Mar Vista

A Laidback Haven on the Coast
Mar Vista is a low-key, residential neighborhood with convenient access to roads stretching all over West LA. A short drive to stores or the UCLA campus and a straight shot down Venice Boulevard to the beach are huge pulls for the residents. The area is popular with students and young families who enjoy the laidback feel of the area and the measured distance from the commotion in many of West LA’s neighborhoods. Enjoy the peace and quiet hot a cup of joe at Coffee Connection or with a nice brunch at The Mar Vista.

Renters here consider the neighborhood to be family friendly and safe. Limited access to both public transit and nearby restaurants make this neighborhood less attractive to those without access to a vehicle.
What Mar Vista Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
7.3
value
6.5
amenities
7.0
social
5.5
management
7.0
Median rents in Mar Vista
Studio
$
2,100
1 Bedroom
$
2,750
2 Bedroom
$
3,550

Living in
Mar Vista

Quieter
Safe
Venice Boulevard
Limited Bars and Restaurants
Beach
Stores Close By
Laidback
Family Friendly
Mar Vista — 7.4/10 Rating (based on 42 neighborhood reviews)
This is one of the safer areas in LA, it’s about a 15 to 20 minute drive to UCLA, and the same distance to the beach. It’s also conveniently right at the intersection of the 405 and 10 highways. There is a very nice neighborhood across the street where we can walk, and there is a park. It is right next to a highway and Sawtelle is a busy street, so it can be quite loud. LA has a significant homeless population, and this exists around the housing as well, but the housing complex is a gated community. There are many restaurants nearby. Overall, it’s a good neighborhood.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Very family oriented, with lots of single family residences. Great farmers market on Sunday and very chill vibe. Some good restaurant choices on Venice, but also not far from Sawtelle’s Japanese food area.
Rapidly increasing homelessness issue that the neighborhood has no clue how to deal with, but that seems to be true of every neighborhood in LA.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
We love the neighborhood. Great area to take walks, etc. Our bikes were stolen from within the gated complex before they installed the bike cages, but we suspect that the people who did it were not from the area.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Feels very in the center of everything so things are not super close but not far either. Neighborhood is safe, stores and everything I need is close by.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Westside
Not much nightlife, but Palms is friendly, quiet, and easy to navigate. There are good restaurants nearby, and lots of accessible grocery stores.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Nice neighborhood, quiet and away from campus. As a married 30-something has been a better area for me than some of the other options.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Westside apartments
Mar Vista would not be my first choice of neighborhood, mostly due to being far away from lots of things, particularly since I don't have a car. However, I do generally enjoy the area. It's pretty quiet once you get away from the highway, but there are numerous grocery stores and a few good restaurants.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
These apartments are only 20 minutes away from campus by car, or about 35-50 minutes by bus. Two bus lines (SM Big Blue Bus lines 8 and 17) run near here and go straight to campus every 20 minutes, and we're also close to the Expo line which goes to Santa Monica and Downtown.

There are a lot of good restaurants and things to do nearby, and we're within walking distance to a Ralphs and a few other places. The stores around here have decent sized parking lots and don't get too busy. I don't feel unsafe walking around or taking public transport here.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Nice residential area with good bus lines and just a short drive to parks and beaches.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Lots if stores in proximity. Generally feel safe to walk around.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Centrally located on the Westside. Not too far from campus with a car (15-40 mins depending on traffic).

There are not a lot of restaurants or bars — but neighborhoods with a more social scene are not too far away.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
A little far from campus but most of the things you need you can get within walking distance.

Although it is generally safe, I would be cautious to walk around by myself at nighttime.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Pretty quiet, but in very close proximity of plenty to do and eat, much within walking distance. Some typical problems of property crime and homelessness, but feels safe overall.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Pretty residential. Lots of people walking around, walking dogs, etc. The complex is next to a freeway, but you can just walk a block or two over and it gets much quieter.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Not a pedestrian friendly part of town, but easy access to freeway, grocery stores, and 15 minute drive to campus.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
If you have a car, you are good. If you have money restrictions and cant buy one, you are in trouble.
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Reviewed by
4
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
It's not a very exciting or interesting area, and it's a bit far from campus.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Great area for groceries and convenience. It’s not a social area.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
I will repeat, we are directly on the 405. Google streetview for my address (3175 S. Sepulveda Blvd) pulls up a picture of the 405. Terrible pollution. Deafening freeway noise. Filthy streets.
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Reviewed by
1
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Beautiful and safe.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Good, convenient neighborhood.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
This neighborhood is perfect if you prefer a safe, quiet neighborhood primarily filled with families. There’s no nightlife to speak of, and only a few restaurants in walking distance, so it’s not the place to be if you want a traditional urban experience.

