The Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles for Newcomers

Moving to Los Angeles is an equal mix of exciting and daunting; It’s one of the largest cities in the United States, both in population and size, and it’s packed with more culture, food, and entertainment than you can imagine.

If you’re looking to relocate to the city of Angels and need some advice on where to live, we can help. Here’s our guide to the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles for newcomers.

1. West Hollywood
2. Downtown
3. Venice
4. Sherman Oaks
5. Beverly Grove
6. Silver Lake
7. North Hollywood

West Hollywood

West Hollywood is, hands-down, one of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Aside from being in the middle of all the action, West Hollywood is very walkable and has green spaces, parks, and hiking nearby. Runyon Canyon is right in your backyard, and there aren’t many hikes in LA that top it. There’s a high concentration of yoga studios, juice bars, and funky shopping in WeHo, but it’s the bars and world-class dining that put it on the map. It’s the LGBTQ center of LA and features some of the city’s best nightlife.

Eat dinner at the famous SUR Restaurant & Lounge and head to The Abbey for a night of drinking and dancing. Then, cure your hangover the next morning with brunch at Hamburger Mary’s or Ivory on Sunset, one of the best bottomless brunches in LA.

Downtown

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Over the last two decades, Downtown LA (DTLA) has gone from a “9-to-5-only” neighborhood to a thriving destination for dining, nightlife, and entertainment. If you work Downtown, this might be the perfect place to live, too, considering the commute here can be notoriously painful.

Downtown is home to some of L.A.’s most talked-about restaurants, like Mexican mecca Broken Spanish, the stunning NoMad, and Grand Central Market. Broken Shaker, one of LA’s best bars, is also located downtown, so grab some drinks and sip on them at this rooftop pool and bar. We can promise you one thing: you will never run out of options in DTLA.

Venice

The stereotypical, laid-back California beach lifestyle is found in Venice. This bohemian neighborhood is known for its artist community, funky shops, surfers, and beach babies Along with that, it’s home to some of the most famous streets in the country, Abbot Kinney Boulevard and the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

The neighborhood is full of young professionals thanks to the booming LA tech scene, so much so that this area earned the title of Silicon Beach. Places like Google, YouTube, and Snap, Inc. have opened up brand new offices in the last few years in Venice and the surrounding oceanfront neighborhoods and cities like Santa Monica, Playa Del Rey, and El Segundo. Rent prices are comparable to those in West Hollywood and having the beach within walking distance makes the price tag worth it.

Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks is a family-friendly neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. It’s surrounded by freeways, so you’re always just a “short” drive to other parts of LA.

Ventura Blvd., the main drag, is dotted with upscale pizzerias, cocktail bars, and chain shopping stores. Some bright spots in the food and drink scene are Bamboo, a family-style joint serving Chinese cuisine, On the Thirty, a bar with gourmet snacks and dishes, and The Attic, a cozy cocktail bar with an outdoor patio.

The Sherman Oaks Galleria is a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination for those who live in the neighborhood. Rent prices are much cheaper than in other LA neighborhoods, so you’ll be able to find a 1-bedroom apartment for under $3,000.

Beverly Grove

Beverly Grove is a more affordable neighborhood than West Hollywood or Venice but still has unique landmarks and destinations.

The Grove is the crown jewel here, and Angelenos come from all over the area to shop and dine at it. The Original Farmers Market, located at The Grove, is a historic spot for eating and shopping. The Beverly Center is a high-end shopping mall, with stores like Balenciaga, Fendi, and Prada drawing locals and tourists alike.

And, thanks to its location, getting to either the beach or downtown should take just 30 minutes (without traffic). 

Silver Lake

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Silver Lake sits east of Hollywood and is one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods, with many bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and hipster hangouts.

Get your caffeine fix at Intelligentsia—there’s always a line, but the coffee is worth the wait. Grab drinks with friends at Red Lion Tavern in its rooftop beer garden and take in the German decor. Since the 1990s, Silver Lake has been the center of the alternative and indie rock scene in Los Angeles, with venues like Los Globos hosting nighty live music events.

The antithesis of Beverly Hills, the neighborhood is home to indie stores and funky graffiti art, craft coffee, and vegan restaurants. It’s hipster to a T.

North Hollywood

North Hollywood is nestled in the San Fernando Valley, north of the Ventura Freeway and Universal Studios. It’s where you’ll find the vibrant NoHo Arts District. The district is filled with local shops, pubs, and nearly a dozen performing arts theaters. This eclectic neighborhood is home to the historic El Portal Theatre, Raven Playhouse, Sherry Theater, and the Television Academy.

You can also access the metro from North Hollywood; hop on the metro and it’s just a 25-minute ride to Downtown LA. Call NoHo home if you want to be surrounded by retro-inspired cocktail lounges, craft beer bars, vintage shops, and casual cafes. Check out Tonga Hut, LA’s oldest operating tiki bar, or the Brickyard Pub if you’re in the mood for beer (there are more than 100 to choose from) and bar games.

Think one of these neighborhoods is right for you? Check out thousands of Los Angeles apartments for rent on Zumper and find your new home.