Living on LA's WEST SIDE: what's it REALLY like?

Рет қаралды 11,285

Күн бұрын

The west side of Los Angeles is known for its laid back, "Baywatch" beach culture...but does it live up to the hype? Here's what I think about west LA, from its overall vibe, things to do, culture, cost of living, and pros & cons.
written, directed, filmed, edited, by ME - so hit that LIKE button because it's FREE and ily. All footage is my own.
#losangeles #movingtolosangeles #santamonica
Moving to LA in 2024? • Moving to LA in 2024? ...
Follow me on IG / michaelmartello_
My camera equipment: www.amazon.com/shop/michaelma...
_______________
🎵 Music licensed from Lickd. The biggest mainstream and stock music platform for content creators
California Gold (Original Mix) by Gidea Park, t.lickd.co/Aply65epxLR License ID: 5E7mDo61wR4
Try Lickd FREE for 14 days for unlimited stock music and get 50% off your first mainstream track: app.lickd.co/r/2c6da6a9908042...
________________
00:00 welcome to the WEST SIDE
1:37 LA beach culture?
4:02 health & fitness
5:50 diversity & culture?
8:06 abbot kinney
9:08 cons of the west side
10:21 housing/apartment costs
11:12 west side weather
12:37 west side, best side? (sunset)

Пікірлер: 104

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

I had way too much fun making this one 😂 give it a LIKE for more (positive) “cali” vibe videos!!

@peterwelby Ай бұрын

It's amazing! Where are the homeless? Ignoring problems doesn't make them go away. KZbinr German in Venice just permanently closed his storefront business in Venice. He has a much more realistic video. Watch for needles and feces in the sand. Be aware that people live in the bathrooms on the beach.

@jkabslt Ай бұрын

@MichaelMartello can you do an all hiking video?

@srenmller3638 Ай бұрын

Ok this is a bit off topic, but where do I get the exact Aviators you have on. Been looking all over and can't seem to find those. Do you know the specifics? Love all of your 'Cali' content - keep on trucking!

@mrxman581 Ай бұрын

I appreciate the perspective of LA from people who are not originally from the city. As a native Angeleno, I've always said that LA is what you make of it. If you want to mostly stay on the Westside, go for it and you'll have that experience. You want to venture out and explore different areas of the city and county, do it, and you'll be exposed to different facets of the city. Or, you can take a little bit of everything. That's what I've always done, especially as an adult. It depends on what mood I'm in. Just yesterday, I discovered a new Thai Street Market on the weekends near Chinatown in DTLA. How fantastic is that? The variety of lived experiences intertwined with the never-ending possibilities of discovering something new and wonderful is what makes LA the city of dreams. Even for native Angelenos, we feel that anything is possible as long as you put in the time and effort to make it happen. LA isn't a city that happens to you. It's what you make of the city to make it your own.

@mrxman581 Ай бұрын

BTW, the beaches are much cleaner today than they were 25 years ago. They have progressively improved. However, we all know not to get into the water after a rainstorm because the LA and San Gabriel Rivers end up with a lot of storm drain debris from the streets. Angelenos are used to the colder water, but we don't swim in it because there are a lot of rip tides. On hot summer months, we go into the water to cool off and then back to the sand. We do that all day long when we're at the beach. And have some good food in between. 😊

@finned958 Ай бұрын

If you live east of Downtown LA, you drive south towards Seal Beach or Huntington Beach or Laguna Beach. You avoid driving through the gauntlet of LA traffic. The drive towards Santa Monica or Venice Beach can easily take over an hour on weekends. The air is clearer in Orange County.

@mrxman581 Ай бұрын

True, but the new Regional Connector changed that somewhat. Now I drive to the East LA terminus of the E line, park in the LA Metro parking structure ($2 all day), and hop on the E Line all the way to Santa Monica. It's a one seat ride now. I'm there in a little over an hour and relaxed. I've taken the trip half a dozen times since the Regional Connector opened in June 2023. Before that, I hadn't been to the Santa Monica Beach or pier in 20 years for many of the reasons you stated.

@christiank8189 Ай бұрын

Great video again! Love the fun vibes!

