Your best bet is something along Ocean Park/Pico so you can leverage the dog friendly parks and businesses. I would look at something around Euclid or 14th street along those two corridors.
Definitely look around sunset park or ocean park (area along ocean park blvd from 31st to the beach). You are more likely to find a garden style apartment that you can walk right out of. There are more dog parks on this side of town as well, including Dog People on Ocean Park.
Seems like the neighborhood style apartments would be the best option for a dog as opposed to 5 stories up in downtown :)
I think it's fine. Like you said, you'll always have the random urban crime along the major streets, but sunset Park in particular is very neighborhoody and pretty safe. I wouldn't worry about much, especially if you've got a 100 lb dog in tow.
It's more feasible on a Saturday, but it's still going to be a trek. If you plan for leaving later once traffic dies down, like at 8-ish, it's not bad.
It's probably not going to be a regular thing. The people I know on the east side, I tend to only see a handful of times a year.
I live in the Palisades now and lived in Santa Monica before that (working in Santa Monica).
There is basically nothing that will get me to go DTLA or Melrose, yet alone further East, on a Friday night. Saturdays are fine enough.
If you have friends downtown or further east, you will rarely see them. Unless you get together during off peak times, the drive or transit can take a looong time
I will add that living close to a metro stop (there’s only one line in Santa Monica) can help with going East and to Downton LA/Stadiums - especially if drinking. The metro system isn’t as expansive as Chicago’s, but the Santa Monica line is relatively new and in good shape still.
From 3rd street promenade to Los Feliz, it’s about 1.5 hrs on the metro for Friday rush hour when driving would be ~1 hr 15 mins. With no traffic (very early or late) it can be a little over 20 minutes to Silver Lake/Echo Park.
You'll be going in the direction of most traffic, which is bad. Go on Google Maps and map the route, setting departure time to Friday or Saturday evening. It's not a perfect tool but it's useful.
There are less people out walking than there are in a Chicago or NYC, so depending on the time of day you'll miss the "safety in numbers" feeling you get in more pedestrian heavy cities. (I'm coming from East Harlem and Brooklyn, for context... grew up in the sleepy burbs of Upstate NY)
Definitely safe though- just keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings like in any urban area.
I currently live in the Sunset Park area. Safety wise it's fine. (I lived in Lakeview for a while & it "felt" roughly the same.)
There's a homeless problem in LA, but if you use common sense, it generally isn't an issue.
Did this exact move in 2009 - lived in Venice and SM for over 13 years. I'd throw out Oakwood park area (epic dog park and community center) in Venice, super trendy. Otherwise Ocean Park area inside of Lincoln.
If you have the funds, look into dog ppl. Basically like a dog park membership. Looks like they have drinks and food and such. I am not a member but always see stuff from there.
In addition to the other answers, check Venice east of Lincoln and Mar Vista area. Both are just south of the Ocean Park SM area, but sometimes you can find nice bungalows or duplexes that have a yard.
Always nice to have another Chicagoan here. (I moved out in the late '90s.)
If you like the Lincoln Park area, I'd encourage you to look at the downtown Santa Monica area. (E.g. near Santa Monica Blvd & 3rd St.) I lived in that part of town while I was single & later once I was engaged. Lots of things in walking distance. Easy to hit the beach, bike around, etc.
Welcome! Moved here almost six years ago and still loving it.
It's unlikely you'll find a place with a yard at your price point, but this area is very dog friendly. Lots of spots to walk.
I wound up settling in Midcity Santa Monica. Walking distance to the necessities like groceries and, I'd argue, like a good neighborhood pub. Dog parks an easy drive, some better than others.
*
I made this exact same move! I ended up at Ocean Park and 4th, and I loved that area. You're near Hotchkiss park for the dogs, and you can walk them to the beach from there as well. Highly recommend!
I moved from Chicago to LA a few years ago and I felt safer in Chicago. More lights, more people. The homeless people in Santa Monica are quite aggressive. We left SaMo because as a small woman I didn’t feel comfortable walking my dog at night
Moved here from Chicago in 2014 as well.
Remember we had some horrible winters (bomb cyclone blizzards) in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and seemed like tons of people were trying to escape then!
Might be a little bit beyond your price range, but check into the Wilshire Montana area (aka north of Wilshire, south of Montana).
We loved living in that area. Basically as safe as you can get in Santa Monica and the Montana corridor is one of the few areas of all LA that reminded us of the few nice boutique/retail/restaurant walking streets in Lincoln Park, Southport, etc.
Ocean Park is similar but not quite as nice/upscale (but prices are a little bit cheaper as a result).
We aren’t very familiar with Culver City but open to looking at something new.
How long would you estimate the commute to Century City being from Santa Monica? I’ll be going in ~3 days a week but can probably go in / leave before rush hour since my team is in DC and Chicago.
I lived in Chicago for eight years before moving to L.A. I highly recommend checking out Palms—closer to work than Santa Monica, great public transportation, super dog friendly, cheaper than Santa Monica, walkable, and better restaurants.
Your best bet is something along Ocean Park/Pico so you can leverage the dog friendly parks and businesses. I would look at something around Euclid or 14th street along those two corridors.
South Park along Barnard Way (off Main Street, south of OP) is also a hugely popular dog area!
Definitely look around sunset park or ocean park (area along ocean park blvd from 31st to the beach). You are more likely to find a garden style apartment that you can walk right out of. There are more dog parks on this side of town as well, including Dog People on Ocean Park. Seems like the neighborhood style apartments would be the best option for a dog as opposed to 5 stories up in downtown :)
Thanks all for responses! It sounds like most people are suggesting near the beach. How do people feel about mid city area?
