If I tried to fully describe Los Angeles to you, we'd be here all day; it's just too vast. Whatever you think LA is, you're right-- it's that and much more. More than boobs, Botox and bottle service, we have a multi-cultural population, a diverse landscape and a thriving arts community. And traffic...lots of traffic. Still interested? Okay, okay, I'll break it down for you.
Neighborhoods:
The Westside: Santa Monica, Brentwood and Venice
Types of Rentals: Lots of houses and smaller apartment
buildings. These areas are neighborhood-y
with wide sidewalks and tree-lined streets.
They're perfect for families. If you're solo, try to rent a guest house, as they're extremely coveted here.
Known For: The quintessential California vibe. Everyone who comes to LA expects exactly what the Westside has: the beach, blue skies, palm tree-lined streets and pedestrians carrying yoga mats.
Don't Miss: The Venice Canals -- a beautiful waterway that winds in and around the homes in this neighborhood (just like that other famous Venice). In the summer, my favorite activity of all time is the Twilight Dance Series, an outdoor concert held every Thursday on the Santa Monica Pier. It doesn't really matter who's playing because any excuse to picnic on the beach as the sun sets is reason enough.
Transit: A bike is your best friend on the west side because things are just too spread out to walk. Public transit is minimal, so for longer trips, you'll need a car.
Similar: Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista
Downtown
As little as a decade ago, some Angelinos rarely ventured east of La Brea, but these days, downtown is experiencing quite a renaissance. This area is blowin' up in the best way possible with hip restaurants and bars, a growing art scene, and new housing opportunities
Types of Rentals: Lofts and high-rise condos. Some refurbished buildings retain plenty of history and architectural interest, while others are new and modern. Many buildings are packed with amenities like pools, gyms and concierges, if you don't mind paying for those perks.
Known For: Its rich history and recent revival.
Don't Miss: The Central Library. This grand 1926 building epitomizes the culture and diversity of LA by retaining its original architecture and murals and also constantly adding new installations and galleries. Oh, and they also have books! Just down the road, the Angel's Flight Railway originally opened in 1901 and still uses the same two rail cars to carry passengers up steep Hill Street. It's a short but really fun ride and costs only 50 cents.
Transit: Downtown has the most comprehensive subway system of any neighborhood, which, in the public-transit void that is LA, is a nice perk. It's especially handy if you live elsewhere and want to take advantage of the burgeoning downtown scene sans traffic and parking headaches.
Similar: Westlake, Boyle Heights
The Valley: Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Burbank
Types of Rentals: Lots of single-family homes and some apartments, as well as newer condo buildings. And MCM enthusiasts take note -- the valley has some of the best mid-century architecture this side of Palm Springs.
Known For: Suburban living. The valley offers lower rents and a more convenient lifestyle. Things are closer and there's plenty of parking (miracle!) and more space overall.
Don't Miss: The sushi. I know it sounds weird, but the Valley has some of the best sushi in town. Don't be fooled by the strip mall locations; Ventura Boulevard is where it's at (raw-fish wise). Try Asanebo or Toshi.
Transit: Besides little pockets that are walkable, the Valley is pretty spread out so again, you'll need a car to get most places.
Similar: Glendale, North Hollywood
The Eastside: Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Echo Park
The Eastside tends to appeal to a younger, hipper and more diverse crowd, which also means an eclectic mix of art, music, food and fun. The vibe is way more Banksy than Botox.
Types of Rentals: Mostly small to mid-size apartment buildings and single-family homes (especially in the hills), with plenty of original architecture from the 1920's and mid-century construction (sometimes updated, sometimes more run-down).
Known For: Ahh... those infamous hipsters. I would never generalize, but let's just say that the best place to find a raw, vegan meal and a fringe vest is in Silver Lake.
Don't Miss: Griffith Park's miles of hiking trails and its crown jewel, the Griffith Observatory. It has the best views in the city. Also in this area is the coolest movie theater in LA, The Vista.