@k2sworld Ай бұрын

I love the West Side. Venice is prolly my favorite place in L.A.. But, the WS does have its downsides, as you pointed out. I totally agree with you about May Gray and June Gloom. They are rough days for me as well. But I don't think West Siders are as personable as other parts of L.A., tbh. It has the reputation of being pretentious and, if you've lived/been there for any amount of time, you know it's earned that rap. Great video!

@niyatrusty9759 Ай бұрын

Always enjoy your videos!! Keep them coming!!

@rand0m742 Ай бұрын

The Westside pretty much consists of everything from Beverly Hills to the ocean, + Malibu along the coast. So yeah, I'd say LaCienega is a safe bet for where the dividing line is. Culver city, Playa Vista, and Marina del Rey make up the southern border of Westside region.

@donaldhenderson3495 Ай бұрын

Great video Mike. I got the best laugh at your Keurig…..lol. Keep the great videos coming. I like my section of LA. Where I’m close to the mountains and 45 minutes away from the beach.

@DavidCaris 20 күн бұрын

Speaking as a third generation Los Angeleno, the Westside is the only place I would consider. I grew up in the Beverly Grove area, moved to Santa Monica and then Beverly Hills for a while and finally bought in Mar Vista 30 years ago. I have seen a lot of change. Much of it not for the better. One constant is that visiting other parts of LA still makes me appreciate the Westside.

@alexanderschwarm7755 Ай бұрын

Dude love these videos. So helpful and lets us get an idea of what these areas have to offer

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

thank you! glad you enjoy 😊

@katherinepierceismine Ай бұрын

I found your channel a few days ago and have been binge watching ur videos, love the content. Cant wait to move from gloomy rainy UK to LA.

@italianlifestyle7911 Ай бұрын

Awesome place to be sure... the only thing missing is me🍸🌅

@kendallevans4079 Ай бұрын

As a resident here, I agree with everything you said including the "con" stuff......But you know what? On a beautiful day (and we have plenty) it's still THE place to live!

@ny2phillyholloway592 Ай бұрын

Loved watching you in the sun again!! It seems like such a long time since the never ending rain there. Great video Michael🍎💚

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

☀️☀️☀️

@bexiexz 20 күн бұрын

loved this!

@solegonz762 Ай бұрын

👏👏What a good vid! Spot on! I also love that you had the Beach Boys music playing in there. I'm a native Angelina & sooooo miss the Beach Boys playing on the radio often -especially in the Summer. I grew up on a block they jammed at (before my time.) I lived for years in my 20s off Venice Blvd on the West Side and cherish that experience. Enjoy all of it for me!!

@TheLevos Ай бұрын

Hoping the wife and I can visit some day. Thanks for your hard work, we definitely enjoy these videos!

@huntersucato8210 Ай бұрын

I love your videos! I've been here since 800 subscribers you're so underrated!

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Have remembered you as a commentor for a long time!

@Chickythevegan Ай бұрын

Love it, babe 💛

@SomeLazyDr Ай бұрын

Nailed it, dude. This is exactly how west LA is like.

@StephenMakesVideos Ай бұрын

This was so well done. And absolutely LOVE the Beach Boys throughout.

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

haha thanks so much!😎

@EdwardMcDougall1 Ай бұрын

I usually spend 2 weeks whenever I travel to LA and spend a week staying in the city and then a week staying in the west side and man, it really is like going too a completely different place when you move away from places like hollywood even though its like a 45 minute ride

@karlcarloshuderz Ай бұрын

Your videos are so honest and direct. I love it. You got a lot of more subs now! Good to see.

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

Appreciate it!!😎

@JoyfulOne468 Ай бұрын

Favorite youtuber!!

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

Honored 🙌🏻

@pongtanit Ай бұрын

You nailed it. I work in West LA 💯 agreed.

@EnronnSierra Ай бұрын

Its coming down to the wire where I need to lock in my vacation destination for the summer. My mind has been fixed on LA/Santa Monica area for a few months now, but every time I watch a KZbin video, I feel less incentivized to visit. Big part of it is the size and how spread out it is. Now that you mention the water is not great to swim in, I feel even less interest in visiting. Recently I watched a video about the Promenade being in bad shape because of the amount businesses shutting down, homeless people loitering the area and open drug use. So, safety is a big concern. If you could do an updated video of these areas I would appreciate it.

