The Los Angeles neighbourhood guide
If you've started your hunt for accommodation, you've probably discovered that Los Angeles is more like a small country than a city. In fact, Los Angeles County includes 88 cities and over 400 neighborhoods! However, if you narrow yourself to the city limits, then things become a little more manageable. Each of LA's neighborhoods is prominent for one thing or another. Here is the best guide to choosing what you are looking for in a neighborhood, whether it's access to freeways, lower housing costs, suitability for families, support for student life, etc.
Neighborhoods in Los Angeles with access to freeways and public transport
If you are keen on accessing various parts of Los Angeles with ease, then you should settle in a neighborhood with access to many freeways. Los Angeles is known for its extensive freeway system and public transportation options, but the availability of access to both can vary by neighborhood.
Good access to freeways:
- Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA): Downtown LA is a major transportation hub with easy access to several freeways, including the 110, 101, and 10. This central location makes it convenient for commuters;
- Koreatown: Located near the junction of the 10 and 101 freeways, Koreatown offers excellent freeway access, making it convenient for those who need to commute around the city;
- Culver City: Culver City is situated near the 405 and 10 freeways, providing quick access to both the Westside and other parts of the city;
- Pasadena: Pasadena has easy access to the 210 and 134 freeways, which connect to major routes leading in and out of the city;
- Burbank: Located near the 5 and 134 freeways, Burbank is ideal for those commuting to nearby areas or the San Fernando Valley.
Good access to public transport:
- Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA): In addition to its freeway access, DTLA is a major hub for public transportation, with Metro rail and bus lines converging in the area. It's easy to get around the city from here without a car;
- Koreatown: Koreatown is well-connected to public transport, with multiple Metro Purple Line subway stations and bus routes serving the neighborhood;
- Santa Monica: Santa Monica has a robust public transportation system, including the Metro Expo Line, which connects to Downtown LA, making it convenient for both work and leisure;
- Long Beach: Long Beach benefits from the Metro Blue Line, directly connecting to Downtown LA and other parts of Los Angeles County;
- North Hollywood: This neighborhood is a major transit hub with the Red Line subway and Orange Line busway, offering access to various parts of the city;
- Culver City: Besides freeway access, Culver City is served by the Metro Expo Line, providing easy transit options to various LA neighborhoods.
Keep in mind that Los Angeles is a sprawling city, and the availability of public transport can vary by neighborhood – most people in LA have a car simply because there are parts of the city where public transport doesn't service.
The cheap neighborhoods in Los Angeles
If you are looking for decent, affordable neighborhoods, one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Los Angeles is Vermont Knolls, where the average rent is $1,585 per month. Or you could consider Vermont Vista, where renters pay $1,585 on average, and Arlington Heights, where the average rent goes for $1,634. Jefferson Park ($1,654), Vermont-Slauson ($1,738), and Winnetka ($1,749) all have solid options where the asking prices are below the average Los Angeles rent.
The most expensive area in Los Angeles
The most expensive strips in Los Angeles run from Hollywood through Beverly Grove to Beverly Hills and through Santa Monica to Venice. Other high-heeled neighborhoods include Glendale, Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley, as well as South Bay. Parts of Santa Monica score the highest rents in the city, with North of Montana clocking in on top with an average rent of $4,759 per month. The beautiful coastline, enormous houses, and luxurious dining options are part of the rarified atmosphere of this exclusive neighborhood.
The best neighborhoods for seniors and retirees in Los Angeles
With relatively less traffic, heavenly scenery, and a sense of the authentic Los Angeles experience, the region from Hollywood through to Beverly Hills is a delightful place to spend your last days. The region has everything present in well-balanced proportions, from entertainment establishments to restaurants and food markets, shopping malls, and even tech and research facilities.
The best neighborhoods for foreigners in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has culturally-centered neighborhoods, from Chinatown to Koreatown and Thai Town, but besides neighborhoods with names that clearly announce their dominant ethnicity, foreigners can also find other neighborhoods that are more predisposed to them, including multicultural epicenters like Atwater Village, Los Feliz, and the Arts District in Downtown LA.
The best neighborhoods for families in Los Angeles
Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley areas are renowned for being family-centric. The community spirit is quite high here. The area is filled with restaurants, recreational facilities, and beachfronts. Valencia, a master-planned community, also offers similar support for family life. Its Six Flags Amusement Park (also known as the Magic Mountains), as well as its newly developed downtown, make life quite pleasant here for every member of the family. The area also boasts excellent public schools, churches, and a slew of biking and hiking trails.
These areas also appeal to families because they have significantly lower crime rates.
The best neighborhoods for students in Los Angeles
Westwood is home to UCLA, which means thousands of students live in the area. Naturally, the area is geared towards student life. It has robust public transport facilities in place, but be warned that the freeways that run through it, 405 and 10, are notorious for heavy traffic.
