WestSIDE! We're surfers, so the closer to the beach the better. However, since it's crazy expensive to actually live in one of the beach communities, we live 3 miles east of Santa Monica, in West LA. It's always 10 degrees cooler here than the east, less traffic, easy access to the 405 and the 10 when we need it. We walk everywhere and see the same people in our hood too. (I don't think that's exclusive to the east side.) While the west side isn't hip and cool, that's an advantage for us, it seems more laid back and less "industry" oriented. Also, since we'll be having kids in the next few years, we have to consider that the schools are much better here than East LA.

When I moved to L.A. I picked my location based on proximity to my job - because the idea of sitting in traffic was not something I wanted to do. Now, a few years later, I'm at a different job, and moved to a different place - but still live 2 miles from work. Granted, it's in Venice/Santa Monica, which I love anyways, and I think that's enhanced by knowing I don't have to sit in traffic before or after work - instead I can enjoy a bike or run on the beach. It can be expensive - I looked at places I could not even afford that I considered inhabitable, but if you take your time, you can find some great options, and still keep a beach-side location.

I live way downtown, and it's not all that convenient, but as I work at home, I don't much care. When I lived up Beachwood, the constant traffic overpowered the cute neighborhood, the nice little store, etc.

But I'm amused that the West side isn't industry oriented anymore. Boy, do times change.

Pasadena and Eagle Rock are both real places that have walkable neighborhoods and local cultures, but if you work at Sony, you're sitting in traffic.

For me, proximity to work is the number one factor. A long commute is not ok with me. I like neighborhoods where I can walk to at least a few things and feel safe. There is no "best neighborhood" to live in because it really depends on where you work, what you can afford and where you like to go out.

I work near downtown Culver City, which would be my ideal place to live if I could afford it (Mmmm.. Tender Greens, Grand Casino bakery, the wine bars, etc) Instead I opted to go 3 miles east to the Mid-City/West Adams area. Right off the 10 fwy, 15min to Hollywood or the East Side. It's the most central location! Beautiful architecture around us (West Adams is a mecca for beautiful Craftsman homes!) and diversity! Korean BBQ, Latino markets, the Byzantine-Latino quarter all within walking distance. AND people actually walk (and take public transportation) here! and not just because its "green" to do so. For some, it's the only way to get around.

When I lived in LA, or rather came down with a car full of stuff to try and find work in the later half of 2002, I stayed with friends in their huge 2 bedroom apt in Culver City, on Green Valley Circle in the Fox Hills area and since I was temping, I'd take public transit when I could, like to UCLA and was fortunate to be near the transit center at what used to be known as the Fox Hills Mall as it was literally 2 blocks or so from the apt complex. Otherwise, I drove since I parked on the street. For a brief time I was able to walk to an assignment over at the Howard Hughes center at Vinvendi since we lived not 5 minutes as the crow flies across the 405 from it.

but my criteria is, an area that's walkable for local errands, not too far afield for work (commute no more than 30 or so each way, preferably within a short bus ride or walk to and from and reasonably close to downtown as possible. Parts of Culver City would not fit that bill for it's not the most walkable, nor bikable area in parts, Santa Monica and adjacent areas beside it would be more preferable or West Hollywood and if you are close to La Cienega and Santa Monica, the Beverly Center is not too far away to walk and there are lots of interesting shops and such up in that area.

When I moved back to Seattle, I got all that up on Capitol Hill where I live now, it's very walkable for most things, I even can get to the gay bars if I want by foot and one of my favorites takes me about 15-20 minutes on foot to get to, downtown Seattle is also walkable to and from my place and work is no more than 30 minutes away by car in the mornings, more in the afternoon when traffic into downtown for some event gets really bad across the I-90 bridge, otherwise, it's not too bad most days.

Well, as my username implies, I have an opinion about where to live, ha. But, you should definitely try to be within 40 minutes of work...and be able to use public transport.

Now, to a lot of people out there 40 minutes sounds like a long time. It is. But, you would be hard pressed to go from Hollywood to Century City in that time frame during rush hour.

