Want to eat a lobster dinner in your lululemons? Here you can! Well, maybe not literally, but what we mean is that in MB, locals enjoy a laid back lifestyle on one of the nicest beaches in SoCal without compromising on the finer things in life.

With outdoor activity options as expansive as the ocean views – think beach volleyball, bike rides on The Strand and sunset strolls on the pier – there is no shortage of ways to enjoy all the natural beauty around you while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. And as promised, after you’ve enjoyed another perfect weather day, you can get dressed up to explore the parade of specialty shops and upscale restaurants that this beautiful oceanside city has to offer. The only thing that might be lacking is your favorite ethnic eatery in downtown LA, but even that is just 20 miles away. 

Rated an [**A+ on Niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/manhattan-beach-unified-school-district-ca/) in the “Public Schools,” “Good for Families,” “Outdoor Activities,” “Nightlife,” “Weather,” and “Health & Fitness” categories, it’s hard to beat everything but the price tag.


Laid Back Meets Lavish

The Best Thing About Manhattan Beach?

Yes, this area has some of the best of the best, and the price tag shows it. Far from the sleepy surf town it was in the 1980’s, the median home price here is now just shy of $3 million, with costs increasing steeply as you get closer to those oceanside views. Not looking to buy? There are options, but not a ton. According to Zillow, median rental costs for a 2 bedroom apartment is $5,500. 

Why is it pricier than already-pricey neighboring beach towns? Let’s just name a few: 1) ample outdoor activities highlighted by a pristine beach and stunning pier; 2) top notch school system that bolsters the safe community vibe (more on this later), and 3) no shortage of boutique shops, fine dining and nightlife options for those looking for more fun after playing all day in the sun. 

If Manhattan Beach sounds like where you want to be, but the cost is a bit over budget, check out nearby [**Redondo**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/redondo-beach) and [**Hermosa**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/hermosa-beach)beaches, just a couple miles south. Although unique in their own right, these areas offer much of what Manhattan boasts, at a slightly more reasonable cost.


Dollar, dollar, bills, y’all.

The Worst Thing About Manhattan Beach?

With sand between your toes and high-end living at your fingertips, MB residents enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle. Need a kid-friendly activity? Ride your bikes along the ocean to the  aquarium by the pier – it's free! Want to unwind? Pack a snack and plop yourself down at El Porto Beach to watch the surfers take advantage of some of the best waves in the South Bay. 

Looking to treat yourself? Indulge your taste buds at the popular Fishing with Dynamite before grabbing a cone at [**Manhattan Beach Creamery**](https://mbcreamery.com/ice-cream). Or, maybe it’s some movement that you’re craving. Join a game of volleyball, take a stroll in one of the city’s many parks, stop by a workout class at one of the fitness gyms – there’s one on every corner – or take a walk in the sand to the next level by climbing a mountain of it at [**Sand Dune Park**](https://www.californiabeaches.com/attraction/sand-dune-park/). 

With so much to offer visitors and residents, it's really easy to plan your perfect day here.


Plan Your Perfect Day

Lifestyle of MB (they call it that)

While people of all ages and relationship statuses call MB home, there’s a reason you see so many parents pushing strollers on The Strand. The schools are unbelievably good. 

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District is one of the highest ranked districts in the state. For public offerings, the community has five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. [**Mira Costa High School**](https://www.niche.com/k12/mira-costa-high-school-manhattan-beach-ca/) received an “A+” rating from Niche.com. Locals appreciate and value the impressive school system as much as the strong sense of community that it cultivates. 

With an award-winning and nationally recognized school district, you may not need to look elsewhere, but if private school is a priority for your family, there are a long list of similarly “A+” rated schools. Vistamar School, Bishop Montgomery High School and Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles Raymond and Esther Kabbaz High School are all outstanding options within a reasonable driving distance.


Some of the Best in Cali

Schools in Manhattan Beach

There’s a reason people flock to visit and aspire to live in Manhattan Beach. They want to rest, relax, and just get away from it all – without giving up the perks of a high-end, city lifestyle. If you never want to leave this “bubble,” you don’t have to. This sense of exclusivity comes off to outsiders as trending a bit towards the uppity vibes of Beverly Hills, but those within the community appreciate that it's tight-knit and a bit separated from the outside world. If you want to live here, we’d suggest you get in now. Prices aren’t getting any cheaper!


Never Leave if You Don’t Want To

Why You Should Move Here Now? 

The Sand Section, as the name implies, has the easiest access to the beach and runs along the city’s 2-miles coastline. The lots are smaller and higher in cost, but many have ocean views. Including both the Downtown Manhattan Beach area and the city’s North End strip of shops and restaurants, plus two elementary schools, this area can be fairly dense. Within the Sand Section, running right along the water’s edge, is The Strand. This oceanfront area consists of a bike path, sidewalk, and the front row of houses. What these lots lack in privacy, they make up for in oceanside views.

The median home price in the San Section is $4.6m but Downtown does offer condos at more accessible prices and apartments for rentals if the $4m+ price tag ain't in your budget just yet. 


Families/DINKs/Young Professionals

The Sand Section (Including The Strand)

A good middle ground for growing families, homes in the Tree Section often offer four to five bedrooms and have backyards, offering a sense of more spaciousness than The Sand Section, but not quite as much space as East Manhattan. This quaint, small-town feeling neighborhood includes, you guessed it, tree-lined streets with names like Walnut, Pine, and Elm. One huge plus to the Tree Section is you border the Sand Section so you're still a short walk to the beach. The neighborhood also sidles up next to Sand Dune Park which means you and your kiddos get the dunes and the tons of recreation available in the park including tennis (and pickleball!!!), Aquatics, Summer Camps, Youth and Adult Sports Leagues and plenty of special events throughout the year. 

