LA is massive—503 square miles with dozens of distinct neighborhoods. Each area has its own personality, price point, and trade-offs. This guide breaks down the best neighborhoods by budget, with honest takes on commute, parking, safety, and lifestyle.
Jump to Your Budget
LA Neighborhood Reality
Unlike NYC, your neighborhood choice in LA heavily depends on where you work. A "cheap" apartment with a 90-minute commute isn't actually a deal. Factor in commute time, not just rent.
Under $1,800/month
Finding a decent studio or 1BR under $1,800 in LA is challenging but possible. You'll generally be looking at the Valley, certain parts of Mid-City, or areas further from the beach.
North Hollywood
San Fernando ValleyArts District is up-and-coming. Metro Red Line access to DTLA and Hollywood. Good restaurants, theater scene. Can be very hot in summer.
Van Nuys
San Fernando ValleyVery affordable, good for those working in the Valley. Orange Line bus rapid transit. Diverse, working-class, improving areas.
Koreatown
Central LAAmazing food scene, 24-hour vibes, walkable for LA. Multiple Metro lines. Dense, lively, parking can be tough. Great nightlife.
Highland Park
Northeast LAHip, artsy, great coffee shops and vintage stores. Gold Line access. Gentrifying quickly but still has character.
$1,800-$2,300/month
This budget opens up more options including trendy Eastside neighborhoods and parts of Hollywood.
Silver Lake
EastsideLA's hipster haven. Great restaurants, bars, reservoir for running. Hilly terrain, limited transit, need a car. Popular with creatives.
Echo Park
EastsideTrendy, lake-adjacent, close to DTLA. Good tacos, dive bars. Young crowd, hilly, street parking can be tough.
Los Feliz
EastsideCharming, walkable village feel. Close to Griffith Park for hiking. Great brunch spots. Mix of young professionals and families.
Downtown LA (DTLA)
CentralHigh-rise living, walkable for LA, arts district, growing food scene. Homelessness visible. Best transit hub in LA. Live-work lofts available.
$2,300-$2,800/month
This opens up popular neighborhoods like Hollywood, Mid-Wilshire, and parts of the Westside.
West Hollywood
WestsideWalkable, great nightlife, LGBTQ+ friendly. Sunset Strip, excellent restaurants. Strong rent control. Parking is expensive.
Culver City
WestsideDowntown area is walkable and trendy. Expo Line to beach and DTLA. Sony, Apple, Amazon studios nearby. Great for tech/entertainment.
Mar Vista
WestsideQuiet, residential, close to beach without beach prices. Farmer's market, good coffee. Popular with young families.
$2,800+/month
Premium neighborhoods with beach access, best walkability, and highest demand.
Santa Monica
Beach CitiesBeach lifestyle, most walkable in LA, great dining. Expo Line to DTLA. Strong rent control. Premium pricing but you get the beach.
Venice
Beach CitiesIconic boardwalk, creative vibes, tech companies (Snap, Google). Abbot Kinney shopping. Eclectic mix of people. Some areas grittier.
Beverly Hills Adjacent
WestsideLA's most prestigious area. Luxury apartments, tree-lined streets. Great schools if you have kids. Close to Century City jobs.
Playa Vista
Westside"Silicon Beach" — Google, Facebook, YouTube offices. New construction, modern amenities. Near beach and LAX. Tech worker hub.
Compare Buildings in Your Neighborhood
Once you pick a neighborhood, research specific buildings. See violations, landlord info, and quality scores.
Tips for Choosing a Neighborhood
- Commute first, neighborhood second — LA traffic is brutal. Live near work if possible.
- Visit at different times — Day, night, weekday, weekend. Areas feel very different.
- Check parking situation — Street parking, garage spots, permit zones all vary by area.
- Consider microclimates — Beach is 15-20°F cooler than Valley in summer.
- Check building quality — A cheap apartment in a bad building isn't a deal. Research buildings on StreetSmart.
- Look at RSO coverage — Rent-controlled buildings offer stability. Learn about RSO.