Transit: These individual neighborhoods are extremely walkable due to the many shops and restaurants, but to hop from one to another, you'll need wheels. Biking is possible but difficult on the hill-heavy Eastside, so, if you have strong legs, go for it; otherwise, you'll need to drive. The Metro (red line) does pass near Los Feliz Village at its Sunset and Vermont stop.
Similar: Atwater Village, Franklin Village
Hollywood
It may be the most famous city in the world, but Hollywood is not exactly as glamorous as its reputation. After decades of being seriously sketchy, there's recently been a huge effort to clean it up. It's now a mix of tourist attractions, nightlife and industry events.
Types of Rentals: A mix of older and newer apartment buildings, some lofts and, in the Hollywood Hills, larger houses with amazing views.
Known For: The movies! Although much of the day-to-day movie business is done elsewhere, Hollywood is still the symbol of the industry. That can be fun, but if you actually plan to reside there, make sure you're okay with 24/7 tourists.
Don't Miss: It wouldn't be an LA summer without a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The outdoor amphitheater has been an LA institution for decades and has hosted some of the most famous bands in the world.
Transit: Driving and parking in Hollywood is always a pain, so either accept it or avoid it if you can (especially at night). The Metro (red line) has a few Hollywood stops and, unlike in most of LA, it's easy to hail a cab.
Similar: West Hollywood -- for those of you who're about to protest that West Hollywood is nothing like Hollywood, you're right. But for the purpose of renting, they are quite similar. West Hollywood has the same mixture of older buildings and newer developments. Socially, it's extremely gay-friendly and even regularly flies rainbow flags along Santa Monica Boulevard to show LGBT pride.
Culver City
Types of Rentals: Small to mid-size apartment buildings and modest single-family homes.
Known For: Reasonable rents and a burgeoning gallery scene.
Don't Miss: The Museum of Jurassic Technology, a mix of quirky, fun and macabre all at once. Don't ask, just go.
Transit: The new Metro Expo line is a light rail system connecting Culver City to the downtown subway lines already in place. Bravo!
Similar: Palms, West LA
Resources:
Apartment Hunting: Good ol' Craigslist is a great choice, but we also have Westside Rentals, a subscription service which is like Craigslist's more organized cousin. Westside listings are usually clearer and tend to be more reputable, so for a nominal fee, you don't waste time on empty leads.
Getting Around: If you plan to travel outside your neighborhood, you're probably going to need a car. It's a shame that LA doesn't have a better system of public transit, but hopefully it's coming someday. The subway is handy if you're going to a few specific areas (take it to the Staples Center to save yourself a huge hassle there), but its reach is limited. There are buses of course, but I'll admit that I've never taken one, so I have no business giving advice there. We do have great weather, so biking year-round is feasible, and Vespas are also popular for tooling around town.
Stuff to do: Check out LA Weekly for ideas, especially their "Best Of" awards for ratings of the latest and greatest.
Obviously, I've barely scratched the surface of what LA has to offer, so throw in your two cents-- where's the best place to live in LA?
(Images: 1.Shutterstock 2.Lizz Rantz 3.Shutterstock 4. Jennifer Hunter 5. Jennifer Hunter)
Smart & Simple Small Space Solution: Angela & Tania's "Murphy Table"
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
Why I Became a 1-Gallon Homebrewer
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
No love for Pasadena?
The Metro Expo line in Culver City is already open with the stop located at national and Washington. Has been open for probably close to 6 months now.
It would be helpful if you would list the approximate average cost of, say, a 1 bedroom above ground apartment. Some measuring stick to compare costs of living in each neighbourhood.
Thanks!
Wonderful post on LA neighborhoods! I would just like to add a few thoughts on transportation in Santa Monica. I live and work in Santa Monica and walk or take the bus everywhere on the Westside (and like a true "West Sidder" I try not to leave the West Side).
If you live near the downtown Santa Monica or mainstret area this city is extremely walkable and also very bike friendly.
