9 Best Neighborhoods of Los Angeles
It's no question that Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world. Countless movies and shows have been filmed in this idyllic location over the years. Today, it’s still a beacon for aspiring performers, creators, and thinkers as they move to the City of Angels to try and find stardom. If you’re lucky, you might bump into a celebrity as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, but if you're really lucky you might end up being that celebrity!
But Los Angeles is about more than just bright lights and movie stars. It’s also a great place to raise a family or enjoy a lifestyle change. So before you move, doing a little research is a good idea. Here are some of the things you should know about the L.A. and its neighborhoods:
Costs of Living in Los Angeles
While living in Los Angeles comes with plenty of lifestyle benefits, you’ll need to be prepared to pay for it. Los Angeles is considered one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. These are the key facts:
Average Salary: $68,212
Median Household Income: $76,135
Average House Cost: $972,818
Median Rent: $2,795
Median Monthly Mortgage Payment: $4,536
Even though the West Coast is usually branded as a slower pace of life, living in Los Angeles can just as easily be a fast-paced lifestyle. During the day, families can explore a theme park, picnic at the beach, or explore one of the many historical sites in the area. When the lights go down, adults can enjoy the rich nightlife that this historic city has to offer. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best Los Angeles neighborhoods so you can decide which one best fits your personality.
Los Angeles is more than just the luxury of Rodeo Drive. If you’re willing to step away from the hustle and bustle, you’ll find a lot of great neighborhoods to explore in the North Hollywood and San Fernando areas.
1. Noho Arts District
Noho Arts District is perfect for creatives. Within this area, you can expect to find plenty of places for people to express their creativity. This includes several small theatres. You also won’t have any issues finding an art class. Since this area is relatively small, you should be able to walk anywhere you want to go. But there is excellent bus transport for longer trips.
This place is best for younger families, as it is known for its relaxed Bohemian style. This area tends to feature apartment living, rather than houses, but there are still plenty of homes in the area to make your own.
Median rent: $3,373
Median home sale price: $895,000
2. Valley Village
If you are looking for a more upscale residential living area, Valley Village might be perfect for you. With plenty of bars, coffee shops, and restaurants, this area is ideal for foodies. You can also enjoy the green spaces at Valley Village Park. This gives the area a quiet, secluded feel. Because of this, the Valley Village attracts a lot of young people looking to start a family.
Many of the people in this area tend to live in large, impressive homes. There’s just one problem. These kinds of beautiful properties don’t come cheap. Valley Village is regarded as one of the most expensive places to live in Los Angeles.
Median rent: $2,649
Median home sale price: $1.4 million
3. Lincoln Heights
Lincoln Heights has the distinction of being the oldest suburb in Los Angeles, with its history stretching back to the 1830s. This history is reflected in the stately homes that can be found in this area, which are known for their Victorian-style architecture.
But don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a dull place to live. This region is known for its large immigrant population. Walking around the streets, you can expect to see plenty of colorful murals celebrating the area’s cultural history. It’s also home to Lincoln Park, which contains a lake, plenty of green spaces, and playgrounds.
This area is one of the most affordable places in Los Angeles to live, particularly if you are looking to buy your home. Though rentals are a little more expensive than other parts of LA.
Median rent: $2,691
Median home sale price: $750,000
4. Mar Vista
Mar Vista is known for being a relatively secluded place. It has achieved a quiet, residential feel with plenty of coffee shops and green spaces to explore. However, the primary selling point is the proximity to the ocean, with many houses providing stunning waterfront views.
This area is known for its diverse, affluent residents, as it is one of the most expensive places to live in Los Angeles. Mainly, it consists of young professionals. But it also has a large student population, because it’s so close to UCLA.
Median rent: $3,041
Median home sale price: $1.9 million
5. Sherman Oaks
Another popular city near Los Angeles is Sherman Oaks. This area is home to plenty of interesting eateries and bars. Health-conscious residents will find a huge range of gyms. But the real star of the show is the shopping.
Sherman Oaks is just a short walk away from Ventura Boulevard. This is the perfect place for fashion lovers to enjoy. It houses some of the biggest fashion retailers on the planet. Expect plenty of local chic stores mixed in for some variety. Because of the popularity of Ventura Boulevard, this area can get quite busy. Like Valley Village, it pays to have deep pockets if you want to live here as this is known as a wealthy area. This is reflected in the house prices, which are higher than average for Los Angeles.
Median rent: $2,397
Median home sale price: $1.4 million
6. Van Nuys
If you’re looking for more affordable places to live in La, you might want to consider Van Nuys, with this neighborhood being one of the cheapest cities in Los Angeles. There are plenty of amenities for you to enjoy, with many people attracted to the excellent public transport and proximity to LAX. Plus, you’re less than 20 minutes away from the heart of Los Angeles.
Van Nuys is also home to some iconic landmarks. In particular, the Van Nuys City Hall. You can also spend a day walking around the relaxing Lake Balboa Park. There’s just one word of warning, though. Crime rates in this area can vary, so it pays to do some research before deciding where you want to live.
Median rent: $2,083
Median home sale price: $850,000
7. Toluca Lake
If you have deep pockets and want to live in some of the most scenic homes in Los Angeles, you should consider Toluca Lake. This is a popular hangout for celebrities, with legends like Frank Sinatra having owned properties in the area.
Although the biggest attraction is the lake itself, which is created by local wells. This provides a private place to relax on the water. There’s just one problem, accessing the lake is tough. It’s surrounded by privately owned properties. The only way to get on the water is to own one of the lakeside houses, which are some of the most expensive properties in Los Angeles.
Median rent: $3,500
Median home sale price: $1.38 million
8. Encino
If you like to spend time outside, Encino might be the ideal place for you to live. This Los Angeles district is known for its green spaces and parks. The leafy, quiet nature of this area gives it a small-town vibe. This makes it a popular location for raising a family and tends to attract young professionals. But quite a few celebrities have been known to live in Encino.
Many people in this area tend to own their homes. These tend to be larger estates, reflecting the affluent nature of the area. This can make it expensive to purchase a property.
Median rent: $2,307
Median home sale price: $1.5 million
9. El Sereno
Finally, let’s look at the charming neighborhood of El Sereno. Located near Lincoln Heights, this area also has a rich history, stretching back to 1769. Today, this is known as a serene place to live. The hilly houses provide a good view of Los Angeles. Plus, many of the streets are lined with trees, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. There are plenty of parks, giving residents lots of chances to explore nature.
What’s more, El Sereno is an affordable location, with plenty of nice houses and apartments priced under the typically higher market for the region.
Median rent: $1,833
Median home sale price: $893,500
Moving To Los Angeles With U-Box by U-Haul
Picking the perfect neighborhood in L.A. to suit your lifestyle is exciting. But it’s even more thrilling to turn your dream into a reality. Luckily, thanks to U-Box by U-Haul, your move to the City of Angels can be as easy as the ocean breeze.
Our cost-effective, flexible U-Box container delivery options make moving long distances a piece of cake. You can store our U-Box containers at your place, or ours, and we will ship them once you’re ready. If you need help with loading and unloading, an experienced, professional team through MovingHelp.com can assist your move so that you can get busy surfing or hiking the Hollywood hills. Or, if you prefer to drive to Los Angeles yourself, you can haul a U-Box container with a vehicle capable of towing 3,000 lbs.
However you end up arriving at your new home in LA, you can store the U-Box container at your house or in one of our secure storage facilities while you get settled into your new neighborhood. What could be simpler than that?