If you don't have a dinghy on davits, then the 35' is fine.  They usually give you 3' overhand overall.  As for Marinas, I would just make a list of what amenities are important- showers/restrooms, dinghy racks, clubhouse, etc.

Perhaps like Phil, I tend to think price is a secondary consideration. Consider those other factors like parking availability, proximity to the open sea, ease of entering/exiting the slip, proximity to hardware, grocery, or liquor stores, or restaurants, laundry, and shower facilities, etc.  After a few months and a few payments, and after adjustments are made and things work themselves out a bit, perhaps you'll find (or already know) that price becomes less of a consideration than it was before the big move.

Now, you say you are moving to MDR.  Let me take a few moments to comment on MDR.  For me, parking was bad and nonexistent for guests.  It's huge.  If I needed to run an errand, I'd have to drive and traffic sucked much of the time. I use to consider myself a sailor in those days and other than races, I found S. Monica Bay boring.  Catalina is a long day away.  Granted, there are some new marinas and a few good eateries (within driving distance of course) but or me, the worst of it is what I'll call a bad "west side vibe".  There are just far too many people, all living in tiny boxes, driving leased BMWs, all in a hurry going someplace or another and all trying to look soooo cool while they're at it. Couldn't stand it.

I'm in Ventura Co. now.  Time wise, it's only about 20 min farther from home but it's a world away. There's none of that "west side" crap and I'd much rather BBQ on my boat than drop $200 for dinner although I guess I could do that too if I really tried.  The Channel Islands are 4-5 hrs away and are a wild wonderful place. (I hear some MDR sailors have gone for years and have never used their anchor, not the case just a few miles north.)

Anyway, enough of my pontificating.  Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

Yes, and to add to the discussion, one consideration that is important to me is the distance from parking to the boat when considering loading.  Also, for me, I have a very pronounced propwalk to port.  It is useful if I need to reverse to port to exit the slip and the channel, which I do.  But my old slip required me to back out of the channel as the combo of wind and propwalk made it impossible to pull the stern to starboard.  

Couldn't agree with Phil more! Love Ventura, just hated MDR. I pay $505 for 35 slip and they give you 38ft.