Additionally the bus system in Santa Monica called "The Big Blue Bus" is an expansive, reliable, and efficent public transportation system that expands well outside the bounds of Santa Monica. The Big Blue Bus won the American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding Transportation System award in 2000. I take the bus to and from work everyday. Here is the link to routes and schedules:
http://bigbluebus.com/Routes-And-Schedules/Routes---Schedules.aspx
Another note on public transit in LA. The Expo line in Culver City connecting Culver City and Downtown Los Angeles is CURRENTLY open (hooray!). That same expo line is currently in construction to connect all the way to Downtown Santa Monica. This will connect the Westside to many areas of Los Angeles by rail.
Last note on public transit in LA, many venues such as the Hollybowl offer amazing park and ride options for their events. Allowing you to take a dedicated bus to their events and save on a parking fee as well as the stress from sitting in traffic.
Sorry for the long post, I am very enthusiast about public transit in LA- it is there if you want to use it and more importantly it is getting better all the time.
The Expo line has been open for nearly a year now. And buses are plentiful and easy to use! I've lived on the west side for close to 10 years without a car with few problems.
Sorry, I have to respectfully disagree. A bike is not your best friend on the Westside (and public transit in terms of buses is better over there than the valley in my opinion).
I've lived here 23 years and have been cycling for 10 of them. West LA has some streets that are marked, but the drivers are less friendly to cyclists, it's way more congested and there are less pretty areas in which to ride, unless you stick to The Strand along the ocean. Palos Verdes is beautiful and I've ridden there many times, but again, it's way more congested. You'd also need to know every side street available as main streets like Wilshire, Olympic and Pico are downright dangerous. I commend folks who commute by bike, but I stopped trying to do that a couple of years ago when I realized how distracted rush hour motorists are and how little they respect cyclists.
I live in Studio City and love the area. I lived on the Westside for 10 years, and have been in the valley for 13. You can ride a bike out here far easier as there are many wide roads with bike lanes and wide neighborhood streets in many areas. You can also ride over to Griffith Park which is by far the prettiest park in the city. It's pretty vast too.
If I were to recommend to anyone a place to live, I'd say the valley, up against the Santa Monica mountains - i.e. any city all the way down Ventura Blvd. - Sherman Oaks, Studio City to the east and Encino, Tarzana to the west. And if you don't mind a drive, Topanga and Calabasas aren't too shabby either. North Hollywood and Burbank have some nice areas too and Toluca Lake is darling (although higher in rents).
Some folks snub their noses at us Valleyites, but I just laugh at them. Little do they know how much easier it is for us to get around and we can easily get to the ocean or the mountains, as we please.
The only con I can think of out here is the god-awful heat waves in the summer. But those are nothing central air, a good window unit or a swimming pool can't soothe.
And lastly, in my opinion, don't waste your money on Westside Rentals. I tried using them twice over the years during my times of apartment hunting and have never found a place through them. Craigslist for sure - and if that doesn't work, drive/walk/bike up and down streets you on which you would like to live and call numbers on signs. Both methods have worked like charms for me!
Karen, totally agree with you! I LOVE Pasadena. The apartments over there (the older ones) have so much charm. And the Rose Bowl area is great for athletes, runners and cyclists. I have never tried living over there since I work on the Westside. The commute would kill me.
I know, right?
Where is the SOUTH BAY? Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach & Manhattan Beach - I have lived in 'the bubble" for nearly 10 years now & for those seeking beach living, this is a great place to consider. Redondo Beach is a sleepy beach town with South side being more beach adjacent & north side being more inland but still close enough to the sea. Lots of condos, homes & multi-family units here. Hermosa is college town - lots of apts, restaurants & bars for the younger set. Mahattan is more $$, but still some apts, lots of homes & condos to rent near to the mansions..You can ride bikes along the strand, or get a taxi easy between the beach cities. I commute to Downtown for work from here- not an easy task but lots of options in driving (expect a long drive), commuter bus, or metro. After a week of commuting- I try to ride my bike everywhere in the southbay including the grocery. But you really need a car to live here if you want to leave the southbay bubble.
I agree with Mary E.! Although most everyone loves to deny it, LA has one of the best bus systems in the country. I live in near Universal City in the Valley and work in Exposition Park, south of Downtown. I occasionally use a car, but for the most part my bike and the Metro take me where I need go. From Burbank, to Downtown, to Venice, it's pretty easy (with a little planning and time management) to get around.
One of the things I love about LA is that there is a neighborhood for pretty much every type of person. The city is so big that the neighborhoods are almost like their own mini cities within the city, so finding the right one for you is super important. So many people move here, live in a neighborhood that doesn't suit them, and decide that they "hate LA." Given, the city as a whole isn't for everyone, but I suspect a lot of people would realize they actually love it here if they found "their" neighborhood.
Personally, I would recommend anyone moving to LA for the first time try to find something short-term (maybe a sublet?) if possible when first moving down, then spend some time exploring all the different neighborhoods to figure out which one is your scene.
I lived in the Valley--first in Sherman Oaks, then in the NoHo Arts district--for the first two and a half years and, while I didn't hate either of them, they weren't necessarily my thing. Now, my husband and I live on the Eastside (Los Feliz) and we both LOVE it. There are other neighborhoods I know I would love, too (Hermosa Beach has a special place in my heart, and I would love to live there eventually, but it's just too expensive for us right now), so we may eventually migrate elsewhere... but, for now, this is perfect.
So. Yeah. Visit first and explore, or find a short-term place while you figure out the best neighborhood for you. LA is ENORMOUS, and kind of overwhelming at first, and planting yourself in the right neighborhood can make a world of difference in how much you enjoy the city.
I love Los Angeles. Unlike the Bay Area, where I live/love, there is something happening in Los Angeles every hour of the day. Vibrant, exciting, and interesting. The only downside is that their efforts to preserve the past have been less than stellar. PickFair: torn down, etc. :(
I find it slightly weird that this author complains over and over about LA not having any public transport yet has never taken a bus. Sure LA might not have enough public transport but they obviously have some you are not utilizing anyway!
Thanks for all the details, Mary. I live on the Westside, and I'm hoping to move to Studio City, Glendale, Burbank, or Toluca Lake. Do you find that there are a lot of apartments in those areas?
I hate sounding snotty, but as a native Angeleno, I gotta get it out of my system! The Eastside is correctly located east of the Los Angeles river...a great, wonderful and varied place in it's own right. Think Mariachi Plaza and all the Chinese eateries on Valley Blvd. Yum!
Los Feliz, Silverlake, and Echo Park are west of the river and downtown. Also, I heartily agree about the usabilitiy of mass transit here. I am the rare specimen that does not, nor have I ever, owned a car. Buses and subway everywhere, including from Los Feliz, where I live, to the San Fernando Valley, where I work.
Thank you Diny! I have made that fight for the longest time but alas, to no avail. Sigh.
diny,
but these are the same people that have "discovered" downtown LA and claim it for "Angelenos" now.
I tripped over a plaque in downtown one day (the hipster flag was removed though):
* Downtown Los Angeles, est. 2005 *
An article on renting in LA and no mention of Koreatown?
LA2MQ -
Yes, lots of apartments to rent out in the valley and you will pay less than the Westside. You just have to be patient and remember that you'll tour about 10-12 ugly "boxes" for every one "jewel" out here. Be sure to have your credit report up-to-date and copies in hand as well as your check book when you go looking. Good apartments do go fast!
Studio City can be very difficult to find an apartment in near Ventura Blvd (which is considered most desirable). I got extremely lucky by using Craigslist and found one.
Sherman Oaks has more apartments and if you aren't completely infatuated with Dickens Street (I lived there for over ten years - it's over-rated; no parking and rent is inflated for most units!), then look a few streets north of Ventura, like Moorpark, Riverside, Magnolia, Burbank and Chandler (although, be careful on this street as it can get dicey the farther east you drive).
Encino, which is just west of Sherman Oaks and the 405 freeway also has many apartments, as does Tarzana. I've considered both areas up near the boulevard. There are tons of great restuarants all up and down Ventura, so really, you can't go wrong in these two neighborhoods.
