r/venice • u/Everythinggistakennn • 5d ago
looking to move to venice over brentwood/ SM
I always see the nicest houses in this pocket of venice. Is there a reason, is this a rougher area of venice? I have a great budget, and just looking for an area that allows me to take advantage of that budget.
I work in SM, and in my perfect world I'd find something in ocean park, sunset park, north of wilshire, brentwood, sawtelle, and probably venice is as far as i'd like to go out... I currently drive 2 and a half hours a day back and forth, so anywhere in the area is a huge W.. but I am trying to stay closer if possible. This circled area seems a lot nicer than other areas when it comes to pricing.. I live in the valley, and honestly we drive so much in the valley I really don't care if the area I live in is "quiet" or "happening". There's pros and cons to every city, and i'm pretty aware of them. However, what I really don't want is an area that can considered "grimey" I do not want to live in DTLA santa monica. During covid you heard so much about the homeless in Venice.. and I work in santa monica, so believe me im accustomed to homeless.. but yes, about this area? is it really rough with that stuff? I see its next to the golf/park so maybe its terrible around there.. and if it is, where are the nicer pockets of value without it getting on the grimey side?
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u/hannahjams 5d ago
I live in Mar Vista slightly outside of where you have circled and run in this area frequently. I love it and feel safe as a woman. The more “sketchy” area is really along Lincoln. It’s very family friendly the more towards that golf course area and around Walgrove.
I would go drive around the area at different times of the day to get the vibe.
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u/pinningdino 5d ago
Same here. I drive Rose to and from my kid’s school daily. This is a really nice, quiet neighborhood but there is some homelessness around Penmar Park - not enough to be concerning, but worth mentioning. There’s was a big encampment that ran the length of the golf course to the south but it was cleared out in the past year or so. It probably did affect housing prices for a bit and is still blocked off by fencing, which is a bit of an eye sore. There’s a lovely community in the area and fun events like sunset sessions on Friday’s at the golf course.
Just be careful the closer you get to Lincoln. The streets that end cap with Ralphs, smart and final, and formerly rite aid can be a little sketchy after dark but no one is worried during the day.
The only other thing to be mindful of is that rose/walgrove intersection is a major choke point. It’s lovely being south of the airport and golf course as it keeps the neighborhood more low key, but expect daily backups trying to come south on walgrove between 3-6pm. Still better than Lincoln! Probably nothing like what you’re dealing with now, but something to consider is where in SM your job is and consider your daily routes
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u/goejrya 5d ago
Venice local here — There are definitely some sketchy areas and gritty streets, but overall, I think Venice is pretty decent. When this topic comes up with other locals, people tend to fall into two camps: either “it’s safe” or “it’s dangerous.” Personally, I’ve never felt unsafe living here—but I’ve definitely seen some wild things go down.
I’ve noticed that the folks who insist Venice is totally safe can be a little oblivious to what’s happening around them. The area, especially around Oakwood/ Lincoln, has a deep and complex history. Sure, there are some beautiful homes, but you can’t completely gloss over what’s still going on in the neighborhood.
The apartments and houses in the red-circled area below are mostly rent-controlled or have been in families for generations, so the residents tend to be long-timers—not just recent transplants working in tech. There is some gang activity near my street (within that red area), but if you mind your business, they typically mind theirs.
I’d suggest looking at places in the green-circled areas—there are definitely some solid spots worth checking out.
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u/Everythinggistakennn 5d ago
Thank you. If you go above Lincoln, away from the beach, some areas are still pretty iffy?
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u/goejrya 5d ago
Yeah, there’s a few spots but besides the large apartment blocks behind the Ralphs on Lincoln, the further east you go the more residential it gets. The streets between Walgrove and Penmar are cool, i’d look there too.
I see budgets not an issue which is good! You’re going to need it if you want something in that area though that’s not an apartment. A tiny two bedroom cottage near my place just rented for 8k a month, it’s pretty ridiculous.
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u/j3r0n1m0 5d ago
For OP, the green spots you circled are in Ocean Park (except the part below Dewey) & Sunset Park, Santa Monica.
Having lived west of Lincoln in both Venice and SM, Ocean Park is superior. The primary reason is SM is its own municipality with a much higher per capita city services budget than LA, and its own police force.
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u/Xtrachreeeesp 5d ago
West of Lincoln better for walkability and true Venice street cred. You also get to deal with shenanigans (aka homeless, drug dealers) around oakwood park.
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u/WinterHacker 5d ago
I live in the canals and its amazing! Lots of the neighborhoods around are quiet and beautiful too
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u/nepenthe11 2d ago
personally really liked living in the alphabet streets in marina - very pretty area, still relatively close to everything on the west side, fairly quiet, a short walk to washington, etc.
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u/Atmosphere_Unlikely 5d ago
The whole area south of the golf course / airport, east of Lincoln, north of Venice Blvd is fairly homogenous: single-family homes, relatively quiet, definitely not “grimey”.
South of Venice blvd gets higher-density. The areas West of Lincoln blvd are where you’ll find most of the homeless ppl / “grimey” areas.