The median home price here is $3m+, which of course is crazy but that's much cheaper than neighborhoods like the Sand Section so important to keep that in mind if you're focused on Manhattan Beach. 




Families

The Tree Section

Much larger lot sizes, great schools and pretty parks with state-of-the-art playgrounds make East Manhattan the ideal place for families who are on the hunt in Manhattan Beach. Residents enjoy a bit more privacy and space from their neighbors than anywhere else in Manhattan Beach albeit sacrificing direct access to the beach as a result. 

It should be noted that the real estate community is working hard to rename East Manhattan as Manhattan Knolls. The new moniker fits as a result of the neighborhood being built on a series of rolling hills that give the neighborhood a more bucolic feel. When you combine the hills with the larger beautiful yards, great big parks like Polliwog (the biggest park in the area) you know families are going to embrace the open green spaces for the kids and doggos to play 

The community also gets the benefit of all the events and ongoing activities that happen at Polliwog Park, including the summer series of concerts, massive playground space, wonderful pond and tons of open green space for play. Median home prices in Manhattan Knolls are $2.7m, which shockingly makes it the least expensive neighborhood in the city. 

East Manhattan (Manhattan Knolls) 

Unwilling to choose between more space or a great view? Then the Hill Section is for you – if you can afford it. This area is the smallest district in the city but has some of the largest lots, biggest homes, widest streets and the highest prices. If you’re lucky, you just might find a panoramic view of the city, Pacific Island and even Catalina Island. It comes at a price as the median home price is north of $5.5m. 

Not shockingly this neighborhood is built on a hill (hence the views). If you're on the West side of the hill, you're looking at the Pacific every day. If you're on the North or East side you have beautiful views of Downtown Los Angeles. The majority of the Hill Section is a short walk to the restaurants and shops of Downtown so it really is silly how much this neighborhood has to offer between its convenience, stunning beauty and ridiculously large homes and yards. 

The Hill Section

[**Manhattan Village**](https://manhattanstrand.com/explore-manhattan-village-in-manhattan-beach-ca/ is the only gated community in the city. It also has a nice mix of what the community refers to as town and court homes as well as estate homes. The average list price across these different home types is ~$2.1m, which means the estate homes are pricey and the town and court homes are more within reach (sub $2m). 

In addition to the nicely designed community homes, you also get plenty of different pools and jacuzzis throughout the Village, a big playground, and living right next door to a big soccer field complex, the Westdrift Golf Course and the [**Manhattan Village Mall**](https://www.shopmanhattanvillage.com/). Pretty much everything you need is within walking distance.  

Families/Retirees

Manhattan Village

Manhattan Beach

**How is Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach area?**

Well the South Bay is like one of the nicest parts of LA. I think most people who live here would love to move there if they could afford it. Manhattan Beach especially is my favorite part of LA, I never go to west LA for their beaches because Manhattan Beach is a much better option for a beach day. But Hermosa will be younger and feel more happening if that’s what you’re looking for. Either way, 2 or the best parts of LA. Honestly I’d just say drive over there when you get a chance, that would pretty much answer any questions you have. You’re talking about some of the richest areas in LA, of course it’s safe.

**How is Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach area?**

They are the same micro climate as Venice and Santa Monica. Rarely hotter than 80 degrees. Lots of marine layer May - July.

Both are noticeably whiter and wealthier than West LA. Democrat voting but not really culturally leftist in the same way as a Venice.

Manhattan Beach is a lot of upper/upper middle income parents pushing strollers. Hermosa has that too in addition to lots of 20 something year olds.

Chill vibes all around down there. Only downside is you're a bit further from the action of Central LA and a little further from the best hikes (Palos Verdes has some hikes, but they're not as good).

**Is Manhattan Beach a good choice?**

I’ve lived here for 27 years, and still live here (I’m 30 now)

It is one of the best cities in America. Utterly clean, modern, healthy, and usually pretty accepting (wasn’t always that way, and people who don’t live here still have an old/misinformed perspective)

It has become boujee af in recent years. Many people will say it’s always been like that, but it wasn’t this bad 20 years ago. Almost all the shops lining the pier and downtown are luxury/boutique shops. You will need a salary over $150,000 for things to be comfortable (contribute to retirement, not have roommates, save money, etc.).

That said, I grew up with Erik Karros as a baseball coach, Nomar Garciaparra as a friend, Luke Walton as an acquaintance, etc. There is lots to be excited about and experience. Cody Bellinger used to have breakfast at a place we frequent

It is one of the best cities in LA (County), but is ludicrously expensive. This genuinely can make it hard to be social within the city itself, as everything has such a high cost.

There is much history, with the invention of beach volleyball, Bruce’s Beach, the geenbelt, Metlox, etc.

Highly family-oriented and predicated on community. The services, sports leagues, schools, etc. are all top notch and attract other surrounding cities

It’s also one of the cleaner beaches around, with sand so nice that it was shipped to Hawaii to like their beaches

In short, I can’t say enough good things about MB. The only glaring issues is the explosion of cost, and sometimes the snobs that coke with it. That said, they’re certainly the exception and not the norm. People will make the uninformed claim that the city is entirely like that, but it is not the case if you’re here within the community

Manhattan Beach, California

If Boujee and Beach Vibes Had a Kid

Looklyloo Score: 87

Reviews

What's it like to live in Manhattan Beach?