Are you considering moving to Los Angeles? The City of Angels is an attractive landing spot for singles and young professionals, thanks to its abundance of sun, embrace of entrepreneurs and startups, impressive food scene, and unforgettable nightlife. If you’re a young adult wanting to live in Los Angeles, here are five great LA neighborhoods to consider!
- Echo Park
- Los Feliz
- Playa Del Rey
- Silver Lake
- Westwood
Echo Park
- Home Price: $578,907 median purchase price; $1,241 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
Just north of Chinatown and Downtown LA lies Echo Park, a budding area that has just about everything a young professional could desire. Here, you’ll find spacious parks, a scenic lake, and quick access to US-101 and US-110, as well as trendy eateries, bars, and coffee shops along Sunset Blvd, all of which give Echo Park a hip vibe and provide residents with plenty of fun things to do. Home buyers can find both classic bungalows and new development in this neighborhood, while renters can choose from a wide selection of condos and apartments. In addition, Echo Park is about a 15-minute drive from downtown, so it’s easy to get to work, see a Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) game, or enjoy the legendary LA nightlife!
Things to Do in Echo Park
Down a couple famous Dodger Dogs while you cheer for the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) at Dodger Stadium. Rent a pedal boat and enjoy the balmy Los Angeles weather on Echo Park Lake. Rock out at some of LA’s best concerts at Echoplex, which has hosted musicians like Foster the People, Lorde, and Kendrick Lamar. Go for a jog, play horseshoes, and find the secret trail swing in Elysian Park. Work on your frolfing game at Chavez Ridge Disc Golf Course. Start your day with a new book, Matcha Latte, and Sweetfeed Parfait from Stories Books & Cafe. Feel the nostalgia of playing vintage arcade games while you snack on Garlic Noodles or Dan Dan Noodles at Button Mash. Take your bike for a post-ride tune-up while you devour a Cauliflower Farro Bowl and Crispy Potatoes at Spoke Bicycle Cafe. Or experience Los Angeles’ dive bar scene by stopping at The Short Stop for live music, stiff cocktails, and a game of pool.
Los Feliz
- Home Price: $740,684 median purchase price; $1,407 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 64% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
Los Feliz is regarded as one of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles because it offers both a suburban and urban vibe. The neighborhood provides peace away from the city with tree-lined streets, affordable bungalows and Spanish-style homes, and quick access to Griffith Park. But that doesn’t mean Los Feliz is boring! When you’re looking for a good time, you’ll find an array of eclectic shops, bars, and some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, especially along Hillhurst Ave and N Vermont Ave. And if you need to get Downtown LA, it’s about a 15-minute drive, or you can hop on the Metro Red Line for a quick commute!
Things to Do in Los Feliz
Head north to experience concerts from up-and-coming bands or from global sensations like Elton John and Sting at The Greek Theatre. Explore the cosmos with telescopes, live shows, and enlightening exhibits at Griffith Observatory. Take advantage of the balmy Los Angeles climate by spending a day lounging at Griffith Park Pool. Transport yourself back to the 1920s by catching a movie at the historic Los Feliz 3 Cinemas. Make new friends during meetings of the Coyotes Book Club at Skylight Books. Savor breakfast dishes like a Biscuit Bomb Breakfast Sandwich or Bossa Nova Waffle any time of the day in one of Los Angeles’ favorite diners, Fred 62. Try creative twists on comfort food classics like the Short-Rib Pot Pie, Tequila Lime Pasta, or Jerk Pork Chops at Home Restaurant. Satisfy your sweet tooth with slices of Southern Pecan Pie and Peanut Butter Cream Pie from House of Pies. Or unwind from the day by choosing from the rotating menu of smooth cocktails at Harvard & Stone.
Playa Del Rey
- Home Price: $873,850 median purchase price; $2,098 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 92% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
Nestled right along the Pacific Coast, Playa Del Rey is the type of neighborhood people move to Los Angeles for! Not only do the sandy beaches give you a chance to soak up the Los Angeles sun, but this gorgeous locale also offers enticing job opportunities. Playa Del Rey is in the heart of Silicon Beach, where you can find all kinds of tech jobs at startups and major corporations like Microsoft and Google. When you’re ready to take a break from work, you can enjoy the surf and sand at nearby Venice Beach or grab some friends and set sail from Marina Del Rey. You’re also close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which makes traveling outside of the LA metro more convenient!
