Why Live in Downtown Santa Monica
Downtown Santa Monica, located at the west end of Route 66, is a vibrant neighborhood known for its colorful amusement rides, world-class waves, and a plethora of things to do. High-rise condos with ocean views are steps away from the Third Street Promenade, which features all-day shopping and trendy restaurants along Main Street. The area is home to renowned farmers markets and offers easy access to Santa Monica Beach and the less crowded Will Rogers State Beach. Palisades Park provides paved trails for sunset bike rides, while Tongva Park offers smaller trails, a playground, and a splash pad for families. On rainy days, residents can explore walkable museums, art galleries, and the aquarium. Contemporary condominiums with open-concept floor plans and expansive window walls offer both city and ocean views, creating a sense of natural beauty in an urban setting. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District includes highly rated schools such as Santa Monica High School, Muir Elementary, and Adams Middle. The neighborhood is safer than the national average, adding to its appeal. Annual surf competitions, holiday festivals, and monthly cultural celebrations at the Santa Monica Pier attract thousands of tourists and locals alike. The Third Street Promenade draws shoppers with its gourmet coffee shops, national retailers, and live street performers. Main Street and Abbot Kinney Boulevard offer a mix of new restaurants, pop-up shops, and posh boutiques. Conveniently located near Lincoln Boulevard and Interstate 10, residents can easily reach Los Angeles International Airport or head north to Malibu Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Santa Monica a good place to live?
Downtown Santa Monica is a good place to live. Downtown Santa Monica is considered very walkable and very bikeable with great transit options. Downtown Santa Monica has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly dense in population with 14.1 people per acre and a median age of 41. The average household income is $124,683 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 67% of residents. A majority of residents in Downtown Santa Monica are renters, with 96.2% of residents renting and 3.8% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Downtown Santa Monica can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Downtown Santa Monica neighborhood guide.
Is Downtown Santa Monica, CA a safe neighborhood?
Downtown Santa Monica, CA is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 9 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Downtown Santa Monica?
The median home price in Downtown Santa Monica is $614,900. If you put a 20% down payment of $123,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $3,190 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $137K a year to afford the median home price in Downtown Santa Monica. The average household income in Downtown Santa Monica is $125K.
What are the best public schools in Downtown Santa Monica?
The best public schools that serve Downtown Santa Monica are:
What are the best private schools in Downtown Santa Monica?
The best private schools that serve Downtown Santa Monica are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA?
Home Trends in Downtown Santa Monica, CA
On average, homes in Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica sell after 122 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica over the last 12 months is $575,000, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$575,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$575,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$194
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Last 12 months Home Sales
21
Median List Price
$614,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
19%