There are plenty of ways to live in Los Angeles.
You can have a high-rise apartment in Downtown LA, a house in the Hollywood Hills or a home tucked away in the San Fernando Valley.
Read more: Thinking about living in Downtown LA? Here's the safest area we'd choose
But if your idea of living in LA involves being close to the ocean, having palm trees outside your window and being able to walk along the water after work, Marina del Rey offers something completely different.
This small coastal community on the Westside is built around its huge marina and offers a slower pace of life without giving up easy access to the rest of Los Angeles.
What makes Marina del Rey different?
The biggest difference is the water.
Marina del Rey is centred around one of the largest artificial small-craft harbours in the United States, meaning the marina is not simply something you visit.
It is part of everyday life.
Depending on where you live, you can have boats, yachts, palm trees and the water right outside your apartment.
There are walking paths around the marina, waterfront parks and plenty of places to sit and watch the world go by.
It can feel a long way removed from the traffic and crowds you normally associate with Los Angeles.
You can actually enjoy the outdoors
One of the best things about living in Marina del Rey is that you do not have to plan a special day out to enjoy the outdoors.
You can simply leave your apartment and go for a walk.
Burton Chace Park is one of the area's best-known waterfront spots, with views across the marina and plenty of space to relax.
The area is also popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling and boating.
And if you want to get onto the Pacific, Marina del Rey makes that much easier than living further inland.
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You're right next to Venice
Another major advantage is the location.
Marina del Rey sits immediately next to Venice, meaning one of LA's most famous neighbourhoods is effectively on your doorstep.
You can head over to Venice Beach for the boardwalk, spend an afternoon around Abbot Kinney Boulevard or meet friends for dinner without having to cross half of Los Angeles.
Santa Monica is also nearby, while Playa del Rey offers another quieter coastal option further south.
That gives Marina del Rey residents access to plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment without having to live directly in the middle of it.
What are the apartments like?
The housing here is very different from what you will find in Downtown LA.
Instead of being dominated by skyscrapers, Marina del Rey has a mixture of waterfront apartment communities, modern developments, townhomes and larger established residential complexes.
Some buildings are designed around the marina, with balconies overlooking the water and resort-style amenities.
Others have pools, gyms, landscaped grounds and private resident areas.
That means there is quite a lot of choice depending on whether you want a modern luxury apartment or something that feels more like a traditional residential community.
Is Marina del Rey expensive?
It can be.
The closer you get to the water, the more you can expect to pay for the privilege of living in a coastal part of Los Angeles.
Marina views, large apartments, balconies and extensive building amenities can all push rents higher.
But you are also paying for a lifestyle that is difficult to replicate elsewhere in LA.
If you spend your free time walking, cycling, going to the beach or simply sitting outside, the location can be much more valuable than having a larger apartment somewhere further inland.
What is everyday life actually like?
Marina del Rey is not somewhere you move if you want constant excitement outside your front door.
That is precisely why some people love it.
A typical evening can be as simple as walking around the marina, grabbing dinner nearby and watching the sunset before heading home.
There is a relaxed feel to the area that can be difficult to find in a city as enormous and busy as Los Angeles.
You are close enough to Venice and Santa Monica when you want restaurants, nightlife and crowds, but you can return to a much quieter environment afterwards.
Is Marina del Rey worth considering?
If you want the traditional LA lifestyle of sunshine, beaches, palm trees and outdoor living, Marina del Rey deserves a place on your shortlist.
It is not the cheapest part of Los Angeles, and it will not suit someone looking for a huge nightlife scene or a completely car-free lifestyle.
But for people who want to live close to the Pacific while remaining within easy reach of Venice, Santa Monica and the rest of the Westside, it offers a particularly appealing balance.
You get the LA lifestyle without having to live right in the middle of the chaos.
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