Finding Your Second City
"If you didn't live here, where would you live?"
Exploring what if's is a fun past time for us. Thinking about the path not taken opens up opportunities for creative thinking and exploration, so we play it often with our kids and friends. The question of "If you didn't live here..." makes us think of travel, and even though our business is all about staying right here in the City of Angels, we like to take time out of the area to explore. Exploration like this leads to finding your Second City--not Chicago, which is really fun, but your second favorite place--a place you might return to again and again.
While we have trouble deciding on our second favorite, we have friends who have really nailed down theirs. Here is a short list of great Second Cities in the U.S. we collected from them. Just for fun, we’ve added a little research on average home prices in the L.A. location and our friends’ Second Cities, plus the average cost of a short term rentals.
New Orleans, Louisiana
James and Kristina live in Cheviot Hills. They love New Orleans for its music, history, culture, and of course, the food. What's so great about it? They say, "It's super-laid back and NOLA really knows how to throw a party. There are festivals throughout the year; everyone seems to be celebrating something. Even when times are hard, people come together and find joy. Sure, it gets super-hot in the summer, but a cool drink and a fan are nearby." They spend at least a month there (in the Bywater neighborhood) per year, so we asked if they ever thought about buying a house there. "Sure we did. We seriously tossed around the idea of a two-bedroom condo that we would put up on the short-term rental market when we're not using it. The idea isn't dead, but since we feel like we are money and stress-levels ahead with renting for a month ourselves, we shelved it."
Average home price in Cheviot Hills: $2,830,000
Average home price in New Orleans: $340,500
Short-Term Rental: $350/night $10,500/month
Savannah, Georgia
Frank and John live in Hancock Park. They fell in love with Savannah for its history, art, and Southern home cooking. "Since we both work remotely, we love taking time to enjoy the music, art, culture and food." They also mentioned their love of the festivals Savannah hosts every year. "We're always going to a city-wide party. It's kind of crazy. We have great things to do in L.A. and we never go out, but when we are out of town--even though we are still working--somehow we find more time to be having fun doing things." Would they own a second home there? "Are you kidding? Yes!"
Average home price in Hancock Park: $3,700,000
Average home price in Savannah: $310,000
Short-Term Rental: $256/night $7,680/month
Asheville, North Carolina
Leah lives in Echo Park, but used to live in Asheville, so she'd go back in a minute. "The reason I don't live there now? I have no idea." As an artist, she's lived all over the country, but she says that Asheville just feels like home. "When I go back, I feel a sort of relief. I can't explain it." She says that the bohemian spirit is her favorite part, embracing musicians and opening museums...the way she talks about it would make anyone nostalgic. Would she own a second home there? "Sure! It's a great place to be a creative person."
Average home price in Echo Park: $1,300,000
Average home price in Asheville: $432,000
Short-Term Rental: $354/night $10,620/month
Austin, Texas
Gayle lives in Santa Monica and she vacations in Austin at least twice a year. "It's the music. It's the food. It's the vibe. Keep Austin weird!" Austin is a capital city, a college city, and formerly a military city. It is the blue dot in a red state. It's just different. "It is diverse, cultured, and so much fun! Of course we have our favorite restaurants and theaters in town, but we also like Lake Travis for boating and ziplining." Would she own a second home in Austin? "Maybe. I just never really thought about it."
Average home price in Santa Monica: $1,890,000
Average home price in Austin: $578,000
Short-Term Rental: $260/night $7,800/month
Lexington, Kentucky
Jim lives in Westwood, but would also like to be in Lexington, Kentucky. He's an equestrian and has been riding horses since he was young. He'd like to compete more often, so moving to horse country is one of his goals. "I attend the FEI Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park every spring. It's definitely on the list for retirement." His legal practice keeps him in Los Angeles. "Owning a second home in horse country is definitely something I'm planning for. I am casually looking and thinking." Jim is prequalified, but he is not quite ready to pull the trigger. "I'd like to buy sooner than later and rent the property out. Then when I'm ready, I'll relocate."
Average home price in Westwood: $1,201,000
Average home price in Lexington: $300,000
Short-Term Rental: $175/night $5,250/month
Anchorage, Alaska
Moira and Travis live in Culver City, but love Anchorage for its outdoor adventure opportunities. "We're both into kayaking and salmon fishing. We go every year. Also, in winter we can see the Northern Lights." Moira and Travis are thinking about a second home here and renting in on the short-term market.
Average home price in Culver City: $1,365,000
Average home price in Anchorage: $375,000
Short-Term Rental: $150/night $4,500/month
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Steph lives in Mar Vista but loves Santa Fe. A serious art colony and beautiful surroundings, Santa Fe is a magnet for the creative, whether it comes in the form of fine art (amazing galleries), performing art (they tailgate at the opera), hiking the desert, and spiritual art grounded in tradition. "I came here in my second year break in college and never wanted to leave. Now I return every year to seek peace." Would Steph buy a second home in Santa Fe? "Actually, no. I want to keep my options open for exploring other inspirational places."
Average home price in Mar Vista: $1,625,000
Average home price in Santa Fe: $549,000
Short-Term Rental: $240/night $7,200/month
We also have friends who mentioned Copenhagen, Seoul, Barcelona, Montepulciano, Catania, Tel Aviv, London, The Hague, and Munich. While we also would embrace living abroad, that is a completely different discussion altogether. But, all of this dreaming has us exploring maps and brushing up on our geography, which is never a bad idea.