@HRK35 Ай бұрын

Go to the southern beaches, like Manhattan beach or even more down south, Huntington beach etc... way better to visit and stay (more expensive too)

@EnronnSierra Ай бұрын

@@HRK35 Did you mean to more or less expensive? I would staying at a hostel to keep cost down.

@Chieftracyhorse Ай бұрын

Time to book a west LA vacation!❤

@evangelinjerome9868 Ай бұрын

Thanks a ton for your videos... They are very helpful. Planning visit LA this summer and looking for a Airbnb, which areas are safer and you would recommend for a first time LA visitors...

@alee1627 Ай бұрын

Thank you for the funny, educational, insightful narrative.. Now we know a bit more about living in West LA (other than the beaches and probably can't afford it)..Great creative juice!

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

😎

@YusufAbdulrahman1 Ай бұрын

What a fantastic video

@jennifermarie3158 Ай бұрын

If you are having seasonal depression in West LA, you simply wouldn't survive anywhere else

@DarrenKriz Ай бұрын

Great video man, west side all day >>

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

thanks!! yessss

@kristab6981 Ай бұрын

Every time I watch one of your videos it makes me want to book another trip! Lol

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

It’s time!

@kevinmerkle3093 Ай бұрын

You cant get mountains over the ocean in Flordia. Also, the weather is so much more comfortable in LA than fl

@trexinvert Ай бұрын

As an eastsider, I'm always envious of you guys who work and live on the westside. However, it's always great to see that is available for us too over the freeway and DTLA borders. I would need to have the energy and planning to be able to indulge occasionally. To be able "trapped" on that side of LA and enjoy that daily you cannot put a price on that.

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

Even a day trip is worth it!☀️

@mrxman581 Ай бұрын

Just take the LA Metro E line to Santa Monica. Great way to get to there now since the Regional Connector opened in June 2023.

@peterwelby Ай бұрын

@@mrxman581 The metro is not safe.

@330toSRT8 Ай бұрын

Don't forget Palisades has the three best hiking trails in LA: Los Leones, Temescal Canyon, and Will Rogers State Historic Park!

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

This I agree with.

@bengee3519 Ай бұрын

Hi Michael, I just moved to LA and I love your videos! I just went to Culver City and tried pops and philz (amazing!) and it was also the car show as well so it was a good day. Do you have any other recommendations for restaurants in Culver? Also, I’m planning to move to Culver in the next couple years. Is rent usually $3k for studio? or are there cheaper apartments you think close to downtown culver? Also, I live in Koreatown and love it. Definitely make a video about Koreatown please and also maybe Larchmont Village and Sawtelle!

@Barlovento2005 Ай бұрын

Just finished watching your last video 😂

@330toSRT8 Ай бұрын

Yes, West side is the best side! Great video!

@troyelam8978 Ай бұрын

As an over 40, native Angeleno, I hate to break the news to a lot of people, but West LA starts around La Brea Avenue! Yes, I know a lot of Black people historically lived there, so there’s a tendency for the media to describe it as south central, but it’s not. It’s the beginnings of West LA! Some older folks would even argue, dare I say it, Crenshaw Boulevard!

@mystikrebel1089 Ай бұрын

looks like the universe sent the video again as a few hours back coming out of the shopping centre a lady walked passed with a Los Angeles top on making me wonder if a video will come later and here it is . Not being a skateboarder but a roller skater will be my scene when getting off the plane when I get there lol .

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

🤣

@mrxman581 Ай бұрын

Many beach communities to skate in the greater LA region. I'm sure you'll have a blast.

@ReychelH Ай бұрын

If you want to see lovely beaches, then go to Orange County! Laguna Beach is stunning!❤❤❤

@jeffreysalley Ай бұрын

You have an engaging personality

@MUNNYCAT Ай бұрын

Great vid! We're Valley Rats, and dream of West Side life when it's 110 degrees in studio city.

@amitlal310 Ай бұрын

That shot you took on Washington Pl- that is the neighborhood where I live. :) I agree, Westside is the best side.

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

See ya at Costco!

@kendallevans4079 Ай бұрын

Also! Renting in Santa Monica is coveted as it's rent controlled! Good luck looking for available apt!