That said, it’s perfect for quiet living. The public elementary school is one of the best in the city. There are numerous grocery stores within walking distance. And it’s about a 30 minute bus ride to the law school.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Terrace Trousdale
There is a big park with grills, tennis courts, hockey court, baseball, soccer... trader joes, whole foods, ralphs, vons. No traffic around, in the middle of ucla, lax airport, venice/sta monica, downtown. Easy access to fwy.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Further from campus / MBA bars. Quieter neighborhood, mostly families and single-family homes nearby. Close to multiple grocery stores. Easy access to main roads / 405
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Everything you need if you're not trying to go out on the town all the time. Close to a great farmer's market and the hot West LA neighborhoods.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Neighborhood is good. Convenient to 405 and UCLA. Some stuff within walking distance, plus short drive to Sawtelle, Palms, Venice, and Culver.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Westside
There's not a lot going on in the neighborhood, but it's fairly convenient to get to campus, and there are plenty of grocery stores. Before covid, it was sometimes inconvenient when I wanted to do social things in other parts of the city, since it can take a long time to go places by public transit.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Mar Vista is fairly clean and safe (I think?). Not too many cool bars or restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the apartment complex, but lots of places if you just go a bit further afield. Not practical to walk around to run errands, obviously, as this is Los Angeles. Unless you only go to campus and back and nowhere else while here for your education, you will most likely need a car.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
There have been a couple of safety issues, but that’s fairly small considering the 1,600 units.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
A lot of amenities nearby (supermarket, gas station, pharmacy, etc)
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Central to just about anything you'd want in West LA.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Westside
Crowded, dirty, loud. No restaurant/bar scene besides fast food restaurants. However, Mar Vista is close to other cool communities like Culver City, Venice, Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Westwood.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
The restaurants nearby are delicious and it is so close to Ralphs, Vons, Trader Joe's, and CVS. But the commute to school is inconvenient. It is not safe to walk around after dark.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Residential neighborhood. Very limited bars or restaurants. Houses are beautiful and neighborhood is safe. They shoot the show Coming to America across the street all the time.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Palms
I don’t really know what constitutes the neighborhood. I think it’s fine. Everyone in the building is nice and the apartment is in a nice location.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
We're south of most of the Anderson activities in the Brentwood/Sawtelle area but it's not that far away.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
There’s a park in front of it, with tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields...
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
It is a very nice neighborhood except for the area around National Blvd.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
Street parking sometimes difficult, but otherwise pretty good.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
It’s a quiet family neighborhood with not that much activity or things to do. It is close to major freeways and the beach which is nice.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
N/a
Great
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments
boring place but fine
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Village Apartments


Getting to Know
Mar Vista

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: San Diego Fwy to Walgrove Ave
North to South Boundaries: Santa Monica Fwy to Washington Pl
dining
Asaya Restaurant
Galbi King
Status Kuo
The Wood
grocery
Ralphs
Trader Joe's
Vons
convenience
CVS Pharmacy
fitness
A4 Fitness CrossFit and Boxing
Benderbuilt Training
Pilates Essence
Pop Physique
parks
Mar Vista Recreation Center
Under the Sea
coffee
Coffee Connection
Rustic Kitchen Market & Cafe
Sophos Café
bus
14 (bus)
14/44 (bus)
17 (bus)
33 (bus)
About your Neighbors
Data from the 2013 American Community Survey
Zip Codes
Mar Vista includes zip codes 90064 and 90066
Rent vs Own
55
% of Mar Vista residents are renters
Driving to Work
81
% of Mar Vista residents drive to work
New Construction
7
% of housing units in Mar Vista have been built in the last 15 years
Building Types
80
%
<20 units
10
%
20-49 units
10
%
50+ units
Demographics
Children (under 18)
19
%
18 - 34
27
%
35 - 54
31
%
55+
23
%
Unit Mix
4
%
Studio
27
%
1 Bed
35
%
2 Bed
34
%
3+ Bed
Occupation or Education
Working Professional
63
%
Undergrad Student
7
%
Grad Student
3
%
Unemployed
6
%
Retired
19
%

Best Apartments
in Mar Vista

Westwood Villa
Studio $1,985
1 Bed $2,195

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The Meridian

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UCLA Rose Ave Apts

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Westdale Pacific

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C on Pico
Studio $2,572
1 Bed $3,258
2 Beds $3,700

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Forty55 Lofts

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Nearby Neighborhoods

Neighborhood Guide
Sawtelle
Close to Campus and the Beach
Neighborhood Guide
Brentwood
Lavish in Both Culture and Nature
Neighborhood Guide
Westwood
Sophistication and Authenticity
Neighborhood Guide
Palms
Location, Location, Location