Things to Do in Playa Del Rey
Organize a game of sand volleyball or gather around the fire pits on Playa Del Rey Beach. Lay down some blankets for a scenic picnic at Del Rey Lagoon. Expand your knowledge with classes in Digital Media, Fashion Design, and Product Design at Otis College of Art and Design. Get your morning off to a good start with a run through Vista Del Mar Park. Taste delicacies crafted by Top Chef champion Brooke Williamson like the Octopus Carpaccio and Connecticut Style Crab Roll at Playa Provisions. Chow down on a Shack Burger or a Chili Dog between rounds of karaoke at The Shack. Cap off your Italian feast with some Tiramisu and Dark Chocolate Amore at Alejo’s Presto Trattoria Italian Restaurant. Or sip on a cold brew like a Kona Longboard or Firestone Union Jack while you watch the night’s top sporting events at Mo’s Place.
Silver Lake
- Home Price: $608,859 median purchase price; $1,380 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 55% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
Silver Lake has developed a reputation as a hipster haven, and its collection of vibrant cafes, artisanal coffee shops, and swanky cocktail bars certainly appeals to that crowd. But Silver Lake is also one of the best places to live in Los Angeles for anyone–not just those outside the cultural mainstream! The neighborhood’s namesake lake gives residents a great place to exercise or relax outdoors, and a wide assortment of classic Spanish-style homes and modern bungalows offer quiet and comfort. If you need to get to other parts of the city, Silver Lake’s location is also convenient. You’re about ten minutes from Los Angeles City College and about 15 minutes from Downtown LA and Hollywood!
Things to Do in Silver Lake
Admire the gorgeous water and interesting houses while strolling around Silver Lake Reservoir. Help Fido make new friends while you watch from the shade at Silver Lake Dog Park. Get ready for your next bike adventure by getting bike repairs—or a new and improved ride—at Coco’s Variety. Learn how to embroider, make homemade candles, and paint with watercolors in classes at Makers Mess. Catch all the big games while you enjoy a Spaten Lager and Pretzel Platter on the patio at The Red Lion Tavern. Satisfy your late-night cravings with Chili Fries and a Cheeseburger from Rick’s Drive In & Out. Get a Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl or The Shoyu on Fire Ramen at Silverlake Ramen. Feast on some of Los Angeles’ best pizza with Roasted Veggie and Rapini & Sausage Neapolitan pizzas from WOOD Silver Lake Pizza & Pasta. Or challenge your friends to a game of foosball while you sip on a Sir Perry’s Pear Cider or Racer 5 IPA at Cha Cha Lounge.
Westwood
- Home Price: $854,491 median purchase price; $1,832 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 98% of Los Angeles neighborhoods
Westwood may be best known as the home of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), but its abundance of shopping options, beautiful residential areas, and interesting restaurants keep postgrads around and draw in all kinds of newcomers! It’s also one of the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, making it an ideal location to buy a home or start a family. As for commuting around the LA metro, Westwood is about a 20-minute drive from Downtown LA, and residents have access to the Metro Expo line.
Things to Do in Westwood
Memorize the lyrics to Sons of Westwood so you can sing along with the crowd during a UCLA Bruins basketball game at Pauley Pavilion. Wander through the rotating galleries or stop in for a friendly ping-pong competition at Hammer Museum. Challenge your friends to a game of lawn bowling at Holmby Park. Head a few minutes east to visit Westfield Century City, a massive outdoor shopping mall with everything from big-box stores to local boutiques. Experience LA fine dining with Winter Squash Agnolotti and Kanpachi Crudo at Fellow. Savor delicious Mediterranean dishes like Lamb Shawarma Platter and Fillet of Salmon Kabob at Shamshiri Grill. Or experience what makes Persian ice cream special with scoops of Orange Blossom and Green Tea Ice Cream from Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes