The Los Angeles Condo Loft » Los Angeles Condos

Miracle Mile — Minutes From Everywhere You Want To Be

Lela Winston — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:22:46 +0000

The Los Angeles Miracle Mile stands as a trendy cultural mecca, just minutes away from Korea Town, Larchmont, Westwood and Beverly Hills. Strangely, the Miracle Mile is actually about two miles, stretching from Western Avenue to Fairfax Boulevard along the Wilshire Corridor which begins in Downtown Los Angeles and reaches to the Pacific Ocean. The neighborhood is mostly composed of apartments and lofts peppered with condos, cultural exhibitions, and art and entertainment venues. The Miracle Mile spans two Los Angeles city districts. The area was largely transformed in the mid-twenties by developer A.W. Ross who sought to create a commercial district comparable to downtown Los Angeles out of a rough road and farmland west of Western avenue. The result was the Miracle Mile which attracted huge commercial interest, making Ross’ venture a resounding success. Since that time, the Miracle Mile has managed to stay relevant for over 80 years. The Miracle Mile boasts a few high rises and multistory commercial buildings like the Variety building and the Samsung building, but it remains mostly a low rise neighborhood. Many of its apartments, condos and commercial properties remain only a few stories high. The low rise buildings reduce the urban aesthetic and inject a hint of suburbia that is refreshing. Many of the apartments rent for between $2000 to $5000 and some studios go for as little as $1000. Condos and houses in the area average between half a million and $1.5 million dollars. This is definitely a neighborhood for the trendy urban dweller that likes to be just within reach of everything. The Miracle Mile sparkles with the magic of possibility and excitement. It also has a relatively young demographic which ranges between 20-40 year-olds and the seasonal influx of UCLA students. On an average day you will find strolling couples, joggers, and foodies enjoying their favorite meal or beverage at a local eatery or coffee shop. The historic Wiltern Theater and El Rey Theaters are just minutes apart on the Miracle Mile giving way to a bastion of ethnic and local eateries, offering cuisine from India and Italy to Africa and Korea. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels of the Miracle Mile. It houses a number of fine art collections, hosts cultural events year round and is located only seconds from the La Brea tar pits, a naturally occurring phenomenon in Southern California. The famous Peterson Automotive Museum along with LACMA are among the many museums and cultural spots in the neighborhood. While the Miracle Mile appears mostly untouched by the economic downturn, the neighborhood has seen some changes. It has seen the demise of a few local businesses and many have been replaced with big box commercial venues and franchises. Additionally a number of newer condos are being developed in the area, along with a luxury car dealership. And while many of the changes have been beneficial, there are markedly more commercial, residential and medical office vacancies. The neighborhood has also seen foreclosures on a few of its condos and single family residences. These changes may be a temporary sign, but shrewd buyers and renters may want to remain vigilant in the current bear real estate market. Overall, the Miracle Mile has remained relatively stable. The area has many factors working in its favor. Its proximity to Hollywood, UCLA and Beverly Hills has helped to keep this a vibrant and economically resilient neighborhood. The La Brea Tar Pits, Museum Row and its numerous entertainment venues also help to keep the Miracle Mile a hot spot for affluent Angelenos, students, and tourists. Its cultural diversity and proximity to many of Los Angeles’ notable neighborhoods make it a desirable location for those who like accessibility and variety.

The area was largely transformed in the mid-twenties by developer A.W. Ross who sought to create a commercial district comparable to downtown Los Angeles out of a rough road and farmland west of Western avenue. The result was the Miracle Mile which attracted huge commercial interest, making Ross’ venture a resounding success. Since that time, the Miracle Mile has managed to stay relevant for over 80 years.

The Miracle Mile boasts a few high rises and multistory commercial buildings like the Variety building and the Samsung building, but it remains mostly a low rise neighborhood. Many of its apartments, condos and commercial properties remain only a few stories high. The low rise buildings reduce the urban aesthetic and inject a hint of suburbia that is refreshing. Many of the apartments rent for between $2000 to $5000 and some studios go for as little as $1000. Condos and houses in the area average between half a million and $1.5 million dollars.

This is definitely a neighborhood for the trendy urban dweller that likes to be just within reach of everything. The Miracle Mile sparkles with the magic of possibility and excitement. It also has a relatively young demographic which ranges between 20-40 year-olds and the seasonal influx of UCLA students. On an average day you will find strolling couples, joggers, and foodies enjoying their favorite meal or beverage at a local eatery or coffee shop. The historic Wiltern Theater and El Rey Theaters are just minutes apart on the Miracle Mile giving way to a bastion of ethnic and local eateries, offering cuisine from India and Italy to Africa and Korea.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels of the Miracle Mile. It houses a number of fine art collections, hosts cultural events year round and is located only seconds from the La Brea tar pits, a naturally occurring phenomenon in Southern California. The famous Peterson Automotive Museum along with LACMA are among the many museums and cultural spots in the neighborhood.

