David Letterman had his Top 10 list so I too thought I'd make one, as great minds think alike! Here are the Top 10 Reasons to live in Manhattan Beach.
# 10. Trader Joes! Owning a home near a Trader Joe's increases your property value. Realty Trac recently released an article that shows a pretty scientific study determined that living near a Trader Joe's VS a Whole Foods store makes you money! See the Fortune.com article here and the Time Money article here.
#9. It's the best city to be single! CNN Money named Manhattan Beach the “Best City to be Rich and Single”. It's no wonder with a ton of fun things to do, eat, drink and see, this is a magical place for a date.
#8. It's close to LAX and the freeways. The biggest and best airport in LA is undoubtedly LAX and it's only 3 miles away. This makes commuting for business particularly easy. The 405 is one the main arteries through Los Angeles and is 5 miles or less from anywhere in the city. A cab to the airport is cheaper than a shuttle since we're so close. Not to mention if you have out of town guests you can't accommodate, there are plenty of excellent hotels within a few minute's drive.
#7. The weather. The temperature in Manhattan Beach is a year-round average of 70 degrees and has an average rainfall of about 12 inches per year, making pretty much every day a great day for the beach!
# 6. The air quality. Manhattan Beach's air is some of the best around! With an average Air Quality Index value of 15 (0 to 50 means great air) the fresh ocean air is clearly good for your lungs. Click here to see today's air quality. Since the prevailing winds direct the air to the east, the City is doing it's part to help keep not just Manhattan Beach, but the entire region free of pollution by using alternatives fuel vehicles in most of its fleet.
#5. Crime. The City of Manhattan Beach has its own police department and the crime rate is very low compared to the national average. Most crimes have been decreasing in numbers in the last 10 years. See the city's report here.
#4. Shopping and dining. There are more great restaurants in town than you can shake a stick at and GQ Magazine named Manhattan Beach "America’s Best Beach for Chowing Down." One of the reasons is for the great variety and award-winning chefs.
#3. The variety of homes and neighborhoods. This beach city has so much more than just beach living! From sweeping views in the "Hill Section" to the East coast feel of "Cape Cod" style beachy homes on tree-lined streets, from starter homes and townhouses to grand mini-mansions, there is something for every taste (though possibly not every budget, as even entry level homes are usually over $1M.)
The Sand Section is of course, the closest to the sand and is desirable for both that and its' walkstreets where cars are not permitted. The aptly named Hill Section has the best views and the largest homes. The Tree section -- so named for the street names such as Maple and Oak, although there are strict rules about taking down trees as well -- is close to the beach but with bigger lots than the Sand Section which allows for bigger yards. Manhattan Village is a gated community with great amenities like golf course views, pools and spas and jogging and bike paths. Manhattan Beach Liberty Village & The Heights are the most affordable areas of Manhattan Beach with older homes that are great for first-time buyers. The Mira Costa Section surrounds the high school by the same name, and is an area with larger lots and fairly large homes.
#2. The schools! Manhattan Beach is well known for having one of the best school districts in the country. Test scores are consistently high as is the student/teacher ratio, with an average of 25 students per class. Nearly every school has been named a California Distinguished School. Check out the MBUSD website here.
#1. The beach! With nearly 5 square miles of oceanfront, Manhattan Beach has one of the largest, cleanest and most beautiful beaches in Southern California! The pier offers amazing views at any time of day but particularly at sunset, and the pier's Aquarium is a popular destination for kids and adults. Volleyball is a huge part of Manhattan Beach living. There are tons of volleyball courts on the beach and every year the city hosts the Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament and the Father's Day Beach Volleyball Tournament, among many others. Another big draw is the International Surf Festival every summer, which also includes a volleyball tournament.
I've lived in Manhattan Beach since 1983, and my husband grew up here since about 1950, so I definitely know the area and can help you find the perfect home -- give me a call at (310) 418-5353 if you'd like to know more about our own little corner of Paradise!
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