27 year old financially secure single male (no this isn't a personals ad). Dog and car lover looking for clean/quiet/vibrant neighborhood with easy access to retail/nightlife.
Thinking of Santa Monica, Malibu, Palisades. but I'm sure there's others.
Any thoughts SoCal people?

Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, or Pasadena.

Jobs are mostly around Downtown and Westside.

See u around.

that area. I was thinking about the Irvine/Huntington area. Also orange county. These area are about 10-15 miles south of LA.

BTW - what's you secret on becoming financially secure? E-mail if you do not want post. I'm always interested on how people do so.

Just make sure you are happy what you are doing. The money will come. Never compare yourself with another person.

If your wallet can handle it of course. Manhattan Beach is the most pricey followed by Hermosa and Redondo. It's a really nice area to live though - a bit less "LA" than Hollyweird and the Westside. Renting isn't so bad but buying is another story. Many are looking on or near the borders of these cities and finding reasonable deals. Just don't stray too far into the outlying cities. Neighborhoods become hoods quickly. Good luck.

not by a long shot.
from HB it takes about 45 minutes to get to West LA (about 50 miles) with normal traffic flow.

if traffic is bad- 1.5 hours or so.

Irvine is about 15 miles south of huntington beach. takes about 2 hours from there to LAX in peak traffic on the 405.

I'd guess times are a little less for getting to Downtown. but for sure not a 10-15 mile drive.
check your maps again friend..

if I could afford it, of course.

although traffic snarls up around there... but then again, I've made it this far in life through traffic in LA...

West LA in general is rank. There are lots of lame streets with nothing going on + no clubs / bars. Only look north of Wilshire (if Santa Monica then West of 7th) if Brentwood East of Bundy - everything inbetween is LAME. Brentwood is nice between Wilshire and Sunset (Bundy / Barrington). Lots of UCLA chicks, good restaurants within walking distance and close to the 405. Westwood is overpriced because it is close to UCLA. West Hollywood rocks - lots of models running around and it is super convenient to take taxis to bars ($5 gets you anywhere and keeps you out of trouble). Look East of Robertson and West of Crescent Heights (Only look North of 3rd street). Great charming buildings and a real sense of neighborhood...

JOIN westsiderentals.com

All 3 of those neighborhoods will satisfy the part about a clean/quiet/vibrant neighborhood. It's just that Santa Monica and Malibu would be closer to the more exciting nightlife, as the palisades are mostly middle/upper class families. Good luck on your move.

Laguna and Newport are the best :-)

welcome to socal...a whole "different" kind of financially secure.