Been meaning to ask this. Military spouse here. With a population of 34,584, Manhattan Beach is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $3,492 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
21 upvotes
9 Replies
Lydia Cox
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The nightlife is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Paul W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
32 upvotes
Carter Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Riverside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
29 upvotes
Landon Long
big facts right here
20 upvotes
Alice
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Serenity Rodriguez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Easton Wilson
underrated comment
3 upvotes
Jayden Ramos
great question, following
2 upvotes
Isabelle
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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