Santa Monica Homes & Real Estate

Santa Monica Neighborhood

Homebuyers considering Santa Monica can expect a median sales price of $1,165,000, or $951 per square foot. Home prices range from $419,900 to $2,600,000 for 1,262 to 2,000,000 square feet, primarily single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums. Whether the goal is a starter home or an expansive residence, the real estate market includes properties with two to six bedrooms and a similar number of bathrooms. Spanish and contemporary styles rule in this market. Some residences have water views. While many homes have a single story, others feature two distinct levels or are bi-levels. Homes for sale include both existing and new construction. When it comes to new home communities, prospective homeowners can buy a residence from 22 builders in 43 area communities. Among popular Santa Monica neighborhoods are Med City, North of Montana, Northeast, Ocean Park, Pico, Sunset Park, and Wilshire (Montana).

Santa Monica Community Amenities

Locals enjoy shopping in three retail districts, each with its own character: Montana Avenue, the Downtown District, and Main Street. Shoppers enjoy walkable neighborhoods and a variety of independent boutiques. The city is often the site of filmmaking and hosts the yearly Santa Monica Film Festival. A 16.5-mile commute to Los Angeles for work, school, sports, or a night on the town takes about 27 minutes. The Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) originates near the Pacific Ocean and stretches to the east through downtown Los Angeles. Other important local highways are State Route 2, also called Santa Monica Boulevard, and historic Route 66, which reaches its western end in the city. Sepulveda Boulevard runs south to Long Beach and to the northernmost part of the San Fernando Valley. I-405 is another north-south route. Santa Monica also has a well-known active municipal bicycle sharing program. The city operates Santa Monica Airport, which offers connecting flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Many notable businesses consider Santa Monica home. Among them are Hulu, Lionsgate Films, the RAND Corporation, University Music Group, and Beachbody. The three largest employers are the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, and Santa Monica College.

Beach activities are very popular, thanks to the pleasant climate. Bluffs provide a barrier between the north side of Santa Monica and the beaches. The city is known for a balance of coastal sophistication and seaside charm. Santa Monica Beach is a great place for swimming, surfing, beachcombing, or biking. Homeowners consider the yellow Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier a local icon. The Pier is also the site of five-story rollercoaster, a miniature golf course over the water, an aquarium, and fishing. Santa Monica has more than 75 art galleries and museums. Residents enjoy watching street performers, viewing public sculpture, and visiting an old depot with 35 art galleries. As nightfall creeps over the city, it becomes a magnet to visitors from all over the Los Angeles area, thanks to its walkable and casual environment. Evening entertainment might include an outdoor concert, lingering in a rooftop bar that overlooks the Pacific, or dancing to a Latin beat.

Santa Monica Neighborhood Schools

Public education is the responsibility of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. In addition to eight traditional public elementary schools, students can attend the Santa Monica Alternative School House, an institution that features multi-aged classrooms for grades K-8 and team teachers. Three public middle schools and two high schools serve the city. Eight private schools serve students through high school. Many students commute a considerable distance to attend Asahi Gakuen, a weekend Japanese school system that supplements weekday education. Post-secondary students can opt to attend Santa Monica College, a junior college. Around 20 other colleges and universities are within a 22-mile radius of Santa Monica, among them UCLA and Pepperdine University.

Santa Monica Information Resources

• City of Santa Monica
• Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
• Santa Monica Visitors Bureau
• Santa Monica Wikipedia
• Santa Monica City-Data.com