Los Angeles is home to many amazing neighborhoods, so it can be difficult to pick which one is right for you. Niche uses a variety of criteria, including affordability, walkability, crime rates and more, to determine the Best Places To Live In LA.
Attractions To Live In Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a big city, and if you’re moving here for the first time, it can be difficult to figure out where you’ll live. So to help you navigate the tumultuous process, we asked locals for their insights into the best places to live in LA.
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Whether you’re looking for a home in the Hollywood Hills or an apartment in Mid-City, there’s something for everyone in LA. We’ve rounded up some of the top areas for newcomers to enjoy the city’s culture, great dining options, and outdoor recreation, along with some pros and cons to living in each.
Affluent Neighborhoods
If you’re looking to live in a luxury neighborhood with easy access to the best dining and nightlife that Los Angeles has to offer, Beverly Hills is an excellent option. Located just north of Santa Monica, the area is a hub for high-end shopping, beautiful homes, and iconic cultural attractions.
Westwood and Brentwood
Known for its beautiful residential neighborhoods, Westwood is also home to UCLA. It’s a great place to live if you like to shop and have a social life, but it can be expensive.
Downtown
If you want to be near work and a bustling city scene, DTLA is the place for you. It’s one of the most diverse cities in the world, and has lots to offer in terms of art, culture, and dining.
Getting around is easy, thanks to the city’s walkability. You can get anywhere in LA by foot, and the city is also becoming more accessible via public transportation and rideshares.
If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a cool atmosphere and lots of green spaces, Silver Lake is a great choice. The area also offers easy access to Downtown and DTLA.
Westwood #1
Westwood is an upscale neighborhood that borders some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city. It’s home to world renowned UCLA and has a mix of student spirit and business-friendly vibes.
This southwestern enclave has a wide range of shops, restaurants and museums to keep you entertained, whether it’s for a short stay or a long one. There’s even a temple of Latter-Day Saints that’s a popular place to go if you need some time away from the hustle and bustle of downtown LA.
The area is also home to the UCLA campus, which hosts concerts and shows in Royce Hall. The campus is comprised of stately buildings with trees surrounding them, which makes it a pretty sight to see.
The best part about this neighborhood is that it’s just a short drive to many of Los Angeles’ top attractions. It’s a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and just relax in the sun. The neighborhood is also home to some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the city.
| Address | Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| Area code | 310/424 |
| Population | 50,288 |
| ZIP Codes | 90024, 90025, 90049 |
| Elevation | 338 ft (103 m) |
Culver City #2
Culver City, situated in western Los Angeles County, is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. It’s home to several major attractions, such as the MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Studios. The area’s cosmopolitan vibe and diverse attractions make it an ideal place to live in.
Aside from its many restaurants and cultural attractions, the region boasts a number of family-friendly activities and museums. For an afternoon of outdoor fun, take your kids to Culver City Park on Jefferson Boulevard, which features a top-notch children’s playground developed by Danish company KOPMAN.
The 41-acre park also offers a basketball court, softball field, skate park, jogging paths, and hiking trails. If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity, check out the Culver City Art District. There are over 26 art galleries in the neighborhood, showcasing a variety of artworks.
If you’re a train enthusiast, head to the Allied Model Trains Company, one of the largest stores of its kind in the country. You can also enjoy a relaxed night out at Helms Jazz Bakery, a cutting-edge jazz venue that hosts a variety of live music events.
| Named for | Harry Culver |
| Incorporated | September 20, 1917 |
| Area codes | 310/424 |
| ZIP Codes | 90230–90232, 90066 |
Silver Lake #3
Silver Lake is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood that is becoming increasingly popular among families, professionals and creatives alike. The area is home to many fine examples of modernist architecture, an abundance of unique shops and a namesake reservoir.
One of the best ways to experience Silver Lake is by going for a walk around the surrounding area. The area is full of scenic parks, which are perfect for enjoying a relaxing stroll or playing with your children. It is also an ideal place to go for a jog and exercise.
You can also meditate in the area and let your worries disappear. In addition to this, there are plenty of restaurants in Silver Lake that you can visit for a delicious meal. Some of them offer a good selection of food that you can pick up or deliver to your house.
You can also go for a swim at the Silver Lake Pool & Inn. This boutique hotel is located south of Sunset Junction and offers an elevated pool deck, oversized guest rooms and an outdoor Marco Polo restaurant and bar.
| Area code | 213, 323 |
| Named for | Politician Herman Silver |
| Zip codes | 90026, 90039 |
| Elevation | 358 ft (109 m) |
Echo Park #4
Echo Park is a trendy and funky neighborhood in LA that’s perfect for young creatives, families, and long-time Angelenos. Hip eateries, renowned late-night taco trucks, and one of the city’s best indie music venues all contribute to a local vibe that’s both grittier than Silver Lake but still easy to navigate on foot or by bike.
The neighborhood’s nooks and crannies are densely packed with quaint craftsman houses, mid-century apartment buildings, and new Spanish-style homes. If you’re looking for an architectural blast from the past, check out Angelino Heights, a small sector within Echo Park that boasts historic Victorian homes.
