Santa Monica, California is a world class beach community. As the birthplace of the popular "California Cuisine" type of food, Santa Monica continues to revamp and reinvent, making it a delight for both locals and tourists alike. This is a visually stunning city, with the pounding Pacific Ocean at its edge, a town full of architectural delights, and public art found in sometimes surprising places. The city has added the Third Street Promenade to its Pier area. This brought new recreational amenities to the shore front, including Palisades Park, Muscle Beach and Chess Park.

As a part of Los Angeles County, Santa Monica supports a population of nearly 90,000 people. The average age of a resident here is 39 years old, with an annual household income of approximately $52,000 per year. A typical resident in Santa Monica is well educated and employed in a professional position. In fact, two employment sectors dominate the local economy. The vast majority of Santa Monica residents, nearly sixteen percent, are employed in the areas of professional services, the sciences and technology. Information services follows at a close second, employing nearly fifteen percent of local residents.

The city is ideally situated on the Santa Monica Bay. With such stunning natural beauty, the town was originally developed as a resort community. Santa Monica today preserves the feel of a resort town. Its numerous amenities, events, and temperate year-round climate have its residents feeling truly pampered every day of the year.

For shopping, there's no place like Santa Monica. The city maintains five distinct shopping districts. The downtown area is home to the Third Street Promenade. It has a casual atmosphere, full of open-air cafes, kiosks, and boutiques. Here you will also find the Frank Gehry-designed Santa Monica Place shopping center, with over 140 boutiques offering the most unique and chic items from around the world. The Main Street district is an eclectic assortment of galleries and shops, with surprising hidden courtyards. The Montana Avenue shopping district is the place to spot celebrities, as well as the home of some nineteen incredible restaurants. Finally, the Sunset Pico area is a diverse collection of retail options, offering everything from hardware stores to one-of-a-kind art pieces.

In their free time, Santa Monica residents take part in an incredible array of recreational activities. The unofficial motto of Santa Monica could be to "have fun and look great doing it". In this spirit, you might choose to take your workout to the great outdoors at Muscle Beach or take part in a singles roller skate near the Pier. And Santa Monica has a sizzling nightlife. Whether you choose to keep it simple and watch the sunset on the beach, or go out for a hot night on the town, it's hard to tire of the options here. The city is full of live music venues, nightclubs, theaters, and outdoor events. Whether you're in the mood for a sophisticated or casual, you'll find it in Santa Monica.

Of course, the beautiful beaches are perhaps the biggest draw n the area. Along these shores you can simply relax in the sun, or catch a wave. No matter what your choice, the beach areas are an ideal place to people watch. One of the best people watching areas is at Muscle Beach. This is California's original outdoor gym area, and has recently undergone a renovation. Whether you want to get in a workout yourself, or simply watch someone else work up a sweat, Muscle Beach is always full of life. Should you prefer to give your mind a workout, the International Chess Park is located just south of the volleyball courts. With dozens of game tables, the area is modeled after New York's famed Washington Square Park. But perhaps the crown jewel of the beach is Palisades Park, which offers expansive views, a plethora of public art, and meticulous landscaping. As a natural accompaniment, you will also find a meditation center here.

Santa Monica is a beautiful city that somehow manages to not take itself too seriously. Full of fun and lively people, there is no shortage of events, fairs and festivals happening here. If you are thinking of moving, consider a move to sunny Santa Monica, California! To learn more about this area, request our free relocation packet today.