@mrxman581 Ай бұрын

But those apts are disappearing. I might be mistaken, but didn't they weaken or basically gut their rent control law several years ago?

@stevensocher852 Ай бұрын

Only certain buildings...

@stevensocher852 Ай бұрын

And u had to have been from waaay back

@dcal3775 Ай бұрын

I really enjoy watching your videos, but I had to laugh when you started talking about the beaches. I grew up in SoCal, and I have swam at the beaches my entire life. You guys from the East Coast sound soft. LMAO

@joewilshusen7290 Ай бұрын

I lived in the OC for 25 years miss living there but the cost of living is terrible now

@jayvalenciia Ай бұрын

do the east side next

@The_tunisian_gamer Ай бұрын

Los Angeles my best place in the world

@JM-dk4ec Ай бұрын

Can you cover Belmont shore/belmont height area? I just moved here from nyc

@dante340 Ай бұрын

Best spots in Westside for me are Century City mall, Sawtelle, and Downtown Culver City. The rest of it? ..bleh. South Bay has much better beaches. And Santa Monica is a nice spot for tourists, but as a longtime LA native, I have absolutely no reason to go there lol

@Daskoldbrau Ай бұрын

West LA is technically everything west of Western. Up until pretty recently you could always get between places in this area fairly quickly. Some might say La Brea is the line, but really the entire La Brea neighborhood is the west side. What defines the area is single family zoning. Until the 60’s this was all suburban, so that’s how the west side was traditionally defined. Santa Monica is just Santa Monica. Silverlake and echo park aren’t the east side either. A lot of people there are transplants and they think of it that way, but the east side is actually what’s east of the LA river. This is how people thought of it historically but it also makes the most sense today. It’s weird to say Monterey park and echo park are both the east side. Does that make downtown the east side?

@gridley Ай бұрын

It's good that zoning laws have prevented LA's coastline from being lined by apartment towers, as seen in certain other coastal urban areas, particularly parts of Miami or Fla. Although I believe there are highrises in some coastal parts of Vancouver or Sydney, or even San Diego or Long Beach, they don't seem quite as intrusive. SoCa's coastal weather is cooler & cloudier (June gloom) than in certain Mediterranean-type or tropical areas, but that's a natural air conditioner for the LA basin. The water is colder too, although the water further north around SF, Portland or, of course, Seattle is even chillier. Because of the climate & terrain of coastal LA/SoCa, it has a different (& what I'd describe as a friendlier) vibe than areas like the Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard, Newport RI, etc. Not just palms but exotic looking plants known as succulents also aren't found in colder or wetter, tropical climates. Coastal LA is like a newer, less historically charming US version of southern Spain, France, parts of Italy.

@mrxman581 Ай бұрын

I agree, and it also doesn't have the hot humidity of Florida and the corresponding bugs that come with that kind of weather.

@polyphonicdavid Ай бұрын

i live in west hollywood and haven’t been west of the 405 or east of cahuenga blvd in months 😭😅

@EpicKook Ай бұрын

The best beaches are north and south of you and have little to zero bacteria

@NaProbablyNot Ай бұрын

LA South Bay > West LA

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

🤫

@TeisteBrito-hr5fn Ай бұрын

The West is the best !

@2Bluzin Ай бұрын

Hey you showed a shot of The Rooster Fish on Abbot Kenny, that used to be the only gay bar in the west side. I dont know if it's still gay but it's been there more than 30 years.

@MichaelMartello Ай бұрын

you're right! it's pretty straight now. lol

@maha77 16 күн бұрын

I don't travel east of Lincoln Blvd

@birdbangbobaruni Ай бұрын

Do the north shore

@The_tunisian_gamer Ай бұрын

Hey! What up I'm from your followers and I'm from Arabic... Did Los Angeles safety ? Or no?.

@Official.DJBIGGUMS Ай бұрын

The Mongo push 😭😭😭

@user-yc8fr4vp5d Ай бұрын

Absolutely love the Beach Boys vibes. 🌞💦🌴🌅

@a.c.7541 Ай бұрын

😂 Ocean, frizzy hair? 9:22

@davidcabanilla95 27 күн бұрын

Watched your video and one of worse places to live is Seattle. Its homeless population is getting worse and the gay community is shrinking cause of post covid and all the protests we have had as well.