So, have a commute plan and then work backwards. I definitely favor the Eastside for a variety of reasons, but the biggest reason (and I know I'll be attacked for this) is that it's a lot less homogenous than the Westside (let's say West of Fairfax to the Beach and North of the 10). You have a real mix of people. We have Little Thailand, Koreatown, Little Tokyo...the list goes on. And with this we have the restaurants and culture that go with it. The Chinese New Years Day parade and Thai New Years Festival on Hollywood Blvd. We have the downtown art walk every month, Griffith Park, and Sunset Junction. We have Melrose, Larchmont Village, and the vast majority of Historic Preservation Overlay Zones.

Does that mean I never go to the Westside? Absolutely not. Great restaurants, Main Street, and the Getty are all good reasons. But, for me, they are reasons to visit. Not live.

best to live near where you work - the traffic is what makes the city miserable. we *loved* living in Echo Park - north of downtown, in the last hilly valley of LA. I always found the westside pretty generic and/or cheesy, and enjoyed the more ecclectic central LA hoods.

I agree with everyone who suggested looking near where you work. Especially the person that said to start there and have a area set for how far out you will go. I live in what seems like Koreatown but is actually incredibly south-east Hollywood. I love my place but need to move to be closer to work. I will miss, walking to the grocery store, the red-line and everywhere it could take me (especially the library downtown) and all my friends close-by. Hopefully I am making a good trade and I will like walking/biking to work and being much closer to the ocean.

eastSIDE!!! why? I'm close to friends, close to work, close to a lot in walking distance, close to the subway, and close to a lot to do- hollywood bowl, echo park, silver lake, hollywood, los feliz, and more. I only fill up my car about once a month at that. why? because everything on the east side is so close and easy to get to and lots of it can be done on foot or on the subway. sorry west side, but i agree with others that it is a bit generic. not unlike a suburb. for me, i heart the city, not the 'burbs.

I thank the Lord I do not live in LA anymore! Besides the brain-numbing traffic, the people (I'm sorry) are *extremely* superficial, less so further east and south. In general, anything outside of LA is a lot saner and realistic. There is no place in the world as horrific to me as LA. Sorry.

There is no place in the world as wonderful to me as LA! I used to live in Koreatown (nfancie, where are you at? I lived on Normandie & 7th and was called Hollywood too...). I picked it because the rental agency had the lowest rents I could find online, and fairly nice buildings. It was a block from Wilshire, which was access east and west. I took a "scouting trip" out before I moved, however, to see the buildings I may be renting in and the neighborhoods and decide if I even LIKED LA.

My lack of a car did prevent me from interviewing/taking some jobs, but I was looking for something downtown anyway. My commute was about 10 minutes by bus, I could hop off, change clothes, grab a towel, hop back on and go to the beach. I never minded the commute, because I loved Los Angeles and the scenery. Even the woman who puked a stomachful of beer on the back bus exit at 2 in the afternoon was an amusing anecdote.

I also loved walking around the neighborhoods. I used to make CDs specifically for which way I would be walking that day and what I might pass. I'd walk for miles, talk with the very friendly homeless, eat from the street vendors, and pick up a few things at any of the dollar stores on the way home. There was also that farmer's market at Mariposa (?) nearby as well.

I miss LA every single day I'm away.

I *love* la - but I'm just moving there (USC grad school). I am literally hours away from putting a deposit on a place that's very close to Western and Romaine. (near the Lemon Grove rec center, if that means anything). I would consider it "southeast Hollywood" or K-town. Keeping in mind the commute to school, am I making a good choice?

Help!

This is fascinating to me, since I'm currently considering a move to LA. I've always heard that you need to live near where you work...if I make the move, my job will be in Santa Monica, but I have a feeling I'd like living on the east side better.

Does anyone have any opinions about how far east would be reasonable if working in Santa Monica? I'm guessing Los Feliz and Silver Lake would be out of the question due to the long commute?

@ That70sHeidi I am near Vermont & 3rd.

@Newtola if it feels right it is a good choice for you. Its only a year's lease and that gives you a year to get to know LA and your neighborhood

@Noarch I definitely think that commuting from Los Feliz or Silverlake to Santa Monica is so not worth it. I think the only way to know what it feels like to you is to try it out. My husband sat in the car and calculated that our new place will give him back 2 weeks a year currently spent in the car.