Toluca Lake, which is a very small, is pretty pricey but Riverside Drive just east of Toluca Lake but west of Victory Blvd. has some apartments that are great if you can score one. Rent will be cheaper but you'll still be living in the basic area and it's just a quick jump on the 101 freeway to east or west in the valley.
Burbank hills, above Burbank proper, has lots of charming studios and one-bedroom apartments. I haven't looked over there in awhile, but they are likely more reasonable than Burbank closer to the studios and Toluca Lake.
Lastly, do take a peek at North Hollywood, just stay as far south and west on the tip as you can. You'll still be able to walk to the restaurants and art/theatre scene on Lankershim Blvd. in the heart of the NoHo District, but you'll be closer to a less dicey area. With that said, every neighborhood out here has its shady components. So, it really depends on your comfort level and whether or not you're male or female, single or married.
Good luck!
I just have to say that I am outraged - OUTRAGED - to have you group my beloved West Hollywood with that sketchy, meth-ridden Hollywood. There are no similarities whatsoever. Where Hollywood is filled with tourists and addled drug addicts, West Hollywood is clean, safe and filled with activities and the best restaurants in town.
Good Lord, next we'll be comparing Nob Hill to the Tenderloin...
Well, I lived in Portland, Chicago, Detroit and now Los Angeles and I think LA might be the worst city for biking. I'm a Westsider and despite efforts made to make the city more bike-friendly, it's a war zone out there. It's really the drivers more than anything that make cycling dangerous. ALL of LA is spread out, not just the westside, which is why transit seems to be a bigger issue here than in other cities. I have friends who are 100% transit users and yet I have never stepped foot on mass transit here in LA.
And for the love of all that is holy: if you are riding a bike anywhere in any city and you see a stop sign, don't blow through it!!! If you get hit by a car because you ran a stop sign, it is 100% your fault. Yes, the start-and-stop of cycling is difficult but so is cycling with broken legs. Also, wear a helmet or become a Darwinian statistic.
Anyway, Westside Rentals is how I found our current place. My husband's employer had a 50% off discount code so that helped. Craigslist was a total bust for us both the first and second time we looked for rentals (which was about 5 years apart). It seems like there was always a ton of spam getting in the way of whatever happened to be legitimate and available.
more about living in LA: http://bit.ly/ZGgZ9H
@hotstuff: I agree. Koreatown is a great, budget-friendly part of the city that is in transition (and has been for a while) and if I were single and right out of college or something, that's probably the first place I'd look. It's very centralized so if you can't afford the mid-city/hollywood/culver city/downtown rents, you're close to all of those neighborhoods. I'd rather live there than WeHo :-)
Ok, long comment but I love this town. No more living in the Pacific Northwest where the weather is like a never-ending Twilight movie!
gentrification.
L.A. Lady -
Agree with everything you wrote re: cycling in this town (especially on the Westside). My friends and I call cyclists without helmets "organ donors."
L.A. Lady -
Agree with everything you wrote re: cycling in this town (especially on the Westside). My friends and I call cyclists without helmets "organ donors."
So far Burbank is my favorite place to live in the LA area. It's close to my job and serves as a great homebase. My apartment building in Burbank is cheaper and a lot more diverse than the building I previously lived in in the NoHo Arts district. Generally there is plenty of street parking, and I have my own spot at the apartment. After years of living places where I had to park far away at night and walk home alone, it's nice to not have to worry about that. It's easy to get downtown or to head out towards Glendale or Pasadena. The downtown Burbank area is mostly a bunch of chain stores (though free garage parking!), but there are some cute little stores on Magnolia Blvd. west of the 5.
Originally I looked for apartments in Los Feliz and Atwater Village, but I couldn't afford the 1 bedrooms there, and Burbank turned out to be a great alternative. Luckily it's easy to hop on the 5 and get down there from where I live now (Village Bakery, The Alcove, and TikiTi, mmmmmmm!).
I also lived in Culver City a few years ago. It's a great area to be in, though it can be a little pricey. If you're on a budget it would be worth looking at Mar Vista as an alternative. Palms is generic apartment land with terrible parking - I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Mid City on the east side of Culver is nice in some areas, but there are some not so nice areas too. (My boyfriend lived on a cheap street in Mid City that I was not a fan of - nice people in his neighborhood, but also some shady stuff.)
Comments on places I haven't lived:
Koreatown seems to have better rent prices than other areas and there are some neat big old buildings around Wilshire. Parking to visit my friend's apt near Wilshire and Vermont was usually a nightmare though. It seemed to be a better area for pedestrians and transit users.
I've heard good things about Eagle Rock in Northeast LA. Two of my coworkers live there and love it, though I think they're both in houses. I'm not sure about the rental market in the region, but Northeast LA is cool area.
Thank you for the advice!
Typical, no love for the San Gabriel Valley. It's still part of LA County!! Minutes from downtown. Way nicer then "The Valley"
I'm also bummed you forgot South Bay, which is incidentally a great place for cycling!
Wow, no mention of West Hollywood or Miracle Mile...has the best restaurants and areas to live.
Agreed!
I tend to agree with the author that Los Feliz/Echo Park/Silverlake are the East Side and east of the LA River is just East LA.
I live in the Arts District now and am totally obsessed with it, but I lived in Koreatown before that and Mar Vista before that. I am not a fan of the West Side generally, but I would recommend it for families, retirees, and people who love the beach. Even when I lived there I rarely went to the beach.
Koreatown is amazing. It's extremely affordable, has some really great buildings from the 30s, and you can catch the Metro and be downtown in 7 minutes. Plus great food and nightlife if you're adventurous and are willing to find the gems, and if not, like I said, you're 7 minutes from 7th and Fig.
Now that I live downtown, I rarely get in my car - mostly I walk - even to work. I also take the Dash, or the Metro sometimes if I have somewhere far to go. But why? There are so many bars, restaurants, and awesome things to do less than a mile from my place. Totally spoiled. Le sigh. Love LA.
I am a San Francisco transplant, although lived here in LA long enough now (15+ years) to now be called an Angelino ;p I first moved to the Westside for work and stayed there until I moved to Hollywood about 8 years ago.
Initially, I didn't even think about spending anytime unless I had to past the 405, maybe venturing to Beverly Hills which back then was a big adventure for me. Hollywood seemed only useful for business and day time meetings at that. For personal reasons I had to make the move and can all I can tell you is I am so much happier in Hollywood!
Contrary to BishPlz's comments about Hollywood, I respectfully disagree! Yes, it does have big city in your face things like homeless folks and tourists, but it's also full of families, diversity, great restaurants and shops that I can walk to, hiking and nature minutes away, a thriving farmers market, public transportation, schools, Hollywood Bowl, easy access to all other parts of LA, community, etc. I love not being trapped in my car if I don't have to be. I love that I know my neighbors, which while living in the Westside it was very rare to talk to people unless you were invited to an event or party.
What I love most about LA is that the longer I live here the more I find there is to discover.
This really misses a great swat of Los Angeles. Plus DUM DUM DUM Those neighborhoods are not the east side. North East Los Angeles, is the East Side. Places like High Land Park, Eagle Rock, El Serno, Lincoln Heights, area actually east of DT. All the places listed are north of DT and are for all intense and purposes just north central LA. Just like we have a south Central LA.
@Mary E.
“if you aren't completely infatuated with Dickens Street”
LOL. For the longest time when I finally decided to move to Sherman Oaks, I was dead set to only move to Dickens. You aren’t kidding that these units are inflated. I ended up moving one block north of the Blvd. and I’m saving hundreds a month.
