This past week, Q-line asked: What do you like about living in Santa Monica?
Here are your responses: ✆ “The beach is world-class. The city is world-class. The people who pay their taxes in our city are world-class. The people who live here who pay their taxes are world-class. Last, but not least, the weather is world-class. One footnote, the Santa Monica Daily Press is world-class.” ✆ “I’m sorry to say there is nothing no longer really attractive or pleasant about Santa Monica. If I had the opportunity and resources, I would leave immediately and for good.” ✆ “When I first moved here I hated it. I came from a small resort town and was-n’t used to the grit of the city, especially the homeless. I still don’t like them since most of them are rude, bitter and are criminals. But some of them add character to the town. Anyway, after about two years I began appreciating what Santa Monica has to offer. I never drive my car. I ride my bike to work and spend a lot of time at the beach — walking, running, bike riding, surfing and hanging out. And I also like that the city has many different neighborhoods that have completely different feels. I love Main Street and it’s so much different than downtown, where I spend a lot of time, as well as Montana Avenue, where I live.” ✆ “It’s a very innovative city. We’re on a track star in a lot of countries and also in this country. We’ve instituted a lot of things and I think it’s just wonderful. I really enjoy watching Bobby Shriver, and ever since we’ve gotten this Annenberg grant, that’s making our community better. So let’s redevelop and let’s not put in those huge towers that that particular corporation wants to do because that will destroy this city, which is already too tight as it is with the traffic.” ✆ “My answer is always the same: The Santa Monica bike path. Anyone who has rode a bicycle north of the Santa Monica Pier to the end of the bike path and has stood and looked out west and north at the beautiful ocean and the bay area between Pales Verdes and Point Dume understands what I am speaking of.” ✆ “Normally, I would say the wonderful weather, but lately I can’t say that. I will say that you can put up a sign that says ‘Bush is a war criminal, impeach Bush’ and nobody gets mad.” ✆ “What I like about living in Santa Monica is absolutely nothing, except it serves its purpose when you live under rent control and that’s it. The day I move out of Santa Monica will be one of the happiest days of my life.” ✆ “Santa Monica is a good place to live, and thanks to the majority of the City Council not being controlled by the self-serving ploys of the chamber of commerce.” ✆ “Well, I don’t live in Santa Monica, but my girlfriend does so I spend a lot of time here. What we both like about Santa Monica is that it’s easy to get around. You can get around without a car. You can go shopping. You can go to the movies. If we were driving, you can park your car and get around very easily.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.