You’ll also find an influx of sports fans who flock to the neighborhood every spring for Dodger Stadium. But Echo Park isn’t all about sports — it’s a great place to spend sun-drenched days on Echo Park Lake, a 16-acre park that’s encircled by a one-mile pathway.
The park is home to a beautiful collection of exotic lotus plants that appear in July during the annual Lotus Festival. You can enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the lake’s eastern shore or rent a pedal boat for a more active experience.
| Address | 1632 Bellevue Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026 |
| Phone | 213-250-3578 |
Santa Monica #5
Santa Monica is a classic beach town in Los Angeles, and the perfect place to live if you love Southern California culture and the laid-back surf lifestyle. It offers world-class dining, swanky hotels and shopping, and plenty of outdoor recreation.
It’s also home to a number of tech companies, including Hulu, Lionsgate Films, and Universal Music Group. While it may not be the most affordable option for those on a budget, it’s worth considering if you want to live in a vibrant city with plenty of things to do and see.
A beautiful beach and boardwalk make Santa Monica an easy place to visit during the day. You’ll also find a range of restaurants and shops throughout the city, from downtown’s bustling Third Street Promenade to Montana Avenue and Main Street.
The Third Street Promenade is an outdoor pedestrian-only shopping district that stretches for three blocks between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway. It’s a fun place to spend an afternoon shopping, eating, and enjoying street performers. It’s also an ideal spot to take in the view of the Santa Monica Pier and beyond.
| Address | 1685 Main St. Santa Monica CA 90401 |
| Pin Code | 90401,90401 |
Los Feliz #6
Los Feliz is a popular neighborhood in LA known for its easy-living atmosphere. Featuring trendy boutiques, charming dining outposts, and panoramic hikes, Los Feliz attracts Angelenos from all over the city.
This quaint hillside hamlet is bounded by Hollywood Boulevard to the south, Hyperion Avenue to the southeast, and Griffith Park to the north. It is one of LA’s more peaceful neighborhoods, and it’s a popular choice for families and retirees who want to enjoy the benefits of living in a quiet, family-friendly community while remaining close to the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.
Homes in this area are a mix of historic estates and contemporary, mid-century buildings. The residents are a mix of long-time locals and newcomers to Los Angeles who are seeking an upscale neighborhood that feels more like a suburb than a glitzy, tourist-filled city.
This quaint, tree-lined community is located in the hills east of the Village Flats and just south of Hyperion Avenue. The streets are winding and the homes have stunning views of everything from downtown to the ocean.
| Area code | 213, 323 |
| Zip codes | 90027 |
| Named for | Rancho Los Feliz |
| Elevation | 469 ft (143 m) |
Downtown LA #7
Downtown LA is the city’s central business district as well as a diverse residential area, covering 5.84 sq mi (15.1 km2). It’s the hub of public transportation in the region, including the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink commuter rail systems.
While the neighborhood still feels sketchy in some places, it’s in the midst of an architectural, retail and institutional resurgence that’s transforming it into a more walkable, Metro-friendly destination. With a range of museums, superlative restaurants and incredible buildings, Downtown LA is a destination you’ll want to check out.
In addition to the resurgence of some of its old landmarks, like the space-age Broad Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall, downtown LA also features a host of new condos and hotels. It’s here that you’ll find a buzz-inducing array of eateries, bars and boutiques, all connected by bus and rail transit.
Another must-visit is the Museum of Contemporary Art, a popular DTLA destination with upcycled installations from contemporary artists. MOCA’s entrance is awash in a vibrant mix of sculptures and murals by established and upcoming artists.
| Elevation | 305 ft (93 m) |
| State | California |
| Address | 200 N. Spring Street, Suite 425. Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Beverlywood & Cheviot Hills #8
Beverlywood & Cheviot Hills are two of the most affluent neighborhoods in Los Angeles. They’re also the safest, making them a perfect fit for families and young professionals alike. Residents of Beverlywood & Cheviot Hills love to get out and explore the neighborhood, which is home to great shopping, restaurants, parks, and more.
They’re also close to many of the city’s best schools and dozens of popular private schools. Another fascinating thing about this area is the diversity of its residents. There are more people with Eastern European and Russian ancestry here than in nearly any other neighborhood in the country!
The language that people in the area primarily speak is English, but they also use Spanish and Persian. That’s pretty amazing considering these are languages that don’t often get spoken in other parts of the world! As a result, Beverlywood & Cheviot Hills have a lot of “urban sophisticates” living here. These are people with a taste for literature, music, and live theater.
| Address | Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| Zip Code | 90064 |
| Area code | 310 |
FAQs about Live In Los Angeles
What is the best thing about living in Los Angeles?
The best thing about living in Los Angeles is its incredible diversity and vibrant culture. From the beaches to the mountains, the city offers a range of outdoor activities, world-class dining, and entertainment options. With a constantly evolving arts scene and a diverse population from all over the world, there’s always something new and exciting to experience.
Is Los Angeles actually a good place to live?
Whether Los Angeles is a good place to live depends on one’s personal preferences and lifestyle. The city has a lot to offer, such as a great climate, job opportunities, cultural diversity, and entertainment options. However, it also has its challenges, including traffic, high cost of living, and crime rates. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide if the pros outweigh the cons.