Eagle Rock is great - quirky craftsman homes, excellent little cafes, lots of hipster screen writers hanging out during the day. Prices have gone up and now people are trying to rent in Highland Park...Mt. Washington is a gem too! I think you can get a cuter place for less money than in Silver Lake-Echo Park
No love for Eagle Rock? Eagle Rock is nestled in between Pasadena and Glendale in North East L.A. (NELA) with Highland Park on the southeast and Glassell Park on the southwest. There's a lot of cool hipster hangouts here! It's Los Angeles but it feels like you're living in a small town. Cute, quaint, quiet with a bohemian vibe :) I love it here! When I moved here 15 years ago, rent was dirt cheap. It's a little more expensive to live here now but still less expensive than Los Feliz or Atwater Village.
People the post is for renting IN City of Los Angeles, not LA area in general or SoCal. Last I checked, Pasadena, and most of the south bay cities are their own incorporated cities. Burbank is not part of the City either. The author forgot to list South LA or as you most peeps know it, South Central. Also forgot mid-City which includes Koreatown, Fairfax, La Brea, Larchmont, Hancock Park, etc.
Don't know about the rest off the top of my head, but I suspect Santa Monica and Burbank will be surprised to learn they've lost their incorporated status and are no longer cities.
Lately it seems like every renter I know in LA is moving to Highland Park or Eagle Rock.
No mention of Miracle Mile? (Hancock Park, Larchmont, Melrose Hill).
I would like to add that West Hollywood and Hollywood are NOT comparable as far as rentals. West Hollywood is much pricier and way nicer than Hollywood. To me, they are night and day.
Glad to see people representing for NELA, but why has no one mentioned the Gold Line? Minutes from Highland Park to downtown, or all the way out to east Pasadena (and, in 2015, Monrovia). I love NELA's transit options. (Also, diverse population, great restaurants, and fun stores.)
I grew up on the Westside, but I've been in Eagle Rock for 12 years. NELA reminds me of the (slightly) smaller, (slightly) slower LA I grew up in, and I love it.
Glad to hear Eagle Rock has updated itself. I went to college there in the mid-70's and there was NOTHING - literally, NOTHING - of interest off campus. Except the Donut Lady. And if I remember, she didn't open till midnight.
Most all our apartments are above ground. No basement apts here. In fact, not too many basements either. Weather so spectacular, who'd hang out in a basement? Downside is, if you kid doesn't leave home, you can't put him down in the basement with the video games? He remains at home living periously close to the kitchen.
Thank you for putting this article together. As someone who moved from New York City a year ago, has been living in Long Beach for the last year and is about to move to Culver City next month, I truly miss being able to leave my apartment without even thinking about my commute, who is going the be the designated driver for the night, and which highways to avoid because it's "that" time of day. No offense, but lots of people here are too spoiled to leave their fancy cars and use public transportation. I'm seeing a lot of comments from what seems to be the minority of people who DO embrace public transportation here, because I've barely encountered anyone here who uses public transportation regularly, if at all. One of the reasons I am moving to Culver City is so that I can take the train to work in DTLA and can read a book and be in a much calmer frame of mind when I actually reach work. Just curious, for the people who take public transportation to and from work, do you take it to meet friends for dinner, drinks, shopping etc? Because that is what I miss being able to do.
LA is filled with so many great pocket neighborhoods that have gone entirely missed here. no picfair village, no carthay, no mid-city west, no highland park, no baldwin hills (to name a few)?
As a L.A. native who has lived in Downtown, Westwood, Brentwood, San Pedro, and now Hillside Village in El Sereno, of all places, I never thought of East LA as a potential place to call home. I got married, got a dog, and had a baby--and I'm thinking of having another--so a second bedroom and backyard was a must. I love where I live!! Sure the "wrong side of the tracks" is a few hundred yards from me, but my neighbors on my street are awesome and I am close to everything. I was at the LA Flower Mart within 12 minutes (including parking), I can now utilize the zoo pass that I got while we lived in San Pedro more often, and we take the bus to the LACMA on my off Fridays. I found a gem of a place to rent, so the moral of my story is your preconceived notions of a neighborhood could be wrong even for Angelenos.
@ sandinmyunderpants - constantly using public trans to do things with friends. I also lived in NYC and can tell you that if that's the kind of city livin you like, you should move downtown. Culver is great, though.