While the Miracle Mile appears mostly untouched by the economic downturn, the neighborhood has seen some changes. It has seen the demise of a few local businesses and many have been replaced with big box commercial venues and franchises. Additionally a number of newer condos are being developed in the area, along with a luxury car dealership. And while many of the changes have been beneficial, there are markedly more commercial, residential and medical office vacancies. The neighborhood has also seen foreclosures on a few of its condos and single family residences. These changes may be a temporary sign, but shrewd buyers and renters may want to remain vigilant in the current bear real estate market.

Overall, the Miracle Mile has remained relatively stable. The area has many factors working in its favor. Its proximity to Hollywood, UCLA and Beverly Hills has helped to keep this a vibrant and economically resilient neighborhood. The La Brea Tar Pits, Museum Row and its numerous entertainment venues also help to keep the Miracle Mile a hot spot for affluent Angelenos, students, and tourists. Its cultural diversity and proximity to many of Los Angeles’ notable neighborhoods make it a desirable location for those who like accessibility and variety.

Rancho Palos Verdes – Living on the Edge… of LA County

Steven John — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:14:59 +0000

The city of Rancho Palos Verdes is home to some 42,000 people. Incorporated in the early 70s, it is carved out of a piece of Los Angeles County, its largest border being the Pacific Ocean. Based on the city’s situation on something of a point, beaches, striking coastlines and (important for the home hunter) water views abound. The racial makeup of the city is a decently rich mix, with Caucasians and Asians being the largest two groups represented, but a healthy mix of many people. And while Rancho Palos Verdes is a decidedly affluent town, with a 2007 estimate of median household income at around $112,00.00 annually, don’t worry – there are plural lovely and affordable condos! (And some that are maybe not so affordable. But still lovely, to be sure.) The schools of Rancho Palos Verdes are lauded as some of the nation’s best. And that goes for its highly regarded private schools as well as the public Palos Verdes Unified School District as well. The excellent educational institutions of the area greatly increase its desirability for families with school-age children (or those who are planning ahead). While the city has its own independent government, it uses LAPD and LAFD staffers at its emergency services stations. The former, however, will often find themselves bored in this safe, secure town. Residents are rather used to that type of lifestyle, what with median home prices hovering just under 1.5 million dollars. But like I said, fear not! We can beat the heck out of that and still give you plural bedrooms and bathrooms! Some wonderful properties for <375k – 625k. Take a look.

The racial makeup of the city is a decently rich mix, with Caucasians and Asians being the largest two groups represented, but a healthy mix of many people. And while Rancho Palos Verdes is a decidedly affluent town, with a 2007 estimate of median household income at around $112,00.00 annually, don’t worry – there are plural lovely and affordable condos! (And some that are maybe not so affordable. But still lovely, to be sure.)

The schools of Rancho Palos Verdes are lauded as some of the nation’s best. And that goes for its highly regarded private schools as well as the public Palos Verdes Unified School District as well. The excellent educational institutions of the area greatly increase its desirability for families with school-age children (or those who are planning ahead).

While the city has its own independent government, it uses LAPD and LAFD staffers at its emergency services stations. The former, however, will often find themselves bored in this safe, secure town. Residents are rather used to that type of lifestyle, what with median home prices hovering just under 1.5 million dollars.

But like I said, fear not! We can beat the heck out of that and still give you plural bedrooms and bathrooms! Some wonderful properties for <375k – 625k. Take a look.

Marina del Rey – A Lovely Place to Call Home… if You Can Find One.

Steven John — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:12:38 +0000

Lovely little Marina del Ray is home to fewer than 10,000 residents. And once someone buys a home here, it’s unlikely they’re going to up and move out again, so finding an available residence can be tricky. But that’s why we’re here for you. The area, which is yet another unincorporated but “census-designated” area of Los Angeles County, gets its name, aptly, from the huge marina that dominates the region. The marina (which is really more than a dozen smaller marinas loosely connected) can dock over 5,000 small to medium sized boats. So if you own a boat or are just a general boating enthusiast, well, this may be a good place for you, captain. Being so close to the water, it stays nice and cool in Marina del Rey all year round. The temperatures rarely go much above 80 degrees, even in the middle of the summer. With 45 degrees Fahrenheit being about as cold as it ever gets in winter, this is a pretty mild place, really. And a pretty new one, by the way: the area was not fully developed and the harbor not officially active until 1965 (that after decades of false starts, abandoned building projects, etc.). If sea breezes, beautiful beaches and a laid back lifestyle sounds about right to you, visit us at CondoDomain. Yeah, some of our featured properties here are north of one million dollars, but c’mon… the view baby.

The area, which is yet another unincorporated but “census-designated” area of Los Angeles County, gets its name, aptly, from the huge marina that dominates the region. The marina (which is really more than a dozen smaller marinas loosely connected) can dock over 5,000 small to medium sized boats. So if you own a boat or are just a general boating enthusiast, well, this may be a good place for you, captain.

Being so close to the water, it stays nice and cool in Marina del Rey all year round. The temperatures rarely go much above 80 degrees, even in the middle of the summer. With 45 degrees Fahrenheit being about as cold as it ever gets in winter, this is a pretty mild place, really. And a pretty new one, by the way: the area was not fully developed and the harbor not officially active until 1965 (that after decades of false starts, abandoned building projects, etc.).

If sea breezes, beautiful beaches and a laid back lifestyle sounds about right to you, visit us at CondoDomain. Yeah, some of our featured properties here are north of one million dollars, but c’mon… the view baby.

Good Ol’ Santa Monica

Steven John — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:32:45 +0000

Sure, I’ve mentioned a few condos in Santa Monica over the months, but I’ve never really told you about the city itself. If you knew more about it, maybe you’d visit and just maybe you’d want to call it home. Let’s take a look. Beautiful, breezy Santa Monica is one of the most famous, iconic cities in Southern California. Arguably, it is one of the most famous cities in America: its name has been featured in songs, images of its beaches and beloved pier are plastered across postcards and it has served as backdrop to countless films and television shows. And not only is its iconic status richly deserved, but richly storied. Santa Monica has boasted permanent residents since time immemorial, with westerners first settling the area in the second half of the 18th Century. It was officially incorporated as a city in December of 1886. According to the 2010 United States census, there are approximately 90,000 people who call the city home. This number surged in the late 20th century, as the town’s center gentrified and people flocked to the area. At only eight and a half square miles in area, the city has an outsized reputation; one by which visitors will not be let down. There is never a shortage of things to do and sights to see. There are myriad focal points in this beach community, with perhaps the three most notable being The Santa Monica Pier, the Third Street Promenade and the beach itself. The Santa Monica Pier is just over one hundred years old. Over its long history, it has been the site of a grand ballroom, a permanent carnival, Ferris wheels and roller coasters. Today the pier maintains its carnival atmosphere, still featuring newer versions of the aforementioned rides, an arcade, various games and a plethora of food stands. The pier itself has been featured in numerous works of cinema and TV. The Third Street Promenade is essentially a giant, outdoor shopping mall. Several blocks of Third Street – just a short distance from the Pacific Ocean – have been permanently blocked off to create ample space for visitors to stroll, window shop or pause for coffee or a bite to eat. Street performers mingle with tourists and locals up and down the three block stretch of the Promenade, which at its southern end leads into an indoor shopping mall. The beach itself needs little in the way of explanation. Sandwiched between Venice Beach to the south and Pacific Palisades and Malibu to the north, the beaches of Santa Monica are much flatter and wider than much of the Pacific coast line, creating a perfect place for sunbathers, volleyball players and more to congregate. The long concrete path that runs the length of Santa Monica’s beaches (and beyond) is busy at all hours with joggers, bicyclists and casual strollers, taking in the sea breeze or sunset. Easy to do, with the cities more than three hundred sunny days a year and mild climate. The city has its own dedicated police and fire departments, hospitals, school system and even an airport (though it serves private craft almost exclusively). Various businesses and film production companies have their headquarters located in Santa Monica, as well as notable private citizens, such as producer/comedian Larry David, actor Sean Penn and architect Frank Gehry (who, in fact, designed the indoor mall adjacent to the Third Street Promenade). But what you want to know about are the homes, I know. I was just trying to whet your appetite a bit! I’ll assume that was a success and that you now must move here to be happy. Good news / bad news time. Let’s to the bad first: the houses are expensive. The good news? Ah, you saw it coming. Santa Monica condos are well priced and lovely! Take a gander (yes, gander): (Photo of 2726 Montana Ave Listed by Yan Yan Zhang) 1020 19th Street – $625,000 2726 Montana Avenue – $1,090,000 619 Euclid Street – $2,999,999 And it goes a lot higher … Find your dream home in Santa Monica.

Beautiful, breezy Santa Monica is one of the most famous, iconic cities in Southern California. Arguably, it is one of the most famous cities in America: its name has been featured in songs, images of its beaches and beloved pier are plastered across postcards and it has served as backdrop to countless films and television shows. And not only is its iconic status richly deserved, but richly storied.

Santa Monica has boasted permanent residents since time immemorial, with westerners first settling the area in the second half of the 18th Century. It was officially incorporated as a city in December of 1886. According to the 2010 United States census, there are approximately 90,000 people who call the city home. This number surged in the late 20th century, as the town’s center gentrified and people flocked to the area.

At only eight and a half square miles in area, the city has an outsized reputation; one by which visitors will not be let down. There is never a shortage of things to do and sights to see. There are myriad focal points in this beach community, with perhaps the three most notable being The Santa Monica Pier, the Third Street Promenade and the beach itself.

The Santa Monica Pier is just over one hundred years old. Over its long history, it has been the site of a grand ballroom, a permanent carnival, Ferris wheels and roller coasters. Today the pier maintains its carnival atmosphere, still featuring newer versions of the aforementioned rides, an arcade, various games and a plethora of food stands. The pier itself has been featured in numerous works of cinema and TV.

The Third Street Promenade is essentially a giant, outdoor shopping mall. Several blocks of Third Street – just a short distance from the Pacific Ocean – have been permanently blocked off to create ample space for visitors to stroll, window shop or pause for coffee or a bite to eat. Street performers mingle with tourists and locals up and down the three block stretch of the Promenade, which at its southern end leads into an indoor shopping mall.

The beach itself needs little in the way of explanation. Sandwiched between Venice Beach to the south and Pacific Palisades and Malibu to the north, the beaches of Santa Monica are much flatter and wider than much of the Pacific coast line, creating a perfect place for sunbathers, volleyball players and more to congregate. The long concrete path that runs the length of Santa Monica’s beaches (and beyond) is busy at all hours with joggers, bicyclists and casual strollers, taking in the sea breeze or sunset. Easy to do, with the cities more than three hundred sunny days a year and mild climate.

The city has its own dedicated police and fire departments, hospitals, school system and even an airport (though it serves private craft almost exclusively). Various businesses and film production companies have their headquarters located in Santa Monica, as well as notable private citizens, such as producer/comedian Larry David, actor Sean Penn and architect Frank Gehry (who, in fact, designed the indoor mall adjacent to the Third Street Promenade).

But what you want to know about are the homes, I know. I was just trying to whet your appetite a bit! I’ll assume that was a success and that you now must move here to be happy. Good news / bad news time. Let’s to the bad first: the houses are expensive. The good news? Ah, you saw it coming. Santa Monica condos are well priced and lovely!
Take a gander (yes, gander):

(Photo of 2726 Montana Ave Listed by Yan Yan Zhang)

1020 19th Street – $625,000

2726 Montana Avenue – $1,090,000

619 Euclid Street – $2,999,999

And it goes a lot higher … Find your dream home in Santa Monica.

El Monte – Yet Another City in a City

Steven John — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:54:49 +0000

If you don’t live in Los Angeles, you have probably never heard of El Monte. If you do live here, you may well have heard of the place but know nothing about it. That, more and more these days, would be to your detriment. Did you know, for example, that El Monte is a fully incorporated city in the central-eastern part of L.A. (in the San Gabriel Valley, for those in the know)? Or that it is home to well over 100,000 residents? Or that in the 18th century Spanish settlers, missionaries and soldiers frequented the area? And were you aware that next year, 2012, marks the centennial of the founding of El Monte? If you didn’t know any of that, I forgive you. You also probably didn’t know that there are dozens of 3 bedroom condos available there for under $250k. And 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condos for around $150 thousand. That’s right: scarcely 10 miles down the 10 Freeway from Downtown is a city just begging for you to take a look (and then stake a claim… this is the historic “End of the Santa Fe Trail,” after all!). Take a look at these three homes, in ascending order of size, price and amenities, and then tell me where else around here you can find that kind of value! (What? Oh… right… in many of your past articles. Well, just doin’ my job, then.) $190k… Under $300k… Just over $300k… If you are interested in seeing any of these amazing homes just enter your information into the box on your right and an expert real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

Did you know, for example, that El Monte is a fully incorporated city in the central-eastern part of L.A. (in the San Gabriel Valley, for those in the know)? Or that it is home to well over 100,000 residents? Or that in the 18^th century Spanish settlers, missionaries and soldiers frequented the area? And were you aware that next year, 2012, marks the centennial of the founding of El Monte?

If you didn’t know any of that, I forgive you. You also probably didn’t know that there are dozens of 3 bedroom condos available there for under $250k. And 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condos for around $150 thousand. That’s right: scarcely 10 miles down the 10 Freeway from Downtown is a city just begging for you to take a look (and then stake a claim… this is the historic “End of the Santa Fe Trail,” after all!).

Take a look at these three homes, in ascending order of size, price and amenities, and then tell me where else around here you can find that kind of value! (What? Oh… right… in many of your past articles. Well, just doin’ my job, then.)

$190k…

Under $300k…

Just over $300k…

If you are interested in seeing any of these amazing homes just enter your information into the box on your right and an expert real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

Los Angeles Living to Leave the Car Behind

Steven John — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:09:28 +0000

A little while back I wrote an article on Westwood, an area of Los Angeles that is very walking friendly, and got some positive responses. People seem to like the idea of living in a place where they can actually get their groceries, grab a bite, see a movie, etc. without having to jump in their cars and sit in slow-and-go traffic for 40 minutes (that seems to be the magic number, by the way… whenever anyone asks me how long it takes to get anywhere, I just say 40 minutes and it’s usually pretty damn close to right). So I thought, “Hey! Let’s run with that!” Thus today I shall profile three areas where you could live (almost) entirely without your car. Unless you wanted to go see a friend in Venice or Pasadena or South LA. All those will require some driving – say… 40 minutes worth? Anyway, I’ll give you briefs on each area, then one fine example of a condo that could be yours in said area. We start with… SANTA MONICA: A famous city, right by the beach, beautiful, blah blah. Santa Monica is a great place, we all know that. But so is, say, Malibu, and good luck without a car there. In many areas of Santa Monica, however, you can live in a lovely home and be within a five minute walk of groceries, fine upscale dining, casual cafes, bars, a movie theater and shops ranging from department stores to an REI to Rite Aid and beyond. (Oh and there’s that whole beaches along the Pacific Coast thing). Santa Monica is a large city, and much of it is more suburban and not as walking friendly. But as you move toward its charming downtown, see the laudatory list above and take a look at this awesome place. BURBANK: Much of Burbank is entirely residential and does not fit our narrative of today. But we’re not talking about that part. Nor are we talking about the Warner Brothers or Disney lots. You can’t live there, sorry. Where I’m going to focus is on the downtown of the city, which is actually, ironically, near its very northern border, just north of the 5 Freeway. Along Glenoaks and San Fernando Boulevards from the east to west and roughly between Burbank Blvd. and Alameda Street running north to south is an area of Burbank where you can shoot pool, grab groceries, hit the mall, see films in several theaters, go to Ikea, eat at all types of restaurants and taverns… and so on. You could live on foot indefinitely. (And ironically, the DMV is not far down the road either!) Check out this available home for a taste: WEST LOS ANGELES: Lots of people have trouble nailing down exactly where “West Los Angeles” denotes, exactly. Well, let me elucidate it for you… it’s east of the 405 but also some on the west of it. It’s north of the 10 Freeway (if you ask most people). It’s south of and not to be confused with Westwood and it’s west of Century City which kind of stops at… um… Overland? Or before that? OK! Fine! It’s hard to define. So I’ll find you a home near the intersection of Olympic and Sepulveda. That will give you what many Anglenos dream of… close access to two major highways! Wait! Forget I said that, we’re talking about NOT using your car! (Oh well, it’s still true.) This area affords you a shopping center, various ethnic restaurants, grocery stores, etc. The rent/mortgage here is decidedly lower than other areas and perhaps it’s got more… character… but stand by… I smell gentrification in the air…Check it out If you want to see any of this fabulous LA real estate or take a look at some different listings simply enter your information into the box on your right and a expert LA real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

So I thought, “Hey! Let’s run with that!” Thus today I shall profile three areas where you could live (almost) entirely without your car. Unless you wanted to go see a friend in Venice or Pasadena or South LA. All those will require some driving – say… 40 minutes worth? Anyway, I’ll give you briefs on each area, then one fine example of a condo that could be yours in said area.

We start with…

SANTA MONICA: A famous city, right by the beach, beautiful, blah blah. Santa Monica is a great place, we all know that. But so is, say, Malibu, and good luck without a car there. In many areas of Santa Monica, however, you can live in a lovely home and be within a five minute walk of groceries, fine upscale dining, casual cafes, bars, a movie theater and shops ranging from department stores to an REI to Rite Aid and beyond. (Oh and there’s that whole beaches along the Pacific Coast thing). Santa Monica is a large city, and much of it is more suburban and not as walking friendly. But as you move toward its charming downtown, see the laudatory list above and take a look at this awesome place.

BURBANK: Much of Burbank is entirely residential and does not fit our narrative of today. But we’re not talking about that part. Nor are we talking about the Warner Brothers or Disney lots. You can’t live there, sorry. Where I’m going to focus is on the downtown of the city, which is actually, ironically, near its very northern border, just north of the 5 Freeway. Along Glenoaks and San Fernando Boulevards from the east to west and roughly between Burbank Blvd. and Alameda Street running north to south is an area of Burbank where you can shoot pool, grab groceries, hit the mall, see films in several theaters, go to Ikea, eat at all types of restaurants and taverns… and so on. You could live on foot indefinitely. (And ironically, the DMV is not far down the road either!) Check out this available home for a taste:

WEST LOS ANGELES: Lots of people have trouble nailing down exactly where “West Los Angeles” denotes, exactly. Well, let me elucidate it for you… it’s east of the 405 but also some on the west of it. It’s north of the 10 Freeway (if you ask most people). It’s south of and not to be confused with Westwood and it’s west of Century City which kind of stops at… um… Overland? Or before that? OK! Fine! It’s hard to define. So I’ll find you a home near the intersection of Olympic and Sepulveda. That will give you what many Anglenos dream of… close access to two major highways! Wait! Forget I said that, we’re talking about NOT using your car! (Oh well, it’s still true.) This area affords you a shopping center, various ethnic restaurants, grocery stores, etc. The rent/mortgage here is decidedly lower than other areas and perhaps it’s got more… character… but stand by… I smell gentrification in the air…Check it out

If you want to see any of this fabulous LA real estate or take a look at some different listings simply enter your information into the box on your right and a expert LA real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

Independent (but assisted) Living for Los Angeles Area Seniors

Steven John — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:47:47 +0000

Are you ready to have a comfortable, stable home life but far, far from ready to, quote, “settle down?” Well then I have the article for you. This one! Los Angeles is full of so-called senior citizens who may be ready for a safe, reliable place to call home and are certainly at a time in their lives when they appreciate and deserve the finest amenities available, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to check in and check out. Not by a long shot. First let’s do the basic numbers. According to the report by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2000, 4% of the population of L.A. County was between 55 and 59 years old. 60 to 64 year olds made up 3.2%, 65 to 74 year olds came in at just over 5% and older than that equaled about 4.5% of the county’s total population. So that’s about 33.5% of the total population of Los Angeles County aged over 55 years. Now, let me clear the airwaves and say that 55 is not old. Nor is 65, anymore. And 75? Not like it used to be, certainly. But with age come certain benefits, such as the wisdom to plan ahead. If you can find a great deal on a great home that could be your own indefinitely, even as your needs do start to change in your older years, why not jump on it? There are also a number of great condos in LA with a number of amenities that let you live your golden years in comfort and luxury. You can check out some of those listings HERE or enter your information into the box on your right and an expert real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

First let’s do the basic numbers. According to the report by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2000, 4% of the population of L.A. County was between 55 and 59 years old. 60 to 64 year olds made up 3.2%, 65 to 74 year olds came in at just over 5% and older than that equaled about 4.5% of the county’s total population. So that’s about 33.5% of the total population of Los Angeles County aged over 55 years. Now, let me clear the airwaves and say that 55 is not old. Nor is 65, anymore. And 75? Not like it used to be, certainly. But with age come certain benefits, such as the wisdom to plan ahead. If you can find a great deal on a great home that could be your own indefinitely, even as your needs do start to change in your older years, why not jump on it?

