural resources, the legendary climate, the Central Valley's incredibly fertile soil, the relaxed lifestyle, and the state's extraordinarily generous public support system are primary reasons California has drawn outsiders since 1542......the homeless of Santa Monica and the residents of multi-million-dollar tear-downs in Manhattan Beach (trying to stay on topic here ) are just a few in a long line of people always looking for the next best thing.......I know there are forum members here who are life-long California residents fortunate that their ancestors chased the dream......and there are other forum members here who are California natives, but who left because the California they knew as kids and young adults was overrun by others chasing the dream......

 

https://www.amazon.com/California-Land-Beginnings-David-Lavender/dp/0803279248

 

Edited October 24, 2019 by azdr0710

[+ Pensant]

I lived in SoCal for thirty years and left five years ago. I often visit and always love it, but I have no regrets about leaving. The money I’ve saved from living elsewhere has allowed me to maintain two houses in different parts of the country and still have money for other pursuits. The only places I’d consider if I moved back, and I wouldn’t ever be a permanent resident, would be the Solana Beach-Leucadia-Cardiff by the Sea area of North San Diego County, or the SLO area.