To Noarch:

I used to live in Los Feliz and commute to Santa Monica (Ocean Ave). NOT a fun commute, there's no good way to do it. HOWEVER: Lox Feliz was worth it. It's really up to you and how you can handle the drive.

I work in Northridge, and there is no way in hell I'm living around there. I had two reasonable choices: westwood-area, near the 405, or east, near the 5. I went with the further of the two commutes, and live off hyperion in silverlake... very close to the 5 or 2. I couldn't be happier. I have a great house, I can walk/bike to anything I want to do.

The westside does seem pretty cheesy and generic. Chain restaurant here, expensive boutique there, etc. Oh, and don't forget TRAFFIC on that side of town.

Plus, I had some great food at a taco truck last night at about 1:30 am. Thats something truly authentic and amazing that you will never find in bhills.

When I moved to LA 11 yrs ago, a friend recommended the valley, so I moved to Studio City. I love it! I know you'll rarely hear that, but the valley reminds me of home(rural PA) because it's less "city." Last year, inbetween apts, I had the opportunity to live on the westside with a friend temporarily. I have to say that I still prefer the valley because I hate having to use underground parking to go anywhere and pay. That just seems to be a hassle. Plus, the valley seems to have more of everything in close proximity(Targets, Starbucks, grocery stores...)
And yes, the valley is HOT compared to everywhere else, so it's not perfect.

I work on the westside, which means I use the canyons. I don't mind because I use that time in the car to listen to music, chill and enjoy the beautiful scenery. My dad used to take us kids on Sunday drives in the mountains, so maybe I dig that sort of thing. By the time I get home from work, I've left the stress behind. That friend I stayed with lived 3 miles from my work and the drive was too short, I was still thinking about work when I got to her place. I need a longer drive home after a hard day(and it only takes me 30 mins to get back into the valley.) Just my personal preference I guess.

The key to Los Angeles is patience and a zen attitude with traffic no matter where you live. Just my two cents!

We live on the westside convenient to 405 and 10 freeways. I enjoy how close I am to Santa Monica, Culver City, and Westwood. I have 2 vegan and 2 vegetarian restaurants within walking distance or a very short car ride which is fantastic!

I commute to the valley and the traffic is fine. On the *rare* day that it's 40 mins I have an audiobook from the library to keep me going.

As a native Angelino I find myself constantly at odds with where I live and work. It is a daily battle and after almost a year at my new place, I am still conflicted over it. I work in Venice and live in Beachwood Canyon.

All of my family and friends live in or around Hollywood (Silverlake, Studio City, Koreatown etc.) so the thought of paying a lot more money in rent to live near where I work in Venice, as opposed to paying cheaper rent for a cuter place, near my folks and friends seems like a no-brainer most of the time.

The only time I think it's a bad idea is during the 50 minutes (each way) I spend in my car four days a week. That's when I dream of living in a cute beach house along the Venice canals and think of all the time I could be spending reading a book, napping or cooking for myself instead of driving in my damn car, wasting gas.

I do love Beachwood though. It's a great neighborhood if you have a dog. There's a great neighborly vibe, everyone knows each other and it's close to Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon and Fryman Canyon.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the West Side, even Venice. It's a lovely part of town but there's a bit of arrogance lingering in the air over there. Especially Venice. The people who live there know you're not one of them.

I once lived on King's Road in West Hollywood, as well, and I, too, used to walk to the Gelson's. One afternoon I went rollerskating (now you know how long ago I lived there) and stumbled on a little celebration that grew up to be the famed Gay Pride Parade. Back then it they didn't close the streets around it and we weren't swarmed with tourists.
It's a great neighborhood!

@noarch -- You might find the vibe you're looking far much closer to your work if you look at Venice. It's artsy and funky and diverse and edgy and even a little dangerous in some parts. Venice is next to Santa Monica (which is a separate town with its own mayor, not a part of Los Angeles city but only a part of Los Angeles county.) Parts of Santa Monica have that vibe, too. Believe me, it is NOT worth the commute from Los Feliz. You will spend too much time in traffic snarls to make it worthwhile at any price.

Topanga is wonderful and I would move there in a flash if I ever moved back to L.A. It's woodsy, artistic and the air is refreshing. My favorite road is Observation Drive. The ferns and the rock views are gorgeous. I love the people that live there too.