There are also a number of great condos in LA with a number of amenities that let you live your golden years in comfort and luxury. You can check out some of those listings HERE or enter your information into the box on your right and an expert real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

Manhattan Beach Bliss

Steven John — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:38:45 +0000

You could do a lot worse than Manhattan Beach when looking for a place to call home. While it is not, shall we say, gentle on the wallet to live there, I’ve found a few deals for you that will soften the blow. And when you see the area, you’ll be more ready to take the proverbial punch. Manhattan Beach is a fully incorporated, independent city within the County of Los Angeles. And in fact it has been since 1910, making it a decently old city by west coast standards. The population is only around 35,000 and those folks are spread across just less than four square miles of land. The downtown of this scenic city has plenty of restaurants and shops, many of them unique boutiques (sorry, that rhyme was not planned and came across sounding canned. Damn! Twice!). There is also a shopping mall – the Manhattan Village Mall – with department stores, a Pottery Barn, a Williams & Sonoma… the standard fare. Manhattan Beach is quite close to Los Angeles International Airport, thus getting away from home and then back again is a snap. It is something of a commute, however, to get to downtown LA and beyond. But why leave home? Just look at that beach! And while we’re talking about homes… here you go, in order of ascending price: 729 MANHATTAN BEACH Boulevard 121 32ND STREET 230 ANDERSON Street If you want to check out any of these awesome Manhattan Beach properties just enter your information into the box on your right and a rock star LA real estate agent will get in touch with you right away! image credits: CityofManhattanBecah.org

Manhattan Beach is a fully incorporated, independent city within the County of Los Angeles. And in fact it has been since 1910, making it a decently old city by west coast standards. The population is only around 35,000 and those folks are spread across just less than four square miles of land.

The downtown of this scenic city has plenty of restaurants and shops, many of them unique boutiques (sorry, that rhyme was not planned and came across sounding canned. Damn! Twice!). There is also a shopping mall – the Manhattan Village Mall – with department stores, a Pottery Barn, a Williams & Sonoma… the standard fare. Manhattan Beach is quite close to Los Angeles International Airport, thus getting away from home and then back again is a snap. It is something of a commute, however, to get to downtown LA and beyond. But why leave home? Just look at that beach!

And while we’re talking about homes… here you go, in order of ascending price:

729 MANHATTAN BEACH Boulevard

121 32ND STREET

230 ANDERSON Street

If you want to check out any of these awesome Manhattan Beach properties just enter your information into the box on your right and a rock star LA real estate agent will get in touch with you right away!

image credits: CityofManhattanBecah.org

Downtown Los Angeles – The Arts District

Steven John — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:41:21 +0000

You probably already know that Downtown Los Angeles is rapidly becoming a pretty cool place to live. Even longtime Angelenos are often surprised at just how “urban” the actual city center can feel. One tends to picture the Hollywood Sign, Bel Air mansions, surfers, wide boulevards cutting among hip neighborhoods and past rolling mountains when someone says “Los Angeles.” But the actual downtown – the place where city hall, sky scrapers, court houses, etc. come together – feels like a “real city.” It’s flavored by a pinch of New York, a dash of San Francisco, dare I say a sprinkle of… what’s that… Denver? And, of course, its own unique characteristics. If you read my earlier article on the housing market in Downtown, you know that now is a decent time to buy a condo in the area. They are abundant and run the gamut of prices, from ultra-luxury homes to, shall we say, homes with lots of “character.” But what we still need to discuss is just why you might want to live downtown. I could talk about the beautiful, Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall or the stunning cathedral or all the dining and retail opening up around the city, but today we’re going to focus on something else. If you read the article’s title… um… yeah, you already know… The L.A. Art District’s nascent days were the later 1970s. Artists from surrounding areas – with a large number of them from western communities like Venice – began to flock to eastern downtown thanks to the wide availability of large loft spaces for cheap rents. In fact, the area was previously known as the “Warehouse District.” As so often happens, the decline on one thing, in this case business, led to the ascendance of another, here being art. (Think of the Meat Packing district in NYC.) Many of these first downtown artists lived an essentially squatter’s lifestyle, living illegally in the commercial spaces they used as studios. Eventually, in 1981, the zoning ordinances were altered to meet the new reality of downtown, and by the mid-80s there was a bustling (and legal) community of artists living and working in Downtown L.A. By the 2000s, the area was popular not only among artists but also among young, usually affluent young people who rapidly gentrified the area. In 2006, the community voted to usher in a Business Improvement District measure, which brought heightened security, cleaning and maintenance services and infrastructure improvement, essentially cementing the area as a place both hip and safe to call home. Today, among the studios and loft-style apartments and condos, many signs of the area’s roots are still in exisitence. A rail line still links up to a functioning rail yard and active warehouses, food and industrial processing plants still occupy city blocks. What’s newer is the abundance of shops, restaurants and cafes. Visitors (or residents) in search of the eponymous mainstay of the area – namely artists – would do well to start off with a stroll down “Gallery Row” off Main Street. Well over a score galleries are there for you to visit. And don’t forget about the nearby museums and theaters, from world-famous MOCA to the unique Museum of Neon Art. And for those looking for an LA art primer, why not try the Art Walk? On the second Thursday of every month, a street in downtown is transformed, for the afternoon, into one giant – and free – art show to be strolled through by the aficionados and the curious alike. If your thinking of buying a condo in the area simply enter your information in the box on your right and a rock star real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

If you read my earlier article on the housing market in Downtown, you know that now is a decent time to buy a condo in the area. They are abundant and run the gamut of prices, from ultra-luxury homes to, shall we say, homes with lots of “character.” But what we still need to discuss is just why you might want to live downtown. I could talk about the beautiful, Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall or the stunning cathedral or all the dining and retail opening up around the city, but today we’re going to focus on something else. If you read the article’s title… um… yeah, you already know…

The L.A. Art District’s nascent days were the later 1970s. Artists from surrounding areas – with a large number of them from western communities like Venice – began to flock to eastern downtown thanks to the wide availability of large loft spaces for cheap rents. In fact, the area was previously known as the “Warehouse District.” As so often happens, the decline on one thing, in this case business, led to the ascendance of another, here being art. (Think of the Meat Packing district in NYC.) Many of these first downtown artists lived an essentially squatter’s lifestyle, living illegally in the commercial spaces they used as studios.

Eventually, in 1981, the zoning ordinances were altered to meet the new reality of downtown, and by the mid-80s there was a bustling (and legal) community of artists living and working in Downtown L.A. By the 2000s, the area was popular not only among artists but also among young, usually affluent young people who rapidly gentrified the area. In 2006, the community voted to usher in a Business Improvement District measure, which brought heightened security, cleaning and maintenance services and infrastructure improvement, essentially cementing the area as a place both hip and safe to call home.
Today, among the studios and loft-style apartments and condos, many signs of the area’s roots are still in exisitence. A rail line still links up to a functioning rail yard and active warehouses, food and industrial processing plants still occupy city blocks. What’s newer is the abundance of shops, restaurants and cafes. Visitors (or residents) in search of the eponymous mainstay of the area – namely artists – would do well to start off with a stroll down “Gallery Row” off Main Street. Well over a score galleries are there for you to visit. And don’t forget about the nearby museums and theaters, from world-famous MOCA to the unique Museum of Neon Art. And for those looking for an LA art primer, why not try the Art Walk? On the second Thursday of every month, a street in downtown is transformed, for the afternoon, into one giant – and free – art show to be strolled through by the aficionados and the curious alike.

If your thinking of buying a condo in the area simply enter your information in the box on your right and a rock star real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

THE SUNSET STRIP: DECADES OF COOL

Steven John — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:23:29 +0000

We’re going to do things a bit differently today, friends. I’m going to give you the 4-1-1 on the Sunset Strip and if you decide it’s a place you want to call home, you get out there and pound the pavement (or perhaps go on the internet or call a real estate agent…) and find that dream home in this hippest of strips. Before moving onto covering the scene itself, let me first say that yes, there are homes available in short walking distance to this storied stretch of Los Angeles, so don’t think it could never be your home stretch. And even if you don’t want to live around here, I’ll bet you want to visit. You certainly won’t be bored… Historically, this area has rocked hard. From The Doors in the 60s through Guns n’ Roses in the 90s and to the lively bar, convert venue, night club, etc. scene of today, there is always something going on along The Sunset Strip. What you will find more of along this piece of Sunset Boulevard (which runs clear to the ocean, for those not from around here) today that may not have been so prevalent when Jim Morrison was shocking the square community is fine dining and high end retail. Don’t worry, the cool is still there. But you can get a great steak and an evening gown, also. What say we toss out some of the things to do at night, starting east at Crescent Heights Blvd. and heading toward the Pacific. First off… THE LAUGH FACTORY – yep, you guessed it: it’s a comedy club. The Laugh Factory hosts the biggest names in comedy getting back to their stand up roots and it hosts improve nights for folks just starting to cut their comedic teeth (which can be gut wrenching to watch, believe me). If you like comedy and slightly over priced drinks, stop by. Then head down the street to the… SADDLE RANCH CHOP HOUSE – a fine place to grab a bite but, let’s be honest… you’re here for some drinks, maybe to shoot pool, to mingle and to watch people fall off the mechanical bull. And that’s fine! Have fun and then head on to… HOUSE OF BLUES – again, you nailed it! Music, some of it with a bluesy tint (I love that “bluesy” is a real word, by the way!). Actually, to be honest, the blues aren’t exactly the mainstay of this place… it’s kind of just a venue for all types of tunes, from metal to Motown. But a fine venue at that! Farther west down the street – and maybe call it a night after this – we find… MEL’S DRIVE IN – don’t worry, you can walk in, too. And sit down. Great food, great drinks (yes, cocktails… this is not your grandfather’s diner) and a fun environment in this L.A. staple. Fill up, cool down, then head on home. Tomorrow we’ll start with… SUNSET PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER – um… some boutiques, some little cafes and such. Not as “Sunset Strip” as we’re going for here. So grab a coffee and some designer glasses and let’s head on to… THE WHISKEY A GO GO – this, friends, is quintessential Sunset Strip. It’s rock n’ roll and has been since the term was cool. This was the home of The Doors (I mean literally… they were the “house band” playing there night after night, defining their sound and their audience), this was where you heard Buffalo Springfield, They Byrds, this is the venue from which Dustin Hoffman’s character Benjamin follows the girl he has insulted in The Graduate… this is the place. And it has been for years. Wait for your favorite bands to come through or just show up, grab a drink, and hang on for the ride. And if you still need something else to do or you’re tired of your ears ringing, walk across the street and one block back east and check out Book Soup. “A bookstore!?” you ask quizzically. “That’s not very ‘Sunset Strip.’” Don’t worry – this is no ordinary book store. It is… superlative. From everything out today to first editions of our greatest writers, somehow indeed this book store manages to be rock n’ roll. So there you have it, friends! Your evening is planned! What? Oh, right… high end dining and retail like I mentioned…Tell you what – just grab a steak at Boa Steakhouse or a little snack at La Petit Four and check back with me later. I’ll cover dining and retail soon, but for now, I spent all my money on drinks at Mel’s and old copies of Hemingway novels at Book Soup. If you are interested in purchasing a condo near the Sunset Strip or if you would like to know more about Los Angeles Condos simply enter your information into the box on your right and a rock star real estate agent will get in touch with you asap!

Historically, this area has rocked hard. From The Doors in the 60s through Guns n’ Roses in the 90s and to the lively bar, convert venue, night club, etc. scene of today, there is always something going on along The Sunset Strip.

What you will find more of along this piece of Sunset Boulevard (which runs clear to the ocean, for those not from around here) today that may not have been so prevalent when Jim Morrison was shocking the square community is fine dining and high end retail. Don’t worry, the cool is still there. But you can get a great steak and an evening gown, also.
What say we toss out some of the things to do at night, starting east at Crescent Heights Blvd. and heading toward the Pacific. First off…
THE LAUGH FACTORY – yep, you guessed it: it’s a comedy club. The Laugh Factory hosts the biggest names in comedy getting back to their stand up roots and it hosts improve nights for folks just starting to cut their comedic teeth (which can be gut wrenching to watch, believe me). If you like comedy and slightly over priced drinks, stop by. Then head down the street to the…
SADDLE RANCH CHOP HOUSE – a fine place to grab a bite but, let’s be honest… you’re here for some drinks, maybe to shoot pool, to mingle and to watch people fall off the mechanical bull. And that’s fine! Have fun and then head on to…
HOUSE OF BLUES – again, you nailed it! Music, some of it with a bluesy tint (I love that “bluesy” is a real word, by the way!). Actually, to be honest, the blues aren’t exactly the mainstay of this place… it’s kind of just a venue for all types of tunes, from metal to Motown. But a fine venue at that! Farther west down the street – and maybe call it a night after this – we find…
MEL’S DRIVE IN – don’t worry, you can walk in, too. And sit down. Great food, great drinks (yes, cocktails… this is not your grandfather’s diner) and a fun environment in this L.A. staple. Fill up, cool down, then head on home. Tomorrow we’ll start with…
SUNSET PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER – um… some boutiques, some little cafes and such. Not as “Sunset Strip” as we’re going for here. So grab a coffee and some designer glasses and let’s head on to…
THE WHISKEY A GO GO – this, friends, is quintessential Sunset Strip. It’s rock n’ roll and has been since the term was cool. This was the home of The Doors (I mean literally… they were the “house band” playing there night after night, defining their sound and their audience), this was where you heard Buffalo Springfield, They Byrds, this is the venue from which Dustin Hoffman’s character Benjamin follows the girl he has insulted in The Graduate… this is the place. And it has been for years. Wait for your favorite bands to come through or just show up, grab a drink, and hang on for the ride.

And if you still need something else to do or you’re tired of your ears ringing, walk across the street and one block back east and check out Book Soup. “A bookstore!?” you ask quizzically. “That’s not very ‘Sunset Strip.’” Don’t worry – this is no ordinary book store. It is… superlative. From everything out today to first editions of our greatest writers, somehow indeed this book store manages to be rock n’ roll.

So there you have it, friends! Your evening is planned! What? Oh, right… high end dining and retail like I mentioned…Tell you what – just grab a steak at Boa Steakhouse or a little snack at La Petit Four and check back with me later. I’ll cover dining and retail soon, but for now, I spent all my money on drinks at Mel’s and old copies of Hemingway novels at Book Soup.

If you are interested in purchasing a condo near the Sunset Strip or if you would like to know more about Los Angeles Condos simply enter your information into the box on your right and a rock star real estate agent will get in touch with you asap!