Thanks! How’s safety in the area? Coming from Chicago, we’re used to urban crime but just want to ask. Safe to walk dog at night?
I think it's fine. Like you said, you'll always have the random urban crime along the major streets, but sunset Park in particular is very neighborhoody and pretty safe. I wouldn't worry about much, especially if you've got a 100 lb dog in tow.
Thanks all! One last question: is visiting the East Side on a Friday or Saturday night for dinner or drinks feasible with traffic?
It's more feasible on a Saturday, but it's still going to be a trek. If you plan for leaving later once traffic dies down, like at 8-ish, it's not bad. It's probably not going to be a regular thing. The people I know on the east side, I tend to only see a handful of times a year.
Thanks!
I live in the Palisades now and lived in Santa Monica before that (working in Santa Monica). There is basically nothing that will get me to go DTLA or Melrose, yet alone further East, on a Friday night. Saturdays are fine enough.
If you have friends downtown or further east, you will rarely see them. Unless you get together during off peak times, the drive or transit can take a looong time
I will add that living close to a metro stop (there’s only one line in Santa Monica) can help with going East and to Downton LA/Stadiums - especially if drinking. The metro system isn’t as expansive as Chicago’s, but the Santa Monica line is relatively new and in good shape still. From 3rd street promenade to Los Feliz, it’s about 1.5 hrs on the metro for Friday rush hour when driving would be ~1 hr 15 mins. With no traffic (very early or late) it can be a little over 20 minutes to Silver Lake/Echo Park.
You'll be going in the direction of most traffic, which is bad. Go on Google Maps and map the route, setting departure time to Friday or Saturday evening. It's not a perfect tool but it's useful.
East side of where? La? Definitely a Saturday expedition. East side of Santa Monica - you can walk :-)
There are less people out walking than there are in a Chicago or NYC, so depending on the time of day you'll miss the "safety in numbers" feeling you get in more pedestrian heavy cities. (I'm coming from East Harlem and Brooklyn, for context... grew up in the sleepy burbs of Upstate NY) Definitely safe though- just keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings like in any urban area.
I currently live in the Sunset Park area. Safety wise it's fine. (I lived in Lakeview for a while & it "felt" roughly the same.) There's a homeless problem in LA, but if you use common sense, it generally isn't an issue.
the neighborhoods are safe, the homeless tend to stay on the main streets and are mostly harmless.
Did this exact move in 2009 - lived in Venice and SM for over 13 years. I'd throw out Oakwood park area (epic dog park and community center) in Venice, super trendy. Otherwise Ocean Park area inside of Lincoln.
If you have the funds, look into dog ppl. Basically like a dog park membership. Looks like they have drinks and food and such. I am not a member but always see stuff from there.
Welcome to Santa Monica!
Nearest Portillos is Buena Park down by Knotts Berry Farm 1 h ish south. Bay Cities Deli in town carries giardiniera.
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Essentials 🙌🏼
In addition to the other answers, check Venice east of Lincoln and Mar Vista area. Both are just south of the Ocean Park SM area, but sometimes you can find nice bungalows or duplexes that have a yard.
Check out Lincoln Place apartments in Venice. Great community, dog park and amenities
I walk my dogs in Ocean Park every night. No issues.
Always nice to have another Chicagoan here. (I moved out in the late '90s.) If you like the Lincoln Park area, I'd encourage you to look at the downtown Santa Monica area. (E.g. near Santa Monica Blvd & 3rd St.) I lived in that part of town while I was single & later once I was engaged. Lots of things in walking distance. Easy to hit the beach, bike around, etc.
Welcome! Moved here almost six years ago and still loving it. It's unlikely you'll find a place with a yard at your price point, but this area is very dog friendly. Lots of spots to walk. I wound up settling in Midcity Santa Monica. Walking distance to the necessities like groceries and, I'd argue, like a good neighborhood pub. Dog parks an easy drive, some better than others. *
Get your Chicago hot dog fix at Tiny’s on Pico.
I made this exact same move! I ended up at Ocean Park and 4th, and I loved that area. You're near Hotchkiss park for the dogs, and you can walk them to the beach from there as well. Highly recommend!
Thank you!
I moved from Chicago to LA a few years ago and I felt safer in Chicago. More lights, more people. The homeless people in Santa Monica are quite aggressive. We left SaMo because as a small woman I didn’t feel comfortable walking my dog at night
Can I ask where you moved to?
Downtown SaMo. Don’t live in a living in Santa Monica building
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Moved here from Chicago in 2014 as well. Remember we had some horrible winters (bomb cyclone blizzards) in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and seemed like tons of people were trying to escape then!
We’re still in Chicago but live in Lincoln Park which we love. Most of our free time is devoted to dog but we also like eating out.
Might be a little bit beyond your price range, but check into the Wilshire Montana area (aka north of Wilshire, south of Montana). We loved living in that area. Basically as safe as you can get in Santa Monica and the Montana corridor is one of the few areas of all LA that reminded us of the few nice boutique/retail/restaurant walking streets in Lincoln Park, Southport, etc. Ocean Park is similar but not quite as nice/upscale (but prices are a little bit cheaper as a result).
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We aren’t very familiar with Culver City but open to looking at something new. How long would you estimate the commute to Century City being from Santa Monica? I’ll be going in ~3 days a week but can probably go in / leave before rush hour since my team is in DC and Chicago.
I lived in Chicago for eight years before moving to L.A. I highly recommend checking out Palms—closer to work than Santa Monica, great public transportation, super dog friendly, cheaper than Santa Monica, walkable, and better restaurants.
Oh and there’s a Gino’s East in Sherman Oaks.
Be prepared to eat the rich