Los Angeles is an energetic and unforgettable location with several diverse and unique neighborhoods. This city is famous for its attractions, entertainment, and diversity. Los Angeles is home to almost 4 million people, and it’s easy to see why. This area has many exciting neighborhoods, each with distinct characteristics. You’ll find plenty to do in these neighborhoods, including museums, shops, restaurants, and more.
Are you thinking of moving to Los Angeles? If so, let’s take a look at some of the most popular neighborhoods in this city to help you find the best place to live in LA. To determine the most popular neighborhoods in LA we utilized Zumper data to identify the neighborhoods with the largest search volume in the past year.
The most popular neighborhoods in Los Angeles
1. Downtown Los Angeles
If you like being in the hustle and bustle of the city, Downtown Los Angeles might be the location for you. There are several desirable features about Downtown Los Angeles. For example, it’s a walkable city with plenty of activities to do. If you have errands to run, you can simply walk wherever you want to go from your apartment. You typically won’t need to use a car while you’re downtown. Another great part about living here is that you’ll always find a cool place to eat. Feast on different cultural cuisine all from the comfort of your own neighborhood. A few favorites for LA locals include Broken Spanish, and Sugarfish sushi. For a taste of everything, visit the Grand Central Market for LA cuisine and shopping featuring a unique and eclectic environment.
Downtown Los Angeles is also the ideal place for people who are always looking for an activity or entertainment. Pack a lunch and go on a picnic at Grand Park or visit Union Station. Another popular attraction is the Broad Museum, where you can check out contemporary art. Located in the heart of the Fashion District, Santee Alley is a popular flea market with endless rows of fashion and accessories for purchase. With so many activities to do and sights to see, it’s easy to understand why Downtown Los Angeles is a great place to live.
2. Wilshire Center (Koreatown)
Located west of downtown Los Angeles, Wilshire Center, or Koreatown, is a unique area with lots of diversity and culture. Koreatown is a trendy location and has lots of nightlife, including several clubs, stores, and restaurants that are open 24/7. If you enjoy the night scene, this vibrant location could be the ideal place to live. Koreatown contains many shopping malls with markets, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. Here you’ll find popular haunts including The Venue, LA’s first subterranean dining and karaoke destination. Enjoy a craft cocktail before a night of karaoke singing in one of the bars 13 private rooms. The culture mixed with the distinct Korean food scene make this a unique place to live in LA.
In Koreatown, you can go to the Korean Pavilion Garden, which is a peaceful Asian-themed garden with comfortable seating areas. If you’re interested in learning more about Korean culture, consider stopping by the Korean Cultural Center. This center has a museum, library, and art gallery devoted to Korean culture and history. Koreatown is a great neighborhood that’s rich with culture and interesting things to do.
3. Central Hollywood
Central Hollywood is an energetic location with lots of charm and iconic sights. Stop by the Walk of Fame to celebrate some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, or visit the Hollywood Museum. Another notable feature is the Hollywood Bowl, which is an outdoor venue that’s perfect for concerts and other live events. Although Central Hollywood may feel like it’s straight out of a movie, there’s a lot of neighborly charm to this location. There may be a lot of tourists in this area, but the locals who have apartments here form a tight community.
Another perk about Central Hollywood is that it’s very walkable, so won’t need to battle Los Angeles traffic while living there. This location attracts artistic types and younger crowds with various backgrounds, making central Hollywood a diverse and exciting place to live in LA.
4. Greater Wilshire
Greater Wilshire is a densely populated area with a variety of residential and community spaces. This area is in the middle of Los Angeles, and there’s plenty of appeal to renting an apartment here. Greater Wilshire is a common route for people on the way to central Los Angeles, which contributes to its heavy traffic and large population. However, this area doesn’t lack places to see and activities to do. If shopping is your favorite pastime, you could visit The Grove, which is a popular shopping and dining district.
Greater Wilshire has many museums, shops, and restaurants that you can walk to in this area. You can appreciate the art at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, or enjoy the immersive art exhibit Flutter Experience, before grabbing coffee and a snack at one of Wilshire’s local cafes. Greater Wilshire is even home to The Original Farmer’s Market, where you can purchase fresh produce and support the area’s local farmers. You’ll never run out of things to do in Greater Wilshire.
5. Mid-City West
Mid-City West is a subregion of Los Angeles. This area is a combination of suburban and urban living with several parks, shops, restaurants, and more. Beverly Blvd is at the center of the neighborhood, and provides many options for dining and entertainment. You can walk around this area and find several fun activities like farmers markets, museums, and other attractions. Rosewood Gardens is a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy if you live in Mid-City West. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is also a popular destination to take in the history of cinema. There are also eateries and coffee shops on every corner, which is ideal for people who love food scenes.
A notable feature about Mid-City West is its number of small businesses. These local shops add to the neighborly feel of this area. It also makes the neighborhood feel more like a connected community, with several shop owners depending on the locals. If you like to support local businesses, renting an apartment in Mid-City West is a great way for you to do that.
Whether you’d prefer to live in a more quaint area or a location with lots of nightlife and culture, Los Angeles has the right area for you. If you’d like to learn more about one of these locations or if you’re ready to start looking for a new home, Zumper can help you find a new rental location that fits your needs.
To determine the most popular neighborhoods, we analyzed the data in Los Angeles by search volume for the year 2021. Search volume is the number of sessions each neighborhood receives. We analyzed the data on a yearly and quarterly basis, and while there’s some fluctuation throughout the year, we used the annual totals to determine the neighborhoods listed.
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