Rent vs Buy: Why We Live in Santa Monica at all Costs
Produced by Mark Bolender
Nobody understands the motivation to choose to live in a beautiful, vibrant, and exciting beach town setting better than the residents of Santa Monica, California. The cost of living is enormous compared to national averages, and running a few Santa Monica value checks may be slightly shocking. According to the National Cost of Living Index, Santa Monica ranks well near the top of the most expensive areas with an overall cost of living rating of 211. California on the whole ranks 135 and the national average is 100. For housing, respectively, Santa Monica rates a 450, California scores an 189, and the national average is- as a comparative- 100. The average cost to rent in Santa Monica is approximately $3000.
Rent vs Buy
Nevertheless, in the face of these staggering prices, many people elect to endure the lack of affordable housing. Why? Well, that’s easy. Santa Monica is home to the beautiful Silicon Beach, offers a fast-paced lifestyle in a stunning seaside region- where so many living spaces are perched over some of the finest examples of coastal and city scenery in the country. Not only that but just behind the city, to the east, are a sweeping range of endless hills and wilderness, much of which are open to the public.
When faced with the choice of whether to rent or buy, many Santa Monicans make their choice to live in Santa Monica feasible by foregoing homeownership to remain lifetime renters. What few of these renters realize is that they may qualify to purchase high rise condos for between 5% and 10% down. Many young families who need a home instead of a condo can qualify for a loan buy a larger home outside of Santa Monica for just 3.5% down FHA, and veterans can receive a loan for 0% down.
With opportunities like these available, we think more people could choose to stay in this one of a kind California beach town.
Mark Bolender 