*Be aware of location and details (potential safety issues)*
This is a great location but definitely in terms of proximity to the beach but there are some important things to note, especially given the area and how old the building is. Since this listing isn’t for everyone, and you might not be aware of Santa Monica’s intricacies, I’ve listed out the details below.
PROs
Location is both a pro and a con; it’s great to step into the beach but I list out issues below
Darla, the manager is very nice and offers her support and phone number if you need something
The roof has good views of the ocean
The building has a digital entry (you can use an app to enter instead of a key, which is great)
Good Wifi
The recycling and dumpster are close by
Really close to the pier (but I know a lot of my LA friends don’t like coming to the pier, since it’s very touristy)
It comes with parking
CONs
*UNSAFE?* There is rampant homelessness and the immediate area around the building gets dirty (vomit, broken glass, trash, food stains, cigarettes) — it doesn’t seem like it’s cleaned up.
*THEFT* Sometimes UPS/USPS/FEDEX delivery apps may leave deliveries in front of or back of the building. We actually had a food delivery get dropped off in front of the building since there was no where for the driver to park, and even though only 30 seconds went by, by the time I got down, our food had been stolen!!
There’s also homeless people that need help but they come and shout at the building at 4 AM for some reason — Santa Monica police doesn’t really do anything
It’s not a safe area to walk around at night
I’m not sure if your car is safe to park since homeless people are everywhere and crime is high — the parking lots aren’t secured. I’d be scared to have a car
You can hear everything in the apartment from outside — it gets very loud due to teenagers visiting the beach who park next to the building and blast music until 5 AM (I guess they have nowhere else to party?)
There is a neighbor who has been in the building forever who apparently has a reputation of harassing (physically and verbally) long-term tenants and AirBnb guests, as well as acting as a nuisance. He continues to cause distress to everyone. I feel bad for the management, like they have their hands tied?
There is no AC — maybe this is common for Santa Monica?
Sometimes the power / WIFI may cutout, and I think that’s just area, not necessarily the management’s fault
The view is really over the parking lot, but you can see the beach and water — it’s just that the windows are small
The building is old, so there are a lot of repairs being made or routine shutoffs of water.
There isn’t laundry in the unit, which is fine, but the machines don’t work reliably and it’s hard to get a card. You should prepare to use something like Rinse, which will set you back an extra $100 each month
There is no other location on AirBnB/VRBO with direct access to the beach like this building, so that’s why the listing is listed at a premium price – and the location is stellar, but it’s important to remember the nuances and potential of this area since you